Before you buy either, shoot one. For people with smaller hands the grips are simply fat and uncomfortable.
One of my students in Saturday's Basic Pistol class had the Taurus clone and he had a LOT of trouble with "failure to feeds." I don't know if that's a consistent problem with this model or not, but it was a relatively new gun and it did not function well at all. I cleaned and lightly oiled the feed ramp and that helped a little, but he continued to have problems, much to his embarrassment.For a while I've been thinking I want a 1911, and still really do. But in thinking about my overall aresenal's strategic position (nice contrast to "tactical" ), I'm thinking that staying with a 9mm caliber for my next pistol would be more ideal. That way I don't have to stock a few thousand rounds of .45 along with the stash I have in about 7 or 8 other calibers.
So, I've been looking a bit at full size 9mms. There are of course Glocks, Sigs, 1911 style pistols in 9mm, and a few others. But the Beretta 92 has really caught my eye, as well as the Taurus clones of it.
Many of the posts I've read on the Beretta really sing its praises. And it should be no surprise, since the military uses the same basic gun as the M9.
What about the Taurus? Is it any good? I realize that may open a war of sorts, but I would still like to know what you guys that have shot them think.
As an aside, I have a couple of Tauri (is that the correct plural of Taurus?) in my collection, and really like them. So, I'm not really needed to be sold on the brand, more just on that particular model.
They are sharp with those Hogue Grips on them.
Quick question about features and differences. From what I've seen, the Beretta safety is on the slide, and flips down (as shown in the pic) for "Safe" and is flipped up for "Fire." The Taurus safety is fram mounted, and appears to be the opposite. Up for "Safe" and down for "Fire."
If that is correct, I'm wondering if I had the Beretta if I would have trouble with the safety in a tense situation. My current carry gun is a PT111, and the safety flips down for "fire." Part of my routine now is to un-holster, and in the process flip the safety off with my thumb as I grip.
Patriot, Is that a special run, where did you find that one. I need one of those.
There's one on gunbroker.They made 1,000 for each of the five services. My father bought it from a local shop, when I was in the service. That was back in 2003 I believe. I would say you would be hard pressed to find one know. Honestly I have no idea where to look to even attempt to find one.
Stopped by Acme Sports here in Seymour today to see what they had. On the shelf were three brand new Beretta 92's.
One US made, and two Italian. One of the Italians was in stainless.
I had a chance to handle the black Italian made 92FS. Really felt good, and in a two handed grip seemed to very natually line up with my eye.
I thumbed the safety a few times, and while it was a little awkward (completely backwards from my normal carry gun), it wasn't too bad. I think with a little practice I could probably learn it.
They didn't have any Taurus versions for comparison, so I didn't get to handle one of them.
All in all, I did like the way the Beretta felt, and man was it smooth. Price wasn't too bad, NIB for $589 (only $10 more than the US copy). I didn't buy it, but it gives me a sense of what I'm gonna need to save up for.