Taurus 99/Beretta 92FS comparison

NOTPARS

I recently looked at a Beretta 92FS and a Taurus 99. Besides the obvious reasons for similarity, the Taurus was more than a hundred dollars cheaper. As far as reliability and accuracy, is the Taurus even close to the Beretta or would it be better to pony up the difference and go with the 92FS? Also, does anyone have any opinions on the compact version of the 99, the Taurus 909SS? I did a search on this topic and there does not appear to be any posts about these guns (Taurus) since 2004.

royc38

This is a very good question. For the money, the Taurus is the better gun. Lifetime warranty, frame mounted safety(my preference). Now the better gun is the Beretta. It just seems a little smoother and better finish. If you are a miltary person, I would ante up the 100.00 and get the Beretta. This way you train at home with what you will use in the field. I think your life is worth the extra 100.00 don't you?. They are both good guns and either way you will do good. I personally own the Taurus 9af and the Beretta 96 (9mm and 40cal.). They are both good guns and I would trust my life with either.

NOTPARS

royc38: That is a really post and reply. You must be a writer. Good advice too. I was thinking along the lines of a basic self defense gun that would be rugged and reliable first, accurate second. I was never a two-tone guy but I recently saw a two tone Beretta and loved it. Would you say the Beretta is significantly more accurate? Will the Taurus hold up over the years? I am not talking about thousands of rounds, just the ability to remain a solid piece over the years. Again, thanks for the post.

royc38

From my personal experience. I have owned the Taurus longer. The 99af 9mm has the frame mounted safety and adj. sights. There was a time when the Taurus was my No#2 gun. In the 80's I worked as a personal bodyguard for certain celebrities and business executives. My duties sometimes demanded that I be armed. The Colt series 70 was my main pistol at the time and when I needed a 9mm on certain jobs,I carried the Taurus. It never failed me and I have never had any complaints with it. Now one thing that did impress me about it was a recent developement. My Browning Hi Power is the most accurate centerfire pistol that I have ever owned and up until recently never jammed. I purchased what they call "range safe ammo". I think it is made by S&B but not for sure. This ammo has a steel shell case but is copper plated. I tested it (in the Taurus), shot perfectly and accurately. I ordered a case of it. The Browning hates it and jams about every 5th shot. So to answer your question about solid, the Taurus is very solid. For self defense the Taurus will suit you just fine.

geeguy

I own both. Need the Beretta to shoot CMP and the Taurus for PPC. Off a ranson rest the Taurus is more accurate at 50 yds "out of the box" vs. the M-9 (92FS). Taurus also has an extra safety (which is the reason it can't be used in CMP).

The trigger is better in the Beretta, more parts available at a better price, and more information available on the web.

Now, please bear in mind, neither is very accurate until a match barrel and bushing is smith'd on these guns, and not as easily or cheap as smithing a 1911. I'd recommend a trigger job on both, at the very least.

Both have functioned very well as long as they have good magazines (I match each to the gun, so I'm not sure they wouldn't work just as well right out of the package, never tried it)

Can't go to far wrong with either one, but don't expect to match a custom smith'd gun with these.

Pearyw

I have used a Taurus 99 for IPSC and IDPA for the last 12 years. I bought it used for $250 and have over 30,000 rounds thru it so far. One easy way to improve the accuracy is to use a 92 Beretta barrel. They fit tighter than the Taurus barrel and drop right in.

Wehrmacht_45

I have both, and let me tell you this. Unless the Beretta is Italian made, the Taurus is a better overall gun. Beretta USA is inferior in fit and finish to the Beretta Italy made guns.

Jorge

I've never owned a Taurus, however, may relate to you issues with Beretta customer service.

[:(]

dcs shooters

I have both and it's a toss up between the two. If you are used to a 1911 or BHP, go with the Taurus. If where the safety is doesn't bother you go with the Beretta. I've done trigger jobs on both, and accuracy is about the same.