Taurus PT92

The Taurus PT92 was first manufactured in 1940 by the Brazilian company Taurus. This outfit specializes in making cost-effective spin-offs of popular handguns, but they have some valid originals too. This is one of them. The PT92 is akin to many of the handguns in Beretta's model 92 line In fact, it has been manufactured by Taurus under license from Beretta since it bought the rights to the design from another Brazilian gun manufacturer in 1980.

The Taurus PT92 is a semiautomatic, locked breech handgun that operates in both double action and single action modes and shoots 9 mm Parabellum rounds in a double-stack magazine. Before the American ban on magazines of such capacities, it could accommodate 15 rounds. The Taurus PT92 comes in a sleek, blued finish and employs the open slide design, which means that a large portion of the barrel is exposed under the cutaway slide. The Taurus PT92 was basically a cheaper Beretta 92 to begin with. In fact, the price difference amounted to several hundreds of dollars. However, it did manage to become an original in its own right when Taurus introduced a magazine catch that was placed behind the trigger guard. This has found favor with many shooters in the United States because it makes for quicker switching of magazines. It also features a safety catch that can be engaged and disengaged with either hand. In fact, this innovative safety doubles as a de-cocking device.

The latter feature does not apply in the case of the older Taurus PT92 AF model and owners of this model seem to think of the lack as an advantage. The P92 AF model is also operable in double and single action modes, but it has a modified ring hammer. It is crafted with an aluminum alloy frame and has the steel slide, barrel and other parts are of steel. It is 8.5 inches in length and 1.6 inches in width, with a barrel length of 5 inches. It weighs 34 ounces and is equipped with a factory standard recoil spring of 13 pounds' capacity. The mainspring has a capacity of 18 pounds. The Taurus PT92 AF has fixed sights, with the rear sight a notched flat aperture that flares into the slide and the front sight also attached to the slide. As mentioned earlier, its ambidextrous frame-mounted safety does not allow de-cocking its depression past the 'fire' position.

Like the Beretta 92, the Taurus PT92 AF model is available in four different versions, and that allows for a wide choice. However, gun connoisseurs have seen it fit to find fault with this handgun on counts of inherently defective sights and weight, the latter being held as too much for a handgun of its caliber. Its prototype - the Beretta 92 - is currently being used by the US military and there is always a lot of comparison going on between it and the Taurus PT92.

The Beretta 92's main claim to fame was that it replaced the M1911 .45 ACP pistol as the standard firearm of the United States Armed Forces. It is also used by the French, Italian and South African militaries. The fact that the Taurus PT92 is a cheaper version of this legendary handgun should actually have eliminated all comparison. However, the verdict is divided - for some, the Beretta wins hands down, even though it is more expensive. In the first place, many prefer the Beretta's Brunitron finish over the Taurus PT92's blued one. The PT92 may have better manual safety features but the Beretta 92 has better sights. However, other users prefer the Taurus PT92 because it is cheaper and also because of its curved trigger, which many find more comfortable during use. It is clear that the Taurus PT92 offers some distinct advantages over the Beretta 92 and that it not just a cheap clone. If all else fades into insignificance, its easier affordability will ensure that the Taurus PT92 will continue to sell well and maintain its niche following.