Beretta's and Tauri (Taurus's?)

[Copernicus]

Hello all, more Firearms questions.

I have fallen in love with Beretta 92's and 96's.

Since I am in the market for pistol that I could use at work i have thought about buying a Beretta.

Then I got the whole lecture about Taurus clones of Beretta 92's.

Question 1: Does Taurus make a clone of the 96 (40 Cal.)

Question 2: If they do, will they fit into a Beretta 92/96 Holster for Duty Use?

Since i work Detention and not Patrol we are allowed to use pretty much any gun we want, Also, its a small county with a very low Violent Crime Rate (One Deputy still uses a .357 Revolver, but he's SRO)

Question 3: Would a Taurus 96 Clone make a Good Duty weapon for a Detention Sergeant?

[AzPilot]

Question 1: Does Taurus make a clone of the 96 (40 Cal.)

Question 2: If they do, will they fit into a Beretta 92/96 Holster for Duty Use?

Question 3: Would a Taurus 96 Clone make a Good Duty weapon for a Detention Sergeant?

Question 1: Yes. The Taurus model 100 is the Beretta 96 "clone"
http://www.taurustactical.com/products/product-details.cfm?id=1&category=Pistol

Question 2: Dimensionally, it should be darn close. If the holster fits a 96, it should fit a 100

Question 3: If you really....really like the gun, and you're allowed to carry it. That said, there's probably a good reason that tens of thousands of street cops carry guns like Glocks (and to a lesser extent, Smiths, Sigs, Springfields, H&K's, etc). A duty gun is less about what's aesthetically pleasing, and more about what you'd "trust your life to" if and when that time comes.

Taurus makes some decent guns at a good price point. However, I'd personally be more willing to carry a used PD-trade-in Glock 22 (usually sold around here for about $329), than a brand-spanking-new Taurus.

As a side-note, holster, magazine, and accessory availability will be vastly superior if you decide to choose a "mainstream" duty gun, rather than something that's "niche".

That said, the Taurus should have the ability to serve you well, should you choose to go that route.

P.S. For that deputy that carries the .357 wheel-gun...although that piece lacks in capacity, properly-loaded .357 is still pretty much the reigning-champion "fight-stopper" round out there. Many hundreds of thousands of dollars have been spent to try to replicate .357's performance stats, in a higher-capacity semi-auto platform...hence the birth of the .40 S&W and the .357 Sig. Few bullets...but much gun.

[CPD7297]

I wouldn't buy or use any Taurus firearm. There must be a pretty good reason no LE agency carries a Taurus. Many issue the Beretta, even the military. My department uses S&W, but if I could pick a carry weapon, I'll probably switch to a SigSauer. My 2 cents. :D

[Copernicus]

As a response I will add that I personally don't like Glocks, simply due to the fact that I hate the grip and the feel of the weapon in my hand.

I like the design of the Smith M&P series but don't personally know anyone that owns one that would take me out and let me shoot.

Springfield's are ok, but my Brother in law has had a few jamming problems with his and his 9mm XD actually got stuck on the open position due to a spring failure thingie (technical term)

My First Choice would be a Smith and Wesson M&P 40 but seeing as how that is roughly 200 dollars more than i can spend and is out of my Range, I might wait few more months to get one.

[AzPilot]

Each person has their own preference. Some people swear by Glocks...some people swear -at- Glocks.

However, it's tough to dispute that certain guns are well-regarded as -tools- when it comes to law-enforcement or military applications.

Personally, I'd love to carry my HK USP .45 Tac on-duty...it's a very, very sweet gun. However, it would also be a crying shame to have it sitting on an evidence-room shelf, labeled "Exhibit A" if I ever had to use it on-duty...seeing as how they're darn near a grand a pop.

That's why a Glock 21SF suits me just fine at half the price. :D

[JSD73]

I don't know, 12 years ago I took a transition course using the Taurus' clone of the 92FS and had nary a problem with it. It was accurate and smooth, or was it me? :D

I have carried a Beretta Cougar 8040 G for the past 11 years and have never ever ever had a problem with it. I am looking to purchase a new weapon, and for some odd reason, I am very intent on buying a Taurus OSS 24/7 in a 9mm or 40 calibre version. Of course I also want a PX4 Storm, an M&P , maybe a Walther and a few others....hell, I won't like, I'd like em all.

I do believe Taurus has vastly improved over the years, but, they have a hard time escaping the past reputation that they once had with their firearms.

[fdkay]

I own several tauri, 3 revovlers and 1 semi-auto (24/7).
They all function perfectly.
I would carry my model 66 7 shot .357 on duty today if permitted. As it is, I carry an M&P .40, it is a fine weapon.
My 24/7 is my off duty gun.
The problem with asking that type of question on a forum is you are going to get personal biases, "the only real gun is a glock" or 1911, or M&P etc...
I carried the Beretta for years in the Military and was a small arms instructor. I was the unit Armorer when I had to box up my pristine condition model 1911's and return them to Crane, Indiana when I received my Beretta's.
I was not thrilled to do it.
The Beretta is very easy to shoot for those with large hands, however, we had to teach many of the females to shoot with both the strong hand and weak hand index fingers pulling the trigger because they could not get a good enough purchase due to the size of the grip.
My 24/7 has a mag capacity of 17, yet it is MUCH smaller in the grip than the Beretta.
The Beretta is reliable and accurate, but would not be MY choice. But they go bang every time, they are VERY safe, they are accurate. Good enough reason to use one.
The Taurus copies are made on Beretta machinery, they made the weapons under contract with Beretta for local Government contracts.
The same reason that Beretta now has a factory in the U.S., the contract stipulates that the weapons will be built in country.
A Taurus clone will serve you just fine, AFTER you take it to the range and verify functionality with your duty rounds (as should be done with any weapon).
I would personally prefer their model with the frame mounted safety/de-cocker. Putting the safety on the slide is stupid.
Any holster that fits the Beretta will fit the corresponding Taurus clone.

[C0d3 thr33]

The Taurus PT92 (with light rail) fits great in the Bianchi Accumold Model 7001 size 15 thumbsnap holster.

The only possible complaint I have is the occasional failure to feed Federal Hydra-Shocks when depressing the slide stop to release the slide. I don't recall the jam when I pulled the slide back (from the open and closed positions) to chamber a round.

:) Overall, several thousand rounds later I am very happy with the PT92.

[velobard]

The folks at my favorite gun shop say that of the guns from Taurus, they'd only own the 92. I've heard that Taurus bought Beretta's factory and tooling for that model. My son bought one and loves it. I have to say, it's a very nice shooting gun.

[NYSJAILER2008]

I love my Taurus PT92 9MM 17 rds ....never had a FTF or FTE. I love double action steel heavy long barrell handguns..its a mans mans gun...super accurate hit X every time.