TAURUS PT-92

Sexiness:	4.5
Reliability:	5
Maintenance:	5.0
Overall:	4.85 (Excellent)

Let me start by saying that I believe the Taurus PT-92 to be the best "bang for the buck" pistol on the market today. Manufactured by Brazilian company Forjas Taurus SA, the newest version packs 17 rounds of 9mm ammo, while the previous version held 15. I have heard of a 30-round extended clip for this gun but I have not had the time to look for one.

For the test, I fired 1,000 rounds of various ammo, which included Federal Hydrashok, Remington, and primarily PMC 115gr. FMJ. There was not a single malfunction or problem of any kind.

Accuracy was as good as I would expect from a semi-auto pistol, resulting in 3" groups at 10 yards. I should point out that I'm not the most accomplished marksman with semi-auto pistols. As the clip emptied, the gun maintained a very good balance and stability. Combined with the pleasing ergonomics, this made the gun very enjoyable and accurate to shoot.

One problem that I absolutely cannot stand with many semi-autos is the fact that they are 'slow on the uptake'; the phrase that I have adopted for guns that don't fire as quickly as I can pull the trigger. This is a huge aggravation for me. Having previously owned an older model Taurus PT-92, I had high expectations for the newer version's ability to throw a lot of lead downstream very quickly. I was not disappointed. At 10 yards, I was able to hold a 10" group while firing all 17 rounds... in 5 seconds.

The PT-92 is very easy to strip and clean. The newest version includes a rail for accessorizing, for those who want to add a little sex appeal. While I am a big fan of function, such as the added rail, I am not a fan of "shiny" guns. I prefer an ugly workhorse gun over a sparkly piece that I can put in a glass case any day. For this reason, I am not impressed with the "bling" versions of the PT-92 and other guns that Taurus is now producing. The stainless version with mother of pearl handles is probably of some aesthetic value to collectors but the gold version reminds me of something out of a John Woo film.

Regardless of my personal opinions on "bling" aesthetics, I give the Taurus PT-92 a very high recommendation. It is a great weapon sporting a high-capacity magazine, near flawless reliability, good looks, and some of the best customer service in the entire industry.

Manufacturer:	Forjas Taurus SA
Action:	Double action / Single action
Material:	Carbon Steel
Finish:	Blued, Stainless, Gold
Caliber:	9mm Luger
Length:	8.5"
Barrel Length:	5"
Weight:	34oz.
Capacity:	10+1 / 15+1 /  17+1
Sights:	Fixed
MSRP:	$527.00