After serving 20 years in the United States Air Force, I grew to rely on and respect the Beretta 92, known to service members as the M9. It was the pistol I trained with, carried daily, maintained, inspected and trusted to perform in every environment for me and my students. Later, as a professional firearms instructor and gunsmith, I got up close and personal with its close relative, the Taurus 92.
Both handguns share the same foundation, yet through years of use and technical inspection of the M9, I have learned that the Taurus 92 is more than just a copy. It is an evolution, a design that took the lessons learned from the M9 and refined them into a platform that better serves modern shooters, and I call that a win.
Shared DNA, Different Direction
The Beretta and Taurus connection began in the early 1980s when Beretta’s Brazilian production contract ended. Taurus acquired the factory, along with the same tooling and blueprints that had produced the original Beretta 92s. As a result, early Taurus 92s were mechanically identical to their Italian predecessors, sharing the same open slide design, short recoil operation and locking block system that made the M9 famous for reliability.
From there, Taurus began making thoughtful design improvements based on user feedback and field experience. Updates that directly addressed the issues many service members noticed with the Beretta 92 during daily use.
The Safety System: From Slide to Frame
For many, the most significant improvement Taurus made was relocating the safety and decocker from the slide to the frame. Taurus solved this by moving the safety to the frame, where the thumb naturally rests. This frame-mounted system allows the pistol to be carried or safely decocked for a double-action first shot. The result is faster, safer and more intuitive operation, especially under stress. For both new shooters and professionals, this change dramatically improves ergonomics and handling.
Slide and Locking Block Strength
Early M9s were known for slide cracks and locking block fractures under high round counts or with overpressure ammunition. As a gunsmith, I have seen those failures firsthand. Taurus inherited the post-reinforcement designs and further improved them with forged slides, updated metallurgy and radiused locking block corners, which reduced the time a pistol is down.
Modern Taurus 92s handle tens of thousands of rounds without the cracking issues that once plagued the M9. The upgraded materials and heat treatment make the Taurus 92 one of the most durable all-metal 9mm pistols on the market today.
Improved Trigger and Reset
Both pistols operate with a traditional double-action, single-action trigger system. The first pull of the trigger is long and heavy, while subsequent pulls are lighter and shorter. Out of the box, the Beretta’s trigger is smooth, but the Taurus 92 refines this with a shorter, more tactile reset and a cleaner break. After a few hundred rounds of use, the Taurus 92’s trigger has a responsive feel that many shooters find easier to master, particularly when teaching fast follow-up shots or defensive drills.
Ergonomics and Grip
One long-standing challenge with the Beretta 92 is its large grip circumference. Shooters with smaller hands often struggle with proper trigger reach in double-action mode. Taurus addressed this by recontouring the grip panels and checkering pattern to improve traction and comfort without compromising the frame’s strength. Personally, I handled the Taurus 92 more confidently and achieved better trigger control right out of the box. The improved grip texture and slightly modified angle are designed to fit a broader range of hands.
Maintenance and Field Serviceability
From a gunsmithing standpoint, the Taurus 92 is easier to maintain. The frame-mounted safety simplifies disassembly, and the takedown latch and guide rod are designed for quicker breakdown. The locking block design is stronger and easier to inspect, and overall, the pistol’s internal tolerances are straightforward to service. The Taurus 92 streamlines that process while maintaining full compatibility with most Beretta components.
Finish and Corrosion Resistance
Early M9s suffered from corrosion issues due to their finish, particularly in humid or coastal environments. I have personally seen service pistols with pitted slides after only a few months in tropical conditions. Taurus fixed this by using hard-anodized aluminum frames and stainless or matte Tenifer-style finishes that resist rust and wear. The Taurus 92 Stainless model performs exceptionally well in high-moisture climates such as Florida, which I value both as an instructor and as someone who carries daily in heat and humidity.
Modern Upgrades: Rails and Sights
Taurus did not stop at internal improvements. Many Taurus 92 models now include accessory rails for mounting lights and lasers, a must-have feature for modern home defense and low-light training. The dovetailed front and rear sights are another upgrade. Early Beretta 92s used fixed front sights that could not be changed without machining. Taurus adopted dovetail cuts, allowing users to easily install fiber optic, tritium, or competition sights without gunsmithing. For shooters who want customization, this makes a real difference.
Weight and Balance
Both pistols share an all-metal frame, but Taurus optimized the Taurus 92’s weight distribution, resulting in a more balanced feel. The pistol’s recoil is smooth and predictable, and the alloy frame keeps it durable yet manageable. While still a full-size pistol, it feels less heavy than the original M9, a noticeable improvement, especially during long training sessions.
Price and Value
From a value perspective, the Taurus 92 is a great buy in the full-size 9mm category. The Beretta 92FS typically retails for $750 to $900, while the Taurus 92 delivers similar performance in the $500 to $650 range. As someone who maintained and repaired the M9, the Taurus 92 is a wise choice for shooters who want a reliable, service-grade pistol without the premium price tag.
Final Thoughts
As both a veteran who carried the M9 as a duty weapon and a gunsmith who has maintained and performed service inspections on thousands of M9s, I can confidently say that the Taurus 92 is not a clone. It is the natural evolution of one of the most reliable service pistols ever made. The Beretta 92 is an iconic sidearm that earned its place in American military history. I carried it for more than 20 years and continue to respect its legacy. But the Taurus 92 took that proven design and made it better, simpler, stronger, and more intuitive for today’s shooters. From the frame-mounted safety to corrosion-resistant finishes, Taurus refined nearly every area where the Beretta 92 once fell short.
Check out all the Taurus 92 variations at the Taurus website.
Avery Skipalis is the owner of Skip’s Tactical Solutions, an organization that focuses on empowering women, men and children to make sure that no one else becomes a victim. She gained her firearms experience from the military where she’s been a military firearms instructor for 10.5 years. She’s also a certified NRA rifle and pistol instructor and Glock Advanced Armorer since 2015. She’s attended Sig Sauer Academy, FNH, Special Operations Command Armorers courses as well as multiple Advanced Shooting Schools across the United States. She resides in Florida with her husband and 2 kids. She’s currently serving in the United States Air Force and loves sharing her passion with others. She thinks it’s important that women also feel like they’re in control of their own safety. View all posts by Avery Skipalis
