Taurus PT99, 917 and 911

[wgoforth]

Anyone had any experience with the Taurus PT99, 917 or 911? They sure are sweet looking pistols in the stainless! Any benefit of one above the other?
Thanks!

[williamkevin]

I've owned the 917 and a 92 from Taurus and liked then both very much. I shot the 917 in my very first IDPA match and used it for my CHL qualification. It was very accurate and easy to shoot. I had the stainless version and it was really easy to care for. Even though Taurus' "92" style pistols have the frame mounted safety lever/decocker, and I could reach it easily, I had to re-adjust my grip to get firm purchase on the magazine release. I have relatively small hands and sold the pistol for this reason. Everything else about the gun worked well for me.

[wgoforth]

I've owned the 917 and a 92 from Taurus and liked then both very much. I shot the 917 in my very first IDPA match and used it for my CHL qualification. It was very accurate and easy to shoot. I had the stainless version and it was really easy to care for. Even though Taurus' "92" style pistols have the frame mounted safety lever/decocker, and I could reach it easily, I had to re-adjust my grip to get firm purchase on the magazine release. I have relatively small hands and sold the pistol for this reason. Everything else about the gun worked well for me.

Thanks! The 92 is similar enough to a 99 that you might be able to answer, is there any benefit of the 92 (actually I would want the 99, which appears to just be a sight adjustable version of the 92) over the 917 or vice-verse? The 911 also looks impressive, just a slightly smaller version I suppose?

[williamkevin]

The only real difference between the 92 and 917 I think is that the slide and barrel on the 917 is about an inch shorter (about even with the dust cover part of the frame). I didn't notice any real difference in operation between the two pistols. They both have double-stack magazines. I don't know much about the 911, but back in the 90's I bought a 945 right after they came out, and although it was a nice pistol (I liked the design), it was plagued with magazine problems in the early days.

[RPB]

Internal Guide Rod laser by Lasermax is made for the 92/99, but not the 917
That's important if looking for holsters and you want more variety of choices and a laser..

917 barrel is an inch shorter than 92, but overall length is listed as the same for both on Taurususa

I have a 92 Stainless with rail. Most accurate dependable gun I own, as dependable as my Glocks, but more accurate. I feel safer when I have it, even though I have a choice of carry guns.
I carry the 92 in a Safepacker usually, it's a bit big for IWB if your pants are too tight from Christmas/Thanksgiving, but I do that too occaisionally. I'm looking at buying a 917 for carry too, but same size with an inch shorter barrel barely makes sense. The 917 though is still probably going to be mine one day, great pistol.

I can't sell my 92, it's what I'll always use for the qualification tests, it's a tack driving machine and I like having the smallest groups in the class