Normal Wear or Beginning of Frame Breakdown?

[Joshua M. Smith]

Hi Guys,

I need those experienced with the Taurus 92 and/or the Beretta 92 platforms here.

I was examining my pistol after practice the other day and noticed what appeared to be peening at the rear of the cutout where the locking block drops into the frame upon disengagement.

I ran a toothpick over it and I couldn't feel anything irregular. I'm probably concerned over some bluing that rubbed off in a strange way.

The pistol has 15,000 - 20,000 rounds through it.

Help?

Thanks,

Josh <><

[SchlaffTablett]

Technically, it's both. A small amount of peening is normal for the 92 series after 10-15K+. As long as it's not excessive, there shouldn't be a problem. Keep an eye out for frame cracks but keep on shooting! --ST

[Joshua M. Smith]

Hello,

Thank you.

I've heard of these things going for 50K + rounds.

This is my primary carry weapon. How soon do you think I should replace it? I am saving for a 1911 and I figure I'll be comfortable with it after about 500rnds. But this is about a year away the way finances are going (self-employed in a small town plagued by layoffs and lockouts... doh!)

Thanks,

Josh <><

[SchlaffTablett]

I feel your pain on the small town thing, I'm from a similar area.
When I was at the factory in Brescia a couple months ago, they said the Egyptians had a stock M9 that went over 100K with nothing other than a spring change. The US Army, however rates them around 35K before overhaul.
Yours should last you quite a while longer, but I'd advise replacing the stock recoil spring if you haven't already. Springs (especially recoil) should be replaced around 10K or less depending on what you shoot out of it. You may want to consider a 15# recoil spring along with a "D" model 18# hammer spring. This will make your trigger infanately better. If you are happy with your trigger, you can just use the recoil spring and it may help with the frame battering.

[Joshua M. Smith]

Hi SchlaffTablett,

Thank you.

This is actually a Taurus 92 but they're virtually identical save for Beretta's decocking system.

It's due for another spring change but I am running a recoil buffer which is 100% reliable. It's built into a $150 target guide rod. I couldn't care less about the target guide rod but I wanted the buffer! LOL It works well.

I do really like the trigger. It still stacks a bit but I've shot it smooth. I thought about taking a coil or two out of the mainspring but I can't find any real pros to it as I can hit with the DA trigger just fine now that it's no longer rough.

Thank you sir,

Josh <><