[agony]

If I get one, I want to shoot it.

Or was it made to be a looker only?

[Boats]

They made it capable of firing.

I'd shoot it, it ain't a baseball card. Modern factory pistols as investment vehicles are probably a waste of money. If the Billennium were 1 of 5 or something and I could be sure that nothing like it would ever be made again, I'd reconsider.

I almost bought a 1 of 5000 Beretta M9. I'd have shot the snot out of that one, even if it eventually killed the slide with the "collector rollmarks."

[Jeff OTMG]

I am not a fan of the Beretta 92, BUT I do have a Billennium. Friends call it a crew served Beretta. It is what the 92 should have been. Only 2000 made, 1000 in the U.S. I have not shot mine yet, but I will next year. I already have 5 magazines for it. No gun I have is a safe queen. If I can't shoot it, I will sell it.

[WonderNine]

Can't afford safe queens at this point.

Nor would I buy a safe until I had more than 10-15 guns.

Right now I only have 6.

[eotp]

I am not familiar with the phrase "crew served".

What does "a crew served Beretta" mean?

[Skunkabilly]

Crew served means (i think) it takes more than one person to operate it, like some of the miltree toys.

The Billenium has a steel frame so has more heft than other Berettas.

That said, I need one.

[Erich]

Man, if I had one, I'd shoot it. I got all excited after reading the Guns magazine (or was it American Handgunner?) cover story a few months back - just like I was supposed to, I suppose. Looks like a nifty gun, though I'd have to have a LOT of extra money before I'd go get one. On the other hand, I just blew $850 on an impulse-buy .45, so maybe the Billennium is not all that expensive. Anyway, once again I find myself envious of Jeff OTMG! :D

[Cableman]

I have been thinking of getting one also, but the $1100-$1200 price tag is pretty steep for a 9mm. I will say it is one of the best looking pistols I have ever seen, they really outdid themselves with that gun.

If I get one, it will be a shooter. No safe queens here, except my unfired Colt 2nd Ammendment single action 22, made in 1977 and still unfired.

[Templehall]

A friend has the Billenium. We took it to the range a month or two ago. I have to say, it's sweet! Great feel. Great finish! The steel frame makes 9mm feel like .22 mag. I think if you fire your Billenium, you won't regret it.

I also have to say that I greatly prefer the frame mounted safety, over the slide mounted version. It's a much better fit in my hand.

[Jeff OTMG]

eotp, the crew served reference was due to the weight of the pistol. In the military a weapon of sufficient weight that cannot be handled by one person is crew served. The B. is considerably heavier than a standard 92 and when you first pick up a B. the weight comes as a surprise.

As far as costs go, I see them regularly on the Texas gun show circuit for $1100-$1300. A used one is only worth $900 and that is what I paid for mine. Keep your eyes on the internet board classifieds, they do show up. If someone is asking more than $1000 for a used B. that is rediculous because a NIB version is not that much more. There are only 1000 in the U.S., but due to the price there is not much demand either so they are available. It took me about 6 months to find mine.

I can't get to my web page now to provide a link, but I took a picture of the new SA all steel Vertec at the SHOT Show this year. It will not be a limited edition pistol like the B. and should be considerably less expensive.

[10-Ring]

If you buy one & want shoot it, shoot it!

[toby]

...but the $1100-$1200 price tag is pretty steep for a 9mm.

That is getting awfully close to SIG P210 levels. It would have to be a helluva shooter.

T