As good as a beretta?!?!?

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ratt_finkel

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Ok so I am a relatively new and inexpierenced shooter. I've always thought guns were cool. Shot assult rifles with my brother growing up , etc. Now nearly 30, I've sort of turned into an overnight enthusiast with help from a friend who helped me become more comfortable and familiar with firearms.

Anyway, in December I purchased an old Beretta 92FS of his after shooting it. I fell in love with the gun. It operated so smoothly, fit my hands like a glove and for a novice shooter it was very confidence inspiring. Since then I've purchased an xdm 40 and Springfield loaded model 1911. Love both of the guns. But they just don't have the same feel as the beretta.

Can anyone recommend another auto as smooth as the beretta?

Thanks

Jeremy
 
I think smooth is a pretty relative term.

The Beretta you picked up was used, therefore broken in.

The XD and 1911 you purchased sounds like you bought them new, therefore requiring break-in. Is this correct? If so, break in the 1911 and never look back.
 
Get a Kimber 1911. Break in your 1911. My Kimber has a light weight trigger. Shoots great. If you can afford it a trigger job would help.
HPNX0455.jpg
My 92FS Italian
IMG00185-Copy.jpg
Beretta 92FS Compact L Type M
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Kimber Classic Stainless Steel Gold Match
 
If you like the 92, save on the guns and buy ammo everytime you go to Wal-Mart. Not trying to be a jerk but it sounds like you've met your dream girl and want ten more just like her. Nothing will compare if you truly love everything about it. The attempts to duplicate it will just sit in the safe and never get a chance to be broken in.

If you just like guns now and want to get a collection of them, that's another story and another post on how to choose a road to travel in the dizzying map of gun collecting.

If you really want a gun with a smooth trigger and will be shooting alot then try a Browning Buckmark or Ruger Mark. Both are chambered in .22 long rifle and will shoot cheap ammo accurately. They have great stock triggers and can be tricked out endlessly (much more so for the Rugers). They are beautiful to look at as well depending on the model.

Guns were invented to protect life by having the ability to take it so you would be wise to invest in home/self protection tools first. When you have these bases covered, try a nice plinker.

Just my advice; there is much to be had. Sounds like you've done well so far.

Welcome to THR!

Thad
 
one of my first handguns was a beretta 92fs which i loved at that time. now i still like it but have fallen in love with 1911's commander size. but i also have a sig p226 .40cal. which has a similar grip size to the 92. you might like the sig p 226/229 in 9mm or .40. it could be just getting used to the recoil of .40 & .45acp if it is a .45. also the trigger on the xdm is a striker fired. the trigger un my xd .40 was not as good/smooth as my 92 or my 1911's. also you can get some snap caps and practice your trigger while you watch tv. ps welcome to the forum.
 
Can anyone recommend another auto as smooth as the beretta?
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If by smooth you mean the action type than I would say no. The Beretta locking block barrel lockup action type such as used in the 92 is somewhat unique to some Beretta pistol designs these days. Since the 92 only uses a 13 LB recoil spring it tends to make the set up feel even smother.

My biggest problem with the Beretta 92 is I could never warm up to the ergonomics of the 92 even though I liked the action smoothness of the 92.

If you want to see what a better ergonomic design pistol feels like you might want to check out the S&W M&P or even better than that, the HK P30/L.
 
the Beretta dropping block action really doesn't make the action's operation very smooth and most tilt-barrel locking actions will feel clunky.

i would recommend you take a look at the H&K P-7 with it's gas delayed action
 
The great thing aboe 92/96 series is the different options. Most people think of the "plain jane" 92fs or 96fs but in reality, theres alot more. You can get into:
the INOX(stainless with INOX versions of the options listed below)
the Brigadier series(heavier slide)
the Vertec series(one of my fav's with 1911-ish vertical/slim grip)
the Elite I, IA, II and III series(mix of options from other models)
the Centurion series(shorter slide but full frame)
the CB sereis(Single action only)
the Stock series(Brigadier slide w/ front barrel bushing for improved accuracy)

and if you have the coin, you can get into the target/collector models like the Billenium, or the Steel-I. If i could only have 1 pistol ever, it would be the Steel-I. I have only fondled one because i didnt have the $1300 to drop on it. If sex came into gun form, its the Steel-I(shown below)

255hpu8.jpg


IMO, Beretta Holding is the best all around firearms manufacturer/company. If I could only buy firearms from 1 brand, its Beretta. From the pistols, to theirs and Benelli's shotguns, to their revolver, to the SAKO and Tikka line of rifles, they have top notch products in every category.
 
What works well for you might not work well for me at all -- and vice versa. Still, I'd urge you to try the Walther P99 or the P99C with the AS trigger configuration. It's about as smooth as you are going to get, regardless of manufacturer, IMO.
 
If you like the Beretta feel, and don't have a .22LR for inexpensive target work, then one of these would make a nice addition:

Beretta 92FS .22LR Conversion Kit:

beretta22lrcnvrsnkit1.jpg


or a Beretta 87:

beretta87cheetah.jpg
 
I think smooth is a pretty relative term.

The Beretta you picked up was used, therefore broken in.

The XD and 1911 you purchased sounds like you bought them new, therefore requiring break-in. Is this correct? If so, break in the 1911 and never look back.
Click to expand...

The 1911 was New. The XDm was used. But I doubt had many rounds through it. But I see your point.

Get a Kimber 1911. Break in your 1911. My Kimber has a light weight trigger. Shoots great. If you can afford it a trigger job would help.
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Not planning on picking up another 1911 for a while. What does the kimber offer over the SA to make it that much better? I defintely want to look into a trigger job. Mine seems very inconsistent in feel.

How do you like the compact? I'm not familiar with that model.

P.S. your kimber is GORGEOUS!

Since you like the 92FS get a 96FS and see if you like the 40 as much as the 9 in that frame.
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If I can find a range tha has one I will defintely look into it. I'm a big fan of the .40 round.

If you like the 92, save on the guns and buy ammo everytime you go to Wal-Mart. Not trying to be a jerk but it sounds like you've met your dream girl and want ten more just like her. Nothing will compare if you truly love everything about it. The attempts to duplicate it will just sit in the safe and never get a chance to be broken in.

If you just like guns now and want to get a collection of them, that's another story and another post on how to choose a road to travel in the dizzying map of gun collecting.

If you really want a gun with a smooth trigger and will be shooting alot then try a Browning Buckmark or Ruger Mark. Both are chambered in .22 long rifle and will shoot cheap ammo accurately. They have great stock triggers and can be tricked out endlessly (much more so for the Rugers). They are beautiful to look at as well depending on the model.

Guns were invented to protect life by having the ability to take it so you would be wise to invest in home/self protection tools first. When you have these bases covered, try a nice plinker.

Just my advice; there is much to be had. Sounds like you've done well so far.

Welcome to THR!

Thad
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HAHA Thad you are totally right! Why CAN'T I have more than one GF! ;)
I've considered a nice 22 for plinking like you mentioned. Just hasn't been a top priorty at this point. Appreciate the comments and welcomes!
but i also have a sig p226 .40cal. which has a similar grip size to the 92. you might like the sig p 226/229 in 9mm or .40. it could be just getting used to the recoil of .40 & .45acp if it is a .45. also the trigger on the xdm is a striker fired. the trigger un my xd .40 was not as good/smooth as my 92 or my 1911's. also you can get some snap caps and practice your trigger while you watch tv. ps welcome to the forum.
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I remeber shooting a friends sig almost 6 years ago. But I couldn't tell you the model or caliber. I do remember it shot very nicely. But that was before I had my revelation, lol.

The recoil of the XDm and 1911 don't really bother me. The triggers between the 3 guns are obviously distinctly different. I think it's a combonation of the trigger and grip that leans in the berretta's direction.

The great thing aboe 92/96 series is the different options. Most people think of the "plain jane" 92fs or 96fs but in reality, theres alot more. You can get into:
Click to expand...
Some of those look interesting. Never seen the I-steel before.

If you like the Beretta feel, and don't have a .22LR for inexpensive target work, then one of these would make a nice addition:

Beretta 92FS .22LR Conversion Kit:
Click to expand...

That's a possibility. But I'd probably just get a Berretta 87 instead.

Overal, I appreciate the comments. Keep them coming! I'd love to hear from more beretta shooters that have expierence with other models. Or anyone that has relevant feedback on WHY a particular model is worth of exploration. Such as the HK P7 etc.

Thanks!
 
I've got a CZ 75BD and love it. It's accurate, easy to operate, and fits my hand like a glove. I highly recommend it.

cz75bd.jpg
 
I'd love to hear from more beretta shooters that have expierence with other models.
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OK, sure.

It's actually funny that you mentioned the XDM and a 1911. The other night, I got out my 3 full-size semi-auto handguns to put snap caps through them, compare, fondle, etc.

They are an XDM .40, a S&W 1911, and...a Beretta 92FS.

After holding and handling each one multiple times, running failure and loading/unloading drills, etc., I just kept coming back to the Beretta for it's near-perfect feeling in my hand.

I grew up shooting my dad's Beretta 96 (.40 cal) and so the design feels so familiar to me. I can reach all the controls comfortably and instinctively. And no matter how great and slim the 1911 feels to me, when I pick the Beretta back up, it just "sinks" into my hand.

I guess my point is, whatever you shoot and handle the most will probably end up being your favorite "go-to" gun. For me, it's the Beretta. It sounds like you are the same.

There are tons of fantastic full-size semi-auto designs out there, and I've owned or at least shot many of them. But don't let anyone tell you that any of them are "better" than the Beretta.

And yes, it's smooth as BUTTER.
 
I personally don't like that cheap looking takedown latch on the Berettas. So, I bought a CZ instead and sold my Cougar. I'm glad I did.

310179239_18a31e313a_o.jpg
 
The thing that bothers me most about the CZ 75 is its very short slide. It makes it difficult, or atleast requires a good amount of practice, to operate. Compared to the 92, the 92 has a very distinct and much nicer feel.
 
Man I wish I could take a better picture. Here is my 92FS above the 92FS-C. Found the compact in remarkable condition and got an amazing deal. I will never part with them. I've done no justice with my camera.

Here's a good link to some info on the evolution of the 92 and some good pictures.

http://world.guns.ru/handguns/hg07-e.htm

BTW: Could someone turn this into a picture thread??? And could someone please tell me how to post a full size pic??
 

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