Beretta 92 or CZ

[j1979]

How does the Beretta 92fs stack up against the CZ 75B? Ive read great things about both and am just curious. Are they both greatshooters out of the box? Triggers comparable? Thanks

 

[benderx4]

I've got both and love both. Offhand, I'd say the Beretta has the better trigger out of the box, but the CZ is the more accurate gun. If you're going to buy the Beretta, I'd look for one that says "Made in Italy" - my gun shop told me they have less MIM and plastic parts than the US made ones. The Kadet .22 conversion Kit for the CZ is wellmade, inexpensive and shoots like a champ.

 

[ozwyn]

Had both, shot both. I liked the decocker of the beretta but felt the cz was more fun to shoot.

Not sure entirely why, but the thinner grips of the cz and the all steel frame (not alloy) is my suspicion.

 

[j1979]

Thanks. I was looking at Buds online and they have some really good prices on the Berettas. My local gun shop wants more for a used one than Buds does for a new one.

 

[burningsquirrels]

search the forum. this was asked just a couple days ago.

CZ.

 

[YoungGun]

I had the same issue, and I read ALLOT of different opinions on the 92fs and CZ
75B. I shot both and I felt the 92fs was a better shot over the CZ in accuracy and
in feel IMO. Shoot both side by side then make your decision don’t listen to every
thing you read on forums. I ended up getting the 92fs in inox great gun! The CZ is
on the list to add to the collection.

I'd look for one that says "Made in Italy" - my gun shop told me they have less MIM and plastic parts than the US made ones.

benderx4


I have read this many time before when I was doing my “homework” on the 92fs. I went out to the local shops to see if this in fact was true. When I found the a 92fs "Made in Italy" (which by the way is not a very easy Gun to come by here in CA) I found the only real difference was the "Made in Italy" stamp and the slide was a bit more stiffer, as far as less plastic goes it looked the same.


Correct me if I’m wrong but what do people consider to much plastic? Because in my 92fs including the trigger I think there’s only 4 other plastic pieces

 

[j1979]

I just found a 75b stainless used with only 20 rds shot through it for 500 bucks at a local store this afternoon. They also had some 92fs is mint conditin for about the same. I hate to say it but I think since I started with a Glock everything else doesnt quite feel right. The grip and everything feels great on the CZ but it feels tiny in my hand compared to the G22.

 

[SwampWolf]

Like benderx4, I own and like both. They "feel" differently from each other and I think most people are going to prefer the ergonomics of one or the other- a purely subjective matter and I'd really recommend handling and, if possible, shooting them both (preferably side-by-side) before deciding.

And, like YoungGun, I don't think there's any significant difference between Italian and American made 92s in terms of design, material or workmanship. I've closely examined pistols made in both countries and could see no differences- at least in those specific specimans (mine was made in Italy I might add).

 

[HorseSoldier]

The Beretta is not a bad pistol, though it's a bit larger than it needs to be and this hurts ergonomics (as does the placement of the safety/decocker on the slide). I've found issue M9s to be generally very reliable (except when bad mags are in the mix, but that applies to any mag fed firearms), but lacking in durability -- I've seen a lot of locking block failures along the way on pistols that were trained with hard.

The CZs are ergonomically superior, in my opinion (though some with smaller hands feel the trigger reach is long in DA). I can work the trigger, decocker, slide release and mag release on my P-01 and SP-01 without breaking my grip. On the Beretta 92, even with big hands, I have to break my grip to hit the mag release, and the decocker/safety is a lost cause (and can be accidentally engaged if you slingshot the slide). Supposedly CZ slide stop pins aren't durable, but I have not seen that with either of my 9mm's or my CZ97, personally, and have high enough round counts (mostly hot NATO-spec ammo) through my P-01 and SP-01 that if the internet claims we accurate they would have broken 2-3 times by now.

I'd say accuracy is a wash between a full-sized CZ and the Beretta. I'd think even a full-size CZ would be more concealable for carry.

 

[FourTeeFive]

I really like both guns. The Beretta 92FS is probably cheaper in terms of surplus mag availability, used holsters, etc. CZ mags are a bit pricey.

 

[SureThing]

Mec Gar makes CZ mags, and you can get Mecgar's for $20.

 

[burningsquirrels]

with regards to small hands and CZ trigger reach... my fiance is 5'1" and very small handed. she reaches the DA just fine.

 

[JHansenAK47]

Mec Gar makes CZ mags, and you can get Mecgar's for $20.

They are the same ones CZ sells. However CZ will put different base plates on some of the mags, but they are still mecgar made mag bodies, followers and springs. The CZ75 mags are identical.

my gun shop told me they have less MIM and plastic parts than the US made ones.

I don't know about MIM but the new berettas (all new production 92fs pistols) are made in the US and feature plastic parts. At first US production Pistols were pretty much identical to the italian ones that were previously imported. Now they have undergone production modifications mostly the plastic parts. The trigger and safety are both plastic parts with metal inserts in them which is a departure from solid metal parts. Some people feel that is just a cheaper part and if the price was equal they would be all metal parts. Personally I don't care for the new plastic parts. If you have a Inox(stainless) pistol you now have a bunch of black plastic parts. The all metal control berettas are now going to go for a little more than the current production pistols condition being equal. I really doubt the plastic parts will function at a lower level.
That said I like my CZ more. The controls are more similar to my 1911.

 

[benderx4]

Italy vs USA

That's basically what my gun shop told me as well - the USA made Berettas have more and more plastic (polymer) parts.

Take a look at these pics, one Italian, and one USA, both are INOX. Check out the trigger, mag release, take down lever, slide release, and safety on the one made in the USA. Polymer. These same pieces are all metal (alloy?) on the European gun. As for internal parts - who knows?

For the Italian made 92FS pic, see post #20.

 

[SureThing]

The one on the right is not a FS. Plastic is being used in most all Berettas now. There is no difference between the 2. Go over to berettaforums and there is a FAQ there.

 

[JHansenAK47]

Plastic is being used in most all Berettas now.

It's more of a question of current production vs older production pistols. Rather than US vs Italian. BTW I just got an 87 target and it has plastic grips and that's pretty much it. I also was looking at a new production beretta 84 the other day and it had an all metal trigger safety etc.

 

[Josh Aston]

Correct me if I’m wrong but what do people consider to much plastic? Because in my 92fs including the trigger I think there’s only 4 other plastic pieces

The only plastic in a Beretta should be the grips.

 

[Scratchshooter40]

Steel I vs. 92FS

You're absolutely correct. The Steel I was made for IDPA and other competition complete with a different safety, grip profile, mag release, hammer, slide etc. Just not the same weapon. That being said I have fitted the Elite II hammer and mag release in my Beretta 96's, 92FS, and Cougar 8000 (mag release only). As to the original intent of this thread, I have no experience with a CZ 75B. I do own a CZ P-06 and it shoots great. It would be much more concealable if it didn't have that 3/4" long mag extension. As to the trigger, it was the most horrendous I have ever experienced out of the box. With use and familiarity it got better. The Beretta 96 is my CCW of choice as I am fairly large and have no issues concealing it. I like the controls and their placement and have shot possible with it at every qualification. BTW, my take down lever is metal as it is from LaserMax to actuate the guide rod laser. We are required by the S.O. to use duty carry ammo for qualification to mitigate any control issue that might arise in court by training with ammo like WWB 165gr. FMJ. Train like you fight and you will fight like you train.

 

[Juna]

The CZ is thinner, has better ergonomics, and shoots better. It's also available with a manual safety or decocker. In my hands, the Beretta feels clunky. I also didn't like the way the safety operation worked. I've fired multiple Berettas and multiple CZs, and I find the CZs the winner hands down (not to mention cheaper--although not for long).

 

[benderx4]

Geesh, you guys are a tough crowd. You're absolutely right, the pic on the right (above) is not a 92FS. My bad. So .... I suck with a camera, but you leave me no choice. Below please find my own Italian made 92 FS and notice the same parts I described above are all metal, not plastic. But on the other hand, I also own 10 HKs, and they've got a ton of polymer. Go figure.

 

[paradox998]

I have both and very much prefer the CZ. Better feel in my hand, more accurate and just more fun to shoot. The 92fs is a nice gun, but is larger and feels more like awkward for me. I also prefer the recoil of the CZ. Add to this that you can put a kadet conversion on the CZ and the choice is easy.

 

[skwab]

I don't think you can go wrong with either. The 92fs was my first pistol so of course I have a soft place in my heart for it!

But while they are different, both are great shooters, reliable, and widely carried with plenty of available parts, accessories, etc. So why debate - get both!

 

[tbtrout]

Both good, shot both, prefer the CZ

 

[IdahoLT1]

for those of you who might be mistaken, Beretta also has a .22LR conversion for the 92/96 series.

 

[sharpetop]

I've owned both! Nothing wrong with the Beretta, but the CZ just feels and shoots better in my hands. The Beretta has been traded!