Beretta 92 or SW 5906

[leadcounsel]

Which do you prefer and why? Which is the better pistol?

 

[wrs840]

I own one early-90s Italy-made Beretta 92FS and think it's a great pistol. A classic, accurate, fun to shoot.

I own three 5904s (the black, alloy frame variant of the 5906). I think these are great full-frame utility-9s. A tad less accurate than a 92 but lighter, smaller, and can be bought cheaper. I carry-concealed a 5904 often and like them a lot.

I like the "safery-decocker" protocol on both.

Pride-of-ownership and investment-value may favor the 92. S&W 3rd gens are a fairly-inexpensively-satisfied obsession for those of us that have a love for them.

 

[MachIVshooter]

The 5906. I own both, and I do like the Beretta, but the S&W is hands-down a more ergonomic, more accurate, more reliable and more durable firearm.

 

[leadcounsel]

Mechanical advantages?

 

[el Godfather]

No experience with 5906, but the 92FS is a fine SD weapon. No complaints. It works fine.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Mechanical advantages?

The 5906 has a simpler, stronger locking system; The locking block has always been the 92's weak link (no pun intended). 5906 also has a steel frame, yet is only 3 ounces heavier.

They are both stylish, with aesthetics slightly favoring the Beretta, IMO, but the Smith is just a slightly better gun. Neither will disappoint, though, so go with what you want.

Of course, the obvious answer is to get both. No 9mm collection is complete without them

 

[dprice3844444]

only prob smith quit making parts for the 5906. still have my orig from the cop shop days.plus my 20 round mags in my custom mag holders engraved with buford t justice on them

 

[SwampWolf]

I have both and will part with neither. But if I could only keep one, it would be the Third Generation Smith-for mostly subjective reasons (handling, pointing and generally favorable ergonomics that suits my particular hand best). I think that both pistols are equally well-made, plenty accurate and are reliable in the extreme.

 

[coalman]

IMO the 92fs. "Better" is subjective, but the availability of parts, mags and accessories tips the scale for me to the 92fs. The 92fs is a fine weapon for its intended application.

 

[JTQ]

dprice3844444 wrote,
only prob smith quit making parts for the 5906.

They show parts on the current parts list.
http://www.smith-wesson.com/wcsstore/SmWesson2/upload/other/PistolPartsList_Retail.pdf

 

[leadcounsel]

I just bought 4 brand new Mecgar 17 round flush fitting mags for my 5906 for $100 shipped to me from CDNN.

Turns it into an 18 round 9x19 pistol!

I like the stainless steel heaft and build of the 5906 over the Beretta.

 

[towboat_er]

5906 is an awesome gun!!!!!!! Tough as nails, and stainless. And usually cost less.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I've had both and kept the Beretta.

Both are somewhat blocky in the hand, and that has always been the major objection to the Beretta when compared to the 226 or even the G17.

The Beretta 92/96 is easier to field strip (takedown lever), usually has a better DA trigger pull (S&Ws are somewhat spongy), has a user reversible magazine release, has thumb safety/decocker that is easier take off (spring loaded), is usually more reliable in function (straight feed and huge ejection port) and feel smoother operating in the hand (non-tilting barrel). It also has a easily replaceable locking block...a facility that doesn't exist on the S&W.

The S&W 5906 has a shorter resetting trigger and easily changeable front sights (when compared to the FS/M9 models; rectified in later models). The 3rd Gen S&Ws are the most reliable of the series

 

[USAF_Vet]

Tough choice. I carried a Beretta (M9) in the AF, but own a S&W (469). I like them both.

Given the option, if I had cash in hand and had to make the choice, I'd go with the S&W, since the 3rd gen mags are compatible with my 2nd gen 469. But I do like the Beretta.

 

[Confederate]

The choice would be tough, but I like the 5906. I also have a Taurus PT-92 in stainless and it's a beautiful gun that shoots every bit as well as my old Beretta 92s! The Taurus is as close as I can get to that beautiful Beretta 92 that Lt. Col. Markinson shot himself with in A Few Good Men. (When I first saw that movie, I really wanted one of those shiny silver Beretta 9mms. Taurus was the closest thing I could find.)




.

 

[gp911]

I voted 5906, every LEO I knew that carried one loved it, and the 4506 another friend let me try was very accurate and ergonomically sound. Great guns...

 

[jon_in_wv]

The 5906. I own both, and I do like the Beretta, but the S&W is hands-down a more ergonomic, more accurate, more reliable and more durable firearm.

Odd how two people can have roughly the same experience and some to totally different conclusions?!?! I'm sure his is perfectly valid but I would reverse and say hands-down the Beretta is a better pistol. I've never had anything but perfect reliability from a Beretta and it is the smoothest pistol ever. The grip is large on both so I wouldn't with the advantage on ergos to either other the fact the 5906 tends to pinch my trigger finger. That being said, I carry a 3913 for my EDC right now.

 

[wnycollector]

I have both and will part with neither.

Same here. Both are fantastic pistols.

 

[Shipwreck]

Beretta FTW!!

 

[wwwprof]

Like any of these types of threads, it comes down to what feels better in your hand and what you shoot more accurately. If we throw objectivity out, we can include aesthetics and brand loyalty. For me, it's unquestionably the Beretta. I am the most accurate with them and, imho, they are the best looking pistols ever made. Hard to argue with a 1992 Inox...

 

[8830]

I voted for the Smith. I've owned both and while the Beretta is a decent weapon the one I had went back to the factory twice since the trigger spring kept falling out. The 5906 has been 100%.