Beretta 96, Browning HP, or CZ75 in .40S&W?

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Digex2

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I'm trying to decide on a full-size in .40S&W that won't break the bank. Also, has to be reliable and durable with the option of sending to a gunsmith for customizing. I've narrowed my choices down to the following three:

- Beretta 96 series
- Browning HP
- CZ 75B

Being that these models were designed for the 9mm, I want to assume that experiences in .40S&W will be a bit different.
 
When the 40 was introduced many gunmakers thought it would be an easy change - just put in a 40 barrel. They of course quickly found that it wasn't so easy. Most put about 3 oz more weight on the slide .But there were other changes , Browning found a cast frame held up better. Now after 12 years they've sorted things out . I'd take a BHP or CZ.
 
Hmmm... tough choices. All are very good.
The BHP in .40 can be iffy. For every owner that says it's great, there is an owner that says it sucks. Once tuned in, they are indeed fine.
The Beretta is large... setting it apart from the other two. I love my 92, and I am sure a .40 version would be just awesome... especially a Border Marshal version.
The CZ can match the BHP on all levels... so there is no reason to spend the extra for one of those.
So for every day carry... 27-7... I'd spend my own money on the CZ-75B, and the money I save to either have a little work done on it to smooth it up, or for a great holster. Or ammo. Or a gift to calm my wife down when I walk in the door with another gun and she is there tapping her foot.
 
The Browing HP .40 was actually redesigned from the 9mm version...(Wondernine)

What design changes were made to the .40S&W Browning HP? I know of the slide being made heavier and stronger springs.
 
What about a Springfield XD40? I love mine. Sweet shooter, no malfuncions (yet). And a good value. You can find them for around $400 new.
 
I vote CZ. I don't have a BHP so won't give an opinion there. I like my CZ better than the Beretta. Just personal preference mostly, but I shoot it better and it cost me less. Try 'em all and but which ever shoots the best for you.
 
The beretta is a nice gun, but a brick for a grip (I have large hands too) and its kinda funky in the way of design work...quality none the less.

BHP...a classic in its on right...like a good old vette.

CZ75....now your talking a daily driver classic muscle car......the best choice if youre gonna use it.....either a little or alot.....it'll be happy and so will you.

Shoot well
 
Hello.

I owned a CZ-75B in .40 as well as a BHP in the same caliber. I didn't care for the BHP as much as the extra width and weight of the slide just didn't feel "right" to me, probably due to my excessive use of the 9mm over the years.

The Browning did not group as tightly with a wide variety of loads as did the CZ, BUT the Browning would cut out one hole with the several loads it "liked" if I could hold it.

Were I buying another forty, it would be a Browning as I'm somewhat simple-minded and can understand how they work internally as well as detail-strip and do parts changes, etc.

Either is a very good pistol in my limited experience of but owning one each.
Over the years, I've shot several Browning forties as well as more than a few CZ-75's in that caliber and all seemed to be very good shooters and all were reliable.

As to differences in the forty Hi Power from the nine millimeter:

Width of slide
Top of slide release "plate" at front of lever is cut in half to allow passage of the slide.
Ejector was a tad thicker...at least on early models.
Extractor had a flat cut on the outside edge; don't know why.
The forty caused the move to cast frames according to FN/Browning.
Heavier recoil spring; but use the same 32-lb mainspring.
Forty bbl has three locking lugs rather than two.

Best.
 
I like my CZ 75B .40 S&W; handfit and balance are excellent for a fullsized, steel-framed gun, and I would give it a slight nod over the BHP in .40, and the Beretta 96FS Vertec.

But although you can't beat the value of the CZ, I honestly think the Sig P226 is the best full-size .40 service pistol that I have personally tried.
 
You mention durability, so I would say the Beretta is out. Beretta's locking block guns really get beat up by .40; it's just not the toughest system. You'll notice that no one makes a .45 gun on such a system (Beretta or Taurus).

The other two are good, tough, all steel choices. The only other guns that aren't plastic and priced decently are going to be some of the S&Ws. Check out the basic 410 model - it goes for $420 or so. Hicap mags should be plentiful for the S&Ws as well.
 
I don't know of many people that had problems with BHP 40's. The ones I've shot were sweet as hell .

The BHP can have a crisp trigger, the CZ can be a bit stronger.

I'd go with the CZ or BHP any day and the CZ would be cheaper.

BTW, AVOID that FEG police 40 selling at SOG and other places, It doesn't have the heavier slide and 3rd locking lug. Bren
 
I'd have to say from the choices you listed, Beretta would top my list. The grips, while shaped different from some others, are not too large and "brick" like as some would portray. I've seen small kids shoot Berettas like they were born with em in hand. Don't believe all the "grips are too big" stuff. The grips are fine.

Also, as far as the Beretta locking block "getting beat up", I have yet to see any complaints from anyone regarding this. From what I've read, seen and witnessed, nobody using the Beretta in .40 has fostered this view. On the contrary, from what I've seen, the .40 cal Berettas are standing up to the rigors of everyday use. I would be curious to see some documentation about Beretta .40 failures, such as has been propounded on this particular thread.

I'd go with Beretta for quality. Pay a little more. Enjoy it longer.
 
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I don't know if this is to be a carry gun or range gun. I have two BHP's in .40 and a CZ75 as well.

For carry I would go with the Browning due to the shorter grip being easier to conceal. Mine have had the wider trigger, safety, sear, hammer, and sights changed.

For a range gun I would go with the CZ75. The longer grip makes it comfortable to shoot and the CZ's have always been accurate for me. Mine have been converted to SAO in the event I want to carry it I can carry cocked and locked with a good trigger pull. I could never get a good SA pull with the pistol left in the DA/SA configuration.
 
Berettas are indeed good guns...but the grips are not as nice to grip as the other guns in this comparison. They are large and square'ish thus the brick comment. Its much larger than it needs to be..the CZ and HP prove that.

The fact that kids can shoot the gun really has no merit...My 9 year old rides a 20" mtn. bike and does it very well...it still doesnt fit him.

The cost difference between the CZ and Beretta is getting narrower...
More people are buying CZ's and pricing is going up slightly
Less people are buying Beretta's and pricing is coming down....

They are both good guns. The price difference has nothing to do with quality, reliability and accuracy of any of these guns.

But you like Berettas and thats cool too. If everyone loved one gun this thread wouldnt be half as fun :evil:

Shoot well...

PS.
 
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