Beretta 96

[sxcamaro05]

Well I finally, after two month on layaway, picked up the Beretta 96. It was used never fired and save for some very light marks on the slide looks brand new. I really like the grip, weight, and feel of the Beretta feels solid. Besides some snap cap play, I probably will not be able to get a range report up till my day off next week.

Edit: Sorry for the poor pictures, I took them with my phone and they are not very good quality.

 

[george d dennis]

nice. good luck with your new pistol

 

[sxcamaro05]

Just wondering if anyone had any exp. with the various loads in these. I plan to use mostly 180 or 165. I was wondering how the 135 performs etc? Any input?

 

[Shawn Dodson]

I carried a Beretta 96FS on police patrol for a few years. I worked for an agency near Tacoma, WA. We qualified quarterly at the department's outdoor range where it was exposed to rain, snow and wet, freezing weather and it performed without hiccup. (There were times when I'd come home from patrol, after being out in heavy rain, and field strip it so I could dry it out with my wife's hairdryer. I never noticed any signs of corrosion.)

It was a great pistol for patrol.

It was accurate and I could easily fire it one-handed with my weak hand (holding it canted about 45 degrees to the right so I could use my dominant eye for aiming) and hit blowing pins at 35 yards with no problem.

 

[jon123]

I have a Beretta 96 and I really like it. It feels solid and it is accurate. My only complaints are:

The recoil spring was too light when using Magtech ammo and caused frame battering, so I bought a slightly heavier spring.
The DA pull could be better.

 

[sxcamaro05]

Thanks for the input thus far, any recommendations on an SD load?

 

[Shawn Dodson]

See this thread for defense ammo recommendations - http://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=19887

 

[sxcamaro05]

That was a good read, now I'm going to have to try and track down some of those. I've heard lots of praise for the Federal Tactical, Speer, and Hornaday Critical Defense so I shall try to get one of those.

 

[MidwestRookie]

nice gun, I have 2 92s with a third on its way..never had the chance to shoot a 96.

check out berettaforum.net for all the info you could ever want on your 96..

 

[sxcamaro05]

Well I am pleased to say the first trip to the range was a blast! I was outside to shoot a few rounds down range. The winds were gusty but managable, snow was coming down, and the temperature was around 22 (18 with wind chill). Despite the heavy clothes and the shakes I did fairly well adapting to the Beretta for a newbie.

My 8'' circle targets at 15, 25, and 40 were all hit and I kept good groups on the 15/25 (the 40 was all over the place). My silhoute (picture attatched) was set at 25 and I took 12 shots (3 shots per mag x4). First two I was had some missed and outer hits but I walked everything towards center with the second to last shot hitting near the x and the last one close to that (Yeah I know the groups are loose but take it easy I'm learning).

I shot Remington MC 180gr today and I am happy to report ZERO FTF/FTE. Worked perfectly and I was very surprised at how little recoil the gun had. It felt very balanced and managable and lined up well in my hands. My aim needs work (very new to hand guns in general) but I'm willing to work with this firearm to improve as I enjoy it immensly.

The only issue I experienced was about shot 7-9 the 96 jumped a bit more than usual and the shot hit way above the target near the edge of the paper. Upon inspection after finishing for the day the brass of one of the rounds had a crack in it and you can see through (picture attatched). I'm chalking that one up to isolated incident although I'll be checking my ammo closer in the future. Any thoughts on that one guys?

 

[Shipwreck]

I personally do not like remington ammo at all. Try another brand.

 

[kmrcstintn]

though I don't have a Beretta 96, I have a PX4 Storm in .40 and the loads that I keep on hand for it include:

Federal 135gr jhp that is available @ Walmart in 50 round boxes; this is the testing load that they developed for the U.S. Border Patrol which utilizes a new designed HST bullet; this is my home defense load

Winchester 180gr Bonded jhp that is available @ Sportsmans Guide (and other sources) that is in the white 50 round boxes; this is surplus testing ammo and/or slightly out of spec contract ammo from the FBI which utilizes a new designed PDX1 bonded bullet; this is what I load when wearing a sidearm at the hunting camp

 

[ForumSurfer]

[envy] Sigh. A beretta 96 FS with crimson trace laser grips was the very first pistol I bought in my name. I really regret selling it. It was a really sweet shooter. [/envy]

 

[GambJoe]

I don't think I'll ever give my 96 FS up. I average 4" groups at fifteen yards with Winchester white box 180 grain FMJ. Never had a problem. I tried Mag Tech 165 grain FMJ. It seemed more accurate but had a little more recoil. At least it felt that way to me. Remington, Federal, pmc weren't as accurate and S&B would leave more powder residue than I liked.

Never tried the more exotic self defence ammo, it's to expensive for me.

One of favorite things about the 96 FS - It's so easy to clean.

 

[Shawn Dodson]

Federal 135gr jhp that is available @ Walmart in 50 round boxes; this is the testing load that they developed for the U.S. Border Patrol

Border Patrol switched to a Federal 180gr JHP in December 2009.

 

[sxcamaro05]

Federal 135gr jhp that is available @ Walmart in 50 round boxes; this is the testing load that they developed for the U.S. Border Patrol which utilizes a new designed HST bullet; this is my home defense load

Yes we have these where I work they are a good value from what others have told me. Do you use them due to price or performance?

[Sigh. A beretta 96 FS with crimson trace laser grips was the very first pistol I bought in my name. I really regret selling it. It was a really sweet shooter

I bought this used, never fired and I was told the guy who sold it said he would regret it for a long time. Due to financial difficulties he had to part withmost of his gun collection (sad story as it was well over 80 firearms some very rare items too/family heirlooms etc). Do you recommened the crimson trace for the Beretta? I would love to add it on if it were not so darn expensive.

I don't think I'll ever give my 96 FS up. I average 4" groups at fifteen yards with Winchester white box 180 grain FMJ. Never had a problem. I tried Mag Tech 165 grain FMJ. It seemed more accurate but had a little more recoil. At least it felt that way to me. Remington, Federal, pmc weren't as accurate and S&B would leave more powder residue than I liked...

One of favorite things about the 96 FS - It's so easy to clean.

So far I have tried (all FMJ/MC) Remington, Blazer (Brass), Blazer (Steel), and Federal. Remington was by far the worst dirt/perf. wise, then Blazer Steel, Federal, and Blazer Brass seemed to be the cleanest and gave me the tightest groups. The gun shop I shoot at told me to stay away from Magtech as it can causes issues with loading? Not sure but will also be trying Winchester white box, Fiocchi, Brown Bear, whatever else I can get my hands on until I'm satisfied with quality. Also the easy to clean nature of the Beretta reminds me of my 22A. A simple process and no hassle.

 

[DevilDog0402]

Nice choice! My first handgun was a Beretta 96 (15 years ago).

I highly recommend buying a few 13 or 15 rd Mec-gar magazines for it.

 

[Shipwreck]

Congrats! Berettas are awesome!

 

[ak-kev]

Congratulations on a very nice pistol. I am a believer in the Berettas and currently own 3. Only one in 40 however. Its a Border Patrol Model. I love it. I use the 165gr. Golden Sabers just because they have such an impressive track record according to Evan Marshal. Im sure there are/will be better defense ammo out there, but I'll wait till they've been proven on the street for years. Anyway, beautiful gun, and again....congratulations.