I'm thinking of getting a 9mm. Would like a good quality gun thats accurate and dependable, would like something that should last a lifetime. Am considering one of the Berettas 96 or 96fs(...or ?). Anyone have any strong opinions (either way) on these? Should I consider something else?
Beretta info request
- Thread starter HDon
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Duke of Doubt
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After years of hearing bad stories about the M9, I finally got a couple of nice 92FS pistols for carry.
I LOVE the 92FS/M9. Accurate, reliable, tough. Easy to clean and swap parts. And elegant.
And, now that plastic guns are all the rage, they are cheap.
I LOVE the 92FS/M9. Accurate, reliable, tough. Easy to clean and swap parts. And elegant.
And, now that plastic guns are all the rage, they are cheap.
I like mine. There are a couple of issues, though.
1. The sights are horrible... worse than the early 1911's. The front sight is part of the slide, so making any changes is going to be expensive.
2. The grip is unusually large compared to other double-stack 9's. I'm using the Browning Hi Power, CZ 75, P01, SP01, etc as comparison.
3. Because of #2, my wife can't hold the pistol properly, which results in a large number of malfunctions for her. She's tried other 92's and always experiences at least one failure per magazine. I think these pistols are way too easy to choke up with a poor grip.
My 92fs has been completely reliable outside of #3. It's quite accurate, even with the poor factory sights. The fit and finish is superb.
Hold one in your hands and make sure the grip isn't too big and you're OK with the sights before you buy it and I think you'll be pleased.
ETA: I think you should also look at the H&K P7 "squeezecocker", CZ 75's, and Browning Hi Power. The P7's are very reliable and a neat design. The 75's are available as single action, double action, decocker, etc. The Hi Power, especially a knock off (FEG, Charles Daly, etc), is a very inexpensive and reliable pistol. All of these are 9's, all double-stack except the P7.
1. The sights are horrible... worse than the early 1911's. The front sight is part of the slide, so making any changes is going to be expensive.
2. The grip is unusually large compared to other double-stack 9's. I'm using the Browning Hi Power, CZ 75, P01, SP01, etc as comparison.
3. Because of #2, my wife can't hold the pistol properly, which results in a large number of malfunctions for her. She's tried other 92's and always experiences at least one failure per magazine. I think these pistols are way too easy to choke up with a poor grip.
My 92fs has been completely reliable outside of #3. It's quite accurate, even with the poor factory sights. The fit and finish is superb.
Hold one in your hands and make sure the grip isn't too big and you're OK with the sights before you buy it and I think you'll be pleased.
ETA: I think you should also look at the H&K P7 "squeezecocker", CZ 75's, and Browning Hi Power. The P7's are very reliable and a neat design. The 75's are available as single action, double action, decocker, etc. The Hi Power, especially a knock off (FEG, Charles Daly, etc), is a very inexpensive and reliable pistol. All of these are 9's, all double-stack except the P7.
SigP229R
Member
Berettas are a good quality weapon but if you are considering it for ccw it's a bit large for my style . There are several quality weapons available among which are Sig Saur H&K S&W Beretta Walther Ruger Springfield and I would trust any to be reliable. It just depends on what size you want and if you want it for ccw etc.
VINTAGE-SLOTCARS
member
I've shot a 92 for 15 years on duty and at the combat range, I've had only one problem with it. I didn't lube the gun properly after cleaning and had a jam. After two drops of lube in ran flawless again. I've probably shot over 12k rounds thru this pistol and other than some finish wear it has been nothing but perfect. I plan on buying a 92fs inox when i retire and this will be my sd personal carry that I believe will last me the rest of my life and give excellant service to my sons. My only concern would to be replace the plastic parts that are used for steel pieces.
johnnylaw53
Member
I too carried a beretta for many years on duty, I really never had any problems that I can recall. Several years ago they swap over to sigs and took the beretta back. Retirement is almost here for me and a couple of years ago I got a 92fs inox, it is my bed side weapon now and range weapon. It is also the one I carry off duty for those rare times when I feel my regular off duty (642) might not be all I need normally those times I need to go to the mall which I try to avoid. When the wife and I travel for pleasure it is also the weapon that make the trip with us. It is a big weapon but I fine it to be a good shooter and easy to clean. my have the stainless pieces and not the plastic.
Be safe
Be safe
rklessdriver
Member
I have a 92FS that I bought as a used police trade in back in 1995. I was disapointed when my MGYSGT "loaned me" his issue M9 for a trip to the Marine Corps pistol range, which resulted in me shooting "Sharp Shooter" missing "Expert" by a couple of points. I needed to practice with the Beretta as it was so big my hands didn't fit it very well. When my 1996 trip to the pistol range rolled around, I shot "Expert" easily and I got a spot on the 6th Marines Regimental shooting team.
My Beretta has litterally thousands of thousands of rounds throu it by me in the time I have owned it. Who knows how many rounds throu it by the Police Dept who issued it before my time (it was manufactured in 1986 thou).
I shot and carried it almost every day for over 10yrs. 50-100 rounds a week was normal for me back then and this Beretta got shot along with my other pistols a lot.
It still has it's orginal locking block and the only thing I have ever replaced in it was the trigger return spring which broke sometime in 2000. I'll have to check my log book but I think it was somewhere around 5000 rounds.
I don't know that the average Joe would shoot 5000 rounds out of one pistol in his entire life let alone in a couple of years....
Since 2005 I have been stationed (now a civilian working) in NOVA. Open carry is not as accepted here as it is in more rural NC and concealing the Beretta is harder than a Smith 36 or Colt DS. The big Beretta has been relegated to my safe, getting taken out occasionally for some range time (put 100rnds through it this weekend just for fun) or used on road trips where it rest confortabally on the center console.
So lets see... you want a pistol that will last a lifetime.
Even for me, I think my Beretta is well on its way to lasting a lifetime. Now add in the fact that this particular Beretta has lived a whole nother life before I even knew it.
Beretta's are great pistols maligned by those who don't know any better. I have been issued them in the Marine Corps, carried one in combat, shot them in USMC Division level matches, Intrumural level matches and carried one in my personal life. Never had a problem with them other than they were so big. They are amazingly accurate for a regular old service pistol.
With proper care one will last a lifetime, providing a lifetime of protection and shooting enjoyment.
Will
My Beretta has litterally thousands of thousands of rounds throu it by me in the time I have owned it. Who knows how many rounds throu it by the Police Dept who issued it before my time (it was manufactured in 1986 thou).
I shot and carried it almost every day for over 10yrs. 50-100 rounds a week was normal for me back then and this Beretta got shot along with my other pistols a lot.
It still has it's orginal locking block and the only thing I have ever replaced in it was the trigger return spring which broke sometime in 2000. I'll have to check my log book but I think it was somewhere around 5000 rounds.
I don't know that the average Joe would shoot 5000 rounds out of one pistol in his entire life let alone in a couple of years....
Since 2005 I have been stationed (now a civilian working) in NOVA. Open carry is not as accepted here as it is in more rural NC and concealing the Beretta is harder than a Smith 36 or Colt DS. The big Beretta has been relegated to my safe, getting taken out occasionally for some range time (put 100rnds through it this weekend just for fun) or used on road trips where it rest confortabally on the center console.
So lets see... you want a pistol that will last a lifetime.
Even for me, I think my Beretta is well on its way to lasting a lifetime. Now add in the fact that this particular Beretta has lived a whole nother life before I even knew it.
Beretta's are great pistols maligned by those who don't know any better. I have been issued them in the Marine Corps, carried one in combat, shot them in USMC Division level matches, Intrumural level matches and carried one in my personal life. Never had a problem with them other than they were so big. They are amazingly accurate for a regular old service pistol.
With proper care one will last a lifetime, providing a lifetime of protection and shooting enjoyment.
Will
Beretta 92 is a good pistol. I carried one for years in the Corps, and had two for off duty. Reliable (keep it out of sand!!) and accurate enough, easy to strip, clean, etc. Takes +P+ rounds, NATO ammo is hot stuff and over time disintegrates lesser pistols... Other good choices- SIG P-6/Sig 225 german army model, 8+1, superb. 8 shot M-11 US 9mm pistol (Sig 228) or the FEG Hi Power 9mm is good too. Theyre both lower cost and highly regarded. 9mm is good round- with HOLLOW POINTS, I prefer 124grain. Beretta handles 147 gr very well, the SIG does not. 9mm FMJ pass through targets without doing much damage, but they are cheap for range practice. Get a good holster. FYI, Beretta 92 is NOT very concealable- theyre fat 'n long. SIG P-6 is pretty good, and most gunfights 3 shots, under 15 feet.
SJ78
Member
I dont think you can go wrong with the 92fs . In terms of being reliable ! and lasting a lifetime. I do remember some slide crack issues back in the early 90's . But that has long been corrected . Imo they are one of the best 9mm's around
I've had a 92fs for about a year and have put over 4,000 rds. through it without a single jam, misfeed, etc. Reliable, accurate, and very easy to break down and clean. As a bonus I also think it's a damn good looking weapon. For the money (mine was $449 new) I don't think you can't do better.
DFW1911
Member
I have several Beretta 92 and 96 and have found them to be great weapons: reliable, dependable, and durable.
One of my CCW is the Beretta Brigadier / Elite. I agree with others that the standard size 92fs may be a bit large for CCW, but the Elite works very well.
As others have stated, check the grip size.
Based on my experience with them, you can't go wrong.
Oh, this Elite model is an absolute tack-driver; one-hole groups are not uncommon. It depends on how the shooter is shooting
Thanks,
DFW1911
One of my CCW is the Beretta Brigadier / Elite. I agree with others that the standard size 92fs may be a bit large for CCW, but the Elite works very well.
As others have stated, check the grip size.
Based on my experience with them, you can't go wrong.
Oh, this Elite model is an absolute tack-driver; one-hole groups are not uncommon. It depends on how the shooter is shooting
Thanks,
DFW1911
MadMercS55
Member
My Italian made 92FS has around 13k through it without problems at all. Replaced springs and the locking block out of routine maintance. I have a U.S. made 92D and M9 that are at around 1500rnds each also with no problems. I love the way they feel, they are probably some of the most reliable sidearms I've ever owned. They don't work perfectly for ccw in summer weather though, due to size. Otherwise, they disappear with the right holster and cover garment.
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