Beretta M9A1, CZ75 or SIG P229?

[Darebear]

I recently asked for some advice about some metal missing from the slide on my P226 blackwater and the advice I received was great. It's not normal, but it shouldn't effect functionality. Low and behold the Sig ran like a champ with a assortment of ball and hollowpoints. Coming from HK's I couldn't hit the broadside of a barn with the first DA pull, so I was surprised to see me pulling off headshots 20 feet away with the DA pull on my P226. This is a very fun and super comfortable gun to shoot so now I am looking for another one that is just as fun and just as comfortable to shoot.

The three I'm looking at are the Beretta M9A1 (I like rails), Sig P229 elite, or a CZ75. The Beretta and CZ75 are very affordable but if the triggers aren't as smooth as Sig triggers then I don't want it. To anyone that own's any of these 3 9mm's please give me a review. I never shot any of the three but recently held a Beretta M9/92FS at the LGS.

Also can any Sig owners can explain to me how did they achieve such a smooth DA trigger? It literally feels as if the hammer spring is made of rubber.

(and just fyi I still love HK's, that wasn't a knock against HK's).

 

[Shipwreck]

Beretta FTW!!!

But, I'd actually get the 92A1 over the M9A1, if I were you

M9A1:






92A1:




Here is text I typed a few months ago on a thread in the Beretta section of Glocktalk:

M9A1 - Railed frame with a 92FS slide (3 dot sights). The front of the frame (where the rail is at) looks like the Vertec model. But it has the standard 92FS grip. The magwell also has a slight bevel, and the rear and front backstraps have a light checkering on them. Available in 9mm only, and this gun is only made in the USA.

This gun comes with two specially PVD coated 15 round magazines (which are expensive when bought separately).

I think the M9A1 is the coolest LOOKING railed model. But, the checkering is not deep on the frame, like it is on a 1911. I personally prefer the regular serrations, as I find that they give a better grip purchase.



90-Two - Commonly known as the "90-Dash-Two" or "The Dash." This is a redesigned version of the 92FS that came out in 2006. The slide and frame were redesigned. The guiderod is captured, and there is a recoil buffer built into the frame. It also has a front, dovetailed sight. Several of the small parts are totally different from the standard 92 design (hammer, mag release, trigger bar, slide safety switches).

The biggest difference is the grip. While the gun is not polymer, it does come with a polymer, slip on grip. This gun will be in limited production for 2011 (so get one now if you want one). There is hardly any aftermarket support, and the lack of aftermarket grips is really hurting sales. These are ONLY made in Italy. Available in 9mm and 40 cal. The gun comes with factory 17 round mags (in 9mm)

(I personally do not like the polymer grip - too slippery. I tried several solutions to this issue, but found none worthwhile)



92A1 - Newest release of the 92 - Released in the summer of 2010. This design takes some of the best aspects of the 90-Two... The rail, internal recoil buffer and dovetailed front sight (all great changes), and puts it into a more "normal" 92 frame. The 92A1 (and 96A1) will use standard Beretta 92 grips. The trigger guard is curved; however, like that of the 90-Two. The guiderod is also captured (which is a pro or con, depending on who you ask).

In addition - the slide is a little bit beefier than a standard 92 slide.

The gun is available in 9mm and 40 cal (the 96A1), and the 9mm version comes with THREE 17 round factory mags (the same mags that come with the 90-Two). These guns are only made in Italy.

This is a such better choice to the 90-TWO, IMHO. Also, the 92A1 balances the best in a 1 handed grip out of any of the railed models. I also personally find the 92A1 is my second fav Beretta 92 variant - right behind the standard 92FS (which balances the best 1 handed, IMHO).

There is also finally aftermarket night sights for the 92A1 from Trijicon now. And, while others may disagree - I personally like the regular front and rear strap serrations over the checkering on the M9A1. The checkering is rather shallow - so its not nearly as grippy as checkering on a 1911. I think the standard serrations on the front and back strap give a better grip.

 

[SpentCasing]

+1 on the Beretta and +1000 on what Shipwreck said^^

 

[Quick Shot xMLx]

I have to go with the CZ75 as I'm a big CZ fan. Never shot a 229 but I did shoot a Beretta 96, not exactly the same thing but I figure it's close enough. It was a good gun, accurate, felt well-made but I just found it to be "uninspired." The CZ has more "soul."

 

[Telekinesis]

If you like your 226, I would probably go with the 229. I have a Sig 228 and absolutely love it. I haven't found another combat type pistol with a better trigger. Sometimes they need a bit of breaking in, but after a little bit of shooting, they are great. I'm not sure exactly how they got the trigger to feel that way though.

 

[Bozwell]

For a bit more than the price of a new P229, I would get one of the custom shop CZ75's. You can get a lot of gun from the custom shop for $1100-1200. I have a friend who bought a new P229 E2 recently and it's a very nice gun. That said, I've let him shoot my Shadow custom and despite having practiced quite a bit with his Sig, he still shoots the Shadow better. It's really a great shooting gun.

That said, it's big and heavy (which is why it's so comfortable to shoot) and it wouldn't be a good choice for a CCW. Then again, I wouldn't really say the P229 or the Beretta are good choices for that either.

 

[jehicks87]

I love my 92fs. Couldn't really speak to the other two, as I've never fired either, but the 92 is a sweet shooter.

 

[Carter]

I'd go with a cz 75 with a trigger job from cz custom. I love my cz phantom and would love to have the original. Plus it gives you the option of cocked and locked.

 

[sigarms228]

Based on my personal experiences and your criteria I would say best choice would be a P229, then the Beretta, and then the CZ.

As always it is best to try each out at the range and then make your decision.

 

[Thompsoncustom]

My vote goes to the CZ but You will probably want a trigger job to turn that good trigger pull into something amazing. CWG or CZ custom are both two good choices.

 

[JDGray]

The CZ is perfect if you ask me, and gets my vote

Sigs I dont like, hate where the slide stops are, as I always ride them or engage them while shooting

Berettas I dont like, hate slides with safetys or decock levers on them....When I reach for the slide, I dont want levers to hit, engage, cut myself on.

 

[chicharrones]

I want to try a Sig in a shooting environment. I've only held them, so I can't add more about that.

The other two, well I owned a Beretta 92FS for years. I loved the looks and the quality of the build. It never fit my hand like I would like and I grew to hate the slide mounted safety. In time, it was a gun I admired but it never connected with me when firing it. Finally, I sold it to a good friend.

I used the money from the Beretta to get a CZ75 with a decocker. It fits my hand and doesn't have anything on the slide which tends to be just out of reach for me. I do feel a connection with the CZ when shooting it. I'm happy about that as it makes me like the gun that much better.

The stock triggers in SA between the two are different, but any shooter ought to be able to work with them just fine. In my particular guns the Beretta trigger break was crisper, but the CZ trigger is lighter and smoother. Get used to the feel of either one and you can shoot really well.

I don't think a CZ necessarily needs a trigger job right out of the box, unless you are just used to target grade triggers.

 

[Devonai]

Between my personally owned 92FS and three different M9s as issued, I am a die-hard Beretta fan. If you challenged me to make a head shot at 25m with any pistol under any circumstances I would not hesitate to pick the 92 platform.

That said, the P229 is far easier to conceal, and having owned both the 9x19 and .40 versions I can't say a bit more practice with either wouldn't have the same results. Go with your mission requirements, and practice.

 

[leadcounsel]

NOT the Beretta!

 

[Pilot]

CZ has a really nice line of 75 variants. They are great pistols.

 

[Oldnoob]

Why compare 229 a compact with two large/heavy full size CZ and Beretta? If apple to apple which will list 226 vs 92 vs 75. I would go in order:

226 > CZ > Beretta.

And I have all three.

Sig 226x2, 226R Blackwater




CZ75 SA




Beretta Vertec

 

[Darebear]

Why compare 229 a compact with two large/heavy full size CZ and Beretta? If apple to apple which will list 226 vs 92 vs 75. I would go in order:

226 > CZ > Beretta.

And I have all three.

Sig 226x2, 226R Blackwater




CZ75 SA




Beretta Vertec

You have two Sig P226's? I was contemplating buying another Sig P226 (maybe Tac-Ops) but I thought that would be stupid. So is that a bad idea or not?

Just fyi to readers, my edc is a Glock 26 year round and I don't imagine this thing will break so I don't really need a backup for EDC.

 

[Dogguy]

Nothing stupid about owning two of the same model in handguns. I own two P229s, two G19s and several variations on the S&W J-frame .38 Spl. Centennial.

Per original posted question, it's all a matter of personal opinion. Mine would favor the P229 (obviously). But the other guns are preferred by others.

 

[sirgilligan]

I plan on owning two of every firearm that I like. It is a spare parts kit ready to go! ;-)

I voted for the CZ.

I have owned a P229 in .40 S&W. I have a CZ 85B.
The CZ fits and works better for me.

You need to try them both.

No range time on Beretta, next time I am home I will shoot my Dad's.

 

[Wishoot]

I'm a CZ Fanboy, but I enjoy all of the ones your looking at.

 

[Darebear]

Well I guess the Sig P229 would be the best choice. Similar manual of arms to my Sig P226 and I could carry it with a coat or jacket like in the winter time IF I needed a EDC other than the G26.

 

[sigarms228]

Just like Oldnoob I own 2 P226s - one is a stainless steel slide P226 and the other is a German carbon steel solded slide. So they are a bit different. The German P226 is 2 ounces lighter than the stainless steel slide P226 and balances a bit better in my hands.

If you can find a nice used P228 those are always a joy to own and shoot. Sometimes new ones pop up for sale but not often. The P228 also has a carbon steel slide.

 

[bannockburn]

From my own personal use, I would have to say the SIG P-229 has the best DA/SA trigger of the three guns mentioned. Great feel to it in terms of the grip frame; even more so with the E2 model. Next choice would be some variant of the CZ 75, with my favorite there being the P-01. I have never been really all that comfortable with the grip frame design or the overall ergonomics of the Beretta 92 series, with the sole exception being the Vertac model.

 

[Pilot]

CZ makes everything from full size, all steel pistols like the 75B and 85B to lightweight aluminum alloy framed pistols like the 75D PCR and P-01 to lightweight polymer like the Phantom, P-07, etc.

My Sig P228 is comparable to my CZ PCR. My PCR gets carried and shot at the range, the P228 sits in the safe. The CZ is THAT good.