Confession of a revolver addict

[UncleEd]

For decades I've been a DA shooter of
Smith & Wesson revolvers, particularly
the Model 15s, 19s and 586s.

But I admit it, the Beretta 92 series
autos also sucked me in. Such
sweet shooters, partricuarly the latest
ones from Bill Wilson and Ernest
Langdon.

One thing is that in mastering the DA
Smiths, it also made it so easy to get
into the DA/SA Berettas. .

I've had 1911 type guns and a few other
sorts like the Sig 226, but none satrisfies
my soul so much as a Beretta. Of course,
I still love my Smith & Wesson revolvers.

Don't see many postings here on the Beretta
but was wondering if many others are fond
of them as well.

 

[C0untZer0]

You might like the Kahrs even better.

 

[webrx]

I started with single actions then went to double/single action revolvers but still preferred to cock the hammer. which led me to pistols with a lighter trigger 1911s kimbers and sigs and then to striker fired. Maybe that is why I never really liked the popular da pistols. I can shoot them but not my preference.
To each their own I guess.

 

[bannockburn]

UncleEd

I also started out mainly with DA/SA revolvers and got pretty good shooting them. But DA/SA in an auto was not as smooth or as light as found in your typical S&W revolver. The autos always gave me trouble with that first DA round fired. Had several S&W and SIG autos with the DA/SA trigger and while the trigger was okay I couldn't get consistent with the transition from DA to SA. I still do my best target work with a SAO auto, like the 1911 or the Browning Hi-Power.

It was the same thing with the the Beretta Model 92, that and it was also just a little too big in the grip frame for my small size hand. I was a bit more comfortable with the Vertec version but the DA was still kind of heavy and was nowhere near as smooth as the triggers on my SIG P229 (with the SRT), CZ P01, or my CZ P07 (which I converted to primarily being first round fired SA by changing out the decocker with the factory supplied thumb safety). The other thing I didn't like with the Beretta and S&W autos was the slide mounted safety which caused me to alter my grip to use them.

By far the best DAO trigger I have found on an auto is the one on my Kahr CM9. Slick and easy on the take up, it's a little on the long side but I can live with it. Plus it's a good fit with the other two revolvers I use for CCW: a S&W Model 639 and a Model 638.

 

[JTQ]

The other thing I didn't like with the Beretta and S&W autos was the slide mounted safety which caused me to alter my grip to use them.

A common complaint, but most folks don't carry the guns with the safety engaged.

 

[cfullgraf]

I prefer DA/SA pistols for self defense and have gotten quite comfortable with the DA first trigger pull (practice, practice, and more practice).

I have a Beretta 96 and a 84. The 96 is too big for my purposes so I’d feel the same about the 92.

The 84 is smaller and a better choice for me except mine has had lots of rounds through it and it deserves to be a safe queen.

I don’t have a lot of rounds through the 96 but the 84 slide peens the frame under recoil that makes dissasembly difficult after a while.

My current SD pistol is an H&K P30SK with the DA/SA trigger. I like a PPK when I want something more concealable.

 

[Riomouse911]

I have a DAO 96 Centurion that has an amazing trigger pull, I bought it used years ago on a whim. I replaced the locking block and recoil spring but I never shot it much.

Stay safe.

 

[Jeff62]

There are some nice weapons out there. I am all about some 1911 first and foremost, but the Smith M&P impressed me when I shot it, Glock gen5 trigger is great, the Kaher full size 9mm impressed me.
There’s something about a 1911 in the hand, like grits and chicory coffee.

 

[Pivot Dr]

I too prefer the 1911 platform. I have several as well as a Beretta 92 and a PX4 Storm. I can’t say I’m in love with either of the Berettas, though I like the Storm better than the 92. I’ve kind of been enamored with the S&W M&Ps as of late. I’ve got a full size and a shield in 45 ACP, they shoot very well for me. I put a sear kit in the full size and that made a very good striker fired trigger in it. I guess I’m just not a Beretta guy. I just had to have a couple but since I’ve got several other pistols I like much better I rarely shoot them. If I shot them more I might learn to like them, but...... what’s the point when I can grab a 1911 or M&P and be completely happy? No, they aren’t for sale.

 

[a2x4bbl]

Big fan of Berreta and CZ . Got bored quickly with striker fired pistols.

 

[chicharrones]

A common complaint, but most folks don't carry the guns with the safety engaged.

I had the same problem with slide mounted safeties as bannockburn. Leaving a safety off still meant I'd need to practice kicking it off just in case it went "on" unknowingly.

Due to my hand size and the Beretta safety, I sold my 92FS years ago for a CZ PCR with a frame mounted de-cocker. In more educated hindsight, I could have lived with a Taurus version with frame mounted safety and slimmer grip panels. But a Taurus doesn't have Beretta written on the side, so . . .

 

[Mike J]

I had the same problem with slide mounted safeties as bannockburn. Leaving a safety off still meant I'd need to practice kicking it off just in case it went "on" unknowingly..

I had this happen to me. The only DA/SA I have owned was a Ruger P series with the slide mounted safety. It had an ambi safety which may have contributed to it happening. I had went up a tree in my climbing stand, got situated & looked down & realized the safety on my pistol that I had left off was on.

When I got serious about learning to shoot a handgun the Ruger was what I had. I spent a lot of time learning the DA trigger. I do believe learning to shoot a DA trigger makes one a better shooter. While I have never owned a Beretta I did get to shoot a 92 FS once. They are very nice guns.

 

[bassjam]

A Beretta 92 (or Taurus PT92) is on my wish list. I shot one years ago when I was going through my CCW course, and it made me immediately hate my Glock 23. Not long after I sold the Glock and picked up a CZ75b (and later a SIG P226) but I'm still on the lookout for a good price on a Beretta. I wouldn't mind a S&W 5906 either, but they don't pop up cheap like they used to.

I see comments on the Kahr, and while I had one and it did have a nice trigger, I don't like calling them double actions. Really they are just striker fired guns with smooth triggers.

 

[UncleEd]

While I have never owned a Beretta I did get to shoot a 92 FS once. They are very nice guns.

The Model 92FS. is pretty much passe especially now with the 92X and the
92G LTT models. It is these that I was referring to by mentioning Ernest
Langdon and Bill Wilson. The "G" decocker only is a main option as
well as slimmer grips and much better sights than the 92FS. The DA/SA
trigger is also much smoother and lighter than the old 92FS.

 

[Mike J]

The Model 92FS. is pretty much passe especially now with the 92X and the
92G LTT models. It is these that I was referring to by mentioning Ernest
Langdon and Bill Wilson. The "G" decocker only is a main option as
well as slimmer grips and much better sights than the 92FS.

I am not really knowledgeable about the 92X or the 92G LTT models. I can easily understand why the G would be preferred. I always thought if that old Ruger had been decock only instead of a safety model I would have kept carrying it. The Beretta 92's are very nice pistols. I am sure the ones that have been worked over by Wilson & Langdon are exceptionally so. I apologize, I got distracted by the whole slide mounted safety thing which I have an aversion to.

 

[AK103K]

I agree with the OP, shooting a DA revolver, DAO, makes the transition to the DA autos a nonissue. All the different makes are slightly different, but for the most part, there really isnt enough of a difference between the DA triggers to make any difference.

If there were any exceptions, it would be with things like a CZ50/70, etc, things of that ilk, that have ridiculous DA triggers and are way out of line with the norm.

Ive never found the transition from DA to SA with the autos to be a problem either, and truthfully, I never notice there is one when Im shooting them. I just shoot and focus on the sights and/or target.

One thing I do notice with the autos, as I do with my revolvers, if I shoot and decock my DA autos, and shoot for groups that way, DAO for the group, my groups are usually tighter than if I shoot the gun SAO.

Shooting from a holster or ready position, from DA, and continuing to shoot, I dont see any difference.

I have a number of Beretta and SIG DA guns, and have had a number of others over the years, including some of the older S&W's, and a couple of DAO autos, and never found that DA trigger to be an issue, and unlike Jeff Cooper, didnt think it was there to "cock the gun" with the first shot. The first shot always went where I was looking when the gun went off, as did most of the others that followed, SA or DAO.

Learning to shoot revolvers DAO is probably the best thing for all of your shooting, across the board, and not just for handguns.

 

[Armored farmer]

I always shoot my revolvers SA, and I prefer 1911s