Deal or Not: Beretta 96D (LEO trade-ins) for $259.99

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buckeye8

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Local gun shop has these advertised, but I haven't had a chance to check them out in person. I'm not into .40 cal, have little interest in Berettas, and probably can't justify the purchase financially (just moved, lots of other expenses). I thought I'd ask ya'll if this was one of those deals I shouldn't pass up, or if it is just an okay price on some okay LEO trade-ins. Gunbroker search makes it seem like these are a steal ($300-400 there).

So, Beretta 96D for $259.99, do I head down and check 'em out?
 
I'm not into .40 cal, have little interest in Berettas, and probably can't justify the purchase financially
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^^^ There is your answer right there. And I agree with you on the whole 40 cal and Beretta thing.
 
I'm quite sure that the D means double action only. I have a 96, and like it as a range gun, but for me the single action/double action/decocker is one of the selling points of the gun. I personally wouldn't want a double action only version. This may be a reason for the price difference you see, as I think the D versions are less money than the standards.
 
Never had one, but I don't remember reading anything good about either the D models (DA ONLY) or the .40 cal in Berettas.
 
Saw one for $300 in .40 S&W and considered buying it, but $259 for any pistol sounds like a decent deal, provided there's a guarantee it fires.
 
+1 for what Pweller said.

If someone needs a gun for defense and doesn't have a decent one, that's a great price and weapon. If you are a "collector" or a real "gunnie" they aren't that compelling as they are DAO. But if you need a cheap, durable, reliable, accurate hi-cap weapon, this is a good deal.

If I wanted a "truck gun", "boat gun" or something else like that, this would be a good buy.
 
Considering it is a LEO trade-in, it has probably been shot to hell with thousands of rounds through it, then kicked to the curb when it stopped functioning right. If you're really hard up for an affordable gun, this is still a bad idea, because .40 S&W ammo is more expensive and generally harder to find than 9mm.
 
Actually, if its a LEO gun its probably got plenty of holster wear but was shot very little. Police tend to shoot enough to qualify and that's about it. Heck, I like to shoot and probably only put 500 rds a year through my duty weapon. The Deputies here carried 96d Berrettas for a long time until they changed to Sig 226r DAKs just a couple of years ago. For a DAO gun they had pretty nice triggers and SCSD reported no real issues with them. I'd jump on one for $259 just as a solid beater gun that I wouldn't be afraid of getting stolen out of a hotel safe or vehicle while traveling. Pretty much what I use my SW 5946 for now in fact.
 
That's a little over a hundred *less* than the last LEO trade 96D that came trough my favorite mom n' pop store, FWIW. Does it have night sights?

Not a bad price at all. If you were looking (which it sounds like you are not), that would be a more than fair buy. Might want to change out the mag springs though.
 
Considering it is a LEO trade-in, it has probably been shot to hell with thousands of rounds through it, then kicked to the curb when it stopped functioning right.
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I would say that describes less than 5% of the police or military guns I've seen or owned. The rest tend to get carried and not abused like just like copaup described. I'm usually MORE than wiling to take a flier on a low-priced LE gun than others. The virtue of LE guns in my mind are that:

They got carried daily, and taken home at night. They were watched and if a problem showed up, it was dealt with. They were taken out and shot periodically. They worked, and likely still work.

I contrast this with many older civilian guns that are stored without attention and develop pitts, rust, etc. from just never being looked at or relied upon. Heavy wear with regular attention, as a shooter in a used gun, trumps inattention most days.
 
great gun, great price - no, it's not the best choice for every application, nor every shooter - but for what it was designed, they are great guns - designed for shooting every time with a powerful cartridge and a highly reputable design and company -
need a great shooter, self defense, dependable weapon? jump on it, it's cheap
 
I have one of these (not LEO) and I paid a lot more for it! I'd grab one for that price.

Check the trigger pull, though. Some may find it too heavy.

Overall I like the gun. Mine has been very reliable, accurate, and I've had not one FTF or other malfunction, and I've put a lot of rounds through it.

For the price, pick it up. You can always sell it for more later on if you decide it's not for you.

One quick note: you'll feel the entire snappiness of the .40 recoil with that gun. I happen to like the way .40s recoil, but realize not everyone does.

Have fun,
DFW1911
 
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If I saw it and it was in the budget at the time I'd buy it in about 1/1000 of a second seems like a smoking good deal!

If you are strapped for cash and not a big fan of .40 S&W then pass-- The old rule of "It's not a bargain if you can't afford it." Comes into play. When it comes to buying a gun or paying the rent/mortgage/feeding the family, pass on the gun purchase.

For most of us one or two good guns is all we really need. So if you have the need covered then guns become a luxury item and real needs take priority. When you are flush with cash and have all other needs covered then you can buy like a madman. Also of note as an ex-banker type dude I want to remind you that Credit Card interest sucks.

Happy Shooting!
 
I have a 92D , and if you're a fan of double action revolver triggers, you'll probalby like the 96D.

Also that 96 can be converted to a 9mm with a barrel swap from what I've read, if the .40 S&W doesn't appeal to you.

Seeing how I'm a more of a Revolver guy, these have a LOT of appeal to me.

Many of these LEO trade in's seem to be the Centurion version with the 4 1/4" barrel which makes for a nicer carry. Full size frame and capacity with a shorter barrel.

I'm quite fond of my 92D Centruion.
 
That's a good deal and I'd be tempted too. 'Course I like the 40. But since you're not really into the round or the gun, I'd say you'll find another really good deal right around the corner in something you at least have some sort of feelings for.
 
I stand corrected. The accounts I recalled of weapon treatment were from a New Orleans SWAT officer who shot more than one Beretta until it literally fell apart. If a gun were issued to a typical LEO, it would be cared for much better.
 
If you don't like .40 and you don't like beretta, then why are you even considering it? The gun will have little resale value.

I would pick it up if it was SS personally.

And as to .40 being less available than 9, my local wallyworld hasn't had 9 in stock all year so far (always sold out). When I walked in there last week, they had plenty of .40 federal FMJ for $12/box!!! I bought 6. When I went back there yesterday, they hadn't sold any more since I had been there last.
 
I think i met the OP yesterday,if 1+2 still equals 3?
Im reffering to the odds anyhow.
Myself plus 5 other people took our ohio CHL course and one guy in it just happened to buy a LE traded .40 Berretta he had never shot just the day before the class.
He shot well and the gun was flawless,had it been a 9mm id be buying one myself.The gun was in great physical shape and just had holster wear.
He also shot my PT1911 wich jammed once on him and 2x on me in 100 rounds of shooting.WWB was my ammo so ill be changing that and mags.
Its funny how the internet has made the world so small.

Sorry i forgot your name,but i seem to forget mine also.
 
Excellent buy

Buckeye,

If I saw a 96d in good condition for $259.00, I would buy it on the spot!

I would go with the 96d if you want a house gun or car gun or are just looking for a range gun. The biggest down side on the 96d is the size. All 92/96 guns are fairly large.

On the positive side, they are usually above average for accuracy, very reliable and the double action only version of the 92/96 is one of the best double action only triggers.

My agency issued the 96d Brigadier for a decade and it made me a BERETTA fan.
In fact, I liked it so much, I bought 2 for myself.

One other thing. The standard 96d can wear out. If you ever notice the slide moving slower to the point that you actually can see it when you shoot, you will need a slide replacement.
Check the underside of the slide, if the corners of the locking lug slots are rounded, the slide is worn out.

Jim
 
Thanks everyone for the good advice. I think I'd rather have 260 dollars towards something I'm more interested in. Guess I was just trying to talk myself into liking something I didn't.

dasfriek, I've had my CHL for a while now, so it must have been someone else who you met in your CCW class. I took my class in New Albany in January. C-bus isn't so big though, maybe we'll run into each other some other time!
 
To be honest, most police trade-ins I've seen have looked pretty good with just some holster wear.

I remember seeing some Berettas that looked brand new. The seller had said that police trade-ins have to be sold as used even if they sat in the police vault unused and unissued. They were a great price on an almost new pistol.
 
That would be about the only Beretta I would buy...but that's just one more opinion.

Dave
 
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