Just got back from the indoor range and shot the above mentioned Beretta that I picked up last night. I just realized that sounds kind of weird, oh well. 
First of all I have this same gun in 9mm and am very fond of this particular Beretta configuration. The 96 is the 40S&W version and the D is the designation for the DAO version.
Since this was during my lunch hour I only had the opportunity to run 100 rounds of Wally World 165 grain Winchester white box through it.
All shooting was done with a silhouette target at ten yards.
The Beretta experienced zero malfunctions, which greatly pleased me although I would have been surprised with any other outcome.
A two handed hold was used for all of the shooting.
70 rounds were fired in a very deliberate manner to become familiar with the gun and for accuracy. I had no problem keeping all of the rounds in the chosen area; head shots, right chest, left chest and abdomen. I don't pretend to be the greatest shot in the world so this is more than acceptable for me and it proved the Beretta was more than adequately accurate.
30 rounds were fired in double taps and these too were also kept within the intended area. One of the best features of this gun or other Beretta DAO's is the great trigger action. I can fire this gun as rapidly as any other DA/SA auto I own and compare the trigger feel to that of a revolver with an excellent trigger job. The pressure of the trigger spring is perfect for follow up shots with just enough pressure to ensure a full reset in rapid fire.
I think Beretta missed the boat in discontinuing this model and not capitalizing on the advantages of their DAO pistols. This is an ideal gun for revolver fans that are used to shooting in double action and would like their defensive gun in a different caliber or with more firepower. I am going to relegate this particular gun to home defense use and hopefully it will never see any action other than at the range.
First of all I have this same gun in 9mm and am very fond of this particular Beretta configuration. The 96 is the 40S&W version and the D is the designation for the DAO version.
Since this was during my lunch hour I only had the opportunity to run 100 rounds of Wally World 165 grain Winchester white box through it.
All shooting was done with a silhouette target at ten yards.
The Beretta experienced zero malfunctions, which greatly pleased me although I would have been surprised with any other outcome.
A two handed hold was used for all of the shooting.
70 rounds were fired in a very deliberate manner to become familiar with the gun and for accuracy. I had no problem keeping all of the rounds in the chosen area; head shots, right chest, left chest and abdomen. I don't pretend to be the greatest shot in the world so this is more than acceptable for me and it proved the Beretta was more than adequately accurate.
30 rounds were fired in double taps and these too were also kept within the intended area. One of the best features of this gun or other Beretta DAO's is the great trigger action. I can fire this gun as rapidly as any other DA/SA auto I own and compare the trigger feel to that of a revolver with an excellent trigger job. The pressure of the trigger spring is perfect for follow up shots with just enough pressure to ensure a full reset in rapid fire.
I think Beretta missed the boat in discontinuing this model and not capitalizing on the advantages of their DAO pistols. This is an ideal gun for revolver fans that are used to shooting in double action and would like their defensive gun in a different caliber or with more firepower. I am going to relegate this particular gun to home defense use and hopefully it will never see any action other than at the range.
