Need a strong & reliable 9mm; Ruger or Beretta?

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Whatever fits your hand best... and I'd try a few others as well, as neither the Ruger or Beretta are known for having human hands as part of the design spec.
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Odd... the Beretta 92FS and all variants (Brigadier, Stock Competition, etc.) fit my hands beautifully. Some people like Glocks, and I cannot stand the grip on them at all. Agree with the whole "try[ing] a few other as well." Steyr M9, Springfield XD, any variation of a Browning HP, etc. are known for their great ergonomics as well as their reliability.

Personally, I like Berettas. :)
 
The Beretta doesn't hold a candle to the CZ pistols P01 or CZ75.

The Ruger is a great pistol but is not as ergonomic as the P01. I have my Ruger P-95 on consignment right now and own 11 different CZ pitols.
 
Strong and reliable?

Of the two you mention I'd say the Ruger is hands-down winner in the massively strong category. I can't recall EVER being on the range with a Ruger 9mm that malfunctioned with factory mags and halfway decent ammo. I don't personally care much for 'em - - too blocky, too heavy for the 9x19 mm chambering - - but, give the devil his due . . .

Speaking of too blocky, but still very durable and reliable - - The Glock series deserves a look. I keep a G19 for a spare pistol, and could live with it, I s'pose . . . .

You don't mention your preference of action type. My personal choice of the 9mms is the Browning High Power, but single action, cocked-and-locked carry is not for everyone.

There are certainly other handguns, but, hey, you asked about niner mike-mikes - - -

Best,
Johnny
 
Skip the Ruger and Beretta, unless you really like the Ruger. The bargain of the year is IMO is the SiG Pro 2009 for right around $450 brand new. Nice gun. I mean, as long as you're not looking for ultra compact 9s get a Sig. The Sig Pro or either of your choices are great choices so whatever you end up with you'll be in good shape.
 
They are making Glock's now that take clips? That's an interesting twist. Have you been to the Feinstein Glock Armory School?
 
I own a Beretta 92 that I kitted out with some Hogue wrap-around grips. Zero complaints here, I can't think of any other 9mm that feels that good. Will be sending it off soon for some triji night sights.
 
If it makes a difference to you, Beretta has a deal going right now-if you buy a 92 or a 96, send in your boxtop and proof of purchase and they will send you 2-15 round magazines.

I bought a 92 Vertec last month. The grip shape is better for my hands and its not quite as bulky as the 92 FS or the Ruger. Be prepared for about a 500 round workout to get the trigger worked in. Mine has gone from horrible to not bad in single action, but being a dyed in the wool 1911 man, I don't believe I'll ever be a fan of a DA trigger pull.

Beretta rates the frame life at about 30,000 rounds. Gee, I would have worn my 1911 out 4 pistols ago, but we shall see.

Between the two you mention-Ruger has it all over the Beretta so far as overall strength. I don't know anyone who has worn out a P-89, but then, the people I know who own them do not shoot them a whole lot.
 
One thing that hasn't been said here:

If you do opt for a Beretta, you may send it to Ernest Langdon who invokes the spirit world and sacrifices chickens or something and makes the Beretta magical. That by itself has almost prompted me to buy a Beretta several times over. He is also working on Sigs now, too.
 
Both are good guns and both are reliable. If you won't be doing too much shooting (like the IPSC thing) then both will do.

Personally, I'll go for the CZ75 family route or the SIGs, HKs and Walthers. These guns are too damn boring because of their reliability. I owned them adn shoot all types of ammo and never got a problem. Just my .20 cents.
 
I would vote Ruger first. And...(hang on while I put on my flame resistent suit...sheesh..did I gain some weight?...ok..here we go)...then a Taurus PT92 series second (Taurus version of the Beretta 92 series).

Ruger = reliable and tough.

Throwing in the Taurus PT92 series because the pricing is more in line with the Ruger..and..the location of the safety on such a large (full size) hand gun is much easier to operate on the Tarurus model...plus it can be carried locked and cocked eliminating the double to single action transition. Not as nicely fit and finished as a Beretta...but from my experience equally reliable and very accurate.

Have the Ruger KP95 and and older Taurus PT92AFS in pimp nickel. Like both. Only issue I have with either is the Taurus that I bought well used sometimes kicks brass back at me...which I haven't gotten around to addressing yet (probably just needs a new recoil spring or something similar).

Just a thought.
 
I have the beretta 92fs; my brother-in-law the ruger p85. both are excellent in 9mm. the beretta is more comfortable, more accurate, prettier and just functions better overall. i guess on a scale of 1-10, i'd give the 92fs a 10 and the ruger p85 a 9.9; they are that close.

historically, there is nothing stronger than ruger revolvers. i'm not that familiar with ruger semi's(other than that mentioned above)but would assume the strength thing goes for their auto's as well.
 
Don't let anybody BS you; the Berettas and Rugers are fine guns, and excellent service pistols. The CZs and Sigs are also very good guns. I would take my own Sig P228, but that is my own choice & opinion.

Try out as many of these as you can, and then make your choice based on what works for you.
 
I've put quite a few rounds through both, although the Ruger is a .45, not a 9mm. IMO, either will be a fine handgun. The Ruger is stronger, and never malfunctions. The Beretta is less blocky, and very rarely malfunctions. My advice would be to handle both, and get the one that handles most naturally for you. If I were to go buy one today, it would be the Beretta.
 
Okay let me get this out of the way: GET THE BERETTA!!

Whew, now I feel better.

But really, I've owned both and wouldn't be afraid to carry either one. They are both excellent guns.
 
Between the choices you cited Ruger or Beretta . Ruger.

There may reasons for which I don't know, Reg's for a job, approved and so on.

The Rugers we used for range guns always worked. The small town LEO's that used them never had a problem. Some Security guards used these because they were approved , affordable, always worked and with 9mm ammo being affordable , actually practiced. May have been Blazer ammo...practice is practice.

Granted, when they launched a 9mm from a BHP there were oohs and aahs. That was true though after they shot the Beretta's the Sigs, the...well you get the idea.
:)
 
what climate?

the M9 doesn't do well in dusty climates , like Arizona, or Afganistan.
I just finished cleaning mine....

Why not get the Taurus PT-92, exact same as the Beretta....
 
I had a decocker model Ruger P-95 with stainless slide that I bought new. It never malfunction with various brands 115 gr. FMJ, Federal 115 gr. JHP, and Proload 124 gr. JHP+P. I bought this pistol because I wanted one that was reliable and reasonably priced.

I handled, but did not fire, a Beretta 92 series that was a double action only and on this particular specimen the trigger pull was as smooth and as light as I've felt on any handgun.

If money is no object I'd go with the Beretta if it feels good in your hand. The Beretta 92 series is about 7 1/2 ounces heavier than the
P-95, which will help muzzle jump. Ruger P-89 is about 5 ounces heavier than P-95 , but I never fired one.
 
I really like the SIG P226.
Berettas are nice, but the Sig is nicer.
The P226 was the real winner of the Army's pistol trials, and is the choice of Navy SEALs who could choose any pistol they wanted. If it's good enough for thoses guys, it's good enough for me.
I bought mine used (well used), and it is still very accurate and 100% reliable after unknown thousands of rounds.
The molded metal parts of the Ruger and its looks keep me away.
You really need to wrap your hand around a Sig to appreciate the way they handle.
It's the only pistol I can reach both the mag and slide release without shifting my grip.
 
Does Beretta offer any steel frame options in the 92 series?I seem to recall....BTW the Brigadier slides are always an option;that extra weight is added in to the area of the slide above the locking block area;I think it was an add on /production after a few instances of frame cracking&slide failure/overtavel.one of you has to know this.
I gotta plug the CZ75/85 combat series myself;would like to try some of the more recent stuff...
 
BHP all the way!!!

Let me see... You want strong and reliable 9mm, and you did mention the price will not be the deciding factor...

I think that you should really consider Browning Hi Power - MkIII, Standart, or Practical...
 
Ruger P95 with a slip-on Hogue grip. Mine has been 100% reliable and as accurate as other guns costing twice as much. It fits more hands than the Berretas.
 
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