New Beretta Brigadier

[Shipwreck]

I wasn't originally going to get one of these, but it's been on my mind more and more. and, I keep seeing them over at theBeretta Forum.. So...

Yesterday, I discovered that my local shop got in both Inox and black Beretta Brigadiers... I went and examined both for quite a while... And, I went with the black one.

I also considered buying that new Wilson Combat special version of the Brigadier... But... I have never really care for the checkering on a Beretta 92 (like the M9A1). It's not sharp enough like it is on a 1911. And, I also got rid of my railed Berettas a couple years ago because I found the balance is better on the non railed models. The Wilson version has a rail. I thought it would be cool to get a limited version of that gun... But, there were things on it I knew I wouldn't like. After owning so many Beretta 92's over the years - I kinda know what I like and don't like about certain models of the gun...

So, in the end - got a plain black Brigadier.

(this was the best photo I could get with my crappy Ipad mini camera)

 

[n6yga]

Congrats! She is beautiful!

Mark.

 

[HexHead]

The "Wilson" Brigadiers are built by Beretta to Wilson's specs, but Wilson never touches them. If you have a problem, you send it back to a Beretta, not Wilson.

If you want "the real deal", buy a Beretta first, and then send it to Wilson for the mods. I have a friend that did that, and it was more nicely done.

 

[AustinTX]

Beautiful! Congrats!

 

[Pilot]

That's beautiful. These are not G configured, correct?

 

[Shipwreck]

Correct. They are not "G"

 

[bannockburn]

Very nice! Clean, no-nonsense version of an already classic design. I like the textured grips as well.

 

[GeoJammy]

Great looking Beretta! Is it Italian made or US? I really like the fact that the front site can be swapped out for tritium versus having to be drilled on all the others...

 

[Fiv3r]

SO gorgeous Congrats.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Nice man! Congrats!

 

[340PD]

The "Wilson" Brigadiers are built by Beretta to Wilson's specs, but Wilson never touches them. If you have a problem, you send it back to a Beretta, not Wilson.

If you want "the real deal", buy a Beretta first, and then send it to Wilson for the mods. I have a friend that did that, and it was more nicely done.

Great info. Thanks

 

[AustinTX]

The "Wilson" Brigadiers are built by Beretta to Wilson's specs, but Wilson never touches them. If you have a problem, you send it back to a Beretta, not Wilson.

If you want "the real deal", buy a Beretta first, and then send it to Wilson for the mods. I have a friend that did that, and it was more nicely done.

If you want a 92 that includes all of the modifications that the WC Brig has, you're not going to save any real money with this approach, if any at all, and the gun won't hold nearly the same resale value that the WC Brig will. The WC Brigs are also spec'd to tighter tolerances than standard production Berettas. Standard Berettas are no slouch in that regard, but the WC Brigs are definitely tighter-fitting than the average production 92. Even with all of the mods added to a stock 92, you'd still have standard tolerances.

I fail to see what would be better at all about buying a standard 92 and then sending it off so that Wilson Combat can saw on your barrel and cut into your frame, requiring re-anodizing, than simply buying a 92 that was produced that way to begin with.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

The "Wilson" Brigadiers are built by Beretta to Wilson's specs, but Wilson never touches them. If you have a problem, you send it back to a Beretta, not Wilson.

This is partially correct.

The Wilson Brigs are being assembled by Beretta to the desired fit of Wilson. Wilson custom/enhanced parts are going into the guns. Then they get delivered to Wilson, and Wilson inspects them for fit, finish, trigger smoothness, and smooth operation in general.

Action tuning and mag well guides get done by Wilson, if the service is added to the order.

I know of one owner who got his gun, and the barrel was scratched up. He contacted Wilson, and Bill Wilson posted a comment on the Beretta forum that anyone who has an issue with the finish on their barrel can send the barrel to Wilson for a free refinish.

So different issues are being handled in different ways, and Wilson is taking a hand in the assembly and inspection of the guns.

I fail to see what would be better at all about buying a standard 92 and then sending it off so that Wilson Combat can saw on your barrel and cut into your frame, requiring re-anodizing, than simply buying a 92 that was produced that way to begin with.

I agree. With the upgraded parts and tighter tolerances that the Wilson guns are coming with, the price seemed reasonable to me, and on par with what you'd pay for after market work anyway. That's why I ordered one. I do think the WC in the serial numbers and limited nature of these guns will keep the value high over time too. But a gun is only worth what someone will pay to own it.

That is in no way a jab at the OP's Brigadier or a statement of Wilson Brigs being superior. It's just a matter of what you want really. That is a sweet gun Shipwreck, and one I think any Beretta owner would be happy to own.

So I say again, congrats!

 

[Shipwreck]

Yes, I considered getting the Wilson, and actually planned on it. However, when I found out my shop had the standard Brigadiers... I thought about it. Was it worth an extra $500 to me?....

Back when I had my high of 9 Beretta 92 variants at one time - I remembered I eventually sold off my railed Berettas because of the balance. I just don't care for the feel of railed Berettas. And, I personally can't stand the checkering on the M9A1. It's not sharp enough - and, I feel like I get a better grip with the standard slide serrations.

I was also set to put my order into Wilson after Christmas for one of the future ones to be delivered by Beretta to them... But as I thought about it and looked at the gun - I decided it wasn't worth that extra $500 to me... Despite the higher resale value of the gun later on. Unless I was going to keep it unfired, the resale value didn't really mean much to me....

 

[Shipwreck]

Great looking Beretta! Is it Italian made or US? I really like the fact that the front site can be swapped out for tritium versus having to be drilled on all the others...

All the Brigadiers are USA made models.

Yes, the sights can be swapped out a little easier. I have used Tooltech Gunsight like 5 or 6 times in the past, however. If you send the sight to Trijicon to get the sights installed, it isn't that much cheaper than getting the front sight drilled at Tooltech, however

 

[LockedBreech]

I about jumped out of my skin when I saw a new Brig listed at Bud's. I had heard rumors but that made it real. I can only hope that this, following on the heels of production 92Gs and the Wilson Combat BrigTac, means we're on the cusp of a new wave of Vertecs, Centurions, Elites, etc.

Around Feb/March 2015 my gun budget opens back up and I absolutely intend on adding a Brig. Thinking night sights, WC guide rod, nice G10 or checkered aluminum grips, and a big order Gold Dot +p since that Brig slide is unfazed by the good stuff.

Edit: Hold up, I just re-read your post! They're making the Brigs in Inox?! That is absolutely going to be a buy.

 

[AustinTX]

That is in no way a jab at the OP's Brigadier or a statement of Wilson Brigs being superior. It's just a matter of what you want really. That is a sweet gun Shipwreck, and one I think any Beretta owner would be happy to own.

So I say again, congrats!

Yeah, I didn't mean that as any denigration of Shipwreck's choice of the Brig at all. I'm thinking of a getting a standard Brig (or two) myself. I just wanted to respond to what I saw as an inaccurate take/interjection on the Wilson Brigs (namely, the idea that it would be better to buy a standard Brig and then send it in to WC to have the equivalent work done rather than buying the WC Brig to begin with).

Despite the higher resale value of the gun later on. Unless I was going to keep it unfired, the resale value didn't really mean much to me....

That's totally reasonable. My point about resale value was only that it would be a good deal higher on a WC Brig than it would on a standard Brig that someone would then send to WC to have all of the mods of the WC Brig done. I didn't mean any comparison with a stock Brig.

 

[AustinTX]

Edit: Hold up, I just re-read your post! They're making the Brigs in Inox?! That is absolutely going to be a buy.

Yes sir! A couple of people have already taken delivery over on the Beretta forum.

 

[LockedBreech]

Austin, I just took notice that you picked up a pair of the new WC BrigTacs. My jealousy of your trident collection grew three sizes that day...

 

[AustinTX]

Thanks, LB -- I can't help myself.

If we see all the new 92 variants that Bill Wilson (and Josh from Allegheny Gun Works) have been hinting at over on the Beretta forum, I might get into a bit of trouble in 2015.

 

[LockedBreech]

I have an adult job now after 7 years of college, no kids, no wife, and not a lot of debt. If 2015 is the Year of the Beretta, I can basically forget about building my savings at all.

Do we know any other variants that have had especially strong hints? Centurions, compacts, other Brig variants?

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I've heard whispers of centurions and vertecs. Bill Wilson is an active member on the Beretta forum. He has been asked directly, but said he can't totally reveal future plans at this point.

He also started a thread soliciting suggestions for re-released 92/96 series guns, and new variants. I think it's great that he is taking direct interest in listening to what his customer base wants.

If the Beretta Steel comes back out, or the Billenium, 2015 will be my year of Ramen.

Yeah, I didn't mean that as any denigration of Shipwreck's choice of the Brig at all. I'm thinking of a getting a standard Brig (or two) myself. I just wanted to respond to what I saw as an inaccurate take/interjection on the Wilson Brigs (namely, the idea that it would be better to buy a standard Brig and then send it in to WC to have the equivalent work done rather than buying the WC Brig to begin with).

Yep, I agree totally AustinTX. If you want the included bonuses of a Brig Tac, then order one from Wilson. I see no benefit either to getting a stock gun, and then sending it off for similar upgrades when there is a model already available with what I want. Except of course, if one can't afford to drop the entire amount right now on a limited release gun. It does come down to preference too. some folks don't like that a Beretta has a Wilson logos on it. Anyway, I'm in your camp, and can't wait for mine to ship.

 

[Shipwreck]

Well, I have yet to hear about the Vertec, other than people's claim about "rumors" of the Vertec. Who knows.

I had a Vertec when they originally came out. I didnb't like that grip. I never bought the Steel I because of the Vertec grip. So, that doesn't interest me.....

 

[OregonJohnny]

Shipwreck, nice Brig! I wish my Wilson Brig Tac had that "Brigadier" font on the slide. Do you have a new "Beretta Wheel" picture?

I know of one owner who got his gun, and the barrel was scratched up. He contacted Wilson, and Bill Wilson posted a comment on the Beretta forum that anyone who has an issue with the finish on their barrel can send the barrel to Wilson for a free refinish.

Yes, that's me. My barrel is supposed to arrive back to me from Wilson next week. I'll hopefully have some time then to finally shoot it, take some photos and write up a thorough review. I've been fondling and dry-firing my Brig Tac with my old 92FS barrel/locking block installed in the meantime. I'm excited to have the gun back together with 100% of its original parts.

Well, I have yet to hear about the Vertec, other than people's claim about "rumors" of the Vertec. Who knows.

Did anyone else see pictures from this years AUSA show? It clearly showed 92 and 96 Vertecs on display at a Beretta booth. Whether or not they were new/future production, or just old stock, I don't know.

As for Centurions, I personally don't see the appeal. If I'm going to have a slightly smaller Beretta 92, I'd go all the way and get a compact. The Centurion has the same overall height of a full size 92, just a slightly shorter frame and barrel, right?

On the Beretta Forum, in the thread about possible upcoming releases, I listed my "dream" 92 Compact. I think that would be a great Wilson Combat project.

 

[Shipwreck]

Haha, No, no more "wheels" - I don't have the cash for that. I've spent like $6100 on three 1911s since July. I don't really feel like swapping my gun collection all the time, but I don't have the $ to buy stuff without selling something usually.

I have a few Berettas, but not as many as I once had (to make a wheel). I don't want to have all of one gun anymore. So, I've diversified a bit.

I am selling my older, carry Beretta to help pay for this Brigadier.