New to Me Beretta Pico

I got it barely used for a $179 Gunbroker bid. It looks like only a box or two of ammo was shot through it, if even that much.

The fit and finish are very good. I like how thin it is. The sights are excellent, much better than the P3AT I used to have, and even better than the LCPII I have now. I'm a Beretta fan. This is my 5th Beretta. I also have two Beretta clones (Taurus) that have been good guns. However, I'm not sure that I'm going to like the Pico.

Its grip is very small. With the standard magazine I can't even get all of my ring finger onto it.

I don't like the weird magazine release. It's doubtless stiff now from being new, but it's not easy for me to use it one-handed.

The trigger isn't good. The travel is decently short, but it's also much stiffer than I prefer.

The slide release is an abomination. It's so small I have to use my thumbnail to release it, and even that's a challenge.

I got an extended magazine for it and will take it to the range in the next week or two. Maybe shooting it will change my attitude. So far I'm not optimistic.

Does anyone know ways to make the Pico more user-friendly?

Beretta Pico by Tallball posted Sep 20, 2018 at 6:34 PM

 

If that is your picture then you have a Gen 3, with the lighter trigger pull and slide rack. Putting a set of Talon or similar grip tapes will help control it. Also, they tend to shoot low, look at the orientation of the barrel when it is locked up, it points a bit low. However, even with these little nits they really are very nice pocket pistols, and easy to maintain.

 

The manual suggests not dry firing it and user reviews confirm that the firing pin can break easily if you do. Just something to keep in mind. Does it have two recoil springs or one? The newer models only have one. My mag release was easy to operate one handed right out of the box and the slide release works well also. I’m just wondering if yours is an older model.

If you are interested in night sights they are ridiculously easy to install. Just loosen the set screw and the sights slide right out. No pounding needed. Good luck with it.

 

If you can figure out how to do the Pico mag release one-handed, then you're either a rare genius, a freak of nature, or both. AFAIK, it's meant to be operated with your weak hand while you maintain your grip with your strong hand. I can't see any other way to do it. When you do it that way, the empty mag falls right into your hand: convenient at the range, but possibly inconvenient under duress, when the last thing you want in your hand is an empty magazine.

Same with the slide catch. In my opinion, it's only on there so they can say it has a slide catch.

With the grip length you're either dying of thirst or drowning. As you say, the standard grip is very short, but the extended-grip mag is ridiculously long. Has anybody come up with an aftermarket grip extension that hits the sweet spot between concealability and shootability?

I had the Gen 1 Pico and didn't like it, especially the long, hard trigger pull. The plus side is that it's very small and very well made. I'd be interested in trying the revamp and seeing how they've improved it. I can live with two-handed mag drops and no slide catch -- I have other guns that are the same, like a SIG P232. If they've cured the trigger issues, I might give it another try.

 

Comparing it side by side with the LCPII, a problem with the grip length seems to be that the trigger guard comes down so low. The two pistols are all but identically sized, but the LCP trigger guard ends a little higher up. Also, the bevel or undercut or whatever you want to call it on the front face of the bottom of the Pico grip probably facilitates sliding the magazine in, but it also helps your ring finger want to slide down.

I could work the mag release with my right thumb if it were just a little looser. On the other hand, I have to be very careful not to accidentally depress the one on my LCPII.

I'll shoot them side by side soon, just for grins. Oddly enough, I'm starting to suspect that I might prefer my old P3AT to either. Fortunately they are cheap and easy to come by.

It's completely possible that I got a Pico with an unusually stiff everything, especially the trigger. The description from the vendor said it was from an older gentleman who bought it new only to discover that he had a lot of trouble using the controls.

 

I've put around 1000 rounds through my Pico in the two years I've carried it. I replaced the original recoil spring at about 700 rounds. It shortened up such that it would no longer stay put by it's own tension during reassembly. Because I pocket carry my Pico, I look at the long trigger pull and style of mag release as positive features both for safety and security. Never have I had a mag drop while carrying as has happened with other pocket guns. The slide release has loosened up a bit over time and I use it on range time reloads but again, I view it's ultra thin profile as a plus, adding to the overall Pico's thin concealability benefit.

I find the gun to be easy to shoot well, even with the "one finger" grip. I admit the gun feels awkward in the hand but the proof is in the shooting. The recoil is somehow much milder than many other small .380 competition. The excellent sights are quick to align. I also bought a frame with the integrated laser which increases to the overall size a little but adds that whole different method to aim if activated. Shooting with the laser is much faster. I've shot about 1/3 of my practice rounds using the laser and it has stayed true without requiring any adjustment, (after sighting in that first time).

Having said all of that; the main reason I've come to really like the little Beretta is because it has functioned and fired every one of those 1000 rounds without a problem. Those rounds are a mix of several brands of practice ammo and about seven brands of carry ammo. The gun is reliable. The quality is exceptional, the design and features are perfect for pocket carry, the takedown and maintenance are simple and it has a double action hammer, (my preference in a carry gun). If it has a flaw I haven't found it.

I hope you give the Pico a chance to show it's positive side. IMHO the gun is one of the better choices for pocket carry available today.

 

I’ve got a Pico and really like it as a pocket gun. The thinness of the gun allows it to disappear in any kind of pocket (use a pocket holster). Talon grips are a must purchase. They really help to lock that little grip in your hand. I also agree with the warning against dry firing. I broke a firing pin after a few dry fires. Now it’s snap caps or live fire only.

The Pico is a great CCW, and all it’s shortcomings enhance its concealability. It’ll never be mistaken for a range gun, but you’ll have it if you need it!

 

I've got a Pico and an LCP. The Pico shoots better - better sights and less recoil. Feels more awkward to me, but I hit what I aim at better.

I mostly shoot revolvers and believe a firm trigger pull is desirable. I hate CCW guns with a light trigger pull. I always use two hands changing a magazine and often don't carry a spare magazine, so I'm happy with it. It alternates with my J-frame 357 for every day carry. Sometimes carry it as a backup to the J-frame. That way I have the revolver I love for my first shots, and 6 more rounds in the Pico as a reload.

 

My Pico just came back from Beretta. 7 days door step to door step. I shot 150 rounds this evening and I’ll shoot 150 more tomorrow. I really like the gun but I don’t shoot it nearly as well as my DA revolvers. I’m closing on 1000 rounds through it at this point.

 

TallPaul, do you have the upgraded Gen 2?? It has only one recoil Spring. and the trigger spring was upgraded. The latest will have the slanted slide serrations. If you do not hav the upgrade, call Beretta and they will upgrade the Springs at no charge.

 

IIRC mine has the single spring. I opened it up and cleaned it when I got it about a week ago. I'll look again tomorrow.

Because I am possibly crazy, I won a bid on a P3AT tonight to replace the one I let my FiL get from me. Next weekend or whenever it stops raining I'll shoot the Pico, LCPII, and P3AT back-to-back-to back to see what I really think. I'll probably keep all three, unless I REALLY dislike the Pico. I never get rid of a gun I like.

Since I got good deals on all of them, I can get all or most of my money back if I ever decide to sell any of them or trade one towards something else.

I'll look into the Talon grips and won't dry fire. I'll also try to find a pinky extension for the flush magazine. Like the other poster said, the standard one is just a bit too short, and the extended one is almost ridiculously long. Hmm... I'm suddenly wondering if doing some surgery to the plastic piece on the bottom of the extended mag might be a solution...

Jeb Stuart loves his Picos like I love my dogs! It makes me wish my hand wasn't the size of a bunch of bananas.

Thanks to everyone for the helpful comments.

 

Good luck Tallball, have fun trying out all the small pistols. Let us know how you like the Keltec P32.