Smith and Wesson 4046 vs Beretta 96 Centurion

[Splitear_Leland]

Hello all, I'm new to The High Road forums, and look forward to getting a lot of great advice from some great people.
Now for my dilemma. I have a 1903 Colt Hammerless in 32 auto that I am thinking about trading for one of 2 different guns. I don't really want to trade it, but I don't really want to shoot the 32 auto caliber since it is pretty expensive, and really kind of purposeless.
I've found a guy that would like to have it, and has a Smith and Wesson 4046 and a Beretta 96 Centurion, and I don't know which is the better deal. To be clear, I'm wanting a shooter that will hold it's value or appreciate some over the next 10-20 years. I like the .40 caliber, so it's even on both guns there. And, I like the looks of the stainless on the S&W, especially compared to the all black of the Beretta. I'm pretty sure they are both LEO trade-ins, and I have not fired them.
So, what are your opinions of these guns. Which would you get, or would you just keep the Colt?

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Can you give them a "test drive" before you buy? Both will have the same reliability, and the magazine capacity is the same as well. I would probably give the edge in durability to the Smith as it is entirely stainless steel, but pure accuracy to the Beretta. If you're going to carry it, especially concealed, the Smith is much heavier, but also much slimmer. Future resale or collector value, if any, is too unpredictable, but S&W autos are at a low point right now and I fail to see how they could go any lower. It really comes down to personal preference(s). Mine would be for the Smith, based on experience with other Third Generation models.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I've owned both and will offer my observations

S&W
1. heavier
2. slimmer
3. thinner grip - might fit your hand better

Beretta
1. More accurate
2. safety easier to flip off - spring loaded
3. smoother DA trigger pull
4. more reliable - straight line feed from mag to barrel and largest ejection port available
5. smoother action - non-tilting barrel to unlock
6. easier to take down - rotate takedown lever

The Beretta 96 is the most accurate .40 I have ever shot (S&W, Sig, Glock, H&K), but some folks find the grip too wide for them. Just holding it won't tell the story, you'll need to shoot them

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I somehow read 4046 as 4006. :banghead: The 4046 is a double action only. The Smith DAO trigger is pretty good as DAOs go and should not be excluded from consideration, but is something to be aware of. It also has no manual safety.

 

[Cemo]

Actually both the Beretta Centurion and the S&W 4046 are DAO. I would pass on both of these unless you prefer these type actions. DAO's are good for CCW but take some getting use to if you are trying to do bull's eye shooting on the range. Otherwise, IMO, both of these are high quality autos and unless someone has abused them, should provide you a lifetime of service.

 

[beretta/ak]

Not all centurions are DAO. I would get the beretta. Though I cant say if the smith is a good gun or not. The beretta has always been a good gun to me.

 

[Airburst]

+1 for the Centurion

I also have owned both and currently have the Centurion. I am a big S&W guy, but the Centurion would get the nod here. The slick DA trigger is one of the best I have ever shot, smoother than the S&W. Also, it weighs less. The 4046 felt like a giant slab of steel. This doesn't. That said, shoot both and then decide.