t roy

Thinking about buying one for general fun and home defense. Anyone have any opinions regarding Berettas or the .40 S&W?

I have not shot one yet, but I havehandled a coupleand like the way they feel in hand. I've not owned a semi-auto handgun before so I am not 100% sure what I should be looking for.

Thanks.

Wingbone

T, I've handled and shot Berreta 92's (9mm) and owned the Taurus version. My observation is that they are solid,dependable, and easy to maintain. But for me they have a heavy trigger pull, even in single action. This makes shooting accurately more difficult.

Aught Six

They're OK, but I don't like the trigger either. Haven't tried the newer Vertec models, but I hear they're nice for smaller hands.

I don't really follow S&W's guns. My wife likes them, but I still PO'ed about all the crap they agreed too during Clinton's presidency.

Briman

I own a Beretta 92, its a very good handgun. I'd really like to get one of he factory custom 92 models, like the Elite II, but really can't see spending that much money on a range toy (as if the standard 92fs isn't expensive enough)[8D]

As mentioned, the trigger pull is very heavy, but fortunately its very easy to fix. Call Beretta USA and order a hammerspring for a 96D pistol and install it in place of the 96/92FS hammer spring, it costs about $4- This doesn't harm anything as the hammer strike is very hard to start with, but might contribute to some frame/slide battering if you end up shooting a lot of +P+ ammo through it (I don't). Another thing I did to minewas to disassemble the pistol and polish the sticky bruniton finish off all of the trigger/sear/hammer contact points- why they chose to put this finish on such places in the factory is beyond me. If you buy an Inox (stainless)version, you won't have this problem.

Another bonus with the 9mm, (but doesn't apply tot he .40) is that if the democratic congress pass another assault weapon/magazine restriction ban, the 96FS.40 magazines serve as a hi-cap magazine in the 92FS. While the Clinton/Brady ban was in effect, I had no problems getting hi-cap (actually regular capacity as I like to call it) magazines for my 92.

PAhunter86

I've used the Beretta M9, which I think is nearly the same thing as the 92. I like it. I don't have a whole lot of experience with pistols though.

bigcountry

I have a pile of handguns. And the old beretta has seem to lost its popularity since the days of Lethal Weapon. But out of all the pistols I have, the 92FS I have, has to be the smoothest one I have. I bet it has over 5000 rounds thru it. And has not failed or jamed once. My brother just got the 96, and it seems like the good old 92FS.

Once one learns the two stage trigger, they understand it aids in getting on target before takin that second shot.

VAhuntr

I have carried the Beretta 96 as my duty weapon for the last 10 years. It has been reliable and it is easy to maintain. The main complaint I hear is from people who have small hands.

t roy

I do like the feel of the Vertec.

Is the heavy trigger a general characteristic of semi-autos ? I've shota Ruger 9mm, the trigger is also heavy.

Briman

The 96/92 pistol is a DA/SA pistol. The first trigger pull cocks the hammer while firing, and after that, the cycling of the slide cocks the hammer for a lighter single action pull. The DA trigger is meant to be heavier and have a longer pull because the pistol is designed to be carried with a round in the chamber with the hammer down. When casually shooting at the range, racking the slide to chamber the first round off the top of a magazine will cock the hammer and you'll only be shooting in SA, unless you decock it. You can also use the decocker to safely decock the hammer after every shot to practice shooting with the DA trigger pull.

As I said before, the first and best thing you can do with a 92/96 is change out the hammer spring- it will lighten the trigger pull significantly.

hunterdeneugene

I've carried the 92, 96 and Glocks for duty weapons and my preference is the Glock. Better trigger pull and unless the Beretta is a DA only, I can't stand the decocker and in the 96 after you decock the gun, itstays on fire and is unable to be put on safe. I know the Glock cannot be put on safe either, but its just a better choice in my opinion. And I shoot it better too.