Thinking about buying Beretta handgun

me ^ | 4-17-06 | me

[LouAvul]

I am thinking about buying a Beretta 9mm handgun. Am leaning toward the 92FS since it is the least expensive and all I want is a plinker.

I don't know what the vertec, inox, etc., is. But I understand that Beretta has been using more and more plastic and MIM parts lately.

Some shooters have even questioned their quality of late.

MIM doesn't really bother me since I'm sure my recent manufactured handguns use such.

Plastic doesn't really bother me since I also have a Glock 17.

But overall quality and reliability do concern me.

Thanx in advance.

[Echo Talon]

or this one

SIG SAUER® P226

[Echo Talon]

hehe :)

[Echo Talon]

P226R
The SIG SAUER® P226 is the pistol that set the standard by which all other combat handguns are measured. Designed as SIG’s entrant in the military trials to replace the 1911, today the P226 is in use by the U.S. Navy SEALs, Federal agents, and numerous law enforcement agencies including the Texas Rangers, Ohio State Highway Patrol and the Michigan State Police to name a few. The exceptional ergonomics and balance make this full-size pistol easy to handle. Available in either 9mm, .357 SIG or .40 S&W, its longer barrel yields better ballistic performance and accuracy.

Hmmm... IF the Texas Rangers use them they have to be the best. Chuck Norris is NEVER WRONG! :)

[Jubal Harshaw]

FWIW, I bought a Beretta tomcat about 2 years ago. Despite living in a dry climate (SoCal), the blued parts of that gun were covered with rust very quickly. Nothing like that happened to any of my other guns, or, indeed, to any other metal thing I own. Just something to keep in mind.

[Postal Worker with a gun]

All of you have lost track of the fact that he says he wants a plinker. I have a 22 cal target pistol that does that just fine for me. (Going to have to dig it out and see who made it, do not remember off-hand)

Cheap gun, cheap ammo. Mine fires the 22LR which is very easy to get.

Unlike my primary handgun, a 1076 S&W.

[mwyounce]

I have the .22LR conversion kit for my Taurus....

So I can plink with .22 or 9mm ammo...

[Servant of the 9]

My 9mm will punch through some sheetrock, the back of a sofa and still have a little sting left to it. My clip holds 20 rounds (pre-limited clip days)of hollow points, so I can be very generous to my 'guests'. In the short range 'home turf' area; it's plenty lethal.

However, I do not think that my 9mm will likely exit my brick exterior, go into my neighbors brick exterior and ruin his day. If I had a 45; I'd have to be more stingy with the ammo. I sure hate to feel stingy when I have a guest to 'entertain'.

That's why I went 9mm. Sometimes limited penetration is a good thing. Now, in a police or military setting; I think we would both prefer the biggest, meanest and power packed punch we could get. But not in the middle of Surburbia. At least IMHO.

I've got 15 .45 rounds in my Para-Ordnance and I imagine it will penetrate less than your 9 due to lower velocity. It just makes a hell of a lot bigger hole.

If 15 .45 hollow points won't deal with the matter, I give up.

If you just gotta have a Beretta, consider one chambered for .357 SIG.

So9

[Servant of the 9]

Say a .36 has a .9 probability of hit and a .8 probability of kill, given a hit.

Say a .45 has a .8 probability of hit, and a .9 probability of kill, given a hit.

The combination of each is the same, .8X.9=.72 or 72 percent probability of kill for one round. Shoot two rounds and you get. Pk= .72+.72-.72*.72 =0.9216 or 92 percent.

I doubt your hit probabilities.
A .45 is no harder to hit with or control than a 9 if you aren't afraid of it. My son, at 5 feet tall and 100 pounds was shooting a 1911 with either hand as well as he did a .22

Go out to a local IPSC shoot and look at the size of some of the shooters using .45s, it's all about the attitude.

So9

[absalom01]

I have a relatively new 92FS and a Vertec as well.

Both are just like the old-school Berettas: boring, but super-reliable. Not so much fun to shoot, but they go "bang" with comforting regularity.

[sig226]

The 92FS is the most popular handgun sold. Next is the Glock 19.

If you spend a little time looking, you'll find a used 92FS for about $300, and there might be 50 rounds through it. Sometimes, they come with the box of 50 rounds that the guy got when he bought the gun, and there are ten or fifteen rounds missing.

MIM parts are standard on all Smith and Wesson guns, and all Kimbers. I don't like the technology myself, but it wasn't invented for gun makers and apparently, it works.

Beretta switched to a plastic trigger and a plastic guide rod. Both parts are easily and cheaply replaced. If you want a new one, you better get it soon. They're getting hard to come by.

[1066AD]

The 92FS is the most popular handgun sold. Next is the Glock 19.

Not doubting you but I'd be interested in seeing a source for this remark. Thinking of a 9mm but wondering what's the best deal for a dual role home defense and (lots) range shooter - no point having an HD piece if you're not very familiar with it IMHO. Thanks.

[Proud Conservative2]

"My clip holds 20 rounds (pre-limited clip days)of hollow points, so I can be very generous to my 'guests'."


I have a six shot revolver and that will entertain any guest enough to make them wish they hadn't dropped by. LOL

[spankalib]

I did a trade for a Tomcat. Excellent plinker. No problems with rust. Wonder what's goin on Jubal, think there's some kind of factory defect in the finish? I don't know, but I'm in a humid climate, and don't have that problem. Another friend of mine said that by the time someone dragged that 45 around, he'd have at least 3 shots in with the 'cat....laffed my butt off!

Thing is, I don't think you want to put a whole lot of rounds thru it.....and it sure makes my hand tired after about 10 clips (but that's just to get used to the feel of it, so's all I really need)....

But I do like that Tomcat.

[KeyesPlease]

You might consider a CZ 75 as well. Similar in size to the 92 with more of a High-Power contour to the grip. 15+1 capacity with all steel construction. Easy to disassemble, reliable and accurate. NIB with 2 15 rd mags for around $425 depending on where you live.

[School of Rational Thought]

Have a 92FS for years without ever having a jam.

Also the 9mm ammo is cheaper. It is accurate and I use it for IPSC.

Now 45s are also fine, but don't forget to factor in the "I have a small gun" so I need a big firearm factor that influences alot of opinion.

Also shot placement is the real determinant. What can you control easily, not only at targets but if you are in a self-defense mode. Which will you control better and will the extra rounds you have with the 9mm factor in.

Did you write what you would use it for?

[Randall_Knife]

I will second that Sig Sauer P226 expensive, yes but really reliable.

PS check out .357 revolvers

[sig226]

The source of it is me selling them for nine years. You can guess what I really think is the best pistol. The cost dissuades some people, which I can understand.

If you plan to shoot it a lot, stick with a 9mm. The ammunition is the least expensive, and the recoil is not bad. Stay away from Taurus, and the other cheap makers. They won't stand up to heavy use.

One exception is the Ruger semi automatics. They cost less than the other famous names. They're heavy, which makes them recoil less. They aren't 'pretty,' but it's a gun, not a painting.

Put some heavy - 147 grain - hollowpoints in it and it will serve well. Just remember the old saying, "A handgun is a tool to fight your way to a rifle."