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Are they any good? My dad has been making noises about getting a Beretta for self protection. Are they any good? I told him to wait till I see what Queso brought but he really seems to like Berettas.

He wants a gun about the size of a Para Warthog but with a thinner grip.

I'm most familiar with the 92/96 series, haven't used the new PX series.

They are easy to use, reliable firearms with slightly better than piss poor ergonomics. The grips are too big for most hands ( it feels like holding the wrong end of a baseball bat) and the safety is bass ackwards. Early models hade slide cracking problems that don't show up in later production numbers. That said, they are very reliable and more than reasonably accurate. In obligatory fashion I suggest the CZ-75 over the Beretta 92... but the 92 will work.

I have a tiny 950 that I use as a nose gun sometimes. It's not impressive, but it does it's job well... which I guess could be said about most Beretta handguns.

Most Berettas are good guns, of course they are still in service with most branches of the military and some government agencies. They are very reliable, but I wouldn't put them at the top of the accuracy scorecard. I have a Taurus PT92, essentially a clone of the early Beretta 92 and made in a factory Beretta had in Brazil but later sold to Taurus. I also had a PT100, the .40 S&W version of the PT92 (same as Beretta 96). They are OK for a full-size sidearm, but it's heavy for concealed carry since it's all metal.

Beretta also makes smaller pistols too, I have tried a few of them out at the range but none of them really caught my fancy so I haven't grabbed one. Is there any one model in which he is particularly interested?

P.S., DON'T buy a Beretta Tomcat. Not enough caliber for the size of the pistol, you're better off with a KelTec P3AT.

Queso wrote:
Beretta also makes smaller pistols too, I have tried a few of them out at the range but none of them really caught my fancy so I haven't grabbed one. Is there any one model in which he is particularly interested?

P.S., DON'T buy a Beretta Tomcat. Not enough caliber for the size of the pistol, you're better off with a KelTec P3AT.

He likes his friends but dosen't know what it is called. I plan on tracking down this friend nextime I am in Florida. I might just drive down from BMH


As for the Tomcat the gun dealier said the same.

Queso wrote: but I wouldn't put them at the top of the accuracy scorecard.

But the way it feels in your hand is unlike any other gun I have held, it 'just feels right'.

LPNTed wrote:

Queso wrote: but I wouldn't put them at the top of the accuracy scorecard.

But the way it feels in your hand is unlike any other gun I have held, it 'just feels right'.

Yes, the 92 has a good grip angle and rounded backstrap that is easy to hold. The heavier weight helps tame any recoil newer and inexperienced shooters might feel while shooting, too.

I've got an M9 (92F).

Haven't had any issues with it. Very comfortable to shoot.

I recommend le Beretta. Particulary the 96FS 40 cal. Mine is an INOX model (stainless steel with rubber grips). I also have the matching 92FS 9mm. For me, granted I am tremendously strong and good-looking, both pieces have excellent balance, and I have complete faith in their mechanics. Besides, if it does jam, they weigh a metric ton, so you can always bop 'em in the noggin with it.

I use both of those for home defense and scaring the natives, though. Depending on my mission, when I'm carrying, eleven times out of ten I opt for the Springfield XD .45. I've shot at least 10,000 rounds through mine and it has NEVER jammed. Some people aren't comfortable with the safety mechanisms on these guns. I don't know how similar they are to glocks in this respect. There is no hammer or thumb safety. You have only a grip safety and a trigger safety. These are to protect against accidental discharge when you're carrying, of course, but do nothing to limit the risk when the gun is out of the holster or without a trigger lock. In other words, it's easy to disengage the safety mechanisms just by picking the gun up and holding it naturally. If a round is already chambered, at that point it's ready to go.

BAB

I like the Beretta M9.. I think they fit my hands well, but I apparently have big hands.

People in the military bitch about lack of knock-down and poor reliability.. But government models are shooting round nose ammo and have lowest bidder magazines.

In my experience with them they are excellent shooters.. And there is nothing wrong with a good 9mm hollow point for taking someone down.

Personally, I am not wild about .40 caliber.. I think there is too much recoil for what you get.

If you're going to carry a .45, and you want something small:

Springfield V-10

captoveur wrote:And there is nothing wrong with a good 9mm hollow point for taking someone down.

I agree, modern 9mm projectiles are fully capable of making a one-shot stop with decent placement.

captoveur wrote:Personally, I am not wild about .40 caliber.. I think there is too much recoil for what you get.

Try using a 165-grain round instead of a 180-grain round. It makes all the difference in the world.

Queso wrote:I agree, modern 9mm projectiles are fully capable of making a one-shot stop with decent placement.

I went from a 10mm down to the 9mm, to have more firepower on my side. 20 rounds of 9mm beats 13 of 10mm. Add another two magazines, and there's firepower for you. All out of a Glock...