OregonJohnny
Member
For some reason, I have started thinking that although I have various handguns in .38, .357, .40, .44 and .45, I need to have a 9mm. My very first pistol was a Ruger P95 stainless 9mm, but I traded it in toward a Smith 1911 stainless (much better gun IMO). So now I feel like I need to fill that 9mm gap. Without creating a debate over Glock vs. Ruger vs. Beretta, etc. - I was hoping someone could through some advice my way.
I have a TON of experience with my dad's Beretta 96 (.40). It is one of the first models (Italian made) from about 16 years ago. With at least 3,000 rounds through it, it has never had a single problem. So I am very comfortable with that platform. My questions are:
1. Can you easily find, (in a US gun shop) or do they even make, BRAND NEW Beretta 92FS that are manufactured in Italy? Or can you only buy Beretta USA Corp. models?
2. Is there any difference between an Italian Beretta and an American one? I thought I heard somewhere that some of the initial problems with the military M9 fragility was because of different steel used in Italy versus US.
3. Can 17-round magazines made for the "Ninety-Two" model work in standard 92 guns? My guess is no, which is fine, because 15-rounds is plenty!
4. If I were going to consider any another 9mm, it would be the Sig 226 (so please, respectfully leave out suggestions of other manufacturers and models in your responses). However, there is a big difference between $500 for a Beretta, and $850 for a Sig. So besides overall length, barrel length, and brand name, what are the differences between the 92 and the 226 that would warrant spending $350 more for the Sig?
Thanks for any answers and/or advice. P.S. - "Beretta-bashing" and stories of Navy Seals getting broken jaws because of cracked slides won't dissuade me, because of my above mentioned VERY positive experience with my dad's 96. Only Beretta praise, please. Thanks again!
I have a TON of experience with my dad's Beretta 96 (.40). It is one of the first models (Italian made) from about 16 years ago. With at least 3,000 rounds through it, it has never had a single problem. So I am very comfortable with that platform. My questions are:
1. Can you easily find, (in a US gun shop) or do they even make, BRAND NEW Beretta 92FS that are manufactured in Italy? Or can you only buy Beretta USA Corp. models?
2. Is there any difference between an Italian Beretta and an American one? I thought I heard somewhere that some of the initial problems with the military M9 fragility was because of different steel used in Italy versus US.
3. Can 17-round magazines made for the "Ninety-Two" model work in standard 92 guns? My guess is no, which is fine, because 15-rounds is plenty!
4. If I were going to consider any another 9mm, it would be the Sig 226 (so please, respectfully leave out suggestions of other manufacturers and models in your responses). However, there is a big difference between $500 for a Beretta, and $850 for a Sig. So besides overall length, barrel length, and brand name, what are the differences between the 92 and the 226 that would warrant spending $350 more for the Sig?
Thanks for any answers and/or advice. P.S. - "Beretta-bashing" and stories of Navy Seals getting broken jaws because of cracked slides won't dissuade me, because of my above mentioned VERY positive experience with my dad's 96. Only Beretta praise, please. Thanks again!