Beretta Pico Break In

[somethingbenign]

So I've had a Pico since July and put maybe 400-500 rounds through it. Originally I couldn't get a couple shots without a stoppage and after polishing the feed ramp a bit I'm to a stop about every other mag. Almost all stops are due to the next round not going fully into battery and a slap to the back of the slide with drive it into battery. This is also a common issue when I rack the slide to chamber the first round. To other Pico owners how long was the break in for you guys? Were there any modifications you made to improve function? My LGS is claiming it is because all 380s are junk but I can't get behind that. I can't say 100% user error might not play a factor since the gun is definitely small for my hands. If I can't get confidence in this I'll be in the market for a pocket revolver but I should put off anymore gun purchases if possible.

 

[Sistema1927]

My Pico didn't require any break-in. It has not had a problem since day one.

 

[Jeb Stuart]

You need to get a new LGS. The Pico is one of the finest made. I have two of them and one has thousands of rounds through it, the other has well over 1500 without a flaw. I have no idea why you are having trouble. It sounds like you need to clean out the firing pin channel. Very easy to do.I had a similar issue with some other firearms when I was trying out a new cleaning oil. It gunked up all my guns. Had to take them all down and clean them. When I got my new Pico's, I noticed they have very strong magazine springs and recoil spring. I would load the mags to full capacity and let the spring take a "Set" for a few days. Same with the recoil spring. .
Mine have been flawless since day one. ALSO LOOK TO SEE IF THE GUN IS SET IN THE GRIP CORRECTLY. Have you changed grips? I did have a problem when I changed mine and did not seat it correctly. Take the chassis out and reset it.
These guns are small, but that is the purpose. I have a extra large hand and long fingers and can shoot these very fast and with a lot of confidence. Just takes practice like anything else. Good Luck. if nothing else, send it back to Beretta, they have excellent customer service.

 

[JFrame]

I've only put 200 rounds of WWB solid ammo through my Pico thus far, and that is without any failures to feed or fire...

.

 

[somethingbenign]

You need to get a new LGS.

I am getting closer to this everyday it seems, just little things are starting to bug me. Haven't really done anything to the gun that wasn't done at the factory. Only cleaned it a couple times. Just trying to avoid sending it in if I just haven't put it through its paces yet, I never seem to get rid of the taste after I do send in a gun.

 

[Tallball]

"My Pico didn't require any break-in. It has not had a problem since day one."

Same here. Mine has been flawless.

 

[jar]

I've seen when I don't really release the slide or do so when I'm hold my Pico loosely.But honestly I have never seen it after the very first round of a session with a fully loaded magazine. The springs of my Pico mags are far stiffer than most other mags, significantly stronger than those in my Ruger LCP and so that might be a contributing issue. But honestly I think the biggest part of the problem is me.

 

[oss117]

The Pico I shot last weekend behaved similarly to what the OP describes, but seemed to be getting better the more I shot it. I'm thinking it will be working fine when I get a few hundred rounds through it.

I would not be afraid of sending it back to Beretta. It will receive some extra attention to detail and come back working really well. There's no reason to feel a stigma towards it afterwards.

 

[somethingbenign]

I would not be afraid of sending it back to Beretta. It will receive some extra attention to detail and come back working really well. There's no reason to feel a stigma towards it afterwards.

This will make my new gun purchases 75% sent back for work, losing faith in new guns. That might make a good thread actually. I might send Beretta a message asking how many rounds they recommend for break in and see where that goes.

 

[SeanSw]

Although I can't say mine as been 100% flawless, it has been consistent from the first shot. I never quite got full reliability with XTP hollow point so I don't use them any longer. Are you loading +1? I've noticed the chambered round will drag against the top loaded round in the magazine and that could cause some malfunction.

 

[somethingbenign]

I normally don't load plus one. Less adminstrative handling with a loaded gun is worth one round. Oddly XTPs are the most reliable in my gun, the dozen other types I've tried, not so much.

 

[SeanSw]

Fiocchi Extrema XTPs are the only variety I tried enough of to get a feel for reliability and I experienced a few inexplicable FTEs in the testing process. Enough that I have (for the moment) gone back to FMJ.

 

[Jeb Stuart]

I stopped counting how many flawless rounds out of my first Pico at 2500. That was quite some time ago and I shoot pocket guns almost weekly. The other Pico the same at 1500. I have 12 magazines. As mentioned above I always load to full capacity and let them SET for a few days. I then load the mags up minus one and shoot them for a few weeks. Never had a problem yet with any kind of ammo. My favorite for accuracy is PrecisionOne. And I also shoot and carry PrecisionOne Plus P. These are XTP rounds. The Pico has a strong hammer spring and Oddly enough the only failure I had, which I blame the ammo and not the gun was a Bulk Reloaded round that was know for primer strike failures. The Pico did not fire the round, but did on restrike. Which it has the ability to do. I have not tried steel case ammo and do not plan to, but I have shot a lot of variety, including quite a few defense ammunition's with no problem.I shoot a lot of bulk reloads with this gun from LAX and Freedom Munitions a lot of Fiocchi etc I have shot quite a bit of Fiocchi Extrema. Other bulk ammo as well.
I also have the Kahr, another lovely shooter. However that gun required a substantial break in and at first was finicky about ammo. Beretta changed out the springs in late 2014. Now instead of two recoil springs, just one.If you have not had your Pico upgraded, you can send it in and Beretta will do this at no charge.
I have a friend that is also a pocketgun enthusiast and shoots often. I know he will tell you the same thing as I have said. His only failure was when re-inserted the gun into the grip and it was off. I did the same thing. He is very happy his shoots the Lehigh Penatrator which I believe the early models did not like. I have not tried that round and most likely will not. .

Once again I will reiterate that I believe that the strong magazine springs need to take a "Set". Maybe I am wrong, but can only go by the results I have had with the two Pico's I own. I wish anyone that is having a issue the best of luck as these are such fine Pocket guns and such nice shooters. I am sure that if there are any issues, they can be sorted out. I know that Beretta customer service will Pick up the gun and will even deliver back to your HOUSE. (You will have to be home to sign), If you keep having a issue, I would send it in.