ohbythebay
Member
These are probably done often but I still hope they help. I think the more people who write about these handguns (all types) the better people are aware of what is out there and how they operate.
PurchaseI purchased the Beretta used from Budsguns listed as min condition with two 13 round mags, case and papers. Buds had it to my FFL within 2 days (excellent) and I picked it up today. They were not kidding about the condition. It looks brand new (see pictures later in the thread). It was obviously well cared for.
Purpose
I bought this to replace a Bersa Thunder 380 as my CCW. I wanted something compact, better "kick" than the .380 caliber and more rounds per magazine. At 13 rounds and 9mm caliber, this seemed to fit the bill. While wider than my Bersa, it is smaller in length and height..so trade off..I still have a quite concealable gun but almost double the capacity.
Overview and operation
The Beretta is very finely made, somewhat heavy (which is probably a good thing based on its short length stature). Poly lower but steel upper makes a nice combo and the upper is heavy. Everything fits smoothly and seamless. The mag release and manual safety/de-cocker are ambidextrous. For some, that's a plus. For me, the one on the right is just sort of extraneous.
The trigger pull is very interesting. In DA mode, it is probably around 9 pounds and in SA, has to be 4lbs or less. Strangely, in both )most noticeable in SA) is a very long take-up. I would swear the trigger pulls back 75% to 80% of the way before you get a good snap, boom. while it seems like the trigger is way back, here is the good part. Taking up the travel has no resistance. Its sort of like a free float to a trigger point and then - snap...with reset being very short.
When I first shot it I pulled so far back, I questioned if I had racked it. then "surprise"...bang. So it takes about 3 trigger pulls to get used to it and then it is very sweet.
Slide locking, unlocking is easy as is the manual safety. No magazine safety so you can practice dry fires without a mag in the gun. They give you two factory magazines and one (don't know why just one) has a pop down pinky rest which helps the grip. So was it too expensive to do this for both ? Sheesh.
Removing and teardown is fairly easy. Lock the slide back. There is a small pull out tab on the left side that you move downward, then pull out till it clicks. Release the slide and take off the upper. Remove the guide rod and the barrel and you are there.
Now putting it back is another story. Barrel in, guide rod and spring in, you now remount the slide however; you have to be sure the trigger parts are in the correct sport (the lift up) or the slide will catch on them. Pretty easy but then you do have to give a GOOD PUSH to get it to rack back. Then push the tab back in.
The above is not a show stopper, it is what it is. But very different than my Glock re-assembly.
I do want to point out the slide and spring (its a double inner and outer assembled recoil spring) is very strong. It feels like the DPM systems enhanced spring kit I put on my Glock. I am sure this is built like that to reduce the recoil on the short gun.
At the range
I was quite surprised that precision could be had with this little guy. At 25ft, we very easy to keep it in the 9 and 10 ring right out of the gate. I did have a few flyers (still within center mass) but that was me not keeping the firm grip on this little Mustang. I use that analogy because when I first got my new Mustang GT, I never realized how tight the steering was (at first) until I reached for something on the right seat (with left hand as usual on the wheel) ...Next thing I knew I was in 1/2 in the right lane..whoa...Moral, keep a grip because she wants to be driven. Same with the Beretta. Keep your grip and it will shoot perfectly - but relax on the little guy and he'll show you where YOU screwed up.
I shot 150 rounds total. 100 Remington FMJ 115gr and 50 American Eagle FMJ 115gr. Not a single FTF and I just had fun.
Bottom Line
As I said, I bought this used from Buds - added the Lifetime Warranty and total delivered - $424. Considering I would have paid almost $600 delivered for a Glock 26 or more for a new Storm, I got a great deal.
I am happy with the purchase and would highly recommend this gun. Side note. I thought it was bigger than my Bersa - It is not (see pictures). while the Bersa is thinner (which makes a normal man size grip seem like you swallow the gun) the Beretta is actually smaller but wider giving a nice grip.
Pictures - Front, back and compared to the Glock 19 and Bersa Thunder 380
PurchaseI purchased the Beretta used from Budsguns listed as min condition with two 13 round mags, case and papers. Buds had it to my FFL within 2 days (excellent) and I picked it up today. They were not kidding about the condition. It looks brand new (see pictures later in the thread). It was obviously well cared for.
Purpose
I bought this to replace a Bersa Thunder 380 as my CCW. I wanted something compact, better "kick" than the .380 caliber and more rounds per magazine. At 13 rounds and 9mm caliber, this seemed to fit the bill. While wider than my Bersa, it is smaller in length and height..so trade off..I still have a quite concealable gun but almost double the capacity.
Overview and operation
The Beretta is very finely made, somewhat heavy (which is probably a good thing based on its short length stature). Poly lower but steel upper makes a nice combo and the upper is heavy. Everything fits smoothly and seamless. The mag release and manual safety/de-cocker are ambidextrous. For some, that's a plus. For me, the one on the right is just sort of extraneous.
The trigger pull is very interesting. In DA mode, it is probably around 9 pounds and in SA, has to be 4lbs or less. Strangely, in both )most noticeable in SA) is a very long take-up. I would swear the trigger pulls back 75% to 80% of the way before you get a good snap, boom. while it seems like the trigger is way back, here is the good part. Taking up the travel has no resistance. Its sort of like a free float to a trigger point and then - snap...with reset being very short.
When I first shot it I pulled so far back, I questioned if I had racked it. then "surprise"...bang. So it takes about 3 trigger pulls to get used to it and then it is very sweet.
Slide locking, unlocking is easy as is the manual safety. No magazine safety so you can practice dry fires without a mag in the gun. They give you two factory magazines and one (don't know why just one) has a pop down pinky rest which helps the grip. So was it too expensive to do this for both ? Sheesh.
Removing and teardown is fairly easy. Lock the slide back. There is a small pull out tab on the left side that you move downward, then pull out till it clicks. Release the slide and take off the upper. Remove the guide rod and the barrel and you are there.
Now putting it back is another story. Barrel in, guide rod and spring in, you now remount the slide however; you have to be sure the trigger parts are in the correct sport (the lift up) or the slide will catch on them. Pretty easy but then you do have to give a GOOD PUSH to get it to rack back. Then push the tab back in.
The above is not a show stopper, it is what it is. But very different than my Glock re-assembly.
I do want to point out the slide and spring (its a double inner and outer assembled recoil spring) is very strong. It feels like the DPM systems enhanced spring kit I put on my Glock. I am sure this is built like that to reduce the recoil on the short gun.
At the range
I was quite surprised that precision could be had with this little guy. At 25ft, we very easy to keep it in the 9 and 10 ring right out of the gate. I did have a few flyers (still within center mass) but that was me not keeping the firm grip on this little Mustang. I use that analogy because when I first got my new Mustang GT, I never realized how tight the steering was (at first) until I reached for something on the right seat (with left hand as usual on the wheel) ...Next thing I knew I was in 1/2 in the right lane..whoa...Moral, keep a grip because she wants to be driven. Same with the Beretta. Keep your grip and it will shoot perfectly - but relax on the little guy and he'll show you where YOU screwed up.
I shot 150 rounds total. 100 Remington FMJ 115gr and 50 American Eagle FMJ 115gr. Not a single FTF and I just had fun.
Bottom Line
As I said, I bought this used from Buds - added the Lifetime Warranty and total delivered - $424. Considering I would have paid almost $600 delivered for a Glock 26 or more for a new Storm, I got a great deal.
I am happy with the purchase and would highly recommend this gun. Side note. I thought it was bigger than my Bersa - It is not (see pictures). while the Bersa is thinner (which makes a normal man size grip seem like you swallow the gun) the Beretta is actually smaller but wider giving a nice grip.
Pictures - Front, back and compared to the Glock 19 and Bersa Thunder 380
