Need a primer on Berettas and Glocks

[Zeede]

I have never been into pistols, but a friend has recently kindled an interest, so I thought it wouldn't hurt to do a little research at least.

I've settled on getting two handguns, one in .22 LR, and one in 9mm. The .22 is obviously for cheap ammo, low recoil (good if I want to get the Mrs. to try out a pistol) and just to get used to stripping, cleaning and getting to know how a gun works. I can strip and clean my bolt action rifle, my pump shotgun, and my gas-operated shotgun just fine, but I saw my friend strip and clean his 9mm Sig and it looked scary.

Here's what I need the guns to do (or not do):
1) Reliability. I will still shoot clays with my shotguns more frequently than I will shoot the pistols, so reliability is a big factor. That coupled with the fact that I may someday have to defend my home and family means I need a gun that will go bang everytime.
2) Recoil. While a .45 ACP has more stopping power, I've always been of the mindset that if you can't *hit* the bad guy with the round, it's useless. My understanding of centerfire pistol calibers is that the 9mm is what I'm looking for. Moderate recoil, solid ballistics.
3) Ease of maintenance. I like to have clean guns, and mirror-bright bores. I don't know how to strip and clean a pistol, but I'd imagine that some are easier than others, just as it is with shotguns and rifles.
4) I live in California, so the chances of getting a concealed carry license are slim. Therefore, the size of the gun is not as much of a concern. The size of the clips are also not a concern, since I'm limited to 10.
5) Accuracy. Yes, I know that most home defense shots are taken at close range, but still, every little bit helps when the mind is groggy and the adrenaline is pumping.

I also understand that Beretta and Glock pistols have an avid following, so I'd love it if someone could give me a bit of info on both companies, as far as trends or what the company is known for.

Thanks!

Cameron

Edit: I forgot to add that I have narrowed the 9mm choices to the 92FS and the G34. I have no clue what to look for in a .22LR pistol. I have shot a Ruger Mark II, I believe it was, before, and I didn't care much for it.

Edited again: Go go gadget insomnia. Looked into .22 pistols, and I picked out a few:

Beretta 87 Cheetah Target
CZ 75 Kadet

Now my first gun was a CZ rifle, also in .22LR, and it is still an awesome gun today. That tends to lean me towards their pistol, but I've never shot one and only know of their awesome reputation in rimfires.

 

[Run&Shoot]

Both Beretta and Glock are quality pistols but with very different personalities. When I was comparing pistols those two along with the SIG P229 were on my short list. The deciding factor for me against the Beretta was its long trigger pull. It was silky smooth but long.

The Beretta is a full size pistol of sculted steel. Heavy so it really soaks up 9mm recoil to nothing. If you like the DA/SA trigger then it may be the right one for you.

The Glock is a utilitarian hunk of polymer and CNC steel that also is reliable, has inexpensive parts and mags. It is no beauty but it is dead nuts simple and works. The trigger is always the same and about as light as you find outside of straight SA like the 1911 or Hi-Power.

 

[Steve C]

Both these guns are full service sized pistols. The Glock has their "safe" action which is more like full time double action while the Beretta 92 has the double/single action typical on many DA semi auto's. The Beretta can be purchased in DA only, usually found in used police guns.

Some people are particularly fond of one or the other action types, personally it doesn't bother me either way though I find being able to cock and fire the pistol single action lends itself to accurate target shooting better than double action.

 

[Snarlingiron]

I personally favor the Glock. The Beretta is a well made, accurate pistol, but I really dislike DA/SA (two trigger pulls to master), and I really dislike the decocker and manual safety. The Glock has only 2 operator controls, the trigger and the magazine release. It does have a slide lock, but I don't use it, I prefer to rack the slide instead. The Glock can be totally disassembled in about 3 minutes with a single tool. The Glock is also more tolerant of abuse. I know folks that rarely clean theirs (a practice I don't condone). My son has a Beretta 92, and it must be cleaned and lubricated after about 800 to 1000 rounds or it simply will not continue to cycle. In my never to be humble opinion simpler is better.

My 2 cents worth. Some guys like Fords, some like Chevies...its what makes the world go round.

 

[JDGray]

Love my Glocks! 100% reliable, easy to clean, cheap parts, great triggers

Can't go wrong on the CZ! I second the 9mm version idea, I have two, and they are tackdrivers.

 

[johnle]

if you're thinking of the CZ Kadet...you might as well get a CZ 75B 9mm and a Kadet kit...

SAME GUN...same ergonomics...you can shoot both 9mm or .22LR and all you need to do is change the slides!

CZ's are bloody reliable and accurate to boot. Field stripping is very easy, I can field strip and reassemble in 2 minutes. Just line up the notches, push out the slide stop, remove the guide rod, spring and then remove the barrel. Reassemble by placing the barrel back in the slide, put the spring back on the guide rod and put the guide rod + spring back on the barrel/slide. Then reattach the slide to the frame...

 

[strat81]

Go Glock. Field stripping is easy and results in 5 parts:
-The magazine (out! with the chamber empty!)
-The barrel
-The recoil spring (captured on a G26, not sure about the G34)
-The slide
-The frame
No takedown pins to loose or spring plugs to take your eye out.

The polygonal bore rifling is easy to clean and lends itself well to accuracy. No safetys, decockers, or otherwise weird controls. Just pull the trigger. Tons of aftermarket options for grips, sights, barrels, triggers, finishes, holsters... you name it.

You can get a .22 conversion kit for the Glock if you'd like. Otherwise, my wife and I are happy with her Beretta U22 Neos. The Browning Buckmark is another excellent choice.

 

[mballai]

I've gotten rid of all my other 9mm pistols, save a 1911. Glocks rule. Easy to maintain and modify, very accurate, and extremely reliable. Really could not ask for more.

 

[CountGlockula]

Go for the Glock in 9mm and CZ for .22lr (or get a CZ75B in 9mm with a .22lr conversion barrel).

 

[DevilDog0402]

The Beretta is a full size pistol of sculted steel. Heavy so it really soaks up 9mm recoil to nothing.

Run&Shoot, I'm fairly certain that the Beretta actually has an aluminum frame. Could be wrong though. In any case its plenty heavy and doesn't recoil much.

 

[Zeede]

Hmm, if the Beretta is heavier than the Glock, assuming that the sighting plane and barrel length are similar, wouldn't it mean that the Beretta would be easier to shoot rapidly and accurately with, since it should recoil less?

Looks like the CZ 75 B is also the same weight, maybe slightly heavier than the Beretta. Hard to say, as they don't specify the listed weight as being loaded or unloaded. I'll see if my local indoor range has any of those three guns (G17/34, 92FS, 75 B) available for rent so I can try them out. My experience with CZ's rifles has been outstanding, so I don't mind supporting them again for a pistol. And the conversion kit seems nice too.

I know that DA and SA triggers will vary, but with a DA/SA trigger, can't you just cock the hammer for the first shot and thereby make it virtually a SA? If this is true, why get a SA only version?

And what is a decocker model?

Cameron

 

[glockman19]

I have both a Beretta 92FS and a Glock 19. While the Beretta is aBeautiful gun I prefer the Glock. Teh Glock 19 is a little shorter than the Beretta and Glock 17. I can be carried if need be. It is reliable, accurate and practucally indestructible.

If you're interested in shooting them both I'd be happy to meet you at Angeles and let you shoot them.

For your stated needs, recoil, maintainence, reliablility & accuracy, I believe you would be best served by a Glock 19.

 

[strat81]

Actual recoil and felt recoil are two different things. Obviously caliber and load plays a role, but the mass of the slide, bore axis, grip angle, type of grip, and action type all play a role. Heavier does not always mean less felt recoil unless you are talking about two substantially similar guns.

How the gun fits your hand can also play a factor in felt recoil.

Decockers are used to return a cocked hammer (or striker) to an uncocked state without pulling the trigger.

 

[Zeede]

glockman19: I'd love to take you up on your offer sometime. The biggest factor missing here, and one that cannot be discussed on a forum, is how the guns feel in my hand. The only pistol mentioned so far that I have handled (but not shot) was the Beretta in .22LR I don't remember if it was the Cheetah or the target version, but I was surprised at how good it felt in my hand. By contrast, I really didn't like how the Ruger Mk II felt in my hand.

I do like the simplicity of the Glock, and the ease of maintenance. The only question really is which model of Glock. Too bad they don't make a practice gun in .22 LR

Cameron

 

[fubb]

you can buy a 22 conversion kit for just about any glock

 

[Pecos21]

The Beretta is a joy to shoot at the range and is more accurate in my opinion than the Glock.....this basically just translates that I can shoot it better than the glock. Your mileage may vary. There is no denying the classic styling and the smoothness of the Beretta action and trigger. It is one fine handgun.

The Glock however, is the down and dirty go-to handgun. It is nearly perfect in its simplicity.

You should save up and eventually get both...

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

You can get a CZ75 and a Kadet Kit, or a Glock and an aftermarket conversion unit.

 

[apocryph]

Too bad they don't make a practice gun in .22 LR

I have the Advantage Arms LE conversion kit for my Glock 19. It's reliable and easy to shoot. With ammo prices being what they are I'm getting into .22 conversion kits in a big way.

 

[bdg146]

Your first rifle was a CZ, shouldn't your first pistol follow suit?

I don't actually own one, but I know that you'd be hard pressed to find many people on here that have anything negative to say about CZ. They seem to be built well, and they sure are beautiful. Plus you can get the conversion kit, which allows all your cheap, .22lr practice to feel EXACTLY (minus recoil) the same as your 9mm weapon.

 

[easyg]

The CZ is terrific....one of my favorites.
It feels so comfortable in the hand and it is very accurate too.
But it is heavy.

The Glock is great too but for different reasons....
It is reliable beyond all reason, has the exact same trigger pull every single time, and when loaded and cocked it functions just like a revolver....point and shoot....no decocker and no manual safety to bother with.

The Beretta is fine handgun too but I think that it's too fat in the handle.
Unless you have larger than average hands, you might not find it very comfortable to shoot.

 

[Ricebrnr]

I've shot several Glocks, the Beretta 92/96 as well as a Taurus 92. I chose to own the Cz 75B & Kadet kit and I ccw with it.

As noted, how things feel in your hand will be what matters. All of the choices above are fine.

 

[Run&Shoot]

"I do like the simplicity of the Glock, and the ease of maintenance. The only question really is which model of Glock. Too bad they don't make a practice gun in .22 LR"

Zeede, if you want maximum flexibility then you could get a G22 or G23 in .40S&W. Then you can get a $100 conversion barrel for 9mm or .357 SIG, and a .22LR conversion slide/barrel for .22LR at about $225. Plus you need the corrseponding mags for each conversion except .357 SIG.

 

[Zeede]

I went to a store and handled a Beretta 92FS, a CZ 75B, and a Glock 19. The Beretta was a little large for my hands, but not in a terrible way. I don't know how it feels when I'm shooting it, which is what really matters. The CZ was nice, very solidly made, and easy to break down. The Glock was alright too. Noticeably lighter than the other two offerings.

I need to go and handle the Beretta 87T again, although the CZ 75 is the current front-runner for me. Being able to just convert it to .22 and back to 9mm is definitely a plus!

Cameron

 

[johnle]

get the CZ!

 

[Zeede]

Well, I placed an order for a Beretta U22 NEOS. The price was right, it didn't feel like a toy, and most of all, it looked way better in person than on the website.

Cameron