Glock vs. Beretta (9mm)

Myself | 07/29/2002 | New Horizon

[New Horizon]

FReepers,

I went and checked out 9mm handguns today. I was looking at the Glock 9mm (mid-size), but was impressed with the Beretta 9mm.

The Glock was light, felt like plastic (or carbon)...what is that material?

The Beretta instantly felt better in my hand (heavier, all metal, etc.)

I am looking for opinions as to which gun is the better of the two. Also, the reasons for your opinions. In any case, I'm looking at the 9mm as a personal protection handgun.

As always, your comments mean a lot to me. Thanks.

[KneelBeforeZod]

the best gun is the one that feels the best when you fire it. but at least a 9mm. I'd say .40 personally.

[KneelBeforeZod]

the firing pin on a glock is not engaged if the magazine is removed

[Man from Oz]

Dear VetVetdoug,

I concur with your thoughts. I too shoot a Baretta Cougar and have no complaints. I do have a stainless 92FS and (I hate to say it) can't hit the broad side of a barn with it? It sure is purty though!

MFO

[KneelBeforeZod]

oops I meant if the trigger isn't pulled.....

[Hang'emAll]

Check your Freeper email for comments.

[TC Rider]

Personally, I like the Beretta. The 92S is a reliable and easy to control pistol. They also make a version of the 92 that is intended as a concealed carry pistol. It is slightly smaller than the standard but is essentially the same gun.

I was intrigued by the Beretta 9000 last year when I bought my Glock 23. It felt good in the hand and is lightweight like the Glock. At that time there were very few holsters, etc available for it. The young lady at the gun show jokingly called it the 'Nike' gun, because it looks like it has a swoop on it.

Shoot them all, buy the one you will carry every day.

[RogueIsland]

As others have said, try both (both brands are common enough you ought to be able to find a range that has some for rent). You'll probably find you really like one more than the other. I've tried both, and really, really dislike the Glock on so many levels. But it's a reliable, tough gun and others whom I respect think Gaston Glock is the second coming of John Moses Browning, so if it works for them, great. That's why we have so many wonderful choices! Whatever you do, don't be swayed by any gun-bigot who trashes one or the other (the old "Glocks kaboom and Berettas break their locking block" arguments). Both are fine, fine pistols if operated as intended by the manufacturer, and unless you get a lemon, you will be reliably served by either for a very long time.

[TC Rider]

BTW, used Berettas 92s are pretty readily available around here (Raleigh, NC) at the cop shops.

(I think they traded them in on Glocks)

[LibKill]

A lot of ranges will rent you a gun by hour. Find one that has both. Shoot both.

And consider a larger caliber. I would hate to get shot with a pellet gun, but .45 or even .40 beats 9mm.

[bandleader]

You are much better off with a S&W(38spl./357Mag.)revolver if you are going to use it for self-defense.These guns are practically fool-proof.A semi-auto is much more complicated and(therefor)much more accident-prone.The beauty of the double-action revolver is that there are no safeties!You must pull through the trigger-cycle completely to fire it.You don't have to pull the slide back to charge it or keep it"locked and cocked"

[FireTrack]

I'm curious if there are any other Freepers that have owned a H&K USP or have had experience with one?

[supercat]

I personally don't like the Glocks because the only way you can decock one of them is to remove the magazine, empty the chamber, and then drop the firing pin. Otherwise you're stuck in SA mode after the first shot.

If you want to decock a Glock after firing it, just let go of the trigger. One of the brilliant and unique features of the Glock is that it combines the best attributes of a SA/DA and DAO pistols. The first shot on a Glock is a moderately-long trigger pull; not as long as many DAO's, but longer than a 1911. If the trigger is not released fully after each shot, however, follow-on shots may be fired with an extremely short trigger pull as the gun will remain cocked between shots. Releasing the trigger fully, however, will decock the gun to the point that the striker spring no longer has enough energy to fire a round.

[supercat]

You are much better off with a S&W(38spl./357Mag.)revolver if you are going to use it for self-defense.These guns are practically fool-proof.

Revolvers aren't totally fool proof. I managed to momentarily bewilder myself on a range after I started to squeeze off my third shot, felt a sneeze coming on, let go of the trigger and put down the gun, sneezed, and then resumed. I was then rather surprised when shot #6 went "click". There was still a live round in the gun, but it was in chamber #3.

[Leisler]

Both are too chunky. I like the old highpower. Thin and slim.

[AEMILIUS PAULUS]

What about the Walther .40 cal?

[Don Carlos]

CorBon 185GR JHP +P, thats what! Bigger hole = more air in, more blood out! Probably wont penetrate thru and thru, but it will sure screw up everything close-by.

Exit wound = probable liability. Who needs that!

[OKSooner]

I'll have to go try one again. That's the best explanation of the Glock trigger action that I've heard.

[IGOTMINE]

Do not, under ANY circumstances, buy a Beretta Model 92. First, the open top slide design allows all sorts of funk to get into the gun. Not a big deal if you're not military, but a consideration. Next, the slide mounted "safety/decocker" is very easily engaged during a reload when using the "sling shot" or "overhand" method of releasing the slide. Third, I am NOT convinced that Beretta has fixed the locking block problem. (The locking block is a metal piece under the barrel.) When I managed an indoor range in California the locking blocks were breaking around 2500 rounds or so. Once broken, you needed a rubber mallet to beat the gun apart. More recently (in the past two months) I've been training Marines that are attending security guard school. Same problem. I've also seen these guns heat up to the point where they seize up. During my time in Somalia, I would clean my magazines every three days. Invariably, the mag spring would rust to the mag body. (And yes, I was coating the spring with CLP.) I will also agree with others that question the effectiveness of the 9mm round, particularly ball ammo. Also check our reports on how the guns are holding up in Afghanistan. In short...

DO NOT BUY A BERETTA 92!