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.

[Recovering Hermit]

I didn't...I bought a .357 Magnum revolver about four years ago.

This is an old thread that somehow got resurrected.

I love the gun, BTW...

[I got the rope]

I used the Beretta in the Army. It sucks. All my friends that have come back from Iraq tell me the same thing. They were constantly cleaning them and they always had problems with grit in their magazines. It would hang-up the spring.

I’m sure other Army and Marine folks will tell you the same thing.

[Recovering Hermit]

I started this thread in 2002, and now I'm having a little fun with it.

I purchased a Ruger .357 Magnum in 2004, and am entirely happy with the choice.

Instead of just an ARRRGGHHHH, what are your thoughts / recommendations?

[Cuttnhorse]

I have a S&W .357 Magnum revolver and do the same thing with the .38 rounds. My wife has taken a fancy to it and she is very comfortable with it. It has a 3.5-inch barrel and she handles it very well. She could barely chamber a round with the Sig and I feel better about her carrying a revolver.

[Sprite518]

That is it. It’s a beauty.

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

http://www.auctionarms.com/

Good selection of new and used arms at above URL

[TC Rider]

Which Ruger did you get? I was always partial to the SP101, though I’ve never bought one. I do have a dozen or so S&W J, K, L and N frames in the safe and love them all.

My primary carry for years has been a 5 shot .38 J frame. Recently I’ve taken to carrying a .32 J frame six shot snubbie. I’ve confident enough in my shot placement to make the hot little .32s count.

[Jasper]

"This is an old thread that somehow got resurrected."

LOL...I got about a third of the way through this thread -and was about to render my 2 cents- before I noticed the date.

I'm glad you found a handgun that you can live with.

/jasper

[Gideon Reader]

I have been carrying firearms for a living since the early 60’s, and a decade in the military prior to that.
I shoot handgun and carbine at least three times a week when everything goes well. More if I can manage it.
I carry a firearm all the time, within the constraints of the law.
Selection of a firearm and the training with it is a very VERY serious business. Although firearms are a load of fun, they still are the subject of a great threat. worse, ignorance or carelessness creates very bad PR, something no gunner needs or wants.

Bad advice may be deadly, and may bring certain legal problems in civil court.

I will not give selection advice in a forum context, and recommend that anyone wanting to purchase a weapon go to a local range affiliated with the IDPA (International Defensive Pistol Association)watch, listen and ask questions of the shooters, who will be happy to assist in a safe and educated setting.

If one does not train well and seriously the risks multiply exponentially and disaster is nearby.
There. I have said my piece. Now can I scream?
AAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

[Recovering Hermit]

Which Ruger did you get?

Ruger GP100.

[Recovering Hermit]

If one does not train well and seriously the risks multiply exponentially and disaster is nearby.

Agreed.

I have been around firearms since I was a kid...took the appropriate safety courses, but my father was my mentor on the responsibilities of gun ownership and safety.

He bought me my Ruger .44 rifle when I was fourteen.

I posted this question in 2002 because I have never owned a handgun.

In the end, I tried different varieties and made a good decision.

I don't think it's wrong to ask for input...but perhaps at the time I was just thinking 9mm = personal protection, as opposed to truly researching the available options.

In any case, I love my Ruger .357 Magnum.

That said, what should I get to blow away a target at 1000 yards??? ;-)

[Gideon Reader]

Being able to hit a paper target at 1000meters is possible with any number of large bore telescopic fitted rifles, preferably with a bipod.
Any one of them will do.
What you need is a good ranging scope, good hearing protectors and thousands of rounds of ammunition with which to practice until you have developed the skills to safely perform to the standard you wish.
Good luck to you.

[Marine Inspector]

Good choice.

[Stat-boy]

Thanks for the ping—a thread from 5 years ago!

Since I wrote the original post, I tried my own advice. I spent a lot of time shooting a friend’s Glock. Now, I have two of my own.

All the major models are fine tools. The key is what feels best to an individual shooter. I found that a Glock really fits me well, and it seems to shoot where I want before I begin aiming it. I have friends that love Glocks, and others that hate them. It’s all a matter of preference. The most important thing is to experiment, find a good personal fit among reliable models, and practice.

Again, thanks for the bringing it up.

Regards,
Stat-boy

[Little Ray]

Go look at a Springfield XD, too.

Also I’m not a fan of 9mm...

[Cuttnhorse]

LOL! Only on FReep could this much interest be generated for a 5-year-old thread. I didn’t notice the date until I saw it mentioned somewhere in the thread. Good one.

Cheers

[Bullish]

My son bought a Beretta a few years back. Very nice handgun.

He loves it.

[No.6]

“”The Beretta instantly felt better in my hand..”
Sez it all.”

Exactly! The correct choice is the one that works for you. 500 replies from people over the Internet is much less important than your own experience.

In fact, the replies you read today may only serve to convince you to do something against your own judgement, leaving you unhappy. None of these other people are you and may have different ages, sexes, sizes, strengths, experience or needs. Both Glock and Beretta are top-notch manufacturers; go with your own preference.

[TChris]

The fact that the Beretta felt better to you should make up your mind. The psychology of being comfortable with your weapon is an important thing.

Both are quality firearms, so I think you should go with the Beretta.

[Who is John Galt?]

Don’t buy a 9mm!

There's nothing wrong with a 9mm, if you take the time to learn how to actually shoot it. James Butler Hickok 'put paid' to more folks than most of us will ever have to deal with, even in our 'wildest' nightmares, and he did it with a pair of 36 caliber Colt Navy cap & ball revolvers. How did he do it? He hit what he was shooting at. Period.

Do I have anything against larger calibers? Not at all. I have owned (and in some ways prefer to my 9mm Ruger) .44 Special, .45 ACP, .45 Colt, and .476 Webley revolvers (the .476 was the most fun ;>). But that's more a matter of my preference for revolvers (which is based on my appreciation for history, and the 'KISS Principle' ;>)...