Beretta 92 Compact vs CZ P01 Omega

J

Jacket67

New member
Hey TFL,

I'll try to keep this post short and stick to the important details. I plan to buy my first handgun soon and really want a da/sa 9mm with an all metal construction. I was taught to shoot with the full size Beretta 92f. I am a big fan of the way the 92 Compact-L looks in inox, and that it's possible to carry if I so chose. I also like the reputation CZ has as a company, and think the p01 omega would be a great option as well. I am a lefty so I like the ambidextrous safety/decocker controls offered by each. I know the CZ is an either/or system whereas the Beretta is a safety and decocker. This will be my only handgun for quite some time as I am a college student and will be for quite a few years. What are your suggestions on the matter?

Thanks in advance!

Note: I do not mind the slide-mounted safety on the Beretta.
 
They are both fine pistols. IMO it comes down to personal preference and what works for me might not work for you and vice versa.

It is always best to try out whatever you are considering but that may not be possible with the two you are considering. Since you have a positive experience with Beretta, IMO leaning that way may may the most sense. Keep in mind with the inside the frame design for the slide on the CZ there is not much gripping surface for it. Some don't care but others do especially for SD situations. I personally like the looks of the Beretta better, even for standard finish.
 
The Beretta is a larger and heavier pistol—not by much, but every little bit can count if you intend to carry it often. (I like to joke that the "L" in Compact L stands for Large. ;) Honestly, the pistol is compact only in comparison to the standard 92.)

AFAIK the Compact L front sight is integral with the slide, making it more difficult to replace than the P01 front sight. This is a general disadvantage of many 92 variants.

The decocker/safety on the Beretta allows for more confident (or idiot-proof) decocking. If you generally carry in DA/off-safe mode, this may be a plus; the ability to carry the CZ "cocked and locked" is of limited value if you never actually do it. FWIW I sometimes carry a Beretta 84BB that has a similar non-decocking safety; I always carry it DA/off-safe, and although I've never had a decocking accident, I've contemplated replacing it with an 84F or 84FS for the extra assurance. [EDIT: See follow-on post—I forgot that Omega referred to the user-convertible version that can be switched back and forth if needed.]
 
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The decocker/safety on the Beretta allows for more confident (or idiot-proof) decocking. If you generally carry in DA/off-safe mode, this may be a plus; the ability to carry the CZ "cocked and locked" is of limited value if you never actually do it. FWIW I sometimes carry a Beretta 84BB that has a similar non-decocking safety; I always carry it DA/off-safe, and although I've never had a decocking accident, I've contemplated replacing it with an 84F or 84FS for the extra assurance.
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The P-01 Omega comes with the parts for either a dedicated decocker or a safety. That's the hallmark of the Omega system. The regular P-01 has a dedicated decocker only as opposed to the standard CZ 75B.
 
TunnelRat said:
The P-01 Omega comes with the parts for either a dedicated decocker or a safety. That's the hallmark of the Omega system.
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<slaps forehead> :o

My bad, I forgot that Omega referred to the "convertible" feature and not the polymer-frame version, and I was thinking that the OP's reference to "either/or system" referred to it being sold one way or the other like the CZ 75 B/D.

Ugh.

I blame turkey-induced mental haze. ;)
 
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I shoot a Taurus PT92C which is basically a Beretta 92 compact. It is considerably smaller than the full size 92 but still not small compared to most compacts.

I like the size, weight and balance of this gun and it fits well in my hand. It is also fun to shoot at the range because of it's larger size. I can get 3 fingers on the grip. My wife even enjoys shooting this gun.

I'd buy it again or the Beretta because of the reasons I've listed.

Have never fired a CZ so can't comment on that.
 
Thanks for the replies everyone. I probably will get the Beretta as my first pistol. I trust its track record and honestly the compact inox is probably my favorite looking pistol I've come across. I think it will be a gun I'll cherish for quite some time.
 
Well, it seems you wanted the Beretta from the get go, and just wanted confirmation. I have the INOX Beretta Compact with the rail. Beautiful pistol. I also have the full size 92FS which I prefer to the Compact overall.

That being said, I carry a CZ-75D PCR. It is similar to a P-01 without the rail. IMHO, it is a much better all around pistol than the Beretta Compact. For me, it is a bit more accurate. It is slimmer, lighter, and much easier to carry. I use it as a range gun, nightstand gun sometimes, and a dedicated carry gun.

The Beretta Compact is a good choice, and a beautiful pistol, but are you shooting for looks or to shoot?

http://cz-usa.com/product/cz-75-d-pcr-compact-black-alloy-9mm-14-rd-mags/
 
Be careful with Beretta's warranty (it sucks big time). I'll never buy another Beretta. Had a Tomcrack with a cracked frame that was fired less than 200rds. Contacted Beretta and they stated "...if the frame was cracked, it had reached the service life". Yes, it was out of the warranty period but a service life of less than 200rds (a f*cking joke).

Yg
 
Pilot said:
The Beretta Compact is a good choice, and a beautiful pistol, but are you shooting for looks or to shoot?
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This is the key question. IMHO there's nothing fundamentally wrong with using cosmetics to make a buying decision, PROVIDED you don't let this cloud your judgment regarding other desired attributes.

The Beretta's heavier weight, broader grip, and more muzzle-heavy balance SHOULD make it a better range gun, but perceptions differ depending on the individual pulling the trigger. There's a reason they call it FELT recoil—it depends on the person feeling it. ;)

OTOH the CZ's relatively svelte size and weight will almost certainly make it a better carry pistol. This is much easier to discern based solely on specifications.
 
While I do like the looks of the inox beretta, my initial reason for choosing it was based off of what I understood to be a great reputation of reliability. Do you feel the p01 would be better as a first handgun over the beretta? I've got a while to decide, and though I do really like the beretta, I'd like to keep my options open and hear what everyone's opinions are. I know I listed all metal da/sa, but I'm not opposed to glock or even the p07 if they prove to be great, cost effective guns. I know the beretta doesn't come cheap...
 
My biggest concern for my purchase is reliability. I don't want to end up with some faulty firearm that I can't trust mine, or my loved one's lives on.
 
Reliability should be good with either one. Do you have a range that has these guns available to rent? Trying them out would be ideal. I rented the Omega and it is a nice gun but I prefer the Berreta, you may be the exact opposite.
 
What do you plan to do with this gun? If your going to just use it for a range, home defense gun then either will do. If you plan on concealed carry the Beretta maybe a little thick, it will depend your your over all size. Also have you put either of these guns in your hands to feel and operate them? I also suggest going to a range that rents guns to try out, could put a new perspective on them. Good luck with your decision.

You said polymer is not out of the question, look at the FNX-9. Comes with 3 mags and are really nice guns. I enjoy the FNX-45 as my range/home defense pistol.
 
I actually was looking at the fnx 9 and it's striker fired twin the fns. Then I saw where someone's fnx hammer wouldn't decock or function properly and apparently the mag wells are pretty flimsy. Does anyone have an opinion on the new Canik Tp9 SF Elite?

And to answer an earlier question, I do plan to conceal it whenever I can.
 
As far as Caniks, IMO they have not been around long enough and not enough of them out there to establish a track record for reliability or parts availability and warranty service. I would stick to the major manufacturers for striker fired pistols such as Glock, Smith and Wesson, ULM manufactured Walthers, HK, SIG, or Springfield Armory.
 
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