Dwight M S
New member
Anyone who's been hanging around TFL for a while has probably read about the design flaws of these guns, particularly the first ones made. Well the one I bought new a few months ago still ain't no mini 92. And it's a shame because there's a lot to like about this little pistol: it's size, accuracy, tip-up barrel, looks.
First, as has been mentioned, the trigger is heavy and rough. It does loosen and smooth out somewhat after several hundred rounds, but not enough, not for a Beretta.
The slide pops off easily for cleaning. But it's too easy to accidently pop it off in normal usage.
Many have reported firing pin breakage from dry firing, which can only be avoided by counting the rounds fired because the slide doesn't lock back. Since I preferred to concentrate on shooting techniques, I dry fired many times, but the pin never broke.
I mostly used cheap PMC range ammo for practice, and I'd get the occasional FTE. That gave me a chance to practice clearing the gun, which is time-consuming with this model. Winchester Silver Tips and Ferderal Hydra Shock fed reliably.
The night sights on this "Alleycat" model have a big dot in front made for a quick and dirty sight picture, not target shooting, but with practice you can get accurate.
I was willing to adapt to the gun's shortcomings, but at about the 800th round a little piece of metal broke off the innards and the gun could no longer function.
I sent the gun to Beretta. After seven weeks of silence I called them. They said the frame broke and they would send me a new one in 30 to 60 more days--they said they had no more in stock--or they would send me a refund check, my choice. I chose the
refund, as I can't trust my life with this weapon anymore.
Interesting how the factory was out of Tomcats. I'd bet they had such a run of returns they ran out of them.
I've had my eye on a Brigadier and, since they offered me that refund, though I'm disappointed in their service, I may give them another chance.
Dwight M S
First, as has been mentioned, the trigger is heavy and rough. It does loosen and smooth out somewhat after several hundred rounds, but not enough, not for a Beretta.
The slide pops off easily for cleaning. But it's too easy to accidently pop it off in normal usage.
Many have reported firing pin breakage from dry firing, which can only be avoided by counting the rounds fired because the slide doesn't lock back. Since I preferred to concentrate on shooting techniques, I dry fired many times, but the pin never broke.
I mostly used cheap PMC range ammo for practice, and I'd get the occasional FTE. That gave me a chance to practice clearing the gun, which is time-consuming with this model. Winchester Silver Tips and Ferderal Hydra Shock fed reliably.
The night sights on this "Alleycat" model have a big dot in front made for a quick and dirty sight picture, not target shooting, but with practice you can get accurate.
I was willing to adapt to the gun's shortcomings, but at about the 800th round a little piece of metal broke off the innards and the gun could no longer function.
I sent the gun to Beretta. After seven weeks of silence I called them. They said the frame broke and they would send me a new one in 30 to 60 more days--they said they had no more in stock--or they would send me a refund check, my choice. I chose the
refund, as I can't trust my life with this weapon anymore.
Interesting how the factory was out of Tomcats. I'd bet they had such a run of returns they ran out of them.
I've had my eye on a Brigadier and, since they offered me that refund, though I'm disappointed in their service, I may give them another chance.
Dwight M S
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