Berretta 9 or 40 ?

J

Jamie Young

New member
I recently fired a 40 i forget the model number its the same as the 92f. I was wondering if any of you folks had any opinions on which is better for combat or carrying? I already own a colt 1991 and i love it but the fact that once you have a bullet in the chamber and have that hammer cocked its like disarming a bomb. I don't have much faith in 9mm but the fact i can put 15rounds in a 92f keeps my interested.

I shot the 40 and it really doesn't seem like its that more controllable than a 45acp. So i wasn't sure if it was a waste to go from a colt 1911 type to a berretta 40? Better safety features but thats about it!! But I've also noticed a lot of cops don't carry 9mm anymore and prefer 10mm or 40's!!

I'm not looking for another 45acp i'm happy with what I got but what should I get next a 40 or 9mm?
 
SodaPop,
I currently carry the Brigadier 92 for my CCW in the 9mm. It took a while getting used to it but I like it now and feel very safe with it. A benefit for the 9mm is that there are still hi-cap mags out there for them that are not too expensive (yet). This pistol will handle any 9mm load available. I recommend it highly. Mike
 
A couple of points -

The 1911 series is designed for cocked and locked. If you have to lower the hammer to feel safe, get a Sig 220.

If you want to use inexpensive surplus, get the M92. If you don't, get the .40. Ammo for the .40 is more as there is no inexpensive surplus out there. But the round has mature bullet designs and probably hits a bit harder. Frankly, I find caliber/stopping power debates boring and pointless. Either will do if you sling'em in the right spot.

Giz
 
My principle carry gun used to be a .40 cal. Now it's a Beretta Cougar .45ACP. I think your question needs to be expanded to include the big bore Beretta. I've fired the 92FS and the 96 (rentals) and give me the Beretta .45 any day.

Just my two cents.

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Take the long way home...
 
I've heard on more than one occasion that the .40 Beretta is a jammer. Its because the .40 caliber is built on the M92 frame which was built for the 9mm. I'd recommend the 9mm version, especially if you have hi-cap magizines from it. Plus of course the .40 is more powerful than a 9mm, but its not like the 9mm is a mouse bullet, why is it the offcial handgun bullet of almost every country in thw world's military..

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Trespassers Will Be Shot
Survivors Will Be Shot Again
 
I own the 92FS Centurion in 9MM as well as the Cougar 8045 in 45. Both are outstanding, high quality guns, and will not jam. Also take a good look at the 9000S coming out soon. It looks like a winner, and I may just have to get one.
 
Soda,

The Beretta 92/96 is just SOOOOO stinking big! I've got an older 92 (frame mounted safety, no decocker, mag release on the left-rear bottom of the grip instead of behind the trigger), and it's a great gun, but it is ENORMOUS! :)

It's my nightstand gun, actually. I don't carry it. It's simply too big.

If you're looking at a CCW gun, instead of a duty-style gun, I would suggest something just a tad smaller.

9mm vs .40? Either one is effective.
 
I personally like my 96. I've fired over six thousand rounds and not so much as a burp yet. Flawless operation. 9mm and .40 are very close to each other. I even use the 9mm magazines (high caps) in my .40. I use pliers to widen the top opening about 1mm, and it feeds perfectly. The magazines are of identical dimensions except for the mouth. You'd probably be happier with the 9mm though as the ammo is cheaper thus you'll be able to shoot more, thus you'll not have to worry about the size of the hole, because you'll have more confidence in your ability to put the hole in the right location. :)

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Find out just what the people will submit to and you've found out the exact amount of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them; and these will continue until they are resisted with either words or blows or with both.
The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppress.
Frederick Douglass, Aug 4 1857
 
SodaPop,

I bought a Beretta 92FS (yesterday, as a matter of fact) 9mm for economic reasons.

<LI>The 92FS that I bought was 20$ less than the 96s that were in the case. (@8.50$ per box of 50, that's 100 rounds for practice)

<LI>9mm is about 2$ less per box than .40S&W in my area. My budget dictated 9mm if I want to shoot once a week.

Remember, handgun stopping power is myth and theory. A great way to sell magazines and books as well.

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Guns cause crime like spoons cause Rosie O'Donnell to be fat!

I hunt, therefore I am.
 
Originally posted by SodaPop:
Mike,
Do you notice any real difference between your Brigadier and a 92f?

yes. i have a 92FS and a 92G Elite. the Elite has a brigadeir slide and it DOES reduce recoil. the standard 92FS already recoils so little and the brigadeir makes it rise about as much as a .22. if i hold it with a tight grip the gun won't rise at all its really easy to control.

i would recommend getting any gun from the 92 series. they are all great guns. i too have heard that the 96s (.40cal) aren't quite as reliable as a 92 (9mm) but they are still pretty reliable. my 92FS is 100% reliable and has been in over 3000 rounds. i really love this gun and trust it with my life.

i would suggest getting either a 92 or 92Brigadeir. there are fewer holster choices for the brigadeir but still some good ones and the slide is a bit wider but not much. If you get the brigadeir get it in stainless. its a stronger gun in stainless steel and will last longer. if you get a standard 92 get it in the bruniton finish. i say this because if you get the standard model the front sight is fixed and it comes with red dots not white. everyone i know that owns this gun hates the red sights and say they are hard to see. the brigadeir i believe comes with white dots and if it doesn't then you can change the sights since they are dovetailed into the slide.

if you want something a bit smaller get the 92 Compact L or 92 Type M. the compact L has a double stack 13rd magazine and is shorter in the barrel, slide, and grip. the type M is the same as a Compact L but has a single stack 8 round magazine and is thinner. the Custom Carry is a variation on the Compact L and the Custom Carry 2 is a variation on the type M.

the 92 is a big gun but it can be concealed. many people do it. if you get a good holster then you should be fine. one good holster that i think will work good is a blade-tech IWB. i say this because you really need an IWB for such a big gun unless you are a big guy. and kydex is thinner than leather so since the 92 is already so wide you will have the minimum amount of bulk added.

hi caps for the 92 are still readily available. you can usually get them for under $50.
Click to expand...
 
The 96 is just a 92FS re-chambered for the .40. Since .40 is more powerful, the 96 may have a shorten life span. Also the 96 only holds 10-rd vs. 15-rd for the 92FS in 9mm. Many LE agencies have adopted 92FS but haven't heard one using the 96 as the official sidearm. :p

[This message has been edited by thequickad (edited May 08, 2000).]
 
While I usualy prefer more power than the 9mm and I usually opt for 357 sig or 40 versions of 9mm guns in the case of the Beretta 92 and the browning highpower I would stick with the 9mm. The Beretta 92 gives up 5 rounds to become a 40. I feel thats too much. I don't mind giving up 1 or 2 rounds but 5 is a lot. handguns are a compromise and the 40 will give you better stopping power but is it worth the 5 extra rounds. I don't think so. In the glocks I go the other what I would rather have 15 357 sigs or 40s than 17 9mm's. The reason I don't like the browning in 40 is because I owned one and it had too much muzzle flip compared to the 9mm version and other 40's.
PAT
 
Go with the 9mm. Granted, .40 is a bigger and harder hitting round, but I'd take 15 rounds of 9mm over 11 rounds of .40. Plus, good luck finding 11 round .40 clips. On the other hand, 9mm clips are plentiful (both new and military surplus). The Beretta was built as a 9mm, while the .40 was a convert. I also know that the 9mm Beretta is the most reliable gun made (in my opinion), while I can't comment on the .40.

Downside on the beretta is the size. It's a little big (though not unreasonable) to carry on a regular basis.

My stainless 9mm 92SS was the first gun I ever bought. I still have it, and I still love it.
 
The recoil on the Brigadier is less than the regular 92. I would still stick with the 9mm for the above said reasons. I carry mine in a Galco pancake holster(it also fits my Witness .45). I also have the Hogue wrap around finger-grips.

Happy shooting, Mike
 
Last year I sold my 92fs to buy a 96 Brigadier Elite. I am much happier with the .40 S&W, it is very reliable and accurate. I never had much luck with the 92fs (probably just me), but the .40 S&W is working out just fine. No jams (at all) and I reload some light and heavy rounds (trying to find the most accurate load for this gun.

Casey
 
I was in your shoes about a year ago.

I spoke to every cop i could find that owned a .40 beretta (which is alot in balto.)and all but one said when the Dept. changed from 92f to 96 they all wanted the 92 back. The 96 is simply a 92 with a bored out barrel to match the larger .40 cal round. The 96 is a jammer. I didnt want to beleive this so i went and rented some myself, I fired my friends guns and i came to the conclusion that they were all correct. the 9mm beretta is much more superior to the .40. the 40 is a jammer and can be altered to cure the problem but why bother when 9mm is cheaper and you can get more rounds out of 1 magazine ?

92 wins hands down !

Tim : )

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Why dont you get rid of that nickel plated sissy pistol and get yourself a glock. :::Tommy Lee Jones:::
 
The 92 is simply the most accurate pistol I've shot hands down. I have one and am considering buying a stainless one (then I can be part of SECTION ONE on "La Femme Nikita" ;)). But it is big! If you want a .40 to carry get a Glock 23. It has eleven rounds with one in the chamber.

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The difference between an optimist and a pessimist is the pessimist has more information.
 
Griffon
The glock 23 holds 14 rounds 13 in the mag one in the chamber. Preban mags are still out there might as well use them.
PAT

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I intend to go into harms way.
 
I'm a little suprised at those who perputate the old wives tale about the .40 being a jammer. I have a 9mm Elite, a .40 Brigadeer INOX, a .40 Elite, and a .40 Border Marshall. Combined the .40's have had over 5,000 rounds through them with not one jam or other malfunction. Beretta's do like to be clean and well oiled. Something that a range gun probably doesn't see much of, so I wouldn't base an opinion on that experience. I guess you can tell from my post I have a lot of experience with Berettas, you can't really go wrong with any of them. One of the best made guns out there. :)
 
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