Considering a Browning Hi-Power or Beretta 92FS.. .need opinions please

R

Redsnake97

New member
I'm considering adding one of these two guns to my list in 9mm and wanted some opinions on each. Most of my experience is w/the 1911 style .45s or Sigs and Glocks. The Glock just doesn't fit my shooting style but I love my 1911's and Sigs.

I know both the mentioned pistols have good reputations, but can someone give me real experience. Which do you prefer? Any problems to look out for if buying used?

Thanks for all the suggestions.
 
I have fired a Beretta, but it's been years ago and was only briefly while at the range w/a buddy (his gun)

Never fired a BHP, but love the single action guns such as the 1991... and the BHP and Beretta both fit my hand and point well... so one reason I was considering.

Thanks for your advice.
 
Although I have carried the HP in the past and never carried the Beretta, I would have to pick the Beretta at this point in my life. Maybe next month my answer will be different. Both are top quality and will serve the user well provided he/she knows what they are about.

(but I'd pick the CZ75 over either of these at any future date)
 
Look at the HP as more of a shooting investment.
By far the best feeling 9mm on the market, very durable, accurate and great history.
Out of the box you might want to make a couple of changes, like the mag disconnect, trigger job, sights, safety

the beretta is a good gun, but I would recommend a CZ of it any day of the week.
 
A CZ is a Czech-made pistol with some roots in the High-Power. Widely considered to be a good value.

Back to your original question, though...

The way I see it, the biggest difference between the Beretta and the HP is the action.

The HP is single-action, like the 1911's you are familiar with. The Beretta is DA/SA. If you gotta have DA, then you can't choose the HP. If you are OK with SA, then you gotta have the HP ;)

Other differences, as I see 'em:

I believe the Beretta is a little bigger and heavier. The HP is sleeker and lighter.

I believe standard-capacity magazines are more affordable for the HP? I'm a big fan of the 17-round KRD mags for the BHP from www.cdnninvestments.com at $20
 
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To answer your intermediate question, the CZ 75 is a large, all-steel service-style pistol made by CZ, a long-established manufacturer in Czechoslovakia.

The most readily available version is the 75B, a double-action/ single-action pistol with manual safety and [pre-ban] 15 round magazine. They are typically quite accurate, but not as prettified as the others - they usually come in a black polymer finish which is durable but not as nice as a good blueing job. And the interior finish is not as refined as many other guns. But,they are relative bargains, selling for $350 to $420 NIB.

There are a number of other models, including SA only, decocker models, compacts, melted compacts, and the 85 (ambidextrous slide release and safety) and 85 Combat (85 without firing pin block, adjustable sights, extended mag release, etc.).

If you are geting this to be a range gun, and shoot a lot, you owe it to yourself to check them out.

www.czub.cz
www.cz-usa.com
www.czforum.com
http://www.sportshooter.com/events/swedishbikinis.htm
CZ75B-v.JPG
 
I vote for the Hi-Power, much easier to shoot well.

I like the Beretta, it's a reeeeeally nice weapon.
But, the DA/SA conversion, for me anyway, has never been an easy task; even with mucho practice, even in down and dirty serious, shoot now #@$@$^%@#%^!!!!!, combat drills where, with most other weapons, the trigger isn't even noticed. Can't teach a 40ish dog a new trick I guess. YMMV.
 
Funny you should ask...

I was just at the shop handling these, though I didn't shoot any of them. The Beretta, BHP and CZ all felt good to my hand, better than the Rugers. DA pull on the CZ was gritty. DA on the 92 was very long and hard. CZ had a nice price. All were finished well.

Bottom line: go and play with each and see what fits you the best.

None of them felt as good as my Kimber, but that's not what you asked! :D

- Aion
 
WAD

Beretta 92fs. Over the years, I've put so many rounds through my 92's that they just feel so natural in my hands.
Get the Beretta & have fun getting it dirty!
 
I'm surprised.....

that they felt equally good in your hands, I think the ergo's are quite different.

My hands pointed me right to the HP and I have enjoyed it ever since.

Might be because I'm moore used to shooting than I was a year back. Checked my records and I have 2500 rds down range (9mm). Recently rented a Glock (19) for giggles and to my surprise ergo's weren't as bad as I remembered and double tapping was very nice. Course it was the compensated model.

HTH

Since we are on a HP thread.....

ERIK -- Not sure what your tag line means, but have you checked out the .45 "Hi Power" that SOG has?
http://www.southernohiogun.com/new_hand.html
I can't say anything about them, I have no experience with them. But you reminded me that they are available. They were discussed on fnhipower.com a month ago. Consensus was they were moore like a SW on the inside, just looked like a HP on the outside. $250 price on it would be hard to pass up.
 
Well, I own 1911's, Beretta's, Browning Hi Powers, and have shot SIGs.

The Browning points just like a 1911. In comparison the trigger has more take-up and is gritty. Fortunately many 1911-smiths know how to work on a Hi Power. It just feels good in my hands. I was as accurate with it as my Beretta 92, which was my first gun. Lighter than the Beretta, and more suitable for concealed carry. I carry one on days when I don't carry my Kimber.

The Beretta 92 FS was my first gun. The large grip is fine in my hands, but not as comfortable as the Browning. I have put well over 5000 rounds through mine, with few signs of internal wear - really only finish on some parts. The DA first pull smooths out with time - it starts out long and heavy, but smooth. I am still trying to find out how accurate it is - no matter how much practice I put in, it seems to be better than me. Ammo wise, it digests anything I put through it. Since it is my first gun, I have learned that it is very tolerent of my faults. The SA trigger pull has some take up, but is crisp after that.

The Beretta Elite II models costs just a bit more than a Hi-Power Practical. The Elite II has a thinner feel than the base model. It is also supposed to be more accurate than a regular Beretta.

The safety can be a consideration. For carry/home defense use you may want to consider this. With the Beretta, you can keep it loaded on or off safe. The safety is easier to put back on decock/safe. Since I keep my home defense guns with an empty chamber, I want it easier to put on safe. If somebody breaks in, it is easy for me to pull it and work the slide (the 92 FS is my kitchen gun). When it is time to put the gun down, the safety is easily reached.
For carry use, I like the Hi-Power. I carry on safe, in case somebody sneaks up and grabs my gun. Unlikely, but possible. If I have to draw I need to get the gun off safe quickly. Further, the Hi Power has a magazine disconnect, helpful in a disarming attempt. The Hi Power is 32 oz. vs. 34 oz. for the Beretta, a minor, but real factor.
 
If you had asked me this a week ago I would have said the Beretta.

What happened in a week? I took my NIB Browning to the range and put 200 rounds through it. :D I have always shot DA autos and thought the DA/SA trigger handicap was overblown.

This is my first SA pistol and I took my time shooting groups to learn the pistol. 4 targets of 50 rounds each all in one ragged hole. I am now hooked on SA pistols, next purchase is a 1911.

Since you already have a 1911 the Browning is a logical progression. The Beretta is a good gun but that Browning trigger is so nice.
 
Shoot both. Pick one. Or both.

Seriously, they are both good guns with no real drawback to either. Personal preference will rule this decision, and they are different enough that one should become more 'likeable' to you after a range session or two.

I have found in my highly unscientific study that most people who shoot the HP really end up liking the HP. OTOH, most people I've met who claim to dislike the HP have never fired it. Just my experience.

Mike
 
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