CZ-75 vs Beretta 92?

[Model12Win]

Looks like some prefer the CZ but the Beretta is getting a good bit of support.

Leaning towards that $300 excellent condition Beretta 92S. Looks sharp with the rounded trigger guard and heel magazine release.

 

[5whiskey]

Leaning towards that $300 excellent condition Beretta 92S.

This is from a CZ guy... I would probably get the Beretta at that price if it truly is in excellent condition.

 

[DaleA]

Leaning towards that $300 excellent condition Beretta 92S.

Yeah. It would be a genuine Beretta (and I'm not being sarcastic---the Beretta name has some class) and that $300 price is even cheaper than a Taurus. And I understand and respect your reluctance to purchase a Taurus too.

 

[Model12Win]

Thanks so much, gang.

So I just learned that the C7-75B does not have a decocker. To fire double action, one would have to manually let down the hammer with a live round in the chamber if they wanted the first shot to be double action. As a nightstand gun for home defense (no kids in the house or puppies/kittys) I keep the gun out on the nightstand. I don't like the idea of fooling with a safety if I am awoken in the night to the sound of breaking glass or my hollow core doors being kicked in, and having a chambered striker fired gun out in the open and with me being half asleep possibly is not enticing either.

Therefore, like a double action revolver, I want to be able to grab the pistol and fire yet have a long and heavy enough trigger pull to avoid any errant discharges that could happen in such an intense event when under sleep inertia.

But I see that the CZ-75 is offered in a "CZ-75 BD" variant that has a decocker feature. This is great news. Now I don't know if I should get that $300 Beretta 92S or just use the money on a brand new minty CZ-75 BD...

Help me out, gang!

 

[TunnelRat]

If this is going to be for self defense and not just for the collection, I'd get a newer production pistol. The sights on the 92s leave something to be desired, while it may be in excellent condition cosmetically you may find parts need replacing in the decades it's been around, and I don't personally like that the 92S variant doesn't have a firing pin block. I'm not against owning one, I just think there are updates in newer models that I'd want for defensive purposes.

 

[BigBL87]

I would lean to a new production gun if it will be performing nightstand duty.

I have personally owned a CZ-75B (still do) and a Taurus PT-92 (sold to fund the CZ-75B). The Taurus, while it may not be a Beretta, is almost identical ergonomically and functionally. One thing that I think Taurus did better than Beretta was putting the safety/decocker on the frame instead of the slide. The slide mounted safety/decocker has always been the biggest turn off for me with the Beretta 92, just doesn't feel natural to operate.

One other plus to the CZ-75BD in your context is that it is a decocker only. With the Beretta, it would be possible to engage the safety accidentally if you happen to be fumbling with the gun in a half awake stupor, no such worries with the CZ.

Now, all that being said, either would be a great choice. I will say, though, if I were getting a CZ do bedside duty with your criteria (decocker), I'd look long and hard at the SP-01 Tactical. It's nice to have the rail should you ever want to mount a weapon light. I personally have a CZ P-07 with a TLR-1 HL in my nightstand.

 

[berettaprofessor]

I have both. I'm selling my CZ. Steel or not, it just seems less well made and fitted than the Beretta. And the trigger is terrible.

 

[Model12Win]

I would lean to a new production gun if it will be performing nightstand duty.

I have personally owned a CZ-75B (still do) and a Taurus PT-92 (sold to fund the CZ-75B). The Taurus, while it may not be a Beretta, is almost identical ergonomically and functionally. One thing that I think Taurus did better than Beretta was putting the safety/decocker on the frame instead of the slide. The slide mounted safety/decocker has always been the biggest turn off for me with the Beretta 92, just doesn't feel natural to operate.

One other plus to the CZ-75BD in your context is that it is a decocker only. With the Beretta, it would be possible to engage the safety accidentally if you happen to be fumbling with the gun in a half awake stupor, no such worries with the CZ.

Now, all that being said, either would be a great choice. I will say, though, if I were getting a CZ do bedside duty with your criteria (decocker), I'd look long and hard at the SP-01 Tactical. It's nice to have the rail should you ever want to mount a weapon light. I personally have a CZ P-07 with a TLR-1 HL in my nightstand.

Wow I just looked at the SP-01 Tactical, VERY interesting and cool! I see it has an 18 round magazine and with the light rail it seems a TLR-1 would snug up to it well for home defense usage.

I was originally wanting to go for a classic style and use one of my Surefires and the Harries method but really having a rail would be better. Still I am open to the Beretta, but agree with what some are saying not to use a used surplus gun for bedside purposes.

I have been looking for a full size duty style metal frame 9mm for a long time. Thank you all for helping me!

 

[Aquajunky02]

I personally don't think your gonna go wrong with either. I would pick the one that fits you best. I personally have a CZ p01 and love it. It fits me well. I personally like the lighter weight aluminum frame and more compact gun. I'm kind of a smaller framed guy. At 5'10" 140# the lighter gun is my preference. I had it out today shooting cheap ammo and it didn't do bad. I'm no expert marksman by any stretch but it hits pretty consistent. 10 shots from 10 paces.

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[Screwball]

Still I am open to the Beretta, but agree with what some are saying not to use a used surplus gun for bedside purposes.

Can't get a surplus M9, since they aren't for sale to the public...

I have the standard SP-01, no issue decocking the hammer... just need to practice. But Beretta also does put out railed versions of the 92.

 

[TunnelRat]

Can't get a surplus M9, since they aren't for sale to the public...

I have the standard SP-01, no issue decocking the hammer... just need to practice. But Beretta also does put out railed versions of the 92.

I believe he means police surplus, specifically the batches of 92s pistols coming in from Italy.


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[marine6680]

So I just learned that the C7-75B does not have a decocker. To fire double action, one would have to manually let down the hammer with a live round in the chamber if they wanted the first shot to be double action.

Somebody didn't read my first post very well then.

The sp-01 with decocker is an awesome choice.

 

[JoeSixpack]

Not sure why people are afraid of a old used gun for SD.
First thing I do when I get a new gun is detail strip it.
But even a field strip and some function tests will tell you all you really need to know.

Take it to the range does it shoot reliably? yes? see no problem with putting it on duty.

If something isn't cracked, bent, corroded, etc.. It's good to go, Guns don't have expiration dates.

My carry gun is a 1988 Taurus 99.. gun is nearly as old as I am.. still runs flawlessly and It didn't become mine till like 2012ish, I wish I knew it's history but I don't and any used gun is going to have history.

 

[TunnelRat]

I wouldn't say I'm "afraid" of using a used pistol for defense. Both the Glock 26 I carry and the Glock 19 on my nightstand are used. But I've also replaced most of the small parts as a precaution.

In addition the 92s Model he is talking about has pretty minimal sights. Now can you still make good hits with them? Of course and I'm no stranger to the notion that for a lot of defensive shootings you're talking point shooting or target focus shooting. But still it's nice to have a bit bigger front sight. Then there's the lack of a firing pin block. Now yes there is a manual safety, but for me personally on a DA/SA pistol I typically carry hammer down and safety off. I don't really want to do that without a firing pin block.

My point is you can find a new 92fs online right now for say $550. That extra $250 is worth it to me because of the reasons outlined above.


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[dgludwig]

Not sure why people are afraid of a old used gun for SD.

Me either-and, sometimes, old is better than new. For instance, in terms of reliability and durability, you'd be hard put to do better than one of those "old, used" Third Generation Smith autos. And I'd certainly trust my life with a used Model 92 in good condition.

Every new gun becomes used the moment you first shoot it.

 

[JoeSixpack]

In addition the 92s Model is talking about has pretty minimal sights.
~ Then there's the lack of a firing pin block. Now yes there is a manual safety, but for me personally on a DA/SA pistol I typically carry hammer down and safety off. I don't really want to do that without a firing pin block.

Those are perfectly legit reasons for not wanting a 92s, So the gun is simply not a good fit for you new or used.. it just seemed like a couple people had issue with it's age/origin.

as for the firing pin, ya the "S" lacked a block, I have never had the chance to handle one of these but I suspect the slide safety works much like it does on later models where the firing pin striker rotates out of the way of the hammer.

If Im correct then there's really only 2 concerns.

1. would be a sear failure dropping the hammer with the safety off.
2. inertia causing the firing pin to strike the primer.

Neither are very likely, especially if the firing pin is like on newer models (spring loaded return.. so not free floating)

A 3rd possibility would be user error, loosing control of the hammer while cocking it manually but before getting to half cocked notch.. not sure if the hammer would have enough power behind it in that case but possible.

My point is you can find a new 92fs online right now for say $550. That extra $250 is worth it to me because of the reasons outlined above

No doubt I wouldn't pay more then 250 for a 92s.
Especially since you don't know condition till it arrives.
These have been floating around for probably 6 months now at various dealers.

At 200 I would pick one up if for no other reason then collection.

Id actually be interested in the even older original 92 which had the frame safety.. but those are hard to come by.

 

[TunnelRat]

Exactly. My issue isn't with used pistols, but more the particular pistol being considered by the OP. In reality I've had as many issues with "new" pistols as used.

I do like being able to inspect used pistols in person.


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[John C]

My vote was for the Beretta, but just barely. Basically, if you're looking for out-of-the-box, standard models, the Beretta wins out. It has a decocker, better trigger, and more aftermarket.

I don't think you should be shy picking up an Italian surplus pistol. All of the parts on the 92S are currently made. I think (please check; I don't know for sure) that the LPA sights for the 92FS will fit this pistol. The Italian 92Ses are typical cop guns, carried much and shot little. So they're in great shape internally. The firing pin block is a military requirement. Obviously, it's not a bad thing, but for regular use, probably not a problem. If you want a rail, you can add one for $60 or so.

Or you can do what I did and get a well used 92F (conventional mag release, firing pin block) for $350. My gun had some cosmetic issues, but is nice and tight otherwise.

As others have stated, the CZ75 has a worse trigger out of the box, and a safety only. By the time you add the Omega decocker and rail, you're looking at an SP-01 for $700. A Beretta 92A1 (with rail) is the same price.

The CZ grip is smaller, but I put ultra thin grips on mine for $70 off eBay. They're actually a bit too thin, I may get some thin grips and try them. These grips remove the difference in the grip size between the Beretta and CZ.

 

[TunnelRat]

The Italian 92Ses are typical cop guns, carried much and shot little.

I've had mixed luck with this adage. I've had police pistols that definitely matched this definition, as well as some that weren't shot much but weren't maintained either. Not shooting but also not oiling or cleaning a firearm isn't a great thing in my experience. That all said the majority of people seem happy with the 92s models that have come in.

 

[Model12Win]

Thank you so much gang, I couldn't let the Beretta police gun slip by. I have a major weakness for unique guns with a story of Police or military service. We'll see how it is when it comes in!

For the price I bet the value will be easy to recuperate if I dislike it. I am still VERY interested in getting a CZ-75 BD. But at the price for the interesting Beretta 92S, I just couldn't pass that one up guys, especially since I have at least some familiarity with the basic design.