I get what you've said and think it's a fair question and to get wrapped-up over the Beretta 96 -NOT- being a Beretta 92 because it's in .40cal seems to be picking some nits, but we'll all have our opinions.
For me, when I get the idea that I'm chasing a particular handgun, the caliber is absolutely part of it for me in almost every case. And I'll go further -- if I'm going to actively be getting the idea that I want to chase down a particular gun, it's got to fit very, very close to what I'm specifically looking for. I will bend in some cases with regards to a feature or two or perhaps the finish, but this often depends on what is actually produced and available.
For example, my Tanfoglio (EAA
) Witness Elite Match. I got the idea for these about reading up on them, chasing down discussions of folks who know them and shoot them (and compete with versions of them) and then I finally found one at a gun shop to actually handle. It was a used .45cal version. I love used guns and prefer them over new ones, but I wanted a 9mm and was able to get a new one from a Gunbroker dealer. (but these are not the easiest NEW gun on the planet to purchase) Handling the used .45 made me even more sure that I was ready to put the money toward a new one - I was very impressed with the fit, feel, and trigger.
This pistol has a tactical rail on the front that makes me absolutely want to vomit. I hate the look of it
SO MUCH that I am nearly sure, one day, I'm going to saw it off or find someone with far more skill than myself and ask them to grind it off. It also has front serrations that I loathe on any/every handgun, but these aren't quite as noticeable as they are on a 1911 pistol. These two features are visual KILLERS in my opinion, but they weren't enough to keep me from buying the gun. If Tanfoglio made exactly the same pistol without these two features, I'd have waited longer to get one. I could have spent quite a bit more $$$ to go up a level or two, but that wasn't worth it.
I do love the pistol, it has been phenomenal, in my opinion, and it's over 4,000 rounds in so I've gotten quite familiar with it. But I like it better when I'm taking aim with it and shooting it than I do when I'm looking at it from the side.