Suggestions on Italian versus US Beretta

A

Adventurer_96

New member
I've read some of the previous posts regarding this debate, but I wanted to check and see if anyone has any insight before I make the final decision on my newest addition.

Here are my choices: LNIB Beretta 92FS made in Italy w/box, about an 8 year old gun, papers, everything you'd get with a new gun except the warranty, and 2 std-cap 15 round mags. I'm negotiating price, but I think $450 is what he'd take for it.

No. 2 is a NIB Beretta 92, never been handled by folks like me who can't resist handling a new gun at a shop, with 2 ten rounders, and a warranty. Not to mention, I get a little quick-access two-gun vault from Beretta for about $20 if I buy this thing, around $500-525 out the door.

I'm pretty sure I'm going to get the NIB 92 just for sheer dollar value unless I hear some radical reason to purchase this private-sale pistol. Or, if he offers it to me for $150, I guess I'd HAVE to give in and buy it...:)

Please tell me what you think, and keep your fingers crossed that the planets stay in alignment and I get this pistol in the next week or two!


Check Six
 
Pardon my affrontery, but why would you want such a big gun if it only carries 10 rounds? It defeats the whole purpose of owning a Beretta 92...go with the Italian model.....with the mags that were meant to be inserted into her lovely well.....ciao mio amico

of course if you plan on buying pre-ban mags for it...then diregard this intrusion.....
 
I agree with the comment on the high caps. They are my reason for having a Beretta 92 on my wish list. For this reason, and the lower price, I would go with the Italian one. I can't recall handling an American Beretta, but I am sure they are up to par. My Beretta Cougar is Italian and I have never had a problem with it.
 
Do you want a Gun Vault or 15 round magazines? A new Gun Vault will run close to 180-200$, but 15 round magazines run about 30$.
 
I've noticed a difference in QC between the Italian and US-made Beretta 92s. I have owned one Italy gun and two USA guns, and the Italy has the tightest slide-frame fit, best trigger, and best finish of the three. The two USA guns even had nicks and dings right out of the box! :mad:
 
Italian made are indeed better, or at least appear to be. Slide fit and finish is great and surface finish over the weapon is perfect - No nicks, dings, scratches etcetc
 
Suggestions on Itlaina versus US Berettaa

I used to own an Italian Beretta and now own A U.S. one. The workmanship in the Italian one was light years better than the American one but is that any great suprise, I think not. The American one has some advatages , it has a chrome lined bore and has a rust resistant finish. The internal finish of the bore on the American one is as rough as a corn cobb, the Italian one had a mirror finished bore. In all farness to both guns neither shot any better than the other. The Beretta is basically about a 3 inch shooter at 25 yards. If you want an accurate 9mm buy a Browning High Power , Sig Neuhausen P210, Cz75 or a Walther P99. I own all of these guns and they have all out shot both my Beretta, my Sig p226 and my glocks and my p38's. I am leaving some other models out but thats another story. W.R.
 
I have an older (approx 8-9 yr old) vintage stainless Italian 92FS w/ approx 15K rds. thru it, still runs great. I just bought an Elite II, only has about 25 rds. thru it, it seems to be working ok. Hi caps are easy to come by. Either of them are good, reports say the stainless are 30% stronger than standard steel.:cool:
 
As Blades says, you can find hi-caps for 30 bucks. So don't let that dissuade you.

I own an italian stainless version which I love (my first gun). I remember shooting a blued american version, and it shot just as well. I didn't look at the finish that closely, but it looked fine to me. You'll do fine with either, but it really depends on what shape the used one is in. If it looks new, you should buy it. If it looks like it's got some miles on it, don't.

Check www.auctionarms.com and www.gunbroker.com for comparison prices.
 
Made In Italy 92FS

I have the Made In Italy version that I bought NIB in 1988. I use it regularly and lost count of the thousands of rounds I have put through it. I still use the two standard capacity 15 round mags that came with it and I have not had a single failure of this gun in the 13 years I've owned it.
 
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Thanks for the responses

I neglected to mention that I already have three standard-cap 92 mags, long story but I guess it's like buying a set of wheels before the car! So, for me it's not a dealbreaker. Plus, I may be able to get one of the local dealers to throw in a couple of used std-caps with a new gun.

Sounds like a lot of support for the Italian Beretta. I COULD get a small safe any time... I'm still checking prices from a couple of dealers around here for a NIB model. I've never had a NEW handgun, always second-hand and I think that may be part of the reason I was so interested in the new model. But, you have all given me reason to think otherwise...

Here's a *new* master plan: Get my 92, probably used at this point. Get my 9mm HiPower, then my 1911, followed by an East German, Bulgarian and Chinese Makarov, then get a NIB Stainless 96 since I wouldn't have a .40! The 96 would satisfy the "new gun" bit, and I could add to the collection.

Note: This is a long-term master plan!

Again, thanks, feel free to add, and I'll keep you posted. It's CRUNCH time as to whether I'm going to get it!


Check Six.
 
The only QC problems I have heard of are about the American-made ones. Another vote for Italy. And at the risk of getting political, those American models are made in another Mecca of gun control, Maryland.
 
I have an Italian made 92SB, made in the early to mid 80's I believe. I bought it used from a cop in Chicago Heights back in 1990. The fit and finish are very good. It's one of those guns that I would never get rid of. I know some people who have US made 92F Berettas, those guns are just fine also but they don't seem to "exude" the same quality vibes that the Italian one does. The Brunton finish on the US 92's just doesn't have the luster that the Italian blued 92 has.

I wouldn't kick any US made Beretta 92 out of bed but I have a definate preference for Italian made.
 
I haven't seen a *newly* manufactured Italian 92F in quite some time...but if the slide-frame fit and finish on the Italian Cougars are any indication of the quality of Italian 92F's now, I'd be just as satisfied with an American made one. I know that doesn't really answer your question, but the American made 92FS is as good as any IMHO. I have one that is about 2 years old and shoots 2" groups at 25 yards with Winchester white-box.
 
Don't Shoot it's me:
Are you really Italian? Shoot! Why didn't you say so earlier. That would explain your owning a P7, living in CA, and those expensive clothes you wear ;)

-Morgan
 
A rental range owner of my acquaintance has a handful of broken Beretta 92 locking blocks, all from U.S. made guns. He says the Italian made ones never break. The problem supposedly has been fixed. but guess which I bought.

Jim
 
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