Most folks, once they have had the opportunity to handle various "service" 9mms, come to the conclusion that the Beretta 92/M9 pistol is, well... not the best choice for a carry/defensive pistol.
Beretta makes a fine, high quality weapon. Some folks like it. Personally, I'm rather ambivalent about it. I have enough experience with one to know that it is a good gun that can be depended upon; but it is not my first choice.
OTOH, Beretta sporting shotguns are the thing to have, IMO. I have a 3901 gas gun for clay bird shooting, and am plotting on what Beretta O/U to buy.
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I didn't say it wasn't a "good" defensive pistol; I said it probably wasn't the best choice for most folks, and that is because of its size. To that, I'll add the caliber isn't my favorite either.
Keep an eye on that 96; from all accounts, they have a tendency to crack in certain places relatively early in their service life. The .40 S&W cartridge does that, due to its much more violent recoil pulse... its hard on pistols.
Keep in mind that my information on the Beretta 96 is second-hand. My information on the higher impulse from the .40 S&W cartridge is NOT second-hand. Also, the Baton Rouge City Police have been using their G22s for about five years now. They are beginning to see an excessive number of parts breakage, as well as continued complaints from many officers about the increased recoil; those guys and gals want a 9mm.
No doubt that some .40 "champion" will cry that these cops are pussies, the cartridge is great, etc.
Well, _I'm_ not a *****; and I did NOT like the issue Glock 35 I carried and shot for five years on LSP SWAT. The G35 is a big pistol, and I've been shooting handguns all my adult life; much of that competitively. I found the recoil of the G35, regardless of whether it was 155gr, 165gr, or 180gr bullets, to be quite objectionable. I'd rather shoot a .45 ANY day.
Bottom line, I have no use for the .40 S&W cartridge. Lots of folks like it, and I'm proud for 'em... leaves more 9mm and .45 ACP for me...
Anyway... you asked...
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I have been with BRPD for just over 8 years and have carried the Glock 22 sience they first issued them. We have the choice of the 22 or the 17 to carry.
A lot of officers that carry the 17 carry it for two reasons. #1 Higher mag cap.
#2 They don't spend enough time at the range and find that when they only shoot once a year, the 9mm is much easre to shoot a higher score with.
I spent a year on sick leave due to cancer. When I came back to work on light duty I had to re shoot the POST 4 time to requal. Now I'm dot a big guy, 5, 8" and 140lbs due to loosing 30lbs after cancer treatments. Now I had not fired a gun in over a year and still had a feeding tube sticking out of my gut.
I went to the range ane put some rounds down range on day one to get the feel of firing my G22 again. I shot a 86 on the POST. They asked if I wanted to switch to a G17 and I said no.
I went home and worked on my grip and trigger control. A week later I went back to the range and shot a 118 and a 114 and was told that I was only allowed to shoot two corses a day to requial. I came back the next day and fired a 116 and a 112. My buddy at the range told me that I out shoot most of the officers that carry the G17.
LeDuff has aloud some officers to carry the Glock in 45.
Myself I prefer the 1911A1 in 45.
Back on topic; I did a little time in the Corps and was there when they were still issuing the 1911A1, and when the Berreta came along (what a sad day).
The Beretta is a good gun but is big and fat. It just never fit my hand. I carried one fore a few years before I got out of the Corps.