Beretta 96 BRIGADIER INOX??

S

Spydiefan04

Joined
Jan 8, 2005
Messages
819
Okay I posted some time ago about a SIG P229 and was set to buy one until handling it. I got big hands and Every time I try to disengage the slide lock I end up hitting the decocker (it's a combination of muscle memory and having long thumbs). So while checking it out at the gunshop I decided Sigs would not make this a good defense/carry pistol for me.

While there I checked out the Beretta Brigadier (I'm esp interested in the INOX model) and was very impressed with the way it fit in my hands and how easily I could manipulate the controls. BTW this would be my first non-1911 sem-auto experience/purchase.

What I'd like to know is the REAL/TRUE experiences of anybody that has owned or used a Beretta 96 (esp Brigadier or Brigadier INOX). I've seen a lot of 92/96 bashing on line but I can't believe it bc the city and county cops back home swear by their 96FS's. And most military personnel I've met really like the 92FS. I already know a lot about this model gun I just want to know what you guys think from experience, is there a BETTER DA/SA gun (with a manual safety/decocker) out there in this price range?? What about the S&W 3rd Generation Tacticals? Also anybody used to 1911s, how does the Beretta compare?? Please don't try to sell me on Glocks, I don't mind them but I prefer something made of metal with a safety. And yes I'd checked out the HK USPs and I think they are GREAT, but I DON't like the mag release on them or the Walther/SW99. I'm very used to M1911s and the only major ergonomic problem I find on the beretta is the safety being on the slide but I can deal with that.
Thanks.
 
Oh yeah and one last (probably dumb) Beretta question, is it really possible to field strip a 92/96 with one hand like in Rush Hour?
 
To answer your second question: no. Movie stunt.

To answer your first: I had a plain jane 96 for many years. It is the standard by which I judge every other gun's reliability. None have met it yet, although my Beretta 8000DAO mini-cougar is close. G17 lost b/c wife can't use it (limp wrists it). My 92 is on par but I haven't shot it enough.

Like most on the internet, the rumors are overblown, inaccurate and just plain wrong. Is the 96 the best .40 ever? Probably not. The 92 is better than the 96. However, the 96 is a great gun and if you like it, then I don't think you'll be disappointed with it.

Note: as you probably know, the 96 is HEAVY. I'd carry it in a duty holster but not IWB. If you're used to a 1911, you might not mind the weight but you'll notice the girth.

I like S&W revolvers but IMO you should past on the tacticals.
 
I have used a p229/.357 with decock for years and have recently switched to the p229/.357 DAO. I found the p229 DAO to be smoother, with no excessive trigger slack, and I shoot better scores. I highly recommend the DAO.
 
I REALLY like the Beretta design, but I like the 3rd Generation Smith design also, is there any compelling reason why you'd pass on a Smith?
 
I would select the Beretta over the Smith in auto's. I had one Smith Auto (10 mm) and had continuous feeding problems/ frame cracks. The N.J. State Police ordered the Smith auto's and then cancelled the contract and went with Sig's.
 
i have had a couple or 3 berrettas (2 9MM and 1 .40) and still have a mod 92 9MM, they are good guns imho albeit big guns, pretty big for a 9MM really, which imho is the main con with them, too big & heavy. sure with the right holster ya can edc them, i have, but lots of other stuff sure carries easier ie kahr/glock/SIG. my glock 32C carries much better than a '92, not to mention a 26/33, or kahr PM9 or P9, 10X easier imho.

all of mine have been reliable, and acceptably accurate, the .40 didnt exactly set the world on fire in that regard, but it would do.

never carry mine any more though, other stuff just works better for me.
 
I don't shoot too much, and don't carry (yet). But as far as the 92/96 style guns, I've got a taurus 92 and love it. I like the 3 position (safe,off, decock) frame mounted safety better than the safety on the berretas, and find the grip very comfortable.
I've got fairly big hands and found that the 92 fits them a lot better than the 1911's I handled (grip felt too short, bottom of mag well landed on the heel of my palm at a funny angle). The slide lock and safety are both easily reached with my thumb, but don't get in the way of each other.
The grip angle makes it point pretty naturally and recoil is no problem at all.
I do think this would be a troublesome gun for CCW though. Its big. I can easily conceal it with a jacket, but would have to give up the t-shirt and jeans thing to really carry it on a daily basis.
 
It didn't group worth a darn.
I could only get 3.5" groups out of it at 50-feet from a BENCH. :barf:
It wasn't ME either.

I once owned a Beretta ELITE (though mine was 9mm) that would put them all through one quarter-sized hole standing at 50-feet EASILY. I still regret ever having sold that gun.

I don't know for SURE if the 96 ELITE will shoot that good, but it probably will. The Elite models cost probably $100-$125 more and worth it IMHO. They're NICE.

.
 
I have a plain 96 Centurion, got it at a great price,
I only have 2 .40's , the other is a steyr m40, also bought at a great price.
The beretta is much more reliable. Never had a jam or anything.
The steyr jammed on blaser aluminum cased ammo.
AND, I've put in a reduced power hammer spring, a wolff INS trigger spring and a recoil buffer.
STILL, not a jam.
NOTE, mine was date coded 1986 so it's all metal, don't know about the newer plastic trigger etc ones.
 
Spydiefan04 said:
Oh yeah and one last (probably dumb) Beretta question, is it really possible to field strip a 92/96 with one hand like in Rush Hour?
Click to expand...

You could do that with a H&K USP, but it would take a lot of practice.
 
Hey Spidiefan,

I have a Brigadier 96 (was going to get the Inox, had them side by side in the shop and decided on the blue instead, now I wish I went for the inox just for the "bling" factor), and love the thing. I also own a Springfield XD Tactical in 40 S & W, which is also a fine weapon, but the balance, and recoil (or lack thereof) on the Beretta is much better.

The firearm just has the right "feel" for me and I shoot better with it. It may or may not be the same for you.

My one and only complaint is the heavy trigger when in DA mode. It's very light when cocked, but with the hammer down, it's a bear to pull the trigger and stay on target.

Bottom line is it's a great, field proven auto and will provide you years of reliable service. If you can rent one at your local range, you should give it a spin first. Heck, if you live near San Jose, Ca, you can try mine.

I hope this helps
AL
 
Regarding the field stripping question, it is theoretically possible. In the 1990s there was enough concern that some agencies and officers had a lower profile disassemply lever installed. Realistically, who cares though? It's far better that a gun grabber get only part of the gun versus getting the whole thing and emptying it into you. The situation is best handled by 1) Learning some retention techniques and 2) carrying a second gun to use if necessary.

I've shot a lot of rounds through 9mm 92s, but no .40. My personal opinion is that I do not like .40 crammed into 9mm platforms (although I have heard nothing but good about S&W 4006s).

I've told this story a lot, but a friend of mine was an armorer for the Navy unit that first killed the M9s. It really happened, and they weren't using any funky ammo. But, it only happened with M9s, not the few Italian made 92s they had. The current problems have been attributed mostly to the mags supplied to the military. YMMV.

Comparing 92s (or 96s) to 1911s is not easy, as they are so different. The ergonomics of the 1911 are better for most people. I have big hands and have no problem with either, although my left thumb rides the slide stop on a 92, and thus the slide will not lock back when empty. The factory DA/SA Beretta triggers suck, but you can solve this by swapping to a D model mainspring (this is the spring in both D models and Elites). I always hear that 92s are big, but if you look at them side by side with other pistols they aren't much bigger, and they certainly aren't as big as USPs.

Finally, if I had a choice between a .40 anything and a 1911 in .45, I'd pick the 1911.
 
Field stripping? I think you are talking about the removing the slide from someone elses pistol one handed? I had this shown to me in the 80's when the army was going to the berreta. It neat, but I thought Berrata changed the pistol to stop that.

I don't remeber the exact maneuver but I held the pistol like I was going to shoot and this Seargeant that I knew reached and grabbed the slide right off the pistol in one smooth motion. :eek: Of course I don't know if he could pull that off with the added pressure of ammo in the pistol.


Paul
 
Oh, I thought you were asking about doing it yourself, not someone else grabbing it and rendering it useless (didn't remember the movie all that well...). For the record: I doubt that anyone could pull off the latter with a USP.
 
Is anyone really worried about someone else grabbing your gun by the barrel end and pulling the slide off? To do it, you have to push in the little button on the right side w/ your thumb and then push down the lever with your index finger. Can it be done when the gun is loaded? Don't ask me 'cause I ain't gonna find out. This is really just a non-issue as someone can't just pull the slide straight off the front. If you're still concerned, think "pull trigger."

AaronL, buy a DAO spring to lighten that DA pull and you'll never look back. Best bang for the buck you'll find.
 
To stop someone from pulling the slide off the milled the slidestop down a little.

I would never pay money for any berretta, what a POS.

remember these steps if you buy it
If you pull the trigger and it doesn’t spring back forward be prepared to flick it forward with your finger, broken trigger return spring.

If you pull the trigger and nothing happens be prepared to flip the gun upside down gangsta style because your trigger bar spring is broke and the trigger bar has dropped down.

Always look for cracks around the barrel locking lugs, even on low round guns and last but not least, the gun is an inaccurate POS due to the barrel flopping around in the end of the slide.

I carried a 96D for 6 years or so and hated everyday of it.
 
FWIW i have heard the .40 isnt as accurate as the 9MM in the 92 series, which was certainly my experience.

must agree that there are other guns i would much rather have for edc. glock/SIG and kahr to name 3 .
 
I was asking about the Rush Hour stunt, I didn't realize that you had to push the button in as well, I can see where it could possibly happen but would be VERY unlikely, meaning they guy trying to do it would most likely be shot in the process.

I keep hearing that the 92 is better than the 96 (and I'm not especially biased towards the .40) a buddy of mine that was on boarding parties with the Coast Guard used 92's and said they easily killed every drug smuggler they ever had to shoot, but I don't know what kind of ammo they used (I'm assuming NATO ball).

So what are the advantages of the 92 over the 96 and would I be as well armed with a 92 with say 147-gr SXT or Hydra-shok as I would with 180-gr in .40? I have no idea about the ballistics btn a 9 and .40 I've always shot .45s in a semi-auto. I would image the 9 would have the lowest knockdown power, but also the least recoil and fastest cycle time and rate of fire, not to mention cheaper ammo. Thanks for all of the advice I've always liked the Beretta design, and I may have mention carry earlier (I don't remeber from the first post) but in not planning on concealed carry for a 92/96 in case you guys were wondering.
 
Forget all the "knockdown power" BS. Any good JHP in 9mm, .40, or .45 will do just about the same job. Since anyone worth shooting is worth shooting more than once, so-called "one shot stops" are meaningless in the real world.

FWIW I use 147gr Winchester Ranger and 230gr Ranger in 9mm and .45 respectively, but I wouldn't feel bad with any other Ranger loadings, Gold Dots in either, or Federal's 9BPLE in 9mm.
 
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