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| Beretta 92FS |
The contender: Beretta 92FS
Caliber: 9mm
In your hand: The Beretta 92FS feels like water. By that, I mean it really had no taste and was rather generic. The magazine holds 10 rounds and reloads easily. Interestingly, I learned reading that Wiki article that the Beretta's magazine can hold up to 15 rounds, but that local regulations forced the design of smaller magazines. The design reminded me of a 1911, but aesthetically, this handgun is gorgeous, just as you'd expect from Italian designing.
On the range: Sighting on the Beretta was not so great. I missed more than I expected. It could have been excitement.
Overall: This semiautomatic handgun is the one now used by our armed forces. Beretta beat the competition back in 1985 and the venerable M1911 was replaced. I'm going to rate this handgun second only to the Kimber Target II 9mm I raved about back here.
You can have a friend buy high capacity magazines in a state other than California... It would still be a crime to own them here and you need to balance that (judged by 12 vs carried by 6).
ReplyDeleteI'm not a big fan of the 92F, though I know people who are. When you shoot it, the Beretta needs a firm grip (firmer than the Kimber) or you'll experience jamming problems. It's a shooter issue, not really a design issue, but the Beretta seems to be more prone to it.
The SEALs never went to the 92F, preferring the Colt 1911 and the Model 66 S&W. Later the SEALs transitioned to the H&K Mk 23 offensive handgun. The Mk 23 is a large, heavy handgun but the barrel comes from the factory threaded for a silencer and the military issues one with each pistol.
The S&W 66 (stainless steel revolver in .357 Magnum) was used in the old days when you were going to be in the water for a long time because a revolver is more forgiving in that environment even than the venerable 1911. - just a historical footnote for you.
That was a very thoughtful and insightful comment. I appreciate it.
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