Beretta 92FS or Sig P226? / Rant

[zerosoma]

Looking to upgrade my 9mm in a few months. I have a Hi Point C9 but unfortunately the elevation screw broke inside the gun, and pounding it out with a hammer/punch does not work. I will have to send it in to get it fixed and I've only had the darn thing 3 months. It shot pretty good at first and when I installed the ghost ring sight it still shot good but my father in law went to adjust the sights a little (he's a pretty good marksman) he noticed the screw had busted off. There is no way to adjust it.

Case in point and last straw : went shooting in the country the other day and taped a human silhouette on the end of a large box. Had empty budweiser box underneath to prop it up, had some cans and a milk jug filled with colored water inside the bud box for target practice a little later in my session. I was positioned 10 yards out. I aimed for the head and consistently it shot in the chest/shoulder area. Aimed for the center target and was not printing on the paper at all. After I emptied two mags I walked up and found no bullet holes. I looked below and noticed there were holes in the budweiser box. I looked inside and had been destroying the cans and whatever else was in there. Too bad I was aiming for a target roughly 2 feet above it! So needless to say beyond close proximity home defense it's useless as of right now. I have no other complaints about it though as it rarely FTF's and before the screw broke off the gun printed fine at the range and 70% of my groupings were fatal shots from 10 yards away.

I do want to send it in and get it fixed but am also looking to upgrade to a much better semi-auto pistol. Now before I get tons of off-topic responses like "buy a revolver" or "go with a 30-06" or "I never liked hi points" I want to tell you I've been researching some handguns. I love the way the Beretta feels and I shot it at the range. The Beretta is a large gun and in some ways feels uncomfortable but in others I like it a lot. The DA first trigger pull annoys me as I can pull back the trigger and nothing happens and then, by surprise, BOOM! I have never fired a P226 but have heard it's a good gun and feels decent in the hand. I have fired another Sig and can't remember the model, it was a .40S&W. I liked it, but not like "I HAVE to have this gun". I have also fired Glocks which I do not care for. Also cannot stand the slide mechanisms and ergonomics of Ruger pistols.

If anyone can provide some good insight on a reliable, accurate handgun chambered for 9mm that is within the $400-$700 range I'm all ears. Also thought of the Smith M&P but don't know how well they hold up against these two.

Once again for the record I do not care for Glocks and absolutely HATE Ruger Semi-Autos.

Thanks!

 

[HerrStig]

I have a friend with a collection of about 40 handguns and he can't hit anything with any of them except the 92.

 

[Astro14]

My wife prefers her 92 over the Glock 19 she owns - it's increased mass helps with recoil. It's got a good sight radius and it's a reliable, accurate, well-built gun. I've carried one, spent a lot of time at the range with one, gone through combat simulation with one (it's also the M9 service pistol) and while folks like to trash the 92 for its weight and size, I find it a reliable, accurate gun.

If you're OK with used, I have owned a S&W 5906 for 20+ years now. Like the 92, it fits my hand well (with the curved backstrap grip). It was a standard police service pistol, it's heavy, but accurate and has reliably fed several thousand rounds. You can find a good one for about $500.

For home defense, reliability is critical, accuracy is important and weight matters not at all. Give me a big, steel-framed, accurate 9mm if 9mm is what you're looking for.

 

[CarbonSteel]

Years ago, I had Berettas in 92FS (9MM) and 96FS (.40), fired thousands of rounds through them and never had a problem. I added rosewood grips to them that increased the overall grip size, but I have very large hands and they were not a problem for me to hold/shoot. Standard grips would not be a problem for someone with smaller hands. I did not care for the take down system on the Beretta so I sold them. They were replaced with Sig P226 and P229 in 9MM and love both of them. I have capped 2000+ rounds and never had an issue with either of them.

I bought my wife an FN Herstal FNP9 9MM with SS slide and it is a great pistol in the price range that you want. You may want to take a look at it. It came with 3 - 16 round magazines and 2 different interchangeable backstraps that adjust the size of the grip. I believe the FNX model has replaced the FNP. Take a look at it here - FN FNX9

 

[Roadkingnc]

I would go with the 92

 

[Bgallagher]

I have had both and between the 92F and the Sig 226 it is a coin flip. They have two difference feelings in your hand so it is really personal preference. I sold my 226 because my 92F just felt nicer on my hand and darn is is accurate

 

[Boomer]

S&W M&P 9mm. I have one with the 18 round mags and it is a great gun. Similar to a Glock...striker fired. Try one and see if you like it.

 

[InhalingBullets]

I own or have owned both weapons you mentioned, a 92fs and a 226 9mm. My current carry is a Sig P226 stainless .357 sig and it is my favorite of all. The 226 is ultra reliable and there are many reasons they (sig 226) are the preferred carry of many in Law enforcement and Elite military units. The Beretta is a fine weapon and has served many in LE and Military as well. The Beretta is about half the price of a Sig and if you choose that route I am confident it will serve you flawlessly for years. I think you should fire both weapons before you make a decision, but either way you cannot go wrong.

One thing to pass on as a side note: LE and military armorers test and fire hundreds of weapons every year and for the most part it always comes down to the Sig, Glock or Beretta for various reasons but most importantly, reliability. There are and always will be some exceptions but when your life depends on it, go with the best you can afford.

 

[Bill in Utah]

S&W M&P are excellent weapons.

You don't say WHICH Rugers you hate so it may be the P series.... I'd suggest you look into a Ruger SR9C which I've shot quite a bit.

Good trigger and well built. Very accurate and goes bang everytime I've shot one.

Another one would be the Springfield Armory XD which is another EXCELLENT weapon. But they are going to be more than the $400.

I like the normal ones not the XD-Ms BTW.

P226 Sigs are good in the 9mm. I went through 2 P229 in .40 S&W when they came out and when Sig sent me the 3rd one I sold it for something else. Nice in 9mm but nothing in the must have column for me.

Most either love or hate Model 92s. Its (again) not a bad weapon but not in the must have (again) for me.

If I had to pick only one 9mm for target and defense it would be the Ruger SR9C. Then the S&W 9mm (either FS or Compact) and XD. After that they all fall into the same group.

I actually like the P series Rugers (P85MKII/P89/P94/P90/P345) and its too bad they stopped making them.

Looking forward to shooting a SR45 when I can locate one.

Whatever you decide on make sure you can take it to the range before buying it.

Take care, Bill

 

[FastGame]

Buy the gun that fits you best, IMO the S&W M&P 9 is hard to beat.

 

[bubbatime]

I've owned hundreds of guns over the years and have 10 years experience in law enforcement. I can recommend the following in no particular order: Springfield XD9, CZ-75BD (with decocker, a must), Sig Pro 2022, Beretta PX4, Smith & Wesson M&P 9, FN FNX-9, Walther PPQ, Walther P99, Beretta 92, Sig P226, and of course Glock 17 or 19 (which you hate).

One thing I've learned over the years is that every gun has a certain specific task that it is best suited for. A law enforcement officer wouldn't carry a snub nose revolver as a primary sidearm and one wouldn't carry a pistol grip shotgun for a concealed carry piece.

If this is going to be your nightstand gun, in my opinion it should have a rail on it so that you can attach a flashlight and/or laser. Beretta, Sig, and other gun makers make railed and non railed versions of their guns.

The Beretta 92FS and Sig P226 all are 100% reliable and either would suit you just fine. New, Beretta's are in the $550 price range, new Sig's are in the $800 price range.

My nightstand gun is a glock 21 .45ACP with TLR-2 light/laser combo, wife has a SigPro 2022 with light/laser combo. Also keep a mini 14 by the bed too with a light/laser combo on it.

 

[AMC]

I prefer the Sig over the Beretta. If you like a heavier DA/SA gun, you must check out the CZ-75 Series! The SP-01 is especially good.

 

[Lead Shoes]

Since I'm 21 now, I have started looking for a pistol for myself also...

 

[zerosoma]

i want to edit by saying the gun did not shoot 2 feet off, it was more like 1 foot. still bad but i may have exaggerated the first post.

 

[GenSan]

For your budget I'd highly recommend you take a look at a certified pre-owned Sig Sauer of your choice. I would specifically get a Sig with the SRT (short reset trigger). It is the finest DA/SA trigger I have yet encountered.

If you want brand new, check out a Beretta PX4. I have a PX4 Subcompact in .40S&W and the recoil is very tame, almost like a 9mm. The trigger is somewhat gritty/scratchy brand new, but with usage and cleaning it smooths out. Very accurate (bench tested) out of the box and on par w/ my most accurate 1911's, HKs', and Sigs'. Zero problems w/ a round count of 6,000+. Very robustly built, from the barrel/slide/frame, trigger group, extractor, magazine, and internals for a sub $600 auto-pistol. The only negative is the sharp decocker/safety levers and location. Practice takes care of it so it's not a deal breaker for me.

Good Luck

 

[Tempest]

I can't stand slide mounted safeties. It's a personal preference.

I had a 92FS, sold it and went to a P226 and am in no way sorry.

This was many years ago and my P226 is the older, German made, version and has been completely reliable.

I don't like the newer Sig design as much but they are still good guns. Make sure you handle several different models/makes and go with the one that points best for you and has a manual of arms that you are comfortable with and is most natural to you.

 

[zerosoma]

Originally Posted By: GenSan
For your budget I'd highly recommend you take a look at a certified pre-owned Sig Sauer of your choice. I would specifically get a Sig with the SRT (short reset trigger). It is the finest DA/SA trigger I have yet encountered.

If you want brand new, check out a Beretta PX4. I have a PX4 Subcompact in .40S&W and the recoil is very tame, almost like a 9mm. The trigger is somewhat gritty/scratchy brand new, but with usage and cleaning it smooths out. Very accurate (bench tested) out of the box and on par w/ my most accurate 1911's, HKs', and Sigs'. Zero problems w/ a round count of 6,000+. Very robustly built, from the barrel/slide/frame, trigger group, extractor, magazine, and internals for a sub $600 auto-pistol. The only negative is the sharp decocker/safety levers and location. Practice takes care of it so it's not a deal breaker for me.

Good Luck


I thought about this as well and held one but at my store of choice the 92FS is only $49 more and is one of the best prices i have seen.

 

[Win]

If the 226 is in your price range, you might as well take a look at the Hi Power. Also, the CZ 75 SP-01 as someone else mentioned.

It may be blasphemy, but I prefer the frame mounted safety / decocker of the open slide Taurus, to the slide mounted safety of the Beretta's. I have many Berettas - it's my favorite brand - but it's in spite of that slide mounted safety. The .380 and smaller Beretta's have a frame mounted safety, and you may want to look at them, but they're more expensive than the 92 and 96.

We have quite a few 226's because my wife likes Sigs ( for some reason ), but the 226 leaves me kind of meh, personally.

 

[zerosoma]

dont tell my wife....... but i couldnt take it any longer. I went and tried the sigs and smith. did not like the smith. sig was nice but out of my price range. picked up the beretta again...impressed again. and so, I just threw a 92fs on layaway. best price i could find around...$550, a brand new italian model. are these things consistent? because this floor model just felt amazing. i would have asked for THAT one but i dry fired it a half dozen times plus who ever else held it.

i am excited but will wait a looooong time before squeezing the news out to anyone else. "is that a new gun?" "oh what, THAT old THING?"

 

[Astro14]

Excellent choice. You'll enjoy that one.

One note of caution with a new gun, you'll have a stiff main spring. Some of the cheaper range ammo might not allow the slide to cycle fully resulting in a failure to feed. Not a problem with quality ammo, or self-defense rounds, but noticed this with the 92 when it was new...