Help Deciding. Glock 17 or Beretta 92FS

xldbldbl said:
I have been shooting IPSC with a Beretta for over 3 years now, thousands of rounds, no issues, eats everything I feed it and between matches it can go upwards of 1500 round between cleaning sometimes. All metal guns dominate IPSC by about 90%+ (mostly Tanfogilo and CZ, with a few Beretta and Sig) due to the fact they have a longer life span, lower felt recoil and light trigger single action follow up shots compared to stryker fired. The Beretta is extremely easy to take apart and put together and the slide mounted safety/decocker is a non issue and I actually prefer it now to frame mounted safeties. Also I am not one to diss any brands or models, and I know everyone always goes on about Glock being so reliable but I have to say that out of all the firearms I see at matches, putting aside ammo related problems, if someone has an issue with their firearm, most of the time its either a 1911 or a Glock, sorry guys but that is what I have seen.
Click to expand...

What proof do you have that metal frame guns outlast polymers? Have you worked in an environment that allowed you to see which handguns can survive repeated use and high round count? Because I have, and the Glocks were run the hardest day in and day out while the "metal" frame guns would be needing attention, cleaning and replacement parts.

I haven't seen a single competitor running a Beretta in IPSC or IDPA in my area. Not to say their not out there. But CZ, Glock, and 1911/2011's are the three most common pistols I see in competition. The last pistol course I was at one of the guys in my class had a Beretta. Operator induced errors over and over due to the safety position.

The Glock is a gunfighters gun, the only other handguns I could put as much faith in would be from HK, then Sig. The guys I worked with and myself used to make a joke, "for every Beretta sale there is a Glock sale that will happen shortly after". And it was true.
 
You picked two very different firearms... if it were a glock vs 'other polymer striker fire' or 92fs vs 'other non polymer sa/da' then it'd be an easier debate.

You really need to try them both to see which you prefer... or get them both if funds permit.

The glock needs trigger work. Shoot a PPQ or HK VP9 (sfp9) and you'll see what a good trigger feels like. A Zev trigger kit is is a must for a glock to compare.

Good thing is the aftermarket for glock is endless. You can (and might) spend more on the glock than it cost in the 1st place.

The beretta could use a little fine tuning as well...
 
Non-phixion said:
What proof do you have that metal frame guns outlast polymers? Have you worked in an environment that allowed you to see which handguns can survive repeated use and high round count? Because I have, and the Glocks were run the hardest day in and day out while the "metal" frame guns would be needing attention, cleaning and replacement parts.

I haven't seen a single competitor running a Beretta in IPSC or IDPA in my area. Not to say their not out there. But CZ, Glock, and 1911/2011's are the three most common pistols I see in competition. The last pistol course I was at one of the guys in my class had a Beretta. Operator induced errors over and over due to the safety position.

The Glock is a gunfighters gun, the only other handguns I could put as much faith in would be from HK, then Sig. The guys I worked with and myself used to make a joke, "for every Beretta sale there is a Glock sale that will happen shortly after". And it was true.
Click to expand...

I have seen guys running the same metal guns in IPSC since the 90's and never see guys run the same polymer guns more than a few years. Even Ben Stoegers Beretta had over 100,000 on it before a piece broke out of the frame groves and it still functions and groups, also the US military has been torturing them since the 80's as well as many other military around the world. I have seen Glocks not make it thru a 2 day course without needing a cleaning to keep from jamming and like I said my Beretta only gets cleaned before a match, could run 500 to 1500 rounds thru it before the next match depending on the time of year and amount of practice days. In 3+ years I have not replaced anything except for the hammer and recoil springs that were originally switched out for competition and the only single issue I have ever had with it was caused by a piece of range brass that had previously been used in 9mm open guns.

Dont know where your going to competitions at but Tanfogilo is the most popular with CZ close behind in production and STI and Tanfogilo in standard and other than the factory sponsored shooters anyone shooting any of the polymer guns are "USUALLY" fairly new and end up going for a metal gun if they stay in the sport. That being said there is always someone that is an exception to the rule and can run a particular brand extremely well be it metal or polymer. BTW anyone having operator induced errors at a pistol course that I have taught or even RO'd at would or should be sent home until they have enough experience with the firearm to safely be there, min one year experience. Also in IPSC, USPSA etc there is no reason to be using the safety anyway, so again like I said its a non issue.

Gunfighters gun...lol, ok, dont you mean concealed carry gun because its light weight and wont need to be fired very often, but whatever, to each his own. Remember there is a reason the Beretta is used by military all over the world since the mid 70's, durability & reliability. As for the sale after a Beretta, for me it will most likely be a Tan or STI, def not a Glock, although they are dishwasher safe.
 
Just to add a little different perspective, let's ask a different question-- What does each pistol give you opportunity do master?

Glock 17s give you the opportunity to master a squidgy staple-gun trigger. Glocks give you the opportunity to practice good recoil control, i.e. follow up shots, etc. Both of which are skills that you can take with you onto other platforms, and make you a better shooter. Added advantage-- Everything you ever wanted in available everywhere for a Glock. Drum Mag? No problem. Zombie patrol back plate? In stock. Can you build an entire G-17, from aftermarket parts, using zero factory Glock parts? Very yes.

Beretta 92s Give you the opportunity to master the transition from double to single action trigger pulls, which being a double action revolver guy, I fail at 90% of the time. They also tend to give you the ability to get better groups faster, i.e. less discouraging. Engaging multiple spread-out targets quickly with a 3 pound pistol is it's own unique challenge to be mastered, and definitely a learned skill. And the decocker position gives you the ability to think fast on your feet, with a gun in your hand. DEAD TRIGGER! OMG! Oh yeah, safety. Added Beretta advantage-- There's not a whole pile of go-fast gear out there, so you have more money for ammo, so you practice more, and learn that go-fast gear doesn't make you any better of a pistol-shot.

So, to sum up-- What do you want to learn first? The argument "Brand X always runs!" Is kind of a moot point in a clean, range environment, Hell, 70 year old Tokarevs run reliably enough for Canadian purposes. You're not comparing a Jennings J-32 to a S&W Model 10. Both the Glock and Beretta will run reliably if you take care of them reasonably well.

"If you cloned yourself yesterday, have you learned enough today to kick your clone's a$$ tomorrow?"
 
I'm down to two polymer HG's (sold the rest). Gen3 G17 and a HK p30L v3 DA/SA no external safety. Different mechanics/ergos but I've learned to shoot both fairly effectively.
IMO there's nothing wrong with the Glock's service trigger out of the box. Sure, you can buy parts to make it "feel better" which will be more noticeable when you're dry-firing vs live-fire drills (and I not talking about just standing at the line bulls-eye shooting).
For "run & gun" drills my go to HG is the Glock. It's just so simple to use. No de-cocking required(when holstering) and a consistent trigger every time out of the holster.
The HK is fine piece of kit and reminds me of shooting my revolvers with its DA/SA hammer fired setup.

Get both if you can but if you can only get one for now….get the Glock.
 
VinceDrake said:
Just to add a little different perspective, let's ask a different question-- What does each pistol give you opportunity do master?

Glock 17s give you the opportunity to master a squidgy staple-gun trigger. Glocks give you the opportunity to practice good recoil control, i.e. follow up shots, etc. Both of which are skills that you can take with you onto other platforms, and make you a better shooter. Added advantage-- Everything you ever wanted in available everywhere for a Glock. Drum Mag? No problem. Zombie patrol back plate? In stock. Can you build an entire G-17, from aftermarket parts, using zero factory Glock parts? Very yes.

Beretta 92s Give you the opportunity to master the transition from double to single action trigger pulls, which being a double action revolver guy, I fail at 90% of the time. They also tend to give you the ability to get better groups faster, i.e. less discouraging. Engaging multiple spread-out targets quickly with a 3 pound pistol is it's own unique challenge to be mastered, and definitely a learned skill. And the decocker position gives you the ability to think fast on your feet, with a gun in your hand. DEAD TRIGGER! OMG! Oh yeah, safety. Added Beretta advantage-- There's not a whole pile of go-fast gear out there, so you have more money for ammo, so you practice more, and learn that go-fast gear doesn't make you any better of a pistol-shot.

So, to sum up-- What do you want to learn first? The argument "Brand X always runs!" Is kind of a moot point in a clean, range environment, Hell, 70 year old Tokarevs run reliably enough for Canadian purposes. You're not comparing a Jennings J-32 to a S&W Model 10. Both the Glock and Beretta will run reliably if you take care of them reasonably well.

"If you cloned yourself yesterday, have you learned enough today to kick your clone's a$$ tomorrow?"
Click to expand...

Well written, but why would anyone own a gun that when picked up and trigger engaged, there is a potential of a DEAD TRIGGER?
 
plinker 777 said:
Well written, but why would anyone own a gun that when picked up and trigger engaged, there is a potential of a DEAD TRIGGER?
Click to expand...

Thanks! And I respect the question, but lets turn it around and look at it a little differently for a second--

I would respectfully submit to you, that the question implies that there is a hardware solution to a software problem.

Don't seat the mag in a glock, what happens? Click, then DEAD TRIGGER, mag on the floor. Now what? Weak hand only reloads happen, and operator error probably accounts for more malfunctions than we care to admit.

I think a more important question would be, "What are you going to do about it if it happens?" Followed by, "Can I do it with a heart-rate of 180, while the world closes it on me, with sleep-inertia, auditory occlusion, tunnel-vision, kids screaming, dog barking, wearing my slippers and in my boxer shorts?"

I submit my question still stands, "What do you (OP) want to learn first?" There is no such thing as the perfect firearm, just as there is no such thing as a perfect shooter. Every firearms brings you an opportunity to learn something.

Just as a couple of mags on the floor, in front of everyone at the the local IDPA meet teaches a person to seat the mags, A couple of smack, rack, nothings at the same meet teach how to rack in without actuating the safety. It's a software issue.

Or shoot revolvers. Problem solved. :D
 
It depends on how comfortable those 2 in your hands. When I first got my handgun I was caught between Glock 17 and the M&P9, but the latter feels way better in terms of ergonomics. Shot them both and got almost same groupings. Ended up buying the M&P9. Second handgun that I got is a Beretta 92FS. Feels bigger on my hands but I have way better groupings compared to Glock 17 or my M&P9. In the end its still up to you.
 
No particular order:

- Beretta92FSINOX_9mm
- 1911_45ACP
- Glock17_9mm
- SIGP320_9mm

Buy 1 or buy them all… can't go wrong.
Matter of personal preference.
 
Just made a great deal on an Upgraded 92A1. It was far to good of a deal to pass up. I think my next purchase after this will be the Glock as everyone seems to say you need both.
 
I have both at the moment. I haven't shot the Beretta yet, but, based on "feel," the Beretta seems to be more of an art piece. It's overbuilt with lots of parts (versus the Glock) and very ###y. The Beretta is also much tighter in every way. Trigger, slide to frame fit, etc.

The Glock is dead-simple, very light and kinda ugly (but I like its ugliness.) Nothing special, but works very well (2000+rnds with no cleaning.) I have no idea how the Beretta will be, but I can tell you I point the Beretta better and I much prefer metal mags versus the plastic Glock mags.

The Glock also has a crappy feeling trigger versus the Beretta, but the Glock has so few parts and will still work even if some of those parts break.
It's really tough. I think the best reply was "Get Both!"

I'm not fond of the fixed front blade on the 92FS (no sight upgrade options.) The Glock NEEDS a sight upgrade and luckily they are easily available.

Very tough.

-If we were allowed to carry or it was an end of the world scenario... Glock for sure, 100%.

-For a ###y range piece and showing off to friends (and better trigger and probably more accurate/less recoil)... the Beretta

:)
 
Last edited:
buckhunter49 said:
Just made a great deal on an Upgraded 92A1. It was far to good of a deal to pass up. I think my next purchase after this will be the Glock as everyone seems to say you need both.
Click to expand...

You won't regret it. Trigger is awesome, and overall a very good gun to start with pistol shooting.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom