Beretta 96? Opinions?

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Hello, CGNers :)

I seem to have gotten myself into a situation where I may become the owner of a Beretta 96. From the research I've done, it's the same basic pistol as the Beretta 92, but with stainless barrel, etc.

What do you pistoleers think of this pistol? Is it good? Reliable? Are parts readily available? What about accessories?

An overall opinion from you all would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks in advance,

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On that note is there anyone who can tell me what the difference between the Beretta 92 and the Beretta 96 is?
 
I wouldn't buy a Beretta 96. I carried one as a duty sidearm for about 8 years and went threw two of them because I shot a lot and they were absolute garbage. The .40 round is too hot for that slide/frame to handle and it goes through locking blocks every 5 to 10 thousand rounds. I would buy a 9mm (Beretta 92 F, 92 FS, 92G) but would not suggest that anyone buy a 96 since the durability is low and you will wind up frustrated. To be honest unless you are strongly desiring a Beretta I would steer you away from Beretta towards a Glock/H&K USP/Sig or other better quality pistol. Glocks are extremely durable and really cheap right now.
 
The difference between the 92 and 96 is the caliber (92=9mm and 96=.40).

I have a 92FS and it's my favoutite pistol. the gun was design for 9mm and will last quite a long time in that caliber. If I wanted a .40 I'd go with the new 90two which was spesifically re-designed for .40 or a 96 Brigadier (heveier slide) model. With that said I don't think the 96 is as nowhere as bad as pac-man says; IIRC one of the guys here shot 160K thru his! The only thing I would do is get a heaver recoil spring; since both 92 and .40 use the same springs! (which could be part of the problem) IMO 15lb-17lbs spring would be ideal.
 
I just got my 92FS Brigadier yesterday and am hopfully going to hit up the range tonight after work. So far I am really liking the looks and feel of it. It's a bit more complicated then my other pistols but I don't mind that.
 
Thanks all for your thoughts... keep 'em coming :)

ps: I wouldn't be buying this firearm, it would be a trade of sorts...
 
Took it out last night. Absolutely love it. Very smooth, clean break on the trigger, made a very nice grouping on the zombie's head so I can't complain. Everything worked great.
 
Dinosaurs like me still carry the 96D and have been since 94 when I gave up the wheel gun. I want to continue carrying it but I have to switch to the Glock in May which I guess will be fun. I've used my Kids Glocks and they are nice. But there is something about the Beretta, the feel of metal that makes it a real gun. Apparently my Beretta is getting up there in the high round count and could be ready for a fatigue failure.
 
I like Berettas. My 92FS is my most used gun with over 2000 rounds through it since getting it in late November 2007. I also have a second 92FS in Inox coming this week. :)
 
which model 96 are you talking about?
If you are refering to the 96D, I would have to suggest you dont buy it.
I bought one, and used it for a while, then when I sold it to a friend.. he was standing beside me when the barrel failed. I still have the barrel, and may have pictures I can post for you to see. I also had spring failures ( trigger bar spring) which renders the gun absolutely useless, as it cannot be fired until the spring is replaced. Its easy as pie to do, but if it happens to you when you are in the field.. you're dead.
The .40 is too hot and heavy a round for the recoil spring and it seems like the slide "slams" back causing heavy recoil, and will eventually lead to slide failure if nothing else.

At work, we are transitioning to .40's and we are getting the VPD 96D's. We had some of them available at our last qualififcation, and I saw how different people handled to pistols, and the inability to get a quick follow up shot.
Long trigger pull in a small hand was making some people shoot low, as they were unintentionally pulling the front sight down as they tried to "reach" for the trigger.

I am an absolute Beretta fan, but I am not sold on the 96D.
All the parts are interechangable with a 92FS. You can put the .40 slide on a 9mm frame, and all the springs etc will fit.

I would also suggest that you PM Slavex, as he has the most rounds through a Beretta of anyone I have ever met. He will give you a no BS assesment of the Beretta.

Berettas are High quality firearms, you just have to be careful of which model you buy.
 
I also had spring failures ( trigger bar spring) which renders the gun absolutely useless, as it cannot be fired until the spring is replaced. Its easy as pie to do, but if it happens to you when you are in the field.. you're dead.
The .40 is too hot and heavy a round for the recoil spring and it seems like the slide "slams" back causing heavy recoil, and will eventually lead to slide failure if nothing else.
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I don't need a .40 so I wouldn't get the 96. but if I had one I'd replace the recoil spring with a heavier one (both 9mm and .40 use springs of the same weight!)

As for the trigger spring; those break on all guns not just the 96...
 
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Beretta 96?

Don't have any use for a Beretta these days. Have had a few in 9mm over the years. Started out with 'em when the first ones available in Canada were the Euro models with the heel mag release.

These days I'm happier to have a 1911, a BHP, a CZ or a Glock [or even a S&W auto... :redface:]...................

My .02...........your mileage may vary.............................
 
I've got a 96 Vertec that I love. Haven't had any problems with it and it was my first semi-auto handgun. Although I've recently picked up a 1911 that is taking up most of my shooting time...
 
Elitte II here with thousand and thousands of rounds on, never had a problem it at the exception of a broken extractor. Took 5 min to replace then you're good to go.

Same for my friend that have the Vertec, never had a problem at the exception of the extractor. We both use them for IPSC
 
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I have an Itallian made 92 fs that I bought used and have personally put at least 15-20000 rounds through. (4000-5000/year) I had to replace the old style locking block shortly after I got it and also added a recoil buffer. Have not had a lick of trouble since. Now if I could find another one with good adjustable sights for shooting out to 50 M........
 
Now if I could find another one with good adjustable sights for shooting out to 50 M........
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You probably won't find another Italian 92 Inox that easily but few dealers been listing US made 92Inox's aftre they haven't been availave here in a couple if years...
 
my original 96 has had 160,000+ rounds through it. springs are not stock. although were for a long time. it's one of the lucky ones I think, as I've burned out two others, plus a 92, all with much much lower round counts. if you get one, get the heavier spring, and track down some Red Buffs, or whatever they are called now (buffer pads that go over the recoil spring and rod).
 
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