Beretta and CZ clones - experiences?

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srgallan

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Hi,

Just wanted to check in if someone had some feedback on some of the clones available out there? Specifically the Girsan (Beretta 92) and the Tristar (CZ) compared to the originals. I could look at EE for the "originals" but would have to read some of the sticky's on the process.

I am fairly new to Pistols and started off with an FNS 9L and 22/45 and want to pick away at my wishlist as cash becomes available. Almost jumped on the FNS 40L deals as I do like the 9. I will note that I don't really have much of an opportunity to try/hold much due to my location and generally at the range I find myself the only one there. So just read, look at pictures to drool a bit and make a list.

Anyways, was looking at one of those or even try to find a Grand Power to give it a try, further on the list I have S&W revolver and some form of 1911.
 
The Girsan may be more Beretta than Beretta! Has all metal parts. Nice finger grooved grips too. The trigger pull may be a bit heavier than a genuine Beretta but that doesn't really say much. The Beretta ain't no CZ SP-01!
I held a Girsan for a while before I realized it wasn't a Beretta, that's how closely they resemble the real thing...and I own a real 92FS!!
Sorry, no experience with the Tristar.
 
I have Beretta 92FS Inox and CZ 75B Stainless (keepers) and had several of other variations of those guns. I think I had a Taurus 92 briefly but don't even remember shooting it lol and Norinco CZ copy but having areal thing I didn't care much for it. (I like Sig copies of Norinco a lot more!) People seem to like Girsan 92's, Id personally go with a Compact if I got one.

Whats your budget tho? if you can afford it get a real Beretta or CZ they can be found used on EE for a reasonable amount.
 
I have a NZ85 Norinco, great shooter, but I have shot the real deal. Trigger is no comparison the real one is 10 X better. But for the money, it is a great shooter, all steel/metal accurate as original. But if I could buy........save up and get the real deal. As for the girsan, way better to original Beretta, no problem with it at all, but again, for a couple bucks more, buy original. Just my 2 cents. Buy what you can afford........for now. Big grin....
 
I have a Girsan compact and find it's just as good as a Beretta. I installed the "D" spring and nothing else to bring it line with my other 2 real ones. Find it's accurate and a joy to shoot, as much as my Berettas.
 
Thanks all for the replies. Regarding the budget, well, guess it depends how long I want to wait. Hard not to just jump in on some buy's some of the business members put on sometimes to save up. I put a little bit each month in the "hobby pot" so would just have to wait longer for some options. :-( At the moment, I could likely pick up a new CZ 75B, not so for the Beretta. The Tristar and Girsan are two clones that I have found visually appealing and seem to get positive reviews but admit that I would likely prefer to own the originals in whatever versions.

Something fun to use at 35 yards, wife is going to get her RPAL too so something comfortable for her to use as well.
 
srgallan said:
Thanks all for the replies. Regarding the budget, well, guess it depends how long I want to wait. Hard not to just jump in on some buy's some of the business members put on sometimes to save up. I put a little bit each month in the "hobby pot" so would just have to wait longer for some options. :-( At the moment, I could likely pick up a new CZ 75B, not so for the Beretta. The Tristar and Girsan are two clones that I have found visually appealing and seem to get positive reviews but admit that I would likely prefer to own the originals in whatever versions.

Something fun to use at 35 yards, wife is going to get her RPAL too so something comfortable for her to use as well.
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You should let her try a CZ Shadow as well as it seems to fit smaller hands equally well and is very accurate if your looking at CZ
 
Ran the norinco clones....no-40 was a sweet copy...built like a tank and quite accurate...never handled the girsan, but I hear good things.....
 
I own a couple of Beretta's but have only handled the Girsan clones. I couldn't tell a difference between the two other than the name and finger grooves on the Girsan.
For straight up budgetary reasons I wouldn't hesitate with the Girsan, but if you're like me and just prefer to have the real deal than just save up a little more for a Beretta.
 
Norc 1911… for the price not bad.
Norc AR… much better than price would suggest.
Aside from that my collection all original equipment e.g., Beretta, Sig, Glock etc etc
 
I have no direct experience however another CZ clone to consider would be an IWI Baby Eagle/Jericho 941. Participating vendors here sell it.
 
I have had my Girsan for over 2 years, and not one problem. Love it.

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I would buy a Girsan if I wanted a Girsan. I wouldn't buy one if I wanted a Beretta - I would buy a Beretta.

I think it's a little bit like putting a Ferrari kit on a Fiero. Looks similar, but is not congruent and you are really only fooling yourself.

Girsan has its own merits, so don't try to justify owning it by first saying "well, it's just like a Beretta". That's like many of the Glock guys who apologize for owning a Glock before it's even out of the case.

It is simply a "Girsan" which is a great pistol...no excuses.

My $.02

RF
 
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Red Flyer said:
I would buy a Girsan if I wanted a Girsan. I wouldn't buy one if I wanted a Beretta - I would buy a Beretta.

I think it's a little bit like putting a Ferrari kit on a Fiero. Looks similar, but is not congruent and you are really only fooling yourself.

Girsan has its own merits, so don't try to justify owning it by first saying "well, it's just like a Beretta". That's like many of the Glock guys who apologize for owning a Glock before it's even out of the case.

It is simply a "Girsan" which is a great pistol...no excuses.

My $.02

RF
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I like original firearms not to say I would never buy a clone and some are really nice but not for me
 
Red Flyer said:
I would buy a Girsan if I wanted a Girsan. I wouldn't buy one if I wanted a Beretta - I would buy a Beretta.

I think it's a little bit like putting a Ferrari kit on a Fiero. Looks similar, but is not congruent and you are really only fooling yourself.

Girsan has its own merits, so don't try to justify owning it by first saying "well, it's just like a Beretta". That's like many of the Glock guys who apologize for owning a Glock before it's even out of the case.

It is simply a "Girsan" which is a great pistol...no excuses.

My $.02

RF
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Well, sir, I did want a Beretta, but at the time, 2.5 years ago, they were very scarce, specially the Inox, and when I got tired of not being able to find one, I settled for the Girsan, and have not regretted it. At least it is all metal, no plastic #### like Beretta is pawning off today. My $.10. More, because I actually own one, and am more qualified to make a statement as such. Lol.
 
I've shot the 92fs (mine) and the girsan side by side. It's not like "putting a farrari kit on a fiero" as was suggested earlier in this thread.

It doesn't say Beretta on the side, but function, fit, and finish was excellent. My trigger was MUCH better than the girsan, however I was running a D spring, wilson combat short reach trigger, and an elite2 hammer. The girsan trigger was probably slightly worse than a factory beretta IMHO.

The plastic parts on a Beretta don't actually impact its function. The trigger is metal wrapped in plastic or something. The guide rod is plastic, and I think the controls are plastic. I've never heard of any complaints other than just not liking plastic on the gun. I'm in that camp, I swapped out the plastic parts. Mostly with Wilson Combat parts.

Changing out the recoil spring for the D spring, the trigger for a WC short reach, and the hammer for an elite2 made it completely different. I have never felt a more perfect trigger on a handgun. I don't know what change had the most impact since I did them all at the same time, but it was a completely different shooting experience after. I bet all those parts fit on a girsan as well. I also removed the huge safety since it got in my way too much and I never actually use it. Went with a low profile, one side only safety. Doesn't stick out at all.

Anyway, I love my Beretta, but wouldn't turn up Nmy nose at a girsan at all. Lots of girsan owners will tell you they are actually better than a Beretta. I don't know about that, but in terms of value for your $, girsans pretty good!
 
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