First hand gun- Beretta 92 vs. Girsan Regard

thebutcher

thebutcher

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Hey guys.

I’ve always wanted a Beratta 92 (FS stainless, without the rail) for as long as I can remember.
Looking into them further recently and I’ve come across the Girsan Regard.
All the stats seem to compare almost identically, and looks wise, again, almost identical. Price is definitely easier to swallow on the Girsan, but I wanted to hear from those who have owned or handled both.

What are your thoughts as far as handling, comfort, quality comparison, etc. Also, how much of each gun is metal (of any kind) and how much is plastic/polymer (parts).
If I read right, Girsan is a Turkish brand and the Turkish brands seem quite popular and well made.

I’m partial To the Beretta for the name and history. I also adhere to a “buy once, cry once policy when spending the money on things but wanted to know others thoughts.

Experiences and opinions wanted.
 
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heliace said:
You can buy 2 Girsan for the price of a Beretta and the fit and finish of my Girsan compact is great.
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That’s what I’m struggling with.
The gun I’ve always wanted, but half the price. Though I’ve always been a fan of the stainless finish on the Beretta, I’m not a fan of the shiny polished stainless finish on the Girsan. Unless I’m going for the bling version.

Heck, maybe I should just buy both.
 
I had the Girsan as my first hand gun back in the day. Nothing bad to say about it. The action was silky smooth and it was 100% reliable. Fit and finish was fantastic. Sold it because I wanted money for a different purchase but I kind of regret selling it. I have never used the Beretta so I cannot comment.
 
thebutcher said:
That’s what I’m struggling with.
The gun I’ve always wanted, but half the price. Though I’ve always been a fan of the stainless finish on the Beretta, I’m not a fan of the shiny polished stainless finish on the Girsan. Unless I’m going for the bling version.

Heck, maybe I should just buy both.
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If you have your heart set on the Beretta, save up and get the Beretta. The right choice is the one that puts a biggest smile on your face.
 
Go for the Beretta. You've laid out your considerations well, and based on that - i.e. partial to beretta, buy once cry once - I think you'll regret not getting the beretta. A couple on EE now for 900 or so if that make a difference. Some of the Girsan clones are probably better than others, and maybe their beretta clone is one of them, but the gunsmith i use says he sees a disproportionate number of that brand coming in for repair.
 
gdawg said:
Go for the Beretta. You've laid out your considerations well, and based on that - i.e. partial to beretta, buy once cry once - I think you'll regret not getting the beretta. A couple on EE now for 900 or so if that make a difference. Some of the Girsan clones are probably better than others, and maybe their beretta clone is one of them, but the gunsmith i use says he sees a disproportionate number of that brand coming in for repair.
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I suppose you are correct. Reading how you wrote my points of interests puts it into perspective. When all is said and done, if the only thing that stopped me was a couple hundred dollars, you’re probably right, I’d be disappointed.

I passed up a good deal the other day on the very Beretta model I wanted with 3 mags for $800.
Kicking myself now, but I’ll keep watching.
 
Second question,

How does the beretta differ between a full sized model and the compact model?
I know the barrel is shorter, but does that mean everything, grip width, trigger distance from grip, length or grip is smaller as well, or did they just shorten the barrel slightly?
 
If you want a Beretta, buy the Beretta; a true classic. I wanted one; got to shoot a few, and quickly I realized that as nice as they are; CZ has a better trigger; less takeup in D/A, in S/A, much lighter and smoother.

I never did get the Beretta I thought I wanted.
 
Girsan is a 92F clone with a finger groove grip, it's pretty well made, no plastic on it, metal trigger/guide rod/safety, finish is some kind of guncote paint on the blued looking versions, stainless are in the white.
I've seen them as low as $400, they are a good buy.
 
I have had a Beretta 92f/s, a Beretta 92X Centurion and a Girsan Regard Y16 compact. While the Girsan is a very well made pistol and most likely out last you, it is not a Beretta. The difference is a few hundred dollars, and it would be worth it. I originally bought the 92FS, fired it a bunch then traded it and regretted it so I bought a Girsan, I enjoyed it but realized I wanted a true Beretta so I ended up selling the Girsan and saving and waiting for the Beretta I wanted. Trust me, its worth the extra $$$.
 
" I’ve always wanted a Beretta 92 (FS stainless, without the rail) for as long as I can remember. "

I think that you have answered your own question . If you have always wished for a Beretta , then that is what you should get . A knock off may be cheaper , but it is not a Beretta .
 
I used to have both, a Beretta 92x (yes, Tennessee made) and a railed Girsan Regard. If you care about fit & finish, Regard is far more superior. Otherwise, these are pretty much identical pistols. Maybe 92X has a slightly better trigger, but it's always tunable by swapping few springs and polish here there. The Vertec grip from 92x is slim and comfortable, by contrast, I guess lots of people dislike the finger grooves on the Regard (I personally feel they fit my hands very well). I can't tell the difference of reliability and durability between these 2 with my limited mileage. Ended up sold my 92x (mainly because half of the price), I think I'll regret someday.
 
Meroh said:
If you want a Beretta, buy the Beretta; a true classic. I wanted one; got to shoot a few, and quickly I realized that as nice as they are; CZ has a better trigger; less takeup in D/A, in S/A, much lighter and smoother.

I never did get the Beretta I thought I wanted.
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Loved the look and feel of my Inox Beretta but this was my only complaint. That long first pull drove me bananas.
 
I've had both and I think in the end I preferred the Girsan. But I had the Berretta much longer so put way more rounds through it and it was certainly very durable. I doubt the Girsan was any less durable but didn't have it as long.

Both offer a similar shooting experience, so it comes down to if you want to spend the extra money for a Beretta because you want a Beretta!
 
I've handled a lot of the Girsans when North Sylva was still doing their dealer shows, and it's always fun chatting up the Girsan girl. Still, I got myself a Beretta 92FS blued. That, with an M*Carbo spring kit in it is just amazing. D/A pull down to just under 7.0 pounds and S/A pull down to around just under 3.0. I can't remember if I'm on the lightest spring or the middle spring, but I'm happy with it and it sets off all the primers, even CCI and Ginex.
 
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