Range Report: Beretta 96 Vertec

calgaryshooter

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Calgary, AB
Finally took my birthday present out to the range today. First time firing it so I was interested to see how it would shoot. I must say the stock single action pull is pretty heavy and I'm going to look at doing the D-spring switch to fix that. I shot 3 different kinds of ammo: 165g Winchester white box, 155g Hornady TAP and 185g Hornady TAP. My gun seemed to like the 165g more than anything and the 155g was consistantly low and left. Has anyone else had similar experiences ammo-wise with your 96? Curious to see if it's the gun or just me.

All in all a fun time at the range which only reminds me further that I need to get a membership and stop this day pass business!
 
Low and left is a sign of a flinch(for a right handed shooter). Seeing as how you didn't indicate such results with the other ammo I am a bit puzzled. Perhaps the other ammo was a little "smoother" in cycling and recoil than the 155?

CF
 
I'll try and take some pictures tomorrow with the digital (need to charge the batteries). It probably is a mental issue rather than an equipment issue. I did notice that for awhile I had a real death grip going but the placement seemed to get better once I relaxed a little bit.

Seeing as I'm REALLY new to target shooting, can there also be a noticeable impact as to where your finger is on the trigger? I had to shift mine around a bit to find a comfortable place as the Vertec requires you to pull the trigger right to the back to get it to fire.
 
I installed a "D" spring and a standard 92/96 trigger into my 96 Vertec. It completely transforms the pistol. The trigger pull is lighter, and the hammer drops "sooner"...IOW, you don't have to pull the trigger right back to the rear of the trigger guard before the hammer drops. My pistol likes 180gr bullets over a whiff of Titegroup (4.0gr). Absolute tack-driver.
 
Did you find your trigger mods difficult to do? I've seen a couple step-by-steps over at the Beretta forums but as this is my first (and so far only!) handgun, I'm a little wary of trying something like that myself.
 
Calgaryshooter,
Yes finger placement on the trigger can and will affect how you shoot. For a traditional double action such as yours, you should be using a spot just ahead of the bend in your first knuckle. Ideally this is supposed to produce the most positive pull on the trigger. I however don't shoot a TDA pistol and place my finger about mid way down the first pad. This might work for you as well depending on the size of your hands. Which ever way you use make sure you keep it consistant once you've found what works for you.

CF
 
cannonfodder,

Thanks for the advice. Like I said, I'm really new to pistol shooting so I want to make sure I don't develop any really bad habits early on. I did that with golf and it's cost me HUNDREDS in lessons just to straighten it out.
 
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