I'll be the first detractor with an asterisk. I admit, earlier I drank the kool-aid as I couldn't find anyone that bad mouthed this gun. So I had some pretty high expectations when I went to the LGS and finally handled one for the first time this past weekend. I was heavily disappointed from a beginner's standpoint. As a first gun, I'd say no to the Girsan. Everything was stiff. The slide, slide lock, mag release, and especially the decocker. Yes, I know that after a few hundred rounds, things will loosen up. As a beginner, you definitely want something a bit more forgiving. Walther PPX and PPQ, rack the slide, release the mag, no problem - ended up choosing the PPX actually. Same goes for the M&P 9, and the Glock 17 & 34. The weight, balance, and grip of the Girsan also bothered me....again as a beginner. I'm sure I'll take some flack from actual owners, but the Girsan/Beretta is definitely not for me at this stage of my hobby.
So much love for the Girsan?
- Thread starter Phat Eagle
- Start date
I'll be the first detractor with an asterisk. I admit, earlier I drank the kool-aid as I couldn't find anyone that bad mouthed this gun. So I had some pretty high expectations when I went to the LGS and finally handled one for the first time this past weekend. I was heavily disappointed from a beginner's standpoint. As a first gun, I'd say no to the Girsan. Everything was stiff. The slide, slide lock, mag release, and especially the decocker. Yes, I know that after a few hundred rounds, things will loosen up. As a beginner, you definitely want something a bit more forgiving. Walther PPX and PPQ, rack the slide, release the mag, no problem - ended up choosing the PPX actually. Same goes for the M&P 9, and the Glock 17 & 34. The weight, balance, and grip of the Girsan also bothered me....again as a beginner. I'm sure I'll take some flack from actual owners, but the Girsan/Beretta is definitely not for me at this stage of my hobby.
The Beretta 92 and it's clones are bigger guns by any definition.
And beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Always liked the look. Damned ###y. Especially next to the 'Chubby Princess' that is the PPX.
PPX is a good shooter, in my experience. Balances well, good trigger, great value. Lots of fun to be had.
Don't get me wrong, I still like the Beretta 92 (and its clones), I just don't think it's a good starter gun. As far as looks, I actually like the look of the PPX and PPQ. The only thing I don't like are guns with threaded barrels because they are useless in this country. And yes, the PPX range kit is a better value than the Girsan. Comes with 3 mags, pistol holster, mag holster.
- Location
- chilliwack BC.
its tight when new because its a well fitted pistol. If its not tight when new, its gonna be a sloppy jalopy once its broken in.
As for polygonal rifling, mine at least is not. I have a poly rifled barrel in my SR9 and the one in the big Turk is not the same.
oh and as for the mag question, yes. Mec-Gar makes mags for Beretta and the ones that came with mine are IDENTICAL to the mec-gar ones except they say "made for Girsan" on them as well.
As for polygonal rifling, mine at least is not. I have a poly rifled barrel in my SR9 and the one in the big Turk is not the same.
oh and as for the mag question, yes. Mec-Gar makes mags for Beretta and the ones that came with mine are IDENTICAL to the mec-gar ones except they say "made for Girsan" on them as well.
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I shoot Ideal 121 gr cast, sized to .3575. I use range recycled lead and water drop to harden them. I have the reverse experience to you. My 2 CZ's show no leading and produce ragged hole groups at 20 yards with this bullet and sized diameter, my Girsan can keep them on the paper mostly at best with the identical load and serious leading. Jacketed loads group great in my Girsan. I have the same issue with my Kel Tec Sub 2000, it hates lead bullets where my Beretta CX-4 shoots ragged hole groups at 25 yards with the same bullet.
I cast my own 9mm as most commercial cast is .356 and does not work well in any of my 9's. The limitation to bullet diameter in a 9 is generally the chamber, the biggest bullet diameter wise that you can still chamber in my experience shoots the best. A little big is better than a little small for accuracy and keeping leading down.
Good reviews. Am thinking about still getting one. I really wanted one but on EE people where selling for 450. Ive seen used beretta for 550-600. In that case i felt i might aswell pay a little more and get a beretta. Than again I found amazing deal on inox 92FS. So I bought it. The gun only had 200 rounds. My favorite gun. Shoots great but comestics wise. My B!tch is a beauty
Some more info about the company: They are from Giresun Turkey, that is where the name comes from Giresun(city) Sanayi (roughly means workshop). About 50 clicks from where I was born. They are in the Black Sea region of Turkey, notorious for it's gun culture (they are like the Texas of Turkey, politically, culturally etc). Turkey use to ban the production of Guns, only the state owned company MKEK (notorious for production of terrible products), was allowed to make guns, they sold them for ridiculous high prices. People in the Black Sea region started workshops in cellars and basements making there own guns, often CZ, Browning Hi-Power, and Walther copies. The Turkish government than gave these companies permission to go legitimate, they all now produce really good products.
Girsan -> Giresun
Tisas -> Trabzon
Canik 55/Yurt Savunma Sanayi/Tristar -> Samsun/Canik (Turkish license plates are numbered by province according to the alphabet, Samsun is 55 i.e a Turkish plate from Samsun is "55 XX ###" one from Istanbul would be "34 XX ###"
Sarsilmaz - Bolu (this is also where the one of the Turkish Mountain Special Forces training facility/base is located).
All along the Black Sea.
Also generally: Girsan -> Beretta Copies (license acquired from Beretta), Tisas -> Walther P88 copy, Canik 55 -> CZ, Walther P99 copies, Sarsilmaz -> CZ copies
Girsan -> Giresun
Tisas -> Trabzon
Canik 55/Yurt Savunma Sanayi/Tristar -> Samsun/Canik (Turkish license plates are numbered by province according to the alphabet, Samsun is 55 i.e a Turkish plate from Samsun is "55 XX ###" one from Istanbul would be "34 XX ###"
Sarsilmaz - Bolu (this is also where the one of the Turkish Mountain Special Forces training facility/base is located).
All along the Black Sea.
Also generally: Girsan -> Beretta Copies (license acquired from Beretta), Tisas -> Walther P88 copy, Canik 55 -> CZ, Walther P99 copies, Sarsilmaz -> CZ copies
bilkathegerman
Regular
My only complaint was the trigger which was only 'OK'. I have since put a D mainspring (from brownells) and I polished all the interacting trigger parts and the trigger is now very decent.
The finish on the Girsan is amazing for the price.
The finish on the Girsan is amazing for the price.
In case people were looking for them, the Girsan 1911s are now in stock at several CGN suppliers.
I bought a bright white 1911 with rail and it is gorgeous. Here's the thread Girsan MC1911's, MC312 Shotguns and MCR40.
I bought a bright white 1911 with rail and it is gorgeous. Here's the thread Girsan MC1911's, MC312 Shotguns and MCR40.
