View Full Version : Went to buy a 92FS and ended up with a 75B
I thought I would share this story with you all.
I was in one of my local gun shops over the weekend with my son and checked out a Beretta 92FS. It looked sexy, it was made in Italy, and the price was fairly reasonable. I thought about it for a couple of days, did a little research, and decided I needed to have it (I certainly didn't need it). I made a couple of calls and found a better price at another store and off I went. Now this shop has all kinds of hardware and after looking at the 92FS and the M9 I started looking at other hand guns. Next thing you know, I am comparing the 92FS against a CZ 75B. I want to buy my first gun from Italy, but I keep going back to the Czech Repubulic. The CZ just felt way better in my hand, felt more balanced, can be carried cocked and locked, has a great reputation, and was almost $100 cheaper.
I have only had a chance to fire 100 rounds through it but it is amazingly accurate right out of the box. The trigger feels great in SA mode and it is soooo comfortable in my hand. I am now the proud owner of a CZ 75B. Perhaps I will look at Berettas next :)
Good choice. I'd go with the CZ over a Beretta any day.
Reagans Rascals
04-20-11, 13:19
I have an American Made 92FS. Its an all around great beater gun, very reliable. I bought it used and beat up, with 6 clips for $450. It hadn't been cleaned in a while as far as I could tell. I fired it up and haven't had a single malfunction yet that I didn't create on purpose for training.
The only thing I don't like was the factory supplied plastic guide rod. I plan on replacing it was a steel rod. But even though its plastic, I still have never had a problem.
I have heard problems with the 92FS when running +p ammo for extended periods of time. The barrels had a tendency to crack or explode. DEVGRU went through a trial with them and even coined the moniker "You're not a Navy SEAL until you've tasted Italian Steel." But I've never experienced any thing like this.
I am very fond of DA/SA guns. And one thing I discovered after purchasing the 92FS that I really like is the ability to slam charge the weapon. When I insert a new mag for a tactical reload and hit it in a 45 degree palm strike it will release the slide, eliminating a power stroke. For the money it's been the best purchase I've made so far. I don't have any experience with CZ firearms but my old flight instructor carried a 75B and wouldn't shut up about it, so either way I think you made a wise purchase.
Reagans Rascals
04-20-11, 13:24
Good choice. I'd go with the CZ over a Beretta any day.
Beretta is the oldest industrial dynasty in the world... I don't see a single thing wrong with them.. and obviously they have been doing pretty well since 1526.... so I don't see any basis for this statement... imo
Beretta is the oldest industrial dynasty in the world... I don't see a single thing wrong with them.. and obviously they have been doing pretty well since 1526.... so I don't see any basis for this statement... imo
I'm not saying anything bad about the company. I meant, I would chose the CZ75 over the Beretta 92.
CrazyFingers
04-20-11, 13:35
I have heard problems with the 92FS when running +p ammo for extended periods of time. The barrels had a tendency to crack or explode. DEVGRU went through a trial with them and even coined the moniker "You're not a Navy SEAL until you've tasted Italian Steel."
Not true of the 92FS.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beretta_92#U.S._Military_use
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M9_pistol#Controversy
DiabhailGadhar
04-20-11, 13:44
I have heard problems with the 92FS when running +p ammo for extended periods of time. The barrels had a tendency to crack or explode. DEVGRU went through a trial with them and even coined the moniker "You're not a Navy SEAL until you've tasted Italian Steel." But I've never experienced any thing like this.
To my knowledge..limited...it was a slide issue and they replaced them with the heavier ones before the trials were over...
"Prior to its widespread adoption by the U.S. military, questions were raised in a 1987 General Accounting Office report after an incident where a slide failure on a Beretta 92SB injured a Naval Special Warfare member,[7] and two more failures were later observed in additional testing. These failures included both military and civilian Beretta models with very high round counts, and after investigation they were deemed the result of ammunition supplied by the U.S. Army which exceeded the recommended pressures specified by NATO but nonetheless provoked a modification in the M9 design to prevent slide failure from causing injuries."
DiabhailGadhar
04-20-11, 13:46
Not true of the 92FS.
Beat me to it...lol. I have a 92 Vertec and I beat the crap out of it...ol trusty...:D
I found a couple of articles (post purchase) that helped reinforce my decision to purchase the CZ (I often do my best research after the purchase, lol). However, the comparison article says nothing bad about the 92 FS. Clearly they are both tried and true hand guns.
http://www.gunblast.com/CZ-75.htm
http://www.gunweek.com/2002/feature0110.html
Reagans Rascals
04-20-11, 13:48
Not true of the 92FS.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beretta_92#U.S._Military_use
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M9_pistol#Controversy
Read any book by a former DEVGRU plank owner - Chuck Pfarrer, Dennis Chalker, etc. and they will tell you the same. They also tell you why the operators began calling it the 92"FS" before Beretta made that designation. Also, I don't rely on wikipedia as the stone cold truth, considering I lived next to Mr. Rogue Warrior myself for 4 years.
"According to numerous accounts from founding members, the first US military unit to field the Beretta 92 was SEAL Team Six, however due to the extensive use of the pistol by SEAL Team Six (3000-5000 rounds per week, per operator), problems that were later evident with other US military users became apparent as slides started breaking and being flung back towards the shooter (reportedly due to use of over-pressure ammunition as described above)."
I do apologize. I misspoke and said barrels. But yes, you are correct, it was the slides. However, I wasn't pointing out a flaw in the weapon as being bad. Just trying to pass on what I have learned in the past. I am sure if the CZ75 were fired 3-5k rounds of +p ammo a week for an extended training package it would have some type of failure as well.
DiabhailGadhar
04-20-11, 14:03
Read any book by a former DEVGRU plank owner - Chuck Pfarrer, Dennis Chalker, etc. and they will tell you the same. They also tell you why the operators began calling it the 92"FS" before Beretta made that designation. Also, I don't rely on wikipedia as the stone cold truth, considering I lived next to Mr. Rogue Warrior myself for 4 years.
"According to numerous accounts from founding members, the first US military unit to field the Beretta 92 was SEAL Team Six, however due to the extensive use of the pistol by SEAL Team Six (3000-5000 rounds per week, per operator), problems that were later evident with other US military users became apparent as slides started breaking and being flung back towards the shooter (reportedly due to use of over-pressure ammunition as described above)."
I do apologize. I misspoke and said barrels. But yes, you are correct, it was the slides. However, I wasn't pointing out a flaw in the weapon as being bad. Just trying to pass on what I have learned in the past. I am sure if the CZ75 were fired 3-5k rounds of +p ammo a week for an extended training package it would have some type of failure as well.
Never said you were...;)
Pistol Shooter
04-20-11, 17:17
I thought I would share this story with you all.
The CZ just felt way better in my hand, felt more balanced, can be carried cocked and locked, has a great reputation, and was almost $100 cheaper.
Perhaps I will look at Berettas next :)
I know how you will answer this question but I have to ask it anyway. :D
If the Beretta had been $100.00 "cheaper" would you still have bought the CZ?
I love my Beretta 92. It's an Inox but I wish it was an Italian gun. Some day maybe I'll fine the perfect Italian 92FS Stainless. In the meanwhile enjoy your CZ. I never liked them much but a lot of people do.
I have carried both the CZ 75 and the M9 in the military and as a contractor in Iraq. Both are fine firearms, ether will serve you well.
Pistol Shooter:
Price was not the determining factor. I went into the store very prepared to spend the money on the 92FS. I really wanted the Beretta and may pick one up one of these days (everyone needs at least one Italian gun, right?). The biggest issue for me was the grip feel. The CZ just melted in my hand. The Beretta felt a bit big and cluncky. I have fairly small hands. I am sure the Beretta feels better in larger hands.
Here's another article on the 75B:
http://www.gunweek.com/2006/feature0501.html
What I wonder is why , sexy or made in Italy, had been a consideration when buying a handgun. If the use of the pistol is for protection than functionalty is primary. If your purchase is a fun gun than buy anything.
sjc3081:
I did note that I did not need to purchase another hand gun. I have more than I need. So I guess I have moved past the need factor and on to the fun factor. Not necessarily a bad thing. My guess is there are a few folks on this forum that have more guns than they need. :)
With that said, every purchase counts. I try to purchase quality guns that I will enjoy shooting and will hold their value.
And, yet, the Teams still bought the 226.
To my knowledge..limited...it was a slide issue and they replaced them with the heavier ones before the trials were over...
"Prior to its widespread adoption by the U.S. military, questions were raised in a 1987 General Accounting Office report after an incident where a slide failure on a Beretta 92SB injured a Naval Special Warfare member,[7] and two more failures were later observed in additional testing. These failures included both military and civilian Beretta models with very high round counts, and after investigation they were deemed the result of ammunition supplied by the U.S. Army which exceeded the recommended pressures specified by NATO but nonetheless provoked a modification in the M9 design to prevent slide failure from causing injuries."
At one time I had:
BHP x2
G17
G19
P226
USP9
CZ75
PT99
24/7
In 2009 I sold all but two, a BHP and the SIG P226. The last pistol I sold was the CZ75B which I bought in OCT 2002 for $369 OTD. I really like the CZs, but I hadn't shot it in a few years and it was time to go. I did kill a jackrabbit at 96 meters with it from the prone.
Pistol Shooter
04-21-11, 10:12
Pistol Shooter:
Price was not the determining factor. I went into the store very prepared to spend the money on the 92FS. I really wanted the Beretta and may pick one up one of these days (everyone needs at least one Italian gun, right?). The biggest issue for me was the grip feel. The CZ just melted in my hand. The Beretta felt a bit big and cluncky. I have fairly small hands. I am sure the Beretta feels better in larger hands.
Here's another article on the 75B:
http://www.gunweek.com/2006/feature0501.html
Understood. :)
CZ has a very good reputation, give us a range report when you can.
Congratulations on your new pistol!
If you like the -75B, do yourself a favor and steer clear of the P01. If you put your mitts on it, you will be hopelessly addicted!:cool:
Love me some cz's! I have yet to find ammo that doesn't run in my 75b or 82.
DiabhailGadhar
04-21-11, 14:52
And, yet, the Teams still bought the 226.
I have a Beretta 92 Vertec and a Sig P220...I dont blame 'em. However, just like the rest of the world funding does become an issue...SOCOM tends to end up with a bit more cash per person..go figure...:rolleyes:
I have eight beretta 92 variants. I love the platform, personally. As some here know, I use one as a daily carry gun.
I personally am not worried about something almost twenty five years ago. Any time someone talks about a Beretta 92, people gotta bring up the ol' slide baking deal from the 1980s... Lots of guns have some issues when they first come out. This isn't happening to Berettas any more, and has not for a long time...
He'll, I remember hearing of a lot of Sigs having cracked frames in the 1980s... Funny how people forget that...
Anyway, congrats on the new CZ!
No go back and get that Beretta too!
Me also. Never been into Beretta's. Col. Jeff Cooper sure liked the CZ-75B. Congrats OP a superb gun. P-01 next??
http://best9mm.com/
http://www.cz-usa.com/press-releases/102/
Good choice. I'd go with the CZ over a Beretta any day.
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