Posted: 3/19/2017 1:41:47 PM EDT
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So between the Beretta 92FS and the Smith & Wesson 5903 which do you prefer? and why?
Both are alloy frames. Both are very well built guns. 5903 is no longer produced. 5903 does have a removable front sight. Beretta has a fatter grip. Not a negative for me. Although the 5903 fells good in the hand. |
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I have both. Sort of, the Smith is a 5906.
I like them both. I've always had a Smith nine in the collection, I've gone thru a half a dozen or so over the years. My Beretta goes back to 1989. Accuracy probably goes to Beretta. Concealed carry favors the Smith, tho not by much. Neither are what I consider CCW rigs. Doable but there is better stuff for that purpose. Mags, leather, etc is a toss up. There's still a ton of Smith stuff out there. I've never had reliability issues with either platform. Triggers are more or less the same as is the operating drill. Beretta is a bit easier to field strip. Other than springs I haven't needed parts for either. |
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I much prefer the Beretta. Trigger is easier to improve, gun has fewer sharp edges, the reliability is exceptional, there are dozens of holsters and many aftermarket parts, magazines are as common as dirt and nearly as cheap, and they are still manufactured.
The one checkmark against the Beretta, for me, is that installing night sights isn't very easy since the front has to be pinned on. |
| Having owned a couple 5906's and several 92 series pistols, my choice is the 92FS. I found the 92 series to be more reliable, overall in comparison and parts are easy to find. However, I have been feeling an itch to get an older 5906 with adjustable sights to have in my collection again. |
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One important item no one has mentioned yet: accuracy!
The Beretta will shoot rings around the S&W. In fact, it's not even close. Before the kool-aid drinkers explode, I own a S&W Model 41, s22A and 52 in semi's. All are tack drivers, the 3rd Gen series, not so much. |
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I'd have to flip a coin. Both are quite serviceable Parts for the 92 are quite plentiful. Not so much for the 3rd Gen S&W autos anymore. Supposedly Smith sold all of its remaining stock of 3rd Gen parts to Numrich. |
| I vote 5903 for the nostalgia because my dad gave me his a long time ago. I also despised the Beretta, my first duty pistol. I had four guns in my first three years with my first agency, and when I went to my current agency 15 years ago we were issued Glock 19's. Been carrying Glocks since, and don't plan to carry anything else until retirement in 6 1/2 years. |
| I'd say 5903. But that's me. I loved the fourth gen Smiths (curved trigger guard, not the hook). It's a solid gun. Sights can be replaced easily. Tons of parts still out there. Be sure to get the grip replaced from the recall. I have several 92s, they are smooth and good shooters. They sucked in the sand. Fine sand that got everywhere. |
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While as much as I do hate the Beretta as an issue weapon, my civillian ones have been solid. My wife and I each have one so that we can practice with them before qualification time. I'm debating on sending mine to Wilson to get the upgrades. In my experience the pistols are accurate and reliable and reasonably durable. The fact that they have been around for over 30 years means there are a shit ton of holsters, magazines, spare parts etc...that are available on the used market for not much money. Since they are not the "plastic flavor of the month" the guns themselves are often available reasonably. When my son graduated from HS I sent an Inox 92FS off to Wilson and had considerable work done to it. You never have seen a bigger smile on a young mans face when I presented it to him! |
| The Beretta is a great gun but completely uncomfortable in my hand. The Smith is also a great gun and fits me well for a double stack. If used I'd buy the Smith. New of course, the Beretta is still in production. As to quality, they are both premium name brands neither is really a better weapon than the other. Buy what fits. |
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The Beretta is an excellent weapon that has suffered some dings to it's reputation through military service where some stupid decisions were made about magazines and ammo and it's maintenance was suspect. It has had some issues certainly but most of those have been remedied. Those issues were only discovered due to it's wide use in varied conditions- that is a GOOD THING. In my experience the pistols are accurate and reliable and reasonably durable. The fact that they have been around for over 30 years means there are a shit ton of holsters, magazines, spare parts etc...that are available on the used market for not much money. Since they are not the "plastic flavor of the month" the guns themselves are often available reasonably. When my son graduated from HS I sent an Inox 92FS off to Wilson and had considerable work done to it. You never have seen a bigger smile on a young mans face when I presented it to him! My two biggest complaints as a service weapon were maintenance and the location if the safety. I've never been issued an M9 from the arms room that doesn't rattle. This is from people stripping them down further then they are supposed to and armorers not knowing what they are doing on 20 level maintenance. Probably also some to do with how we do Depot level maintenance as well. With the safety I'm not a fan of a slide mounted safety. I have larger hands and it still is a bit of a reach for me. I would have preferred a frame mounted safety. Now my civillian ones have been perfect. Thounds of rounds and only one or two hiccups. Generally due to faulty magazines, probably when I trace it back they were ones that I got at work. I have had mine since 2001 and it looks like it came out of the box yesterday. My wife has had hers since 2010. While she has much less rounds through it it still is in great shape and it runs like a champ. |
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I much prefer the Beretta. Trigger is easier to improve, gun has fewer sharp edges, the reliability is exceptional, there are dozens of holsters and many aftermarket parts, magazines are as common as dirt and nearly as cheap, and they are still manufactured. The one checkmark against the Beretta, for me, is that installing night sights isn't very easy since the front has to be pinned on. The Beretta's 92fs and Inox series of pistols are almost as sweet as 3rd gen Smiths. But what they really have going for them over any 3rd gen now is that Beretta's are still being produced. |
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Don't get me wrong the M9/92 series are great guns. I have a love hate relationship with them. For what they are and for when they were introduced they were good weapons. My two biggest complaints as a service weapon were maintenance and the location if the safety. I've never been issued an M9 from the arms room that doesn't rattle. This is from people stripping them down further then they are supposed to and armorers not knowing what they are doing on 20 level maintenance. Probably also some to do with how we do Depot level maintenance as well. With the safety I'm not a fan of a slide mounted safety. I have larger hands and it still is a bit of a reach for me. I would have preferred a frame mounted safety. Now my civillian ones have been perfect. Thounds of rounds and only one or two hiccups. Generally due to faulty magazines, probably when I trace it back they were ones that I got at work. I have had mine since 2001 and it looks like it came out of the box yesterday. My wife has had hers since 2010. While she has much less rounds through it it still is in great shape and it runs like a champ. I have a huge pile of spare parts that I have accumulated- barrels, hammers, firing pins, locking blocks etc....I have bought up a few hundred magazines over the years- for a very long time you could buy used, decent condition Beretta mags off the EE for 6-8$....Plenty of good holsters too.....I'll be shooting my Berettas for a long time into the future....Funny thing, they aren't even my "go to" pistol but I like them quite a bit. |
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Third gen Smith over the 92FS which is a way to big for what it is, a 15 shot 9 mm. It's a pig. * * * However, in choosing between the 92FS and the Smith, you have to factor-in parts availability (or lack thereof) for the Smith and where to get it fixed if a critical part goes t.u. on it. |