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Beretta 87 ---> Beretta 92FS ---> M9?
As the title (hopefully) suggested I am looking for a natural progression to the Beretta M9.
My ROTC unit will be sponsoring cadets in an event next year where marksmanship, and familiarity with the M9 is key. (Plus this is the handgun I will have to qualify with when I commission.)
Naturally the 92FS is the logical choice as far as a civilian counterpart to train with. However, as I will be a first time gun owner, I wanted to start with something smaller, and cheaper to fire.
Is the Beretta 87 (not necessarily the 87 Target) a good choice for someone intending to move on to the 92FS and then the M9?
Aside from the training bit, are both the 87 and the 92FS solid handguns that I will not regret purchasing? How are they price wise?
Not quite as important (as I'll have to use the M9 anyway) but I have smaller hands for a guy. How is the grip on the 92FS? A good size? Or, large by 9mm standards?
Any insight you gun guru's can shed would be incredibly helpful. If it looks like I'm on the wrong train of thought here, please feel free to step in and correct me.
Thanks in advance.
Thanks for the quick response.
I do realize that the 92 and the M9 are virtually same gun (thus why I chose the 92)
I'm more concerned about the competition, and less about how much I'll fire the M9 once I'm in.
Having fired pistols, I'm afraid that I can't agree with you as far as firing handguns being a blanket skill. EVERY single handgun I have ever fired, I have needed to do something different to get an accurate sight picture. Handguns have different barrel to grip angles, weight, trigger pull action (as you mentioned) and all of these will go a long way towards botching up your grouping in a competition if you are not already familiar with that weapon system.
I would say firing a rifle or a shotgun is more of a blanket skill then firing a handgun.
4 Answers
- ?Lv 61 decade agoFavourite answer
You realize of course the 92FS IS the M9 under a different name, right? Additionally, as an officer I've only fired the M9 once in the two years I've been in, and that was not for qualification.
Personally I didn't like firing it at all. I feel there are many better pistols out there than the M9 (so far every other pistol I've ever fired I've liked better than the M9). The grip seems rather large for a pistol (I have medium hands so if yours are small you may have problems) and the initial trigger pull is way too heavy, even if it does take less every shot after that (12lb pull for the first shot, then 5.5lbs for subsequent shots). Those are my biggest complaints about it.
Firing a pistol well is more a blanket skill than a weapon specific skill. Try stopping by your local gun shop and try holding several different pistols in your hands. That'll be a huge help in deciding what you like. If you're going to buy a weapon you should make sure it's one you're going to have fun with. No reason to spend money on a pistol you hate. Good luck with your competition
Source(s): Army ROTC grad Springfield XD(M) and Walther PPS owner - RosaLv 45 years ago
I carried the Beretta 85 (380) as my personal protection for nearly 10 years. It is my favorite gun of all times-and I have quiet a few. The grip will be very similar to, but smaller than the 92. The safety on the M9/92 will be up on the slide instead of lower on the frame. If you are younger and your hand is still growing-an 84 or 85 may fit you good. But when you switch to the 92, the safety being slightly different may cause a little confusion initially. Why not just go into a gun store and handle a 92. Then you will know.
- 1 decade ago
Yeah there is no need to practice with a M9 or its civilian model. A pistol is a pistol. My 1911 has almost the exact same qualities as my USP. The only difference is single action vs double action.
I would suggest against owning a M9 or a 92. Just me but I don't like 9mm and believe that the safety shouldn't be on the slide. If you do want a small (9mm is small) round then go to a gun store and try a few out. Lots of quality ones out there! See what fits in your hand and what you like the feel of. Don't get too wrapped up on if it translates into your pistol qual. It will. The fundamentals of shooting are fundamental for ALL shooting. If you are too concerned just make sure it is a double action.
The pistol qual is a joke. I haven't even seen someone not get expert. The kick is almost nothing (that is why they phased out the .45 Too rough for some) and the sights are easy to line up in a hurry. The night shooting can be tricky because there are no night sights on them (or atleast on mine) but even there it is all short range.
Source(s): Army Medic and gun owner (currently in Iraq)
