Beretta Brig 96D State Police Issued Range Report

[JohnUSCG]

Ok...I had been hankering for one of these for quite awhile and finally found one at a great price and in good overall condition. (I will post pics as soon as I can)
I already have a PSP issued 96D but it was one of their earlier issued guns and was not a Brigadier but was NP3'd (Nickel/Teflon coated).
My first reaction is that this is a BIG gun. I could never CCW with this for the simple reason that it is just one honkin' big gun. I don't have to worry about running out of ammo, I can just bludgen my attacker with the thing. On the good side, it is a big gun so recoil is very smooth. Did several drills with it and found it to be an extremely accurate and reliable gun. (Never expected anything else from a Beretta)
Overall, I like the gun very much. Nice little collector piece and shoots very well. The D models are always nice because it has nice even DA trigger pull each and every time.
Thought I would share my range time with everyone.

John

[aryfrosty]

I suggest you look for a 96D "Centurion". Our department issued those and I liked mine a lot. It has the standard sized grip frame with a slightly shorter slide and barrel and carries very well concealed. Like you I was happy with the trigger.

[brian]

how is it marked to denote PSP issue?

[JohnUSCG]

PSP Trooper logo on left side of the frame as well as the serial number denotes a special run for issued guns.

aryfrosty - I like the centurion...the shorter slide is much better for CCW, but still a large gun, overall. I have a few centurions and compacts and even though I am a true Beretta guy at heart....I have no idea how they could call those guns 'compact'. I enjoy them but only carry them on occasion.

[aryfrosty]

John, I'm in full agreement about the bulkiness of the Berettas. We had a choice of the 96D and a SIG 229 and both were not made to be easily concealable. On the other hand I have a "little" Kahr 9mm which weighs more than either. When I found the S&W 625-10 with an alloy frame I found a keeper.

[synergy]

If I were to carry a Beretta, it'd be with that D trigger package...no manual safety/ decocker to forget/ interfere with slide manipulations.

They're not bad guns. Just keep 'em well oiled.

[JohnUSCG]

If I were to carry a Beretta, it'd be with that D trigger package...no manual safety/ decocker to forget/ interfere with slide manipulations.

They're not bad guns. Just keep 'em well oiled.

D models are real nice. I have taken several of my non D models and installed a D spring on them just because I like the even and smooth trigger pull.
I suppose it is just a matter of preference....When I was initially trained on the Beretta in the CG, it was policy to carry the gun in the holster on safe and you practiced and were trained that as you drew your weapon from the holster, your thumb naturally pushed up on the safety and disengaged it as you came on target. I defnitly agree that it is just one more thing to hav to think about and deal with when in a stressful situation, but that was my training and it never really bothered me. I had buddies then in the police academy that just simply could not have a gun with a manual safety because they just could not overcome their 'one more thing to do' feelings when drawing.
Very happy with the PSP gun. I think that most of the troopers I speak with and know personally, liked it as well....but they definitly felt it was time for a change. I don't think I have an opinion yet whether .45GAP is a superior performer to .40S&W or not. I haven't read enough about the GAP round to know.

[brian]

side track:

could you post a pic or two of the logo?

[JohnUSCG]

Here are some nice pic's of one in another thread. These are much better than any pic's I am capable of taking...


http://www.pafoa.org/forum/gun-pictu...0-caliber.html

[Chazman321]

I love mine...


Chaz10charactersman321