Beretta 92FS or Beretta 96FS

Question

Which would you take the 92FS or the 96FS if given a choice? is the reliability of one over the other different. I live in a less restricted state w/o magazine restrictions.

Can you give 2 different assessments? one based on reliability and one based on all the factors.

Answer 1

They are both nice.  If I had to pick though, I would choose the 92FS.  The only reason is that I plink a lot and 9mm generally reloads longer and better than 40 S&W.  40 S&W is a bit higher pressure and has thinner brass just past the casehead.  If you don't reload it doesn't matter.  

Answer 2

Both are fine handguns.  If I had to choose, I would go with the 92 FS.  Good enough for the military, good enough for me.  People will tell you about the stopping power of the 9mm.  It all depends on where the assailant is hit and how often.  You put enough 9mm +P hollow points in somebody, they will go down.  

Answer 3

Neither... I use Springfield Armory XD 45s.....

The 92 is a 9 mm and over and over the 9mm has been proven not to be a good stopper round.   Hence the famous double tap.

The 96 is 40 caliber....Better at stopping but still not up to the proven stopping power of the 45 ACP.  

And contrary to the comment above,  the magazine capacity limit by the feds ended with the fall of the Assault Weapon Ban,  so it is the state law you have to worry about.   Stay out of California SSR and you can have as big of a magazine as you want.  

I go for a proven stopper,  a round you can find anywhere and one that does not cost a fortune.   Compare the prices of 40 vs 45 and you may start to come round.

Answer 4

Well, you are really choosing between a 9MM and 40S&W, the guns are basically the same. The reliability of both guns are known to be very good. As long as you maintain them. Sorry, DavidL, you are wrong. Mag restrictions went away with the gun ban. The 92FS is sold with one 15rd mag. and the 96FS comes with a 11rd mag. Beretta also offers a 20rd mag. for the 92FS, but it will work in the 96FS. But only holds 14rds. So either way you go, you can't go wrong. Good Luck and enjoy!!

Answer 5

Either one is acceptable according to your needs. Beretta does not make junk and is in fact a very good firearm. Magazine capacity is not a state regulated requirement, it is a federally mandated regulation. No more than a 10  round magazine.