Beretta 96

[J-Dog]

Any of you gun slingers use the Beretta 96 (.40 cal) as your duty weapon? Our agency issues them and we've had them for nearly 10 years now. Any problems noted or data collected? We would like to go to the Glock 22c or similar. Throw your thoughts my way and if your dept. has complied data I'd like to get a copy.

Thanks.
Joe

[Augie]

I work for INS and the 96D is our issued Duty weapon. INS bought 18,000 of them. The .40 is a very nice round (IMHO). As for the weapon itself I'm on My second one in less than four years. I know of about eight other offciers/Agents that have had to have parts replaced. lot of our agents complain that it is too big. (I'm one of them). That's why we can also carry the Sig 229 and soon the HK compact.40

[Sharky]

J-dog, My agency, USBP (INS), issues the Beretta 96D DAO Brigadier. I think it is a piece of crap. We have had problems with slides cracking and also have to replace recoil springs way too often. If I had a choice I would carry the HK USP .40 variant 1 but that's just my opinion. You know what those are like.

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F.I.D.O.

[J-Dog]

Sounds like the problems we're having are universal. The Beretta is falling apart and because the "admin." likes them we have to pay the price. I've had mine into the gunsmith twice in 12 months.

Thanks for the replies.......

jw

[HmtPD2]

I carried the Glock 22 for several years. Great weapon. Also carries a lot of rounds which is good if you are one of those "rural" deputies. I shot thousands of rounds out of it and did not have a single jam or complaint.
I now carry the Sig 220 .45cal. Also great. Why the change.....our Dept SWAT carries the 220. So I switched to that full time.
FYI....Sig also has 8 rnd mags now for the 220. which allows for 9 total.

[Erick]

We've got a few guys carrying them - so far, so good. They are the issue pistol at San Francisco PD. Contact their range staff, they might be of assistance. FYI though - they also issue the Beretta 1201FP shotgun, so they may be very tight with Beretta.

[Sharky]

We got a big hoopla speech about the testing that INS did to select our new sidearm and they said on the video that NOTHING came close to the Beretta in every single test. The inside scoop that I got from someone who would know said that NOTHING came close because Beretta was chosen before the testing ever began. These guys must think we never did any shooting until we got to FLETC and that we know nothing about firearms in general. It's an insult to our intelligence. Give me my USP ANYDAY over a Beretta. SIG would be a great choice too.
Hey Augie, are you by chance in New York?

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F.I.D.O.

[NMBR5ML]

Sharky- Is it possible to use any other sidearm in the Border Patrol? Also, I'm curious if Patrol Agents are ever issued any kind of shoulder weapons. Just curious--I'm considering applying. Thanks.

[Augie]

Ya, But hopefully Not for too much longer. This dist. Sucks!
Sharky what Sector are you in?

[Augie]

Sharky, I heard the firearms supervisor that recommended the 96D, got a job with Bereta as supervisor in sales and contracts.
(Go Figure)
I also Heard We may not be getting the USP .40 after all have you heard anything?

NMBR5ML the B.P. and all INS officers/agents are issued the 96D (DAO). The SIG P229 (DAO)was an optinal weapon to buy your self. The HK USP is a Big question right now.

The Rem. 870 pump shotgun modified by Scatter Gun Tech./Wilson Coombat is standard. A Very nice weapon. The AR-15, M-16 are used in alot of sectors but not All.
Augie

[NMBR5ML]

Augie- Thanks for the info. BTW I own a USP .45.... It is nice; accurate and reliable. But the DA trigger pull is a little harsh... Don't know if I'd want one DA-only. The DA pull on Sigs and Berettas is much nicer.

[Sharky]

NMBR5M, Don't know about that guy getting a job with Beretta but wouldn't doubt it for a minute. Lotta politics involved with that deal. As for the DA trigger pull on the HK, the INS is having a version made specifically for INS that has a lighter smoother DA pull supposed to be somewhere in the neighborhood of 8 lbs. We'll see.

As for our weapons. Like Augie said:
Beretta 96D .40 (issue)
SIG P229 DAO (optional at your own expense)
Scattergun Technologies model BP1 12 gauge
Colt M-4
M-16A1
Shotguns and rifles are available to all agents anytime they are on duty and want to carry one. Mostly it will depend on the area you will be working that particular day as to whether or not most agents will grab their longarms. I normally take an M-4 out with me as I believe it is better to have and not need than to need and not have.

Augie, I just came back from working at Sector ASU and the word was that they would be getting the first HK's any day now. Who knows? Count your blessings. You could be here with me in El Paso Sector. Wanna trade?


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F.I.D.O.

[Augie]

Sharky trade...I Don't think so. My very short time On or Near the Border was more than I wanted.

ASU isn't Bad. It beats Standing or Sitting on X. Or being a clerk with a gun. (Which is what I almost am any more.)

What I heard is the BP and INV. ASU will get the USP. No one else. Could be wrong, Who knows, is right.
Be Safe



[This message has been edited by Augie (edited 10-28-2000).]

[Linus]

Quickly, everybody!

They're handing out abbreviations for free here! http://www.specialoperations.com/ubboard/tongue.gif

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Honestas supra omnis

[This message has been edited by Linus (edited 10-26-2000).]

[NMBR5ML]

Augie, Sharky--Thanks for the replies. I have the phys. exam and interview next week.

[Sharky]

Good luck. As for the interview,(It's a bitch) 4 pieces of advice.
1. Never let em see you sweat.
2. De-escalate until not feasible anymore.
3. Use common sense.
4. Don't try to be a hero.

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F.I.D.O.

[Augie]

NMBR5ML, Best of luck to Ya. Sharky gave some Very Good advise.

[NMBR5ML]

Thanks alot for the advice!!! I'm good at interviews. I'm a little concerned about the physical though.... PLEASE tell me there will be no greased up rubber glove.... and if so... please don't tell me to "suck it up"... Ick!!!

[ANACONDA]

NO, I DIDN'T GET THE "JELLY-FINGER" TREATMENT WHEN I WENT THROUGH IT.
I FLOPPED ON THE ORAL REVIEWS THOUGH.
THEY ASKED ME ALOT OF LE-RELATED QUESTIONS.
DONT HAVE LE-BACKGROUND.
AM SUPPPOSED TO RE-TAKE IT IN FEBRUARY.
EVER NOTICE HOW TIME DRAGS !

I HAVE A 92FS AND HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THE "HORROR" STORIES YA'LL WERE TALKING ABOUT. GOT ANY MORE ?
DID HEAR THAT THE MAG-RELEASE GETS ACTIVATED WHEN YOU SQUAT WITH IT IN THE HOLSTER, THE MAG ENDS UP FALLING TO THE FLOOR.

[jnc36rcpd]

Beretta's advertising promoted the Montgomery County (MD) Police as being the first agency to adopt the Centurian 92D. Oddly, they did not advertise that MCP was the first agency to drop the 92D due to locking block problems.

The MCP officers now carry Brigadier 92D's. Though the gun's are clearly big (investigative and command carry a S&W 3953), the troops seem to like them better. I still get envious glances at my P226, though. Be safe.

[NMBR5ML]

Sharky- You were right about that interview. That one was rough. But I survived it. Thanks again for the pointers they were a big help.

[ToneLoc3/144]

Don't listen to Sharky, he is a fence watchin slug. Anyway, here at El Paso Station (the fence watching capital) everybody is waiting for the USP. Every single Agent has signed up to get one. The 96 is a good piece if you are using it for a boat anchor. Mine has had every single spring in it replaced twice and when I fire the weapon I can still watch the slide eject the round and go into battery and when I place a loaded mag into the well the slide goes into battery without having to hit the release. Anyway so much for my two cents.

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U.S.B.P

[Sharky]

LMFAO ^^^^^^^^^^^^^ . Like I said. We here in the Bp are not too happy with the Beretta and are anxiously awaiting the HK. I qualified a few days ago and had failure to feed problems twice. Neither of my USP's have ever had a malfunction of any type. Enough said about that. As far as my being a slug, heh-heh, if this is who I think it is we will see who is the slug in the gym tomorrow. If not, then I would just say that as long as you are at Station One (Slug Capital of the BP) you shouldn't cast the first stone.

NMBR5ML, Congrats on your interview. Best of luck to ya. Maybe when you get here Ton-Loc can show you the finer points of holding down an "X". (Best TV's, books, crosswords, etc...) Since that's all they do at Station One he should be an expert. Heh-heh.

[RogueExec]

Some friends of mine with Washington State Patrol are having similar feed and breakdown probs with the 96. They are now looking to switch A-G-A-I-N in 2001. I would steer clear of it for anything other than holes in paper. Remember, in most cases, your weapon was made by the lowest bidder.

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"Don't think of it as theft. Think of it as creative augmentation of your operational capabilities."

[Sharky]

This topic just came up here at work. It seems that the individual Augie was talking about who was involved in the testing of the Beretta for INS/BP was indicted a couple of weeks ago on Federal Graft charges. Guess his next job after Beretta might be with UNICOR. Heh-Heh.......... For those of you who don't know UNICOR is Prison labor in the Federal Prison system. Up until two years ago, they made our Body Armor. http://www.specialoperations.com/ubboard/eek.gif Thankfully, we now purchase it commercially.

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F.I.D.O.

[Augie]

I still have my unicor vest.
LOL!
Glad to Hear that there is some justice in the INS.