I have used both weapons on active duty with the U.S. Navy. If I had my choice (between the two) I would purchase the Sig. My experience has been alot better with the Sig in every sense. May i suggest that you look into the new Sig Pro SP022 in 9mm. They are a bit more cost effective, yet I have found it to be a fantastic weapon. A very pleasant surprise and very easy to handle

I've had both and still own the Sig. for me there is no comparison between the two.

I have had one of each, I currently still own a SIG 226 in .40 S&W.

I love the weapon, and would never give it up.

None of the Sig owners have addressed your question about the de-cocker, but I don't believe it has one, though I'm not sure.

The Beretta has an external safety that also functions as a de-cocker.

Both are excellent guns, in terms of accuracy, reliability, and build quality.

The Beretta, as I'm sure you are aware, is significantly less money.

I can speak to the 92FS since I own one, I've put several thou rounds through it with no malfunctions of any kind whatsoever with all kinds of ammo. My understanding is that the 226 is also extremely reliable.

So, as to the 92's high points, it has legendary reliability and is extremely accurate thanks to the long sight radius. Also contributing to the accuracy is that it is maybe the softest shooting 9mm out there, thanks to it's size and weight. Minimal recoil allows for fast and accurate follow-ups.

The only drawbacks to the Beretta are that it's size and weight do not lend itself to concealed carry as well as some of the compact pistols out there. I don't carry mine so this is not an issue for me. The Beretta also does not have a tac rail. Again, this was not an issue for me.

If money is not a concern, try them both and get the one that feels better in your hand and you shoot better. That's somewhat of a pat answer around here, but it applies in this case since you can't go wrong with either. If you can live with the features, or lack thereof, of either gun (i.e. de-cocker, tac rail etc.) then it really comes down to personal preference since these are both firearms of the highest quality.

Hope this helps.

The P226 in DA/SA has a de-cocker and the P226 in DAO does not. I have never fired the P226 or the 92FS but I have handled both and I noticed that the weight is better balanced in the 92FS but the P226 fits my hand better. Both models have been labeled as the best of the best with the 92FS being a step above as far as durability. I have had a lot of practice with the SigPro SP2022 and that gun is excellent.

I owned a P226 some years ago. It's a very good gun that didn't fit my hand or shooting style very well. I shoot with a high strong thumb, which means I ride the SIG's slide lock, which in turn keeps the slide from locking open when the mag is empty.

I carried a Beretta 92 for a year in Afghanistan. No mechanical or reliability problems. It's also a big gun that doesn't fit my hand, with a clumsy safety/decocker.

If I had to buy one or the other, I'd get the Beretta because of the slide lock position on the SIG.

Originally Posted by Mike Barham

I shoot with a high strong thumb, which means I ride the SIG's slide lock, which in turn keeps the slide from locking open when the mag is empty.

... I verified I do this as well... I guess to get as high in the grip as possible. Having lived with this gun for a while (any gun actually), I'm getting to know it pretty well and I have to say the mag release ergonomically is about my only criticism. It's nothing that I'd call a deal breaker though.. just a quirk.

Interesting topic though Gun4fun... I almost bought a used 92FS Inox, but handed it back to it's owner and went with a 226 CPO (preowned.. holster wear pre-installed) Love the Sig except for above riding slide release with my thumb. No safety = simpler setup with the Sig also.

However, I'd venture to say that I'd be confident with either gun. Actually, I think the fit and finish of that used 92FS was actually marginally better. Impressively well-made for their prices. I just had issues with the mags that had a bunch of rounds in them. I had a couple FTF's and slide-lock on last round issues when I tested it. Owner reported working the springs a bit and cleaning the mags and she runs fine, which I don't doubt. Beretta's come to find out, like Beretta mags, and/or like good solid springs in their mags.. which I imagine is probably true for most semi's.

So which? .... If I had it to do, I'd pick the gun that's in better shape.. but if new, pick based on price and availability. It's a coin toss I think.. I liked them both. The Inox finish is gorgeous!! but that's just looks. The Sig ain't no beauty queen.. It's all business. Italian loafers or Cole Haans.. Both get the job done.

I will say, if my 226 gets all scratched up, it's ugly enough that I wouldn't cry over it as long as she's 100% inside. That's a plus if it's a working gun and not a show-piece. Refinish is just cash anyway.

Both great shooters.
Both well made.
Both very common for parts and mag availability.
Both easy to maintain and break down for cleaning.

.... Heads or tails??

Hope this helps.

Thanks, this helps a lot, actually.

Not even close...

Beretta

Both are excellent firearms. I have owned the 96FS (.40 version of the 92). And have shot the 226, and own a 228. I don't think that you would be dissappointed with either. My best advise is to see which one fits on your hands best and go for it.

I have them both and they are both equally accurate.
I have shot the Beretta lots more so I have a comfort factor with this pistol.
I thought I would have something more to add when I started typing.
Guess not.........

Out of the two you mentioned, the Sig far outclasses the Beretta. However, any GLOCK 9mm will always be much more reliable than either. Either the G19 or G17 will do you well.

With all due respect to the Glock, which is indeed an excellent gun, there is no such thing as "much more reliable" than the Sig or Beretta.

I'm gonna have to agree with Wyatt here. Also, Doug, what is the basis for your conclusions? Perhaps just personal opinion based on favoritism.

M9 vs Mk24 mod 0

My answer would be, it depends.

Slightly older Beretta 92FS will have all metal parts. Newer guns will have plastic guide rod, right side safety lever,etc. My preference is all metal in an all metal gun. Plastic in an established design is to save costs, not improve the gun.

Italian Berettas are manufactured using Mi-Val machines, a company owned by Beretta Holding. The Italian manufacturing process utilizes more manual operations than the updated US factory. The US factory recently installed 10 new Mitsui Seiki HU40A horizontal machining centers. The machining cells are linked by a Fastems elevator transfer system, and control software moves the pallets from one machining cell to the next. Italian Berettas are more collectible, but American has the edge (at least psychologically) for more reliability from automated manufacturing.

So, the best 92FS for me would be a slightly older American, made on the Mitsui line.


Similarly, early P226 versions fitted with after-market or replacement grip panels occasionally (albeit rarely) developed reliability issues because the inside of the grip panel put pressure on (and thereby interfered with) the firing mechanism. OEM and later quality replacement panels, coupled with keeping the grip screws tight, resolved this issue.

German and US manufacturing are considered equivalent for quality. Curiously, having shot both German made and American assembled (from German parts) P226, the German trigger is surprisingly smooth, not that the American isn't, but the German is better.

So, best P226 for me would be a newer German made DA/SA.

Ultimately, the deciding factor between the two is the slide mounted safety on the 92FS. No thanks. For me, the only purpose for a manual safety is condition one carry. So German P226 gets my vote.

Geez, Submoa, how do you come up with some of this stuff?

You said a slightly older, all metal Beretta, perhaps made on the Mitsui line is preferred, but you also said the line was only recently installed. What time frame are we talking about for the "good" irons? And when did the 92FS start being produced with plastic parts?

Thanks in advance.

Originally Posted by Wyatt

Geez, Submoa, how do you come up with some of this stuff?

I travel for work and get to shoot a lot.

Originally Posted by Wyatt

You said a slightly older, all metal Beretta, perhaps made on the Mitsui line is preferred, but you also said the line was only recently installed. What time frame are we talking about for the "good" irons? And when did the 92FS start being produced with plastic parts?

Cutover to Mitsui was in 2005. Not sure when the plastic was introduced but believe it was after 2005. This is just my personal preference, haven't heard much complaining about the plastic. Then again slide mounted manual safeties are as useful as back hair.

Originally Posted by submoa

Then again slide mounted manual safeties are as useful as back hair.

Some chicks dig it and if it can get you laid I'd say that's pretty useful.

Originally Posted by unpecador

Some chicks dig it and if it can get you laid I'd say that's pretty useful.

I guess you're saying slide mounted manual safeties are for chicks.

Ha ha... slippery comeback.

well..i've shot them both and they r both very accurate and both are good firearms..im a sig fan so im going to say the sig...

Get the Sig

Sigs are precision and rock sold reliable all at once.