Baretta 9mm

[MikeBeggy]

I picked up a really nice Baretta which appears to have been used as a service pistol by someone in law enforcement. The sliding parts have been lapped and it has grips that fit my hand perfectly. I have taken it to our local range and fired enough to get the feel of it. My question for those of you with Baretta experience is this; to carry the weapon in a holster or case in one's car or whatever, it can have a round chambered and then lower the hammer to a partly cocked position where the firing pin seems to be protected from accidental pushing on the firing pin. You can pull the trigger and the hammer will be cocked and releasesd beginning the semi-auto sequence. Is this an acceptable way to leave or carry the weapon so it can be used in a moment? The alternative is to not chamber a round and have to slide the mechanism to chamber a round and ready the gun for fi i firing. It comes to my mind because I pulled the gun out the other morning to shoot a rabid racoon. If one wants to have a gun read y to use, you don,t want to have to think about what to do to use it. Thanx in advance.

 

[The patriot]

You should be safe in condition 1 (round chambered, locked and cocked) but if you feel better, you can lower the hammer so the first round will be double action.

Though this isnt a target pistol, I hear that the "half cock" safety will ruin the trigger. I wouldnt worry about it with a service pistol.

Do whatever feels good to you, as long as the safety is on.

Eric

 

[Shovelhead]

Don't Berettas have a "De-cocker" built in?

That's the only safe way to lower the hammer.

Lowering the hammer manually on a loaded chamber is not very safe 'cuz if your thumb slips, the hammer drops, and guess what's still in the way when the slide comes back REEEEAL fast.



The "Half cock" is not a safe way to carry.

If the weapon is dropped or bumped, the hammer could fall striking the primer.

Most modern weapons use an inertial firing pin, so the hammer resting in the down position shouldn't cause a ND.



I have a Taurus 92F (a Brazilian Beretta), and carry it "Cocked and Locked" (condition 1).

 

[The patriot]

Originally posted by Shovelhead

Don't Berettas have a "De-cocker" built in?

I think that depends on what model it is. I'm not up on all of Baretta's models.

Some are DAO, but since Mike mentioned a half cock, I doubt his is.

I have a Taurus 92 also. It's an excellent gun.

Yes, condition 1 is "the way".

Eric

 

[Shovelhead]

Along the same lines:

Anyone know of a reasonably priced used 1911 Colt, Kimber, Springfield Armory?

Looking for a Commander-sized for "Carry".



Ed

 

[d90boy]

If it's a 92FS I'd carry it decocked with safety off. There's no cocked and locked on a 92, when safety is engaged it drops the hammer. The taurus lets you do cocked and locked due to the 3 position safety lever.

 

[Shovelhead]

You're right, however my Taurus is a pre-decocker model 92f.

Only two positions on my safety.

On and BANG.

 

[The patriot]

Originally posted by Shovelhead

You're right, however my Taurus is a pre-decocker model 92f.

Only two positions on my safety.

On and BANG.

Yea, mine too. I bought it back in the 80's.

Eric

 

[The patriot]

Originally posted by Shovelhead

Along the same lines:

Anyone know of a reasonably priced used 1911 Colt, Kimber, Springfield Armory?

Looking for a Commander-sized for "Carry".



Ed

Try one of the gun auction sites.

If you go for a Kimber, try to get the series I, the series II compact models have some reliability issues.

You can get a Colt Combat commander for about $500. 00 if you get lucky.

I saw one in 38 super a short time back for under $500. 00. Excellent defense piece.



Eric