40s&w Accuracy (Beretta 96a1)

Grunt96 · October 15, 2014, 06:07 PM

Finally got around to shooting my new Beretta 96a1 today, and walked away extremely impressed with the pistol. Trigger was excellent with the D hammer spring, and accuracy was the best of any 40s&w I have fired yet. My previous experience with the 40s&w was previously exclusive to Glock. I have to admit that while Glocks are good guns, I never was able to get excellent accuracy from the 40s&w in the Glock 23 or 22.

That's not to say it was bad, it wasn't bad, but I was never really impressed. Generally I found the 9mm and 45 Glocks to be more accurate to the point where I questioned the inherent accuracy of the 40s&w cartridge. Well, today that misconception of mine has been cured after shooting the 96a1. This thing has to be the sweetest shooting, and most accurate 40s&w out there or come very close. 3 shot group from 5 yards with 180gr WWB FMJ made a single hole. 165gr WWB FMJ at 15 yards off hand group was 2.75".

Granted this was my first time firing this platform in a long time, and my first time in this caliber, so it is likely it can do better (especially with handloads), but wow, just wow. If you haven't ever shot one give the 96a1 a spin. What a sweet shooter! Nothing instills confidence like being able to hit exactly where you want. Looking forward to working up some handloads t for her this evening.

Guv · October 15, 2014, 07:10 PM

Hey Grunt,

I have a 96Inox and it is absolutely one of my favorite handguns. My first choice as a sidearm when hog or deer hunting. Also my nightstand gun, nice variety of ammo choices too.

Grunt96 · October 15, 2014, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guv

Hey Grunt,

I have a 96Inox and it is absolutely one of my favorite handguns. My first choice as a sidearm when hog or deer hunting. Also my nightstand gun, nice variety of ammo choices too.

Really is an impressive sidearm that I think more should give a try. I like it more than the 92fs I had in the past, which was also a great shooter. Just feels like this caliber and platform were made for each other. This one is also my go to now.

CWKahrFan · October 15, 2014, 07:45 PM

Nice... The accuracy and consistency of my S&W 4046 puts a smile on my face.

Metal .40's feel SO right...

Grunt96 · October 15, 2014, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CWKahrFan

Nice... The accuracy and consistency of my S&W 4046 puts a smile on my face.

Metal .40's feel SO right...

I completely agree. What a difference!

Rogervzv · October 17, 2014, 08:46 AM

It would be fun to have a shootout with the Beretta 96A1 versus my CZ75B S&W.

AustinTX · October 17, 2014, 01:51 PM

Very nice! The 96A1 is a sweet shooter.

Dragline45 · October 17, 2014, 01:58 PM

The D spring really does make a huge difference. My buddy in the military couldn't believe how much better the trigger on my Beretta was than the M9's he shot. I have found my M9A1 is one of the most inherently accurate pistols I have ever shot.

Grunt96 · October 17, 2014, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogervzv

It would be fun to have a shootout with the Beretta 96A1 versus my CZ75B S&W.

Have heard the CZ75 is very accurate, and looking forward to getting my hands on one.

Grunt96 · October 17, 2014, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dragline45

The D spring really does make a huge difference. My buddy in the military couldn't believe how much better the trigger on my Beretta was than the M9's he shot. I have found my M9A1 is one of the most inherently accurate pistols I have ever shot.

I hated the Beretta when I served. Mainly because ours were well worn, and of course I never had the luxury of changing put the hammer spring. Many years after being out I got a 92fs and liked it, but never did install the hammer spring. huge difference, and I think they should come stock with the D spring.

Dragline45 · October 17, 2014, 07:37 PM

Quote:

I hated the Beretta when I served. Mainly because ours were well worn

It seems the M9 got a bad rap with alot of those who served in the military due to just that. When you have a gun that has passed through so many different hands that have suffered various levels of abuse and used so frequently they are bound to have problems. The same thing happened with the 1911's the military used to have, some used all the way from WWII well past Vietnam.

LockedBreech · October 17, 2014, 09:25 PM

The 96A1 is an outstanding gun. I got one for my dad. He used to carry as 96G as a highway trooper, and he wasn't able to keep it when he retired. I thought he might like the upgraded version. It's great. Adjusted properly for the .40 (unlike the weaker-framed early 96Gs), the 92 platform is an awesome .40 platform. Heavy, stable, reliable, long barrel. All conducive to great accuracy.

Pilot · October 18, 2014, 08:45 AM

The D spring, and Elite II hammer is an easy install, and makes the 92/96 series easier too shoot.

October 15, 2014, 06:07 PM	#1
Grunt96 Member Join Date: September 21, 2014 Posts: 90	40s&w Accuracy (Beretta 96a1) Finally got around to shooting my new Beretta 96a1 today, and walked away extremely impressed with the pistol. Trigger was excellent with the D hammer spring, and accuracy was the best of any 40s&w I have fired yet. My previous experience with the 40s&w was previously exclusive to Glock. I have to admit that while Glocks are good guns, I never was able to get excellent accuracy from the 40s&w in the Glock 23 or 22. That's not to say it was bad, it wasn't bad, but I was never really impressed. Generally I found the 9mm and 45 Glocks to be more accurate to the point where I questioned the inherent accuracy of the 40s&w cartridge. Well, today that misconception of mine has been cured after shooting the 96a1. This thing has to be the sweetest shooting, and most accurate 40s&w out there or come very close. 3 shot group from 5 yards with 180gr WWB FMJ made a single hole. 165gr WWB FMJ at 15 yards off hand group was 2.75". Granted this was my first time firing this platform in a long time, and my first time in this caliber, so it is likely it can do better (especially with handloads), but wow, just wow. If you haven't ever shot one give the 96a1 a spin. What a sweet shooter! Nothing instills confidence like being able to hit exactly where you want. Looking forward to working up some handloads t for her this evening.

October 15, 2014, 07:45 PM	#4
CWKahrFan Senior Member Join Date: November 3, 2010 Posts: 2,016	Nice... The accuracy and consistency of my S&W 4046 puts a smile on my face. Metal .40's feel SO right... __________________ What did Mrs. Bullet say to Mr. Bullet? ... "We're having a BeeBee!"... IF THE SHOE FITS, WEAR IT!... IF THE GUN FITS, SHOOT IT! "Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it."

October 17, 2014, 08:46 AM	#6
Rogervzv Senior Member Join Date: February 5, 2011 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 1,075	It would be fun to have a shootout with the Beretta 96A1 versus my CZ75B S&W. __________________ The difference between a citizen and a civilian is that the citizen makes the safety of the body politic his personal responsibility, protecting it with his life. The civilian does not.

October 17, 2014, 09:25 PM	#12
LockedBreech Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 2009 Location: Rocky Mountain West Posts: 3,395	The 96A1 is an outstanding gun. I got one for my dad. He used to carry as 96G as a highway trooper, and he wasn't able to keep it when he retired. I thought he might like the upgraded version. It's great. Adjusted properly for the .40 (unlike the weaker-framed early 96Gs), the 92 platform is an awesome .40 platform. Heavy, stable, reliable, long barrel. All conducive to great accuracy. __________________ 16 Pistols, 5 Rifles, 1 Shotgun, no time to shoot them

October 18, 2014, 08:45 AM	#13
Pilot Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2000 Posts: 4,193	The D spring, and Elite II hammer is an easy install, and makes the 92/96 series easier too shoot. __________________ Pilot

October 15, 2014, 07:10 PM	#2
Guv Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2012 Location: South Texas Posts: 2,126	Hey Grunt, I have a 96Inox and it is absolutely one of my favorite handguns. My first choice as a sidearm when hog or deer hunting. Also my nightstand gun, nice variety of ammo choices too.

October 17, 2014, 01:51 PM	#7
AustinTX Senior Member Join Date: June 19, 2010 Posts: 2,145	Very nice! The 96A1 is a sweet shooter.

October 17, 2014, 01:58 PM	#8
Dragline45 Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2010 Posts: 3,513	The D spring really does make a huge difference. My buddy in the military couldn't believe how much better the trigger on my Beretta was than the M9's he shot. I have found my M9A1 is one of the most inherently accurate pistols I have ever shot.