Just wondering how it would do as a sidearm while hunting and hiking compared to say, a K or L-frame sized revolver in .357/.38.....

I did when I didn't have anything else. I'd rather have a revolver in the woods and harder hitting than 9mm. But you have to remember, I live in the Pacific Northwest, so we have a lot of Sasquatch to worry about. I'm just kidding about the sasquatch part.

My biggest worry out on public land are human predators. Marijuana planters and meth labs cookers. After them it would be aggresive feral pig and feral dog packs. Perhaps a mama Bear encounter if Cubs are present. But Bears generally move to avoid humans before us humans even notice them.

Ballistically the 9x19mm is about halfway between the .38 Special and the .357 Magnum. Personally I'd go with a 15 round magazine in the Beretta. But either the Revolver or the Beretta are "good to go" guns.

I'm curious on the responses as I was planning on asking this question myself since I want one of these pistols. I figured this setup has to work as the military is dropping guys in the middle east with them.

The Air Force chose the Beretta back about 1980. Then the Army complained and Congress got involved. Finely in 1985, after spending a lot of money, the Army chose the Beretta over the SIG-P226 based on cost.

I have no qualms if the P226 had won. The Beretta has many virtues. Safe, reliable, easy to use, easy to disassemble and reassemble. The only vice, to me, is it's large for a 9mm.

Not as good as one and better than the other, cartridge-wise. I think the only real objection is that most woods dudes would just rather have a revolver. I think it would be a little little on a hawg or a Black bruin.

I like the Beretta and I have to agree with all that.

I did 24 years in the military. So I've shot the old .45 govt model left over junk pistols and the .38 Revolvers, that the M9 replaced.

Special Ops Command can buy whatever small arms they want out of their own budgets.

Since the M9 was a large pistol the Air Force OSI, Navy CIS, and Army CID lobbied for a smaller semi-auto and got the SIG P228 as the M11.

The issue of the adoption of the 9x19 mm NATO cartridge and M9 being a "foreign" pistol will always irk some folks. In this case the military procurement system did a good job. The biggest screw up was the buying of non-Beretta magazines that jammed. Federal Ammo now sells the military an expanding FMJ 9mm cartridge. We'll have to see how that works out.

If I was recalled to active duty and sent to the sandbox I'd take a shotgun, M4, or M16, over any pistol.

ColeYounger

I agree a 9mm would be a poor cartridge on an angry mama Bear. I much rather be carrying my Savage M99 in that case. As for a pig...? Just keep shooting it till it's too heavy with lead to bother you. In a feral pack I'd think the other pack members would turn on the wounded as an easy kill.

I LOVE the Beretta 92FS, it IS what it IS ! ... and it IS still WHAT it WAS, regardless of size or caliber- compared to anything else, whatever, or NEWER.

I have a Beretta 92FS Brigadier Inox 9MM, and a Beretta 92FS Billennium 9MM (1 of 2000), also a Beretta 92SB 9MM Compact M (single stack mag.) All, but my Billennium model have been more than welcome as traveling and outdoor companions.

If YOU like the Beretta 92FS Pistol, and you want to take it along as a 'Compadre' on your outdoor adventures ... Join the club and enjoy.

If I gotta worry 'bout Bears, I'll bring along my Marlin Lever 45-70 Guide Gun for back-up.

Hell, I USED to take along a little vintage Beretta .25 Auto from the 50's as my Woods or Lake Camping Gun ... but now I got about 24 handguns to choose from.

A CZ 40-P or a CZ 40-B (both un-catalouged) are often now my traveling & camping companions although I do have .357 and .44 Mag DA Revolvers.

But, the ONE handgun, that I now feel the MOST secure with outdoors and camping, as I find that I consistently shoot most accurately, and have even taken game with, which I have shot, dressed, and eaten, is my Ruger Vaquero single action revolver, chambered in .45 Colt.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, since you asked about a particular handgun model ... probably one that already attracts YOU, judge for yourself and don't deny youself.

A lot of traditional outdoors "Kit" or "Camping" handguns were and are - mere .22 Cal. revolvers ...

So, if you're entertaining a - Beretta 92FS, 9MM Pistol for "that" purpose ...

You are already ahead of the game ... Go for it and don't look back.

You can alwasys go 'ahead' later.

I am convinced that the Beretta 92/96 family are excellent military and law enforcement General Issue pistols for AVERAGE on duty Servicemen for open, not concealed, holster carry. That's what it was designed to be. The US Border Patrol gets into more shootouts than any other agency. Their uniformed officers carry the Beretta 96.

What is the "best" weapons for SWAT, counter terrorism, special ops, and undercover personel, or home self defense? Ask them. I'm sure we'd get many opinions.

In our parts it would do just fine - worse thing here is a black bear (I have only had one black bear confrontation in almost 50 years of spending time in the outdoors in eastern NC). I have killed one pit bull (used a .41 MAG levergun, but a 9mm would have done the job). Packs of feral dogs and feral hogs are the growing issue now - I have taken to carrying a Blackhawk in .41 MAG or .44 MAG nowadays, but that 15 round mag would be nice too. If you own it, take it, better than not being armed.

I can imagine a number of scenarios where a lot of bullets could come in handy, as opposed to fewer more powerful ones.

Pick your bullet for the potential applications and have at it.

For woods carry, I have a couple of .41mag's. One, a snub nosed ported belly gun and the other a 4 5/8" Blackhawk. I also have a .45LC, a .45ACP, and a 10mm. My 10mm is a 15round Glock G20, but there are others out there. I think that the 10mm is the best auto for a woods handgun. I sleep with my 9mm, and have a .380 mouse gun in my car console.

Maybe my best woods carry gun was a 19oz Charter Arms Bulldog Pug 2 1/2" revolver in .44Special. A friend loaded me some birdshot and I carried it with 3rds of hardcast and 2rds of birdshot. Another one of those foolish trades that let it get away.

Well, the reason I ask is this: Mainly, I need a new pistol of some sort for "general" protection and plinking as I've recently sold my S&W 317 that I carried with me in the woods...and my wife has claimed my compensated Rossi .357 revolver as hers.
In addition, I'm planning on starting to shoot Service Pistol within the next couple of years or so after I finish earning my Distinguished Rifleman award. Sooo, I'll likely be purchasing a Beretta M9/92FS in the near future anyway. Having limited funds available, I thought thay perhaps the Beretta 92 would serve me well as a general daily carry gun too rather than purchasing two different handguns right now.

I recently bought a second 92, lightly used. I'd have no problem using at as general woods carry. I'm not to big on the bear thing around here. I do like to have something though. Many times I like the lighter weight options but the 92 isn't to heavy. I have not loaded for the 9mm in a very long time but just loaded up some to test. They are 115 grn Rainier plated RN over 4.1 grns Win 231, 1.1 COL. I plan to get a few more 15 round mags & should be good to go.

Me too. Can't stand slide mounted safeties and it is BIG, but it is not heavy, its is accurate, dependable and carries lots of rounds.

Expat

The only 9mm I've got is a Beretta 92. I like the pistol for plinking and stuff. When I want to carry a serious sidearm in the woods it's usually a .41 or .44 mag revolver. When it's an auto, it's my Glock 20.

Rarely does anyone in procurement ever asks the troops what improvements they want in equipment.

If I'd ever been asked for an improvement to the M9 I would have said convert it to double action only (DAO). With or without the slide mounted trigger disconnect retained.

DAO would have made for reduced accidental discharges, and simplified training. I'd prefer keeping the slide mounted trigger disconnect safety. But that is a debatable choice.

Being a medical squadron type going to the Range with doctors and nurses was always scary due to gun mishandling. Most medics sneer at weapons and never understood the purpose of any military is, when legally ordered too, kill people and break things. As for defense of self, comrades, and casualties. The attitude was "that shouldn't be our job". As if an enemy was going to fight on those terms!

Main problems that you MIGHT hit here in southwest VA is the occasional black bear, stray dog or pot & meth brewers. Glock 22 or 27 is generally what I carry. If you can shoot it straight it'll work. No reason the 92 wouldn't work if you put 'em where they need to go.

Not that I "need" another pistol... But there is a Charles Daly HP for sale at Cabella I like. My everyday carry gun is a S&W 340PD J frame in a pocket holster. On public land I can take my Savage 99 as well.

I had my personal 92FS Centurion for 15 years and gave it to my son who works full time Air National Guard in Security Forces law enforcement.

Guys above are right that the 9mm is halfway between 38spl and 357mag, but you can use 9mm +P in the Beretta with no issue--The military uses std ammo about +P rated and that's what Beretta qualified on (but the mil stuff is hardball solid roundnose). It's still a little short of 357 Mag, but there is some great personal defence ammo that's +P and great slug design too.
FYI< check the Beretta web site too--they now have an adjustable rear sight too that's better than the std. fixed / drift adjustable standard rear sight.

As a "woods gun", I think the Beretta 92 is a very good choice for a semi-auto......for a 9mm.

I do not think the 9mm is a great choice in any pistol for general woods walking. The main advantage of the 9mm....to me....is that it can be had in a smaller pistol that a "real" gun. That is not a consideration in a woods gun. What IS a consideration (at least where I walk) is the possibility of encountering a 200+ pound hog (or deer in season) that needs shooting. The 9mm is a very poor choice for such work.

That said....I sometimes carry a .32-20 or .357 when I go wandering in the woods and the 9mm is certainly in that class. It CAN beused on larger game with proper bullets and placement.....but the main reason and use for a woods gun is small game anyway.

As to proper ammo.....I'd probably go with the classic hardball. It is totally reliable, accurate and penetrates better than a softer bullet. In a weak cartridge such as the 9mm (or 32-20, or 357) penetration on large game is at a premium. Any exspantion of the bullet reduces penetration.....and that's not a good thing on a pissed-off 250 pound hog. I also carry hardball when I use a .45 ACP for the same reason.....it's low speed makes exspantion unreliable and reduces an already weak penetration.

Another advantage to hardball (or hard cast) bullets is the performance on small edible game. We'd all like to take nothing but head shots on a rabbit for the pot....but sometimes it doesn't work out that way. A body hit on a rabbit with hardball will normally leave enough for supper......while a quick exspanding hollow-point may leave ears and tail and little else.

As far as "personal defense" ammo and such.......why?? Everyone seems to like to dream that each trip outside the house will result in meeting someone from the Texas Chainsaw Massacre movie. In more than 40 years of walking the woods I've never met those folks.....maybe I'm just lucky. For most I'd guess the number of times a handgun was needed while walking the woods to defend against human preditors was.....NEVER!!

If you REALLY feel the need for "personal defense", then I'd suggest that you change where you are walking.......and buy a .375 H&H to carry when you go to the mailbox, just in case a tiger has escaped from the local zoo.

The Berretta 92 is a full size handgun that will be easy to shoot and accurate enough for woods use. The first shot double-action stuff is a pain-in-the-ass, but it CAN work if you practice enough.

I'd still like a bigger gun than the 9mm.....but if you like it that's reason enough to carry it. Hell, that's why my SAA in .32-20 spends so much time in the woods......not because it is the "best" chopice, but because it CAN work and I LIKE it.

TexasRick,

For a 200 lb hog I want a rifle. My Savage 99 is an easy carrying rifle. As for the 9mm... Esentially a 9mm plus p load is equivalant to a 357 magnum minus p load, if anyone would load it that way.

The Texas State DPS troopers get over on losing their magnum revolvers by carrying P226's in .357 SIG. Anyone with a model 96 could get an after market .357 SIG barrel for their Beretta 96. As for .357 SIG versus .40 S&W I don't know if one would be better than the other. I do know that agencies that use the .357 SIG are sticking with it.

Texas Rick--I agree with what you say--maybe my emphasis was a little off. Just making the point that there are lots of different types of ammo out there for more versatility. Some are more accurate than others too, and availability of a given type may be a factor in this day and age too.

FYI, you probably guessed I have a 92FS, and I've shot everything from hardball to +P to flat nose sp to hollowpoint and my gun feeds it all flawlessly.

First function of a gun is to go "boom" everytime.

That said, it's not perfect for everything, but a pretty good choice for most things. For me a 6" 357 revolver would be a better all around woods gun like he asks, but for a semi, I like the 94. Of course I wouldn't mind having a Sig auto in 357,or a 10mm Kimber either.

Shoot one before you buy.

If it has a trigger like those I've shot, you'll probably change your mind.

SteveS.....if you really want to "step up" a notch and not break the bank at the same time......look at the EAA Witness in 10mm.

Mine is super reliable and powerful for a semi-auto. The only other guns I'd rate as well, as far as semi-auto power goes are the Automag and Wildey. Both of those are powerful, but also super exspensive.

Best thing about the Witness is that it is less exspensive than the Glock, Colt, or S&W and it can be used either double action......or carried cocked-and-locked like a 1911 and shot single action.

I carried a 92D 9mm and a 96D .40 for many years, but now I carry a Ruger SP101 with full house .357 loads most of the time.

Rick--I've not seen a Witness at a shop anywhere in my area--I'll look it up.

Thanks!

Rick,
I've not seen a Witness in my area shops, ever.
I'll look it up

Thanks!

The 92 is down with every aspect you mention with the exception of concealed carry. The Beretta kinda appears bigger than it is. It's a big-looking gun. Regardless, it is still full-size and not easily concealed. It can be done, but you will incur a whole litany of problems that you wouldn't have with a bit smaller gun.

If you want military issue, get the M11 (Sig P228). This is a really slick little gun and not easily obtained. They usually have some on Gun Broker though. I would opt for one of the newer ones with a rail, making the mounting of a laser or light an easy proposition.

Triggernosis

I don't think that you can get a new P228. It was made only in 9mm. The replacement is the P229 which comes in 9mm, 40 S&W, and maybe .357 SIG. But as ColeYounger says you can look for a used P228 on GunBroker.com or GunsAmerica.com

The P228 can't be shot in Service Pistol competitions - only the M9 or 1911 can be used. The 1911 has to be in the config. that the military used, meaning no beavertail grip, combat hammer, etc..

I've got a police trade-in 92FS on the way from J&G that I paid $339 for - we'll see how it works out.

Triggernosis

I'd say you got a great deal if the gun is in good shape.

if those are still the same ones i saw there, they actually came from one of the universities in california if i remember right, some of them looked really good

Not all of the triggers on these guns are dogs - I had Beretta USA work on the trigger of my issue M9, and it is now superb, both single and double action.

The trigger on my 92FS centurion was good out of the box. I did have a gunsmith smooth it out for me. Then it went from good to excellent. Both in SA and DA. Everybody griped about the M16 and M16A2 triggers. I don't remember any Security Police crying over the M9's trigger.

Not nearly as well. I packed a Browning 9mm with different types of ammo for a number of years as well as a couple of .38/.357 revolvers.
Most auto pistols need their triggers reworked to allow them to break any where near what an out of the box Smith will break. Most do not come with fully adjustable sights which makes them easier to hit things in the field at odd ranges.
The standard hardball ammo is a poor hunting bullet even for rabbits and squirrels. A SWC lead bullet works better. Hollow point ammo works really well, too well for edible stuff.
The trouble with the 9mm is that SWC, not flat points are hard to find that feed well. The so called flat points don't kill much, if any, better than the round nose stuff.
Full wadcutters at low vewlocities are one of the very best best small game loads out there for the .38 or the .357. Anchors them right there and tears up little meat.
HP ammo in the 9mm doesn't penetrate as well as the heavier .38's and tears up alot of meat. That's great if you are shooting varmits, but not edible game, unless you use head shots.
I've eaten lots of stuff that I've killed with my old Browning HP. But it had custom, fully adjustable sights and an exceptional trigger. That made making the required head shots workable.
I'm not opposed to semi autos as field guns. But I find the 1911 .45 as described above or the 10mm with the above features a much better choice. E

Ron, that's good to hear. They said they had "WIP" engraved on the bottom of the trigger guard but they didn't know what it meant - any ideas on what police dept. "WIP" could be?