Help! Handgun Choice!

[phatgranny]

Okay guys, I think I've finally narowed down the two guns that I want:
a) GLOCK 22C .40SW
b) Beretta 96 (Comensated) .40SW

That's it. Both solid, reliable, not incredibly expensive entry-level guns, I think perfect for my first handgun.

Yet between these two, I cannot decide. I've shot both and they both feel great, but I haven't shot them a ton, so I don't know their irritating quirks. PLEASE tell me what you think of each, and which one you would choose.

Thanks a lot!
Phatgranny

[Blue]

If you're in the Southbay area I've got a 96 if you want to practice more with one before you buy one. Have you looked into the XD40?

[CalNRA]

I lean toward the Beretta. The DA/SA system is the best compromise of accuracy and quick first shot since I began shooting short of a true locked-and-cocked SA. I really like the way the Berettas feel in my hand as well.

[Shane916]

I like the Glock Tons of support and parts on glocktalk.com

[sargenv]

I'm generally not a fan of the Glock but I'm even less of a fan of the Beretta. I know that the Beretta has the ability for SA/DA but I've never really had a need to shoot both. I have a Sig 229 that I sometimes shoot in Production IPSC and though I do good with it, I'm leaning more towards a Glock now that I've shot it in competition (G34) when getting ready for a GSSF match. It was loaned to me by a friend for that match. It was also what got me bumped to B class. I think that the Glocks have more overall support and more people shoot them so you'll probably have more options modifying it if that's your forte' later on. I see a boatload of Glocks in competition and only a handful of Berettas of any type. Also not many people shoot the Sig's either (even though I'm one of them).

Vince

[Mr.RoDiN]

Neither! Save yourself some more money and buy a H&K USP Full size .40!

[ohsmily]

Why are you getting the pistols compensated? If you shoot them in low light conditions, like in the dark stage of an IDPA match, or in your home for self defense at night, etc, you will be completely blinded by your first shot. Also, if you are ever in a struggle or have to fire your gun in close proximity to your body, you can badly injure yourself from the hot gas and burning powder coming out of the compensation ports.....just learn to shoot your gun properly with the standard recoil and no compensation unless you will ONLY be using these for some sort of competition where the recoil reduction will help you.

[icormba]

I voted Glock... although I don't like .40 and prefer to stick with 9mm & .45's.
I also don't care for those "compensated" pistols.

a .357 barrel in the G22C might make for some neat light shows?

[jp.cherokee]

Girly Mon...

"Shooters who are recoil sensitive will especially appreciate the GLOCK "C" models. They are also useful for young, female and beginning shooters."

Don't be a Girly Mon...

Compensated may look cool but it will blind you.

[bu-bye]

Comp'ed guns do not blind. That is BS. With good SD ammo you will not see much flash and even with regular ammo you won't be blinded. I have shot 9mm, 38spl, 357mag, and 45 comp'ed guns in the dark and not one of them blinded me enough to slow me down. The 357mag was a fire breather but even out of a 4 inch barrel with slow burning powder (bigger flash) it was not enough to blind.

Read this.....

http://www.glocktalk.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=506401

I vote glock.

[Schlamoo]

I've owned both, still have the Beretta's got rid of the Glocks. Did not like the trigger on any of the 5 Glocks I had. AND this was important, the Glocks don't have a hammer. If this is going to be your first or one of your first, I think the Beretta is a better traditional gun.

Compensators suck. Period. Unless your a competition shooter that needs that slight edge, stick with a standard barrel.

Just my 2 cents.

[xenophobe]

Compensated pistols are lame. Much louder, and the recoil of a 9mm or 40s&w isn't bad enough to need it.

[GW]

I vote G-22
Save your money though and skip the comp.It really isn't necessary IMHO
Good luck with whichever you choose.

[C.G.]

I've owned both, still have the Beretta's got rid of the Glocks. Did not like the trigger on any of the 5 Glocks I had. AND this was important, the Glocks don't have a hammer. If this is going to be your first or one of your first, I think the Beretta is a better traditional gun.

Compensators suck. Period. Unless your a competition shooter that needs that slight edge, stick with a standard barrel.

Just my 2 cents.

+1. Schlamoo pretty much said what I would have.