Handgun Comparison: Glock versus Beretta

By Ready to Fire News On Jul 23, 2018

There has been an ongoing debate between gun owners about which is the better pistol: the Glock 17 or the Beretta 92. They are each great guns, well known for reliability and efficiency, but the final answer is going to come down to personal preference.

With that said, they each offer distinct features which may lend themselves to be better suited for an individual depending on what they decide will be most effective for their needs.

Military and Law Enforcement Use

The Beretta was the standard choice for the United States military, and only recently has begun to be replaced with the new Sig Sauer as the go-to service pistol. The Beretta is a heavy gun at 34 ounces, which hasn’t traditionally been an issue the military considered, but rather how rugged and durable it is while also being accurate.

Outside of the U.S. Armed Forces, the Glock is the most popular pistol in the world, and this holds true for law enforcement officers as well. At 22 ounces, the Glock is significantly lighter and easier to carry than the Beretta without giving up any capabilities.

Range, Power, and Accuracy

The weight difference between these two sidearms can be compensated by the different magazine sizes available for each gun, as each typically comes with a 15-17 round magazine — although smaller ones are available for states with magazine size restrictions and extended magazines up to 32/33 rounds for people who so choose.

Although either gun is available in different calibers, in the typical discussion or reference to them both weapons use the common 9x19mm Parabellum cartridge as the most common forms associated with them. The standard recognized range is 50 meters, assuming a moderately well trained shooter who practices regularly.

Clearly, there are going to be expert-level shooters who can extend such a range, and beginner shooters are likely to be less accurate. Each gun is rated with a muzzle velocity around 375-380 meters per second, depending on the exact ammunition brand being used.

Gun Geometry

What really distinguishes the two weapons is their overall geometry and styling. The deciding factor for most people about which gun they prefer is that the Beretta is a large pistol and can be too big for someone with smaller hands, whereas the Glock comes standard with replaceable grips to accommodate users’ hand size. Those grips are textured with checkering, which provides a better grip, although some people find them to be a bit course.

The handles are also angled differently, Beretta users often complain about the “weird” angle of the Glock grips, although that really has more to do with what the user is accustomed to rather than proven ergonomics.

Conclusion

The final conclusion is that neither gun outperforms the other. Either one is going to be a great addition to an existing collection or as an owner’s only weapon. Just like with any weapon, they require practice to attain familiarity and as always, it is the user’s responsibility to follow all standard safety practices and local law requirements when choosing and using a weapon.

Of course, that’s just our perspective. Check out the video below for another take!

~ Ready to Fire News