Italian Beretta or American Beretta?

Arbiter89 · October 12, 2009, 03:18 PM

I am sure this has been asked before but any recommendations?

What is the difference if any between the Italian made and American made.

QBall45 · October 12, 2009, 04:27 PM

Not sure that there is any differance.

If the choice were mine...I'd want the Italian made gun. But, you'd likely be happy with either.

Maromero · October 12, 2009, 04:36 PM

I once handled a special edition and it was Italian made. I really don't know if the special edition was only limited to the engraving and gold accents or there was special treatment done to de action but it was way superior to both my US Beretta and Taurus. Much, much smoother in operation.

Tommy Vercetti · October 12, 2009, 04:51 PM

mine is Italian, supposedly it's more desirable from a collectability standpoint

Brian48 · October 12, 2009, 04:53 PM

I have the Italian one, which seems to be the only version available in my area these days. To be honest, aside from subtle markings, I can't tell the difference. Both appear equally good in terms of smoothness, fit, and overall quality. I wouldn't care either way.

Coltman 77 · October 12, 2009, 04:55 PM

I've got one of each.

The 1989 92F Italian is a bit more accurate and the attention to detail seems to be just a bit better than my 1990 92FS.

Both are great and thank god they are blued and not bruniton.

Arbiter89 · October 12, 2009, 04:56 PM

Thanks.

Tom2 · October 12, 2009, 07:05 PM

Unless you are a collector or have a mystique for Italian guns, it would not be worth it to you to buy the import version if there were a huge price difference. You might go a bit higher to get an Italian just for the fact it is maybe like a German versus US made Sig. Maybe less so, I think the Berettas probably have less squaks about quality control. Now what people do whine about is the newer ones with plastic parts versus older all metal. I might go for all metal versus plastic, instead of point of origin.

Beentown71 · October 12, 2009, 07:10 PM

I would get the one that is available for the best price. I have both and they are exactly the same except for markings. Both of mine are stainless. I am currently looking for a 92 Centurion which is a good bit shorter in OAL (read: easier to carry).

Beentown

VHinch · October 12, 2009, 07:24 PM

I've owned several of each, and couldn't tell you which was which without looking at the markings.

IdahoG36 · October 13, 2009, 12:08 AM

No differences other than where they are manufactured. They are the same exact gun.

JerseyDrez · October 13, 2009, 12:12 AM

Would you want a BMW that was assembled in Germany or Mexico?

Although they are the same, personally Id rather have an Italian-made Beretta.

Arbiter89 · October 13, 2009, 02:55 AM

Will it be more difficult to get the Italian made repaired in the U.S.?

Meaning, if it was manufactured overseas, will it have parts that U.S. repair guys don't have?

VHinch · October 13, 2009, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arbiter89

will it have parts that U.S. repair guys don't have?

No, they are exactly the same gun.

TripleL · October 13, 2009, 08:34 AM

I don't think the bad guy getting shot with either one would be able to tell the difference.

torpeau · October 13, 2009, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Would you want a BMW that was assembled in Germany or Mexico?

Depends on the plant's management.

You could have higher quality standards in Zimbabwe than in Switzerland -- training, management and quality control would make the difference.

snail · October 13, 2009, 10:15 AM

They are the same gun. When Beretta won the US military contract all of the guns were made in Italy. The only reason they make them in the US is it was part of the agreement with the military. In case of a WWII like situation the military wanted to ensure they could still get their guns and parts. Buy either one they are identical to each other.

Sturmgewehre · October 13, 2009, 10:52 AM

The old school (1980's) Italian made Beretta's are much more nicely fit and finished than the current crop of American made Beretta's. The American guns are functional and work quite well, they're just not the work of art the older Italian guns are.

For a carry gun, I would use an American Beretta. For a collector and a safe queen, I would have Italian Beretta's.

YMMV

Arbiter89 · October 13, 2009, 03:39 PM

Well, I heard that the American built model has a few more plastic parts than the Italian. This true or false?

Beentown71 · October 13, 2009, 04:07 PM

^^^^Not that I know of. They all use the same materials.

Beentown

Arbiter89 · October 13, 2009, 04:56 PM

Well, I hope I won't regret purchasing the Italian. I just feel the place of origin makes a difference. I may be wrong though.

Thanks anyway everyone!

October 12, 2009, 03:18 PM	#1
Arbiter89 Member Join Date: October 6, 2009 Location: Louisiana Posts: 38	Italian Beretta or American Beretta? I am sure this has been asked before but any recommendations? What is the difference if any between the Italian made and American made.

October 12, 2009, 04:51 PM	#4
Tommy Vercetti Senior Member Join Date: June 26, 2004 Location: Fairhope, Alabama Posts: 1,119	mine is Italian, supposedly it's more desirable from a collectability standpoint __________________ "When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying the cross." Sinclair Lewis, (It Can't Happen Here, 1935) "Orators are most vehement when their cause is weak" Marcus Tullius Cicero

October 12, 2009, 04:55 PM	#6
Coltman 77 Senior Member Join Date: October 3, 2009 Location: NC Posts: 1,244	I've got one of each. The 1989 92F Italian is a bit more accurate and the attention to detail seems to be just a bit better than my 1990 92FS. Both are great and thank god they are blued and not bruniton. __________________ "A man can be destroyed but not defeated". Ernest Hemingway Protect our 2nd Amendment Rights -- Join the NRA

October 12, 2009, 07:05 PM	#8
Tom2 Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 5,676	Unless you are a collector or have a mystique for Italian guns, it would not be worth it to you to buy the import version if there were a huge price difference. You might go a bit higher to get an Italian just for the fact it is maybe like a German versus US made Sig. Maybe less so, I think the Berettas probably have less squaks about quality control. Now what people do whine about is the newer ones with plastic parts versus older all metal. I might go for all metal versus plastic, instead of point of origin. __________________ Your gun is like your nose, it is just wrong for someone else to pick it for you!

October 12, 2009, 07:10 PM	#9
Beentown71 Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2009 Location: Midwest Posts: 1,560	I would get the one that is available for the best price. I have both and they are exactly the same except for markings. Both of mine are stainless. I am currently looking for a 92 Centurion which is a good bit shorter in OAL (read: easier to carry). Beentown __________________ Μολὼν λάβε Time for the Mall Ninja list: Beretta 92fs, Springer XD9, High Standard Model HB, RRA bull bbl...aw heck with it time to go plink

October 12, 2009, 04:27 PM	#2
QBall45 Senior Member Join Date: April 5, 2008 Location: South Central Minnesota Posts: 584	Not sure that there is any differance. If the choice were mine...I'd want the Italian made gun. But, you'd likely be happy with either.

October 12, 2009, 04:36 PM	#3
Maromero Junior member Join Date: January 21, 2009 Location: Outside the continental U Posts: 752	I once handled a special edition and it was Italian made. I really don't know if the special edition was only limited to the engraving and gold accents or there was special treatment done to de action but it was way superior to both my US Beretta and Taurus. Much, much smoother in operation.

October 12, 2009, 04:53 PM	#5
Brian48 Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2001 Location: Boston, People's Republic of MA Posts: 1,616	I have the Italian one, which seems to be the only version available in my area these days. To be honest, aside from subtle markings, I can't tell the difference. Both appear equally good in terms of smoothness, fit, and overall quality. I wouldn't care either way.

October 12, 2009, 04:56 PM	#7
Arbiter89 Member Join Date: October 6, 2009 Location: Louisiana Posts: 38	Thanks.

October 12, 2009, 07:24 PM	#10
VHinch Senior Member Join Date: April 13, 2002 Location: Northeast Georgia Posts: 374	I've owned several of each, and couldn't tell you which was which without looking at the markings. __________________ “High speed isn't about gun, gear or tactics. High speed is executing the basics perfectly no matter what, cold, wet, day, night, tired. That’s high speed." -Paul Howe

October 13, 2009, 12:08 AM	#11
IdahoG36 Senior Member Join Date: June 24, 2006 Location: Boise, Idaho Posts: 2,993	No differences other than where they are manufactured. They are the same exact gun.

October 13, 2009, 12:12 AM	#12
JerseyDrez Senior Member Join Date: August 26, 2009 Location: Hmmm? Posts: 510	Would you want a BMW that was assembled in Germany or Mexico? Although they are the same, personally Id rather have an Italian-made Beretta.

October 13, 2009, 02:55 AM	#13
Arbiter89 Member Join Date: October 6, 2009 Location: Louisiana Posts: 38	Will it be more difficult to get the Italian made repaired in the U.S.? Meaning, if it was manufactured overseas, will it have parts that U.S. repair guys don't have?

October 13, 2009, 08:34 AM	#15
TripleL Member Join Date: August 19, 2009 Location: The Rockies Posts: 24	I don't think the bad guy getting shot with either one would be able to tell the difference.

October 13, 2009, 10:15 AM	#17
snail Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 2007 Location: Tennessee Posts: 260	They are the same gun. When Beretta won the US military contract all of the guns were made in Italy. The only reason they make them in the US is it was part of the agreement with the military. In case of a WWII like situation the military wanted to ensure they could still get their guns and parts. Buy either one they are identical to each other. __________________ Everything falls apart, even the people who never frown eventually break down.

October 13, 2009, 10:52 AM	#18
Sturmgewehre Senior Member Join Date: December 12, 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 4,212	The old school (1980's) Italian made Beretta's are much more nicely fit and finished than the current crop of American made Beretta's. The American guns are functional and work quite well, they're just not the work of art the older Italian guns are. For a carry gun, I would use an American Beretta. For a collector and a safe queen, I would have Italian Beretta's. YMMV __________________ Visit my YouTube channel for reviews, tests and more. Ex Mea Sententia

October 13, 2009, 03:39 PM	#19
Arbiter89 Member Join Date: October 6, 2009 Location: Louisiana Posts: 38	Well, I heard that the American built model has a few more plastic parts than the Italian. This true or false?

October 13, 2009, 04:07 PM	#20
Beentown71 Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2009 Location: Midwest Posts: 1,560	^^^^Not that I know of. They all use the same materials. Beentown __________________ Μολὼν λάβε Time for the Mall Ninja list: Beretta 92fs, Springer XD9, High Standard Model HB, RRA bull bbl...aw heck with it time to go plink

October 13, 2009, 04:56 PM	#21
Arbiter89 Member Join Date: October 6, 2009 Location: Louisiana Posts: 38	Well, I hope I won't regret purchasing the Italian. I just feel the place of origin makes a difference. I may be wrong though. Thanks anyway everyone!