… but Austin Bay reminds us why gun snobbery is for the birds:
I do take exception to the gun snob comments about the Beretta 92. That’s the civilian version of the M9. I could not hit squat with the service .45 I carried in the 1970s while on duty in Germany. The weapon was a rattle trap, which was no doubt part of the problem. However, a couple of the NCOs told me my accuracy problem “isn’t entirely the weapon’s fault.†Hah. Well, I agreed. I was adequate with a rifle, but the pistol? Yes, I can see the barn’s broadside. No, I cannot hit the barn’s broadside — not with my service .45.
But the Beretta I had in Iraq was something else entirely — I managed to qualify sharpshooter with it. I know, the superior gunfighters out there will dismiss that as the sorry effort of a chronic poor shot. However, I came within two rounds of qualifying expert. That’s a huge change. I had confidence I could hit a target.
It all comes down to what works for you. I’ve always been able to shoot well with a Glock, and struggle a lot more with Bitter’s single stack SIG. Ahab of WWJWD likes to carry a Walther P22, which most people would deride. Shot placement is key, and a pistol chambered in .22LR that you hit your target consistently with will do a lot more than one in .50 AE that you can’t hit shit with. While there are certain firearms that shouldn’t be carried for safety reasons, I’ve always been of the opinion that you should carry what you’re comfortable with, and enjoy shooting enough to practice a lot, so your shot placement is good.
“Rattle trap” 1911’s? Yeah, that sounds about right. As a young Marine in the early ’80’s I qualified a coupla times with the .45. None of the ones we had shot point of aim, and all were loose as a goose. Add in tiny sights and it was not the easiest piece to qual with. Course, I shot sharpshooter and expert my two times cause I’m a damn good shot, and humble too, damnit.
I agree completel. I do pretty good with my Glock, but amaze my self with the Kimber .45. The last range day I took the .38 snub and could not hit the target consitantly.
I wasn’t in the Coast Guard during th 1911 days, so the only service sidearm I’ve ever carried has been the M9. And seeing as I was in the Mighty Aqua Cops, I carried the M9 a lot.
I never understood all the Beretta haters; it’s a perfectly functional, reliable, and accurate service sidearm. Does the 9mm Para round leave something to be desired? Well sure, but compared to an M870 with 00 buck, a .45 leaves a lot to be desired.
You know… here’s one thing that may be surprising: I have never in my life fired a 1911.
Wow. I didn’t even know that about you.
Good post. You make some great points that most people do not fully understand.
“It all comes down to what works for you. I’ve always been able to shoot well with a Glock, and struggle a lot more with Bitter’s single stack SIG. Ahab of WWJWD likes to carry a Walther P22, which most people would deride. Shot placement is key, and a pistol chambered in .22LR that you hit your target consistently with will do a lot more than one in .50 AE that you can’t hit shit with.”
I like how you explained that. Very helpful. Thanks.