The 8 Best Beretta Handguns From Over the Years

These are the best Beretta handguns for sale right now.

Every firearms enthusiast knows Beretta. At this point, it's a household name, even to people who are unfamiliar with most firearms. The gunmaker was originally Italy-based and has a storied place in the history of guns due to their work during both World Wars. Their guns continue to see action in conflicts the world over to this day.

Proving how reliable they are, Beretta was made the service pistol of choice for the United States Military for many years, the M9. Many law enforcement agencies still carry this or other Beretta handguns.

In short, Beretta is storied gunmaker that is still producing high quality semi-auto pistols, many of which are ideal for self-defense. Here are some of the top choices to consider if you've been looking at a Beretta.

Beretta 92FS

You can't go wrong with picking up a 92FS for personal defense; the classic ergonomics speak for themselves. This single action/double action gun is chambered in 9mm Luger. It has a 4.9-inch barrel and comes in at 8.5 inches overall length. It's a little heavy for concealed carry at 33 ounces, but it can be done with the right holster. Beretta makes a standard model that has a 15+1 capacity and a compliant model that holds 10+1 for states with restrictions on magazines. This gun also has a lot of ambidextrous features including the safety decocker and magazine release. This is an incredibly reliable firearm and the price point of $600 is fantastic. It's a solid choice of firearm for a beginner.

Beretta 96 A1

This full size gun is nearly identical to the 92FS. It has the same barrel length, the same black synthetic grips and the same overall length. The big difference here is that this gun is chambered in .40 Smith & Wesson for more stopping power. Because it is a larger round, the magazine capacity is slightly reduced to 12+1. Beretta does make a state compliant version with a 10-round magazine. As another bonus, Beretta includes three magazines standard. We appreciate not having to run out and buy more magazines right away after a new gun purchase for a change.

Beretta M9

Of all the 9mm handguns to pick from, this is the one that the U.S. Military used as their service firearm of choice for so many years. Among the things the Military demanded was the ability to assemble and disassemble this firearm without the use of any tools. This is an ambidextrous SA/DA gun. The 5.2-inch barrel is threaded. An accessory rail gives you the chance to add a flashlight or other accessory. This handgun is fitted with Tritium night sights. Once again, Beretta offers two different magazine capacities to fit within different state regulations. The standard is 17+1 and the compliant model is 10+1 rounds.

Beretta PX4 Storm Type F

This semiautomatic pistol is chambered in powerful .45 ACP. It is a full size handgun that is designed to be lighter and more concealable than some of their other full-size models. It achieves this a few ways. One, it's only 27 ounces unloaded. Two, Beretta specifically designed this SA/DA firearm to have smoother lines for unhindered draw from the holster. This gun has a four-inch, cold-hammered forged barrel. The safety and other controls are fully ambidextrous, and Beretta includes multiple backstraps to help customize the fit to your hand. A picatinny rail allows you to add a laser sight or small flashlight. The company includes two magazines, one standard and one extended for 9+1 and 10+1 rounds respectively.

Beretta PX4 Storm Type F Inox

This gun has many of the same features as the gun we featured above including the adjustable backstraps, the ambidextrous controls and snag-free clean lines. It can also be assembled and disassembled quickly with no tools. The big difference is that this Beretta pistol is chambered in 9mm. The company gives a few more options with this model. For instance, there's a version with a 3.2-inch barrel and a slightly lower 15+1 magazine capacity that shaves the weight down just a hair. Otherwise, the standard version has a four-inch barrel and a 17+1 capacity. It weighs in at about 27 ounces, making it an option for concealed carry.

Beretta APX Carry

This company's bread and butter seems to be 9mm pistols. The APX is a compact, striker-fired semi-auto designed specifically for concealed carry. It comes in at a light 19 ounces and features a 3-inch barrel length. Beretta includes two single stack magazines with this gun, one that holds 6+1 rounds and another extended mag that holds 8+1. This is an extremely slim gun. Beretta's specifications say the width is just 0.9 inches! The other great thing about this gun is the price. At only $329, this makes defending yourself affordable for nearly everyone.

Beretta Pico

If you're looking for one of the most concealable pistols on the market, the Beretta USA Pico is one to consider. This gun only weighs about a pound while loaded. It has a six-round ammo capacity. The barrel is just 2.7 inches, making this a pocket or purse gun. Because the DAO Pico is chambered in .380 ACP, the recoil is easy to handle for almost all shooters. The white dot sights make it easy to get on target and stay there in a pinch. This gun's width is just 0.725 inches wide. That's a slim gun! Just like the APX Carry, it comes at a great price. For $200, you or a family member can carry with confidence.

Beretta APX Centurion

This gun could probably be classified as a sub compact. Beretta offers this striker-fired handgun in either 9mm Luger of .40 S&W. The rear and front sights are removable white dot and the controls are fully ambidextrous. The frame and barrel length are virtually identical. The barrel is 3.7 inches and both models come in at about 27 ounces with the .40 S&W version weighing slightly more. That gun features a 13+1 round magazine standard while the 9mm can hold 15+1. Once again the price is great for this gun at just $329, meaning that it is cheaper than ever to get into concealed carry with a Beretta!

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