Beretta 96 first trigger pull ..Loooong!

[hdtwice]

Came across a good deal on a model 96 which for those who don't know it's the 40 cal version of the 92 series.

The gun is a Da/Sa which of course means a long first trigger pull. I know that and have shot the 92 series a few times in the past but now that I have the 96 in hand, and at the range with my revolvers, I am able to do back to back comparisons. I had no idea how much longer of a trigger pull that gun has. In comparison to both my 627, and my Ruger 357 security six, the Beretta first pull is much longer. It is smooth, easy to do, just really long. In fact at first I caught myself stopping the pull thinking something must not be right...why hasn't the gun fired yet? ...BANG!

For what's worth, it shoots 40 cal so smooth with a re-coil that barely feels more than some 9mm guns I shoot. There is a learning curve for the first shot but I like a challenge.

Here's a question for those who know...In comparison to other Da/Sa guns out there in the world, is the Beretta's first pull about the same as others? While I like the gun and the price is to good to pass up, if I were to go purchase a Da/Sa gun new, I would want the trigger travel of that first shot to be more like my revolvers... so don't know if it's a Beretta thing, or a 92/96 series thing, or just Da/Sa in general.

For those who are interested, there is a great video by Paul Harrel I came across discussing how to build better trigger control skills on a Da/Sa.
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3uBezHdjd8[/ame]

 

[Jessie]

I have the 96D which is double action only.
It was a good price on a Maryland State Police trade in. I'm surprised that it was even available for purchase.
It is a very long trigger pull, but extremely smooth and consistent throughout.
The " very long" part takes some getting used to. It's not to everyone's liking.

 

[hdtwice]

I have the 96D which is double action only.
It was a good price on a Maryland State Police trade in. I'm surprised that it was even available for purchase.
It is a very long trigger pull, but extremely smooth and consistent throughout.
The " very long" part takes some getting used to. It's not to everyone's liking.

Now when you say long, are you saying it's longer than a revolver Da pull like I found out?

I wonder if anything can be done to lessen that long of travel. Are there trigger kits to be had? Hmmm? have to look in to this. I like the Da first pull, just not that long.

 

[.455_Hunter]

I will take "very long" DA every time over non-safety equipped striker.

 

[DumpStick]

The late Col. Cooper called 'em "krunchen-tickers" for a reason.

The first pull is the Kruuuunnncccch, then - tik tik tik for the SA afterwards.

 

[BAM-BAM]

I will take "very long" DA every time over non-safety equipped striker.

Ditto,,,,,, there are short triggers..... Wilson Combat I think

 

[hdtwice]

I posted a similiar question over on the Beretta board.... here is what one poster wrote back

"In comparison to Sig Classic P series and CZ pistols, the Beretta feels to me to have a slightly longer DA pull.

I shoot them an equal amount and always notice the Beretta when I shoot it."

So FWIW, if interested in a 92/96 series, expect it to have a longer pull than other Da/Sa guns.
Again, not saying it's a bad thing, just more than I had imagined. I see that others who have some experience with this gun say no big deal after some range time. Looks like I have a reason to up my range time

 

[Cardboard_killer]

I like the Da first pull, just not that long.

My CZs have a half cock position that I use for carrying. It shortens the pull considerably and the weight of the trigger down to something like 8#s (I'd guess). I prefer the CZs with decockers only, so I do not carry locked and loaded, just loaded and at half cock.

 

[mrmike7189]

I have the 96D which is double action only.
It was a good price on a Maryland State Police trade in. I'm surprised that it was even available for purchase.
It is a very long trigger pull, but extremely smooth and consistent throughout.
The " very long" part takes some getting used to. It's not to everyone's liking.

I have an ex police Ruger P944DAO and it's a 9-10 lb. trigger pull, smooth, but long! takes some practice but I like it. just like a double action revolver

 

[RGVshooter]

Beretta makes a new Hammer spring called the "D" spring. It's the same hammer spring that comes in the double action only 96D model. It is a very common upgrade and a cure to that first long/heavy double action trigger. It's real easy to replace the hammer springs on the 92/96 series. Try it!

 

[BC38]

I have an ex police Ruger P944DAO and it's a 9-10 lb. trigger pull, smooth, but long! takes some practice but I like it. just like a double action revolver

^^This^^
I have a 9mm P94DC and a 45acp P97DC
I've never shot the Berettas, but I can hardly imagine them having an even longer trigger pull than those old P-series Rugers.
Of course anything's possible...

 

[Jessie]

Now when you say long, are you saying it's longer than a revolver Da pull like I found out?

I wonder if anything can be done to lessen that long of travel. Are there trigger kits to be had? Hmmm? have to look in to this. I like the Da first pull, just not that long.

Yes, it feels longer to me. I haven't done any scientific measurements, it just feels longer.
That may be because I feel no stacking or change throughout the trigger pull. Just one long,consistent smooth pull.
I did not like it at first, and to be honest, it's not my favorite but I've become familiar with it and have figured out how to shoot it.
Range time is your friend with this trigger.

 

[jimmyj]

Once when I was issued a Beretta I taught myself to draw, cock the hammer with my off hand thumb, and fire S/A for the first shot.

 

[JamesArthur60]

I own Beretta pistols and you have to change the hammer spring for a better first DA pull as stated by another member. It's really easy, check YouTube videos. IIRC, the factory hammer spring is 20#. I changed it to a 16#, but should have probably gone down to a 14# to start. If you get light primer strikes, the spring is to light.

 

[Trooper224]

My CZs have a half cock position that I use for carrying. It shortens the pull considerably and the weight of the trigger down to something like 8#s (I'd guess). I prefer the CZs with decockers only, so I do not carry locked and loaded, just loaded and at half cock.

That's a dangerous and ignorant practice.

 

[Trooper224]

There are no kits that will shorten the length of the DA pull on your Beretta to any significant degree. Some things will make it lighter and/or smoother, but not shorter. The length of the DA pull on the Beretta, Sig, CZ and other DA/SA guns are all about the same, with the CZ being a bit longer. The only one with a significantly shorter DA trigger travel are the S&W 3rd Generation pistols.

If you're going to carry a DA/SA pistol, which I do only a daily basis, you need to train with the DA trigger. What you DON"T do are bone head moves like carrying the thing on half cock, or cocking the trigger while drawing the gun. Don't make the mistake of thinking you know better. Use it as designed or pick something else.

 

[Cardboard_killer]

That's a dangerous and ignorant practice.

Why is that?

 

[Cardboard_killer]

If you're going to carry a DA/SA pistol, which I do only a daily basis, you need to train with the DA trigger.

Half cock is double action. I don't understand the rudeness, ether. If you want to tell us the official way of carrying an automatic, I'm ready to read your book. But your unprovoked public insults are a sad indication of someone that shouldn't carry a gun at all.

 

[BB57]

My CZs have a half cock position that I use for carrying. It shortens the pull considerably and the weight of the trigger down to something like 8#s (I'd guess). I prefer the CZs with decockers only, so I do not carry locked and loaded, just loaded and at half cock.

I agree the CZ DA trigger is short compared to the Beretta 92 / 96.

I have both "B" and "D" versions CZs however and some clarification is in order.

The safety equipped models that can be used either DA or SA cocked and locked have a quarter cock notch. You can carry them in DA mode with the safety off with the hammer in the quarter cock position. This shortens the DA pull by about 1/4".

The decocker equipped models drop the hammer to this same position, leaving it with the same 1/4" shorter DA trigger pull. The only time you'd ever have the full length DA pull would be if you had a failure to fire and pulled the trigger again.

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My primary objection to the Beretta 92 /96 is not the length of the trigger pull as much as it is the very long trigger reach. It's too long for many shooters, and it made it a very poor choice for a general issue service pistol as the combination of fat grip and long trigger reach means most shooters can't grip it properly for optimum control of the pistol.

Civilian pistols can be equipped with a short reach trigger kit, which helps the trigger reach issue, but the actual trigger pull length is just as long.

 

[Marshal Tom]

Consider sending it to Wilson Combat for their tuning job. they make the trigger butter smooth. Look up the work they do on Beretta's.