Beretta Nano Mini Review & Pics

[Dump1567]

I have several small .380 pistols and J frames. Up from that, I have a Glock 27 and several larger frame semi-autos. I wanted somthing smaller than the G27, but in a caliber bigger than a .380. I started looking at several 9mm's that fit the bill. I had looked at the Beretta Nano a few times, but was still undecided. I've owned Kahrs in the past and was going to get one of those (still have a mag and several holsters).

Buds Police Supply had the Nano on sell for $400 shipped with night sights, so I quickly searched the internet for comparison posts and videos vs. the Kahr (I was looking at getting CW9). Some of the info. I found stated the Nano had a slightly larger grip. This is fine with me, as I've got large hands. It also felt more solid than the Kahr according to one reviewer. I decided to buy the Nano, as it was only $35 more than the Kahr, but came with night sights and what I thought was two mags (turned out to be three).

The Nano showed-up at my shop with one 8 round mag (extened), and two 6 round flush fit mags (this may be for LEO only though). And it looks like Beretta is offering a $50 rebate to prior military for purchasing this gun- Yes.

Some of the features I liked:

Can decock the gun with the use of a small punch for disassembly (don't have to pull the trigger).

Sleek design. No slide release. Slide locks open on the last round and than requires you to sling shot the slide to chamber a round in the fresh magazine (some may not like this feature, but I'm fine with it).

The manual shows you how to change out the sights (real simple to do with an allen wrench), and how to swap the mag release from one side to the other for lefties. I guess you can also swap out the frame chassis for a new one (change the color if you choose). I'm sure there's other possibilities with this?

I like the +2 magazine extending the grip frame. Not just a pinky extension. I shot with both style mags and the +2 definetly gave more controlability and less flip.

The grip is larger than I remember the Kahr being. And it does feel like a more solid gun.

I took this to the range and shot about 50 flawless rounds of ball and HP. I read these are finiky with 115 gr. bullets. All my shooting was with 147 gr., so I can't comment on any issues with the lighter bullet.

Mine was very accurate if I did my part. I shot it fairly well on my qualifier to carry.

What I didn't like:

It's actually bigger and heavier than I thought it would be. Definetly not a pocket gun (but that's not what I was after). Not sure if it will serve any purpose that my G27 can't fill.

The gap between the extended mag.

The trigger is long and horrible, with a real long reset. I shot my G42 after shooting this which has the worst trigger of all the Glocks I've shot. The 42 seemed like a nice trigger compared to the Nano. Hopefully it will get better with shooting.

My overall impression is Beretta has a winner. Just one more sub-compact to consider if you're in the market for one. Here's some pics. The holster is a Desantis Mini Scabbard.

 

[Rule3]

I had one. Felt it was an excellent gun Very well made. I actually sold here on the form as I decided to carry something else. Ther early ones had some hicups with lighter 115 gr ammo. They are said to have fixed that, Mine worked fine with any ammo and tested it with several makes and types. I never used the sear unlock, Just be sure the gun is empty and clear and pull the trigger ala Glock.

 

[Farmer17]

"The trigger is long and horrible, with a real long reset."

I'm looking for a small single stack gun like this but the comment on the trigger is a big turn-off. The Kahr I used to have had an excellent trigger pull that was very smooth like a tuned Smith K-frame so I think my choice will be between a Kahr or a Shield.

 

[Dump1567]

"The trigger is long and horrible, with a real long reset."

I'm looking for a small single stack gun like this but the comment on the trigger is a big turn-off. The Kahr I used to have had an excellent trigger pull that was very smooth like a tuned Smith K-frame so I think my choice will be between a Kahr or a Shield.

If the trigger is going to be an issue, I agree, the Kahr might be better. Handle & dry fire the Nano when you get a chance to see what you think.

I just got done carrying the Nano for a few hours. I think it does conceal-up better than my 27, as the whole package is thinner.

I'm starting to like this gun more and more.

 

[NeoBuckeye]

I looked at the Nano, but did not like the way it fit my hand. Next was the Walther PPS and a Shield. My friend had a PPS and was on the hunt for one.
I did not find one, found a Shield 9mm first, so I bought the Shield.
The other carry pistol i actually got to fire was a Diamondback DB 9, but that was way tooo small for my hands so I ruled that out.

 

[GF]

Good write-up and I agree that it's a good choice for a compact 9mm carry pistol.
I bought one not long ago, I thought I wanted a Glock 26 but I already have a 19 and this Nano was thinner due to a single stack mag. I liked that & decided to give it a try.
I agree the trigger is stiff but even at 9 lbs for the pull I didn't feel it was a deal breaker.
I carry it with the short mag because it conceals better, I keep the longer one for the reload.

After I brought the gun home I disassembled & cleaned it, then I shot 200 rounds of 115 gr FMJ through it without a FTF/FTE.
I got on the 'net later that evening and discovered that the commandos on the world wide web considered my new little gun a jam-O-matic!
I went out the next day with 124gr JHP and 147gr JHP and put 200 more rounds though it. No jams whatsoever.
I've fired it about 100 more times and it remains reliable.

The only trouble I had was the front sight shot loose. I had to put a drop of Loc-Tite on the screw, no problem since.

So here it is ...

... and we seem to have the same holster for our pistols!

GF

 

[rwsmith]

I agree

"The trigger is long and horrible, with a real long reset."

I'm looking for a small single stack gun like this but the comment on the trigger is a big turn-off. The Kahr I used to have had an excellent trigger pull that was very smooth like a tuned Smith K-frame so I think my choice will be between a Kahr or a Shield.

Great review. That has a lot of winning characteristics but I'd trade a few of those for at least a decent trigger. It must be difficult to achieve in a sub compact because I think I've heard that even the Sig (was it the 290?) trigger felt nothing like any other Sigs. I'd take either a Sig or a Nano if the price was right. Or a Shield.

 

[thebeamanater107]

I'm not aware of Beretta making a piece of junk. Their 92f and 92fs are pretty good solid guns, so I expected the same for the nano.

But your comments on the trigger is a turn off. I figure there's a lot of sub compacts on the market currently, and Sig's tiny little 1911 looks like it's the one for me, especially with that 1911 trigger. If only they could pair a 1911 trigger with a striker fire action, or safe action as some people call it.

the original point and click interface, by Smith & Wesson

 

[LVSteve]

I have not tried one but I bet the trigger comment does not take into account the lawyer factor. A pocket gun with a short trigger and no safety is simply not going to happen. Guns like this will always have long triggers like a DAO revolver.

That said, I tried a few other things in a store last year and there was a Ruger that had such a long pull it defied belief. The Kahr was MUCH better.

 

[Dump1567]

I think anyone interested in one of these needs to handle one and dry fire it for yourself. As far as the trigger pull goes, those use to shooting a DA revolver, may not mind it as much. It's just one of those things you need to get use to. As I said above, I actually shot it fairly well with the heavy trigger. So it's definetly something that can be overcome.

As far as the 1911 style .380's and 9mm, I'm personally not that comfortable carry a single action. I have a Colt Gov. .380 and rarely carry it. I don't like the two parts required to get it into action (thumb safety off/ fire). Unlike the fullsize 1911 that has a pretty positive "click on / click off safety", the smaller guns just don't feel that responsive (at least mine doesn't, but I had to put an ambi-safety on it as I'm a lefty).

But what's great, is the countless amount of subcompacts on the market today. There's something for everyone and most seem to work fairly well.

 

[Papa32129]

I like my Nano, I pocket carry or inside the waist band with a Remora holster.



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[Linejudgemick]

I also like my Nano and use it in a Remora, either IWB, or in a pocket - for a couple years now. About the trigger; it is long, but over time mine has become incredibly smooth. I had never put it on a trigger scale, but my son-in-law brought one over yesterday and mine is just south of 7 lbs. Perhaps yours will get better with use, cleaning, lubing and re-use too?? I have had a minimal number of ejection issues with mine using light range ammo, but very few. It seems to be specific to some brands though (think that can be true with a number of pistols)... So far I've shot a pile of 115gr Monarch brass made by Prvi without an issue, plus I've never had an issue with the heavier FMJ or SD ammo I've used. Another not mentioned plus to the Nano is that it is very left-hand friendly. Have fun and be safe.

 

[Rule3]

The trigger is not that bad! It's not much different than any of the similar designed guns. No it's not a Glock trigger but I really don't like the Glock trigger which feels like a staple gun.

It is similar to the Kahr the MP Shield etc. One person may not care for it, others may like it. You need to try for yourself,

 

[Cdog]

I know this is an older thread, but I thought I would contribute to it anyway.

I like this small 9. The trigger isn't as bad as dry firing may lead some to believe. I can easily stay on target with mine.

Mine did have the FTE problem in the beginning, but Beretta quickly admitted that they had let some slip through with questionable chamber finishes. We all know this happens, my kind of manufacturer that takes care of it without question.

The weight ain't so great for back pocket carry, but it sure makes shooting a pleasure compared with lighter one's I've owned and shot. The pistol easily comes out of my pocket holster, but a rounder top at the rear of the slide would be nice for coming out of a front pocket.

With the aggressive pricing and promos I've seen lately, I'm tempted to buy another one. August has $50.00 in Nano merchandise as added incentive.