Shield vs. Nano?

[12string]

I have been trying to find a Shield 9 at a decent price but everyone is either sold out or they want a high price. Stopped in my LGS, they had the Beretta Nano 9 on sale $419 down to $399 (no discount for cash so I got the points on plastic ). I liked the feel and quality so it came home, any one have any experience with the Nano, I know this is the Smith and Wesson forum but I got tiered of waiting and I needed a summer carry gun.

 

[RussC]

12String

I owned one of the original Nanos Nov 2011.

I shot 1, 300 rounds through her in 5 months.

Federal Champion 115 grain 2% FTE (failure to extract)
S&B 115 grain. 1% FTE
WWB. 115 grain 1% FTE
Winchester NATO 124 grain 0% (shot 130 rounds)

I sent Nano back they polished feed ramp and chamber at 600 round mark. No change in FTE rate. I traded for Shield April 2012.

Serial number xxx110x (one of the first 1, 100 made)

Please PM me your range report. I want to know your experience. You can read my experience in detail on beretta forum. User name is RussC if interested in searching.

Good Luck.

Russ

 

[Maddmax]

YMMV. I have a friend or two that ...like them. One hated his and bought the Shield that came in with mine last April in the first 2500 out. The other friend is determinded to make his work and (evadently) likes it.

As for forum. You needed one. I think you can still play here

 

[RobzGuns]

I shot both side-by-side before buying and ended up buying the Shield.
Both shot nice for me, no FTEs with either. For me, the Shield gripped easier on the draw, while I needed to adjust my grip with the Nano.
The recoil on the Shield also felt softer than the recoil on the Nano, which allowed for quicker followup shots.

If you haven't already, do visit the Beretta forum and research common complaints with the Nano, but as people do post complaints more readily than they post praise, take those complaints with a grain of salt.

Like I tell many people... If you NEED a Subcompact RIGHT NOW, get what you can find, but if you can wait, put some Nomex in your pocket to keep the money from burning a hole in your pocket and wait for the Shield.