Beretta Shooting Glasses

A few months ago, I was in the market to upgrade my cheap eye protection that I have had for years.  Being mostly a shotgun shooter, I thought that I would look at something manufactured by a company that is in the shotgun arena.  My logic was, that if you can make great shotguns, then surely you must be able to produce great shotgun safety equipment as well.  So naturally the big names that came to my mind were Remington, Browning and Beretta.  I know I know, there are lots of other great shotgun makers out there.  However not all shotgun companies offer their own line of safety equipment.  Anyway, with that being said.  I went on-line and looked at everyone's inventory for safety glasses.  Surprisingly, there was not a ton of offerings like I imagined.  Nonetheless, my attention was captured by the Beretta Performance Shooting Frames.

Now keep in mind, that never saw these in the flesh.  My only interaction with these glasses was what I could see and read about on-line.  I think what really sold me on the glasses besides their low purchase point was the amount of unobstructed vision.  I liked how my eyes could clearly see objects coming from the side of me without getting lost in a construction piece.  Remember, I shoot a lot of sporting clays.  And the thing with sporting clays is that you don't know from what direction the clays will be coming from.  They could be thrown from behind you over your head, they could come right at you or they could come from somewhere on the side of you.

So I decided to pull the trigger and make the purchase.  I will have to say that the glasses are lightweight.  They glasses do have a very comfortable nose piece and the glasses stay put on your ears.  The field of vision of the glasses was amazing and everything that I hoped it would be.  However, they are large.   I guess it has to do with the design of the lenses, but they just seem to cover your whole face.  Don't get me wrong, you want proper eye protection and these glasses do deliver on that.  But they just seem a bit too big.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame: Lightweight and improved design allows for great field of vision and more protection.

Target Market: From plinking, to sporting clays, to hunting, these glasses are offered to suit us all.

FNB's:  (Features and Benefits of this product)

• Lightweight
• Plastic soft touch frame
• Anti-slip tips
• Larger field of vision

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?:  Lenses are offered in smoke, clear, yellow, purple, red, orange and blue.

What others are saying?:  4.1 stars out of 5 from Amazon reviewers.

• "Great value"
• "They are huge"

Price point:

• MSRP = $22.00
• Retail = $13.96 - $19.00

I need it now! Availability: Readily available on-line at Safety Glasses USA, Beretta and Amazon.

Our Rating:

Pros:

• Lightweight
• Anti-slip tip
• Comfortable nose piece

Cons:

• They are large

Score: 8.0 Great

Jared prefers Simon Peter Sport Company for all his FFL needs.

 

Jared's Links:

• Vino Accessories
• Best Golf Tools
• Dorm Room Extras

Beretta Tactical Fleece Review

For a long time I would wear a Northface fleece jacket on cool/cold days.  However over this past winter, my fleece suffered an unfortunate accident while I was shoveling snow and ripped apart on me.  I was going to go for the budget friendly approach and try sewing the thing back together but decided to forget that idea and buy myself something nice and useful.  I could have gotten another Northface, but I really wanted something that would be more durable and adaptable to my shooting activities.  For those of you who don't already know, I shoot a lot of sporting clays.  With clay shooting, your arms and body are in consistent motion as you follow the clay for the shot.  With that being said, the adjustable cuffs with the thumb holes worked out great at keeping the jacket put.  The reinforced panels around the shoulder area were great at helping to keep the butt of the gun set and not loose its position on your shoulder.  The jacket is warm and loose enough to allow you to layer up a bit.  Last but not least, I actually liked the drop down stadium seat because I could put my butt down on any wet surface around the course.  Why is it always that the little things make the most difference ?

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame: Comfortable and warm protection that is functional in every day wear.

Target Market: Shooters, gun enthusiasts and those of us with a tactical mindset. 

FNB's:  (Features and Benefits of this product)

• Reinforced with abrasion panels in key areas like shoulders and elbo.
• Drop down stadium seat
• Adjustable cuffs with thumb holes
• Removable hood
• 2 shoulder Velcro shoulder patch panels
• Variety of interior and exterior pockets

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?:  Black and green are the only color options that Beretta offers this jacket in.

What others are saying?:  The only reviews that I could find on this item were on the Beretta USA site.  Also, there were only 2 reviews posted.  I shared them both below.  If you average both review together, the fleece receives 4.5 out of 5 stars.

• "Great jacket. Well made".  5 out of 5 stars
• "Overall this is a great fleece, I however am very disappointed with the internal concealed carry pickets.  My 45 will tear right through the lightweight fabric and fall out through the cheap Velcro! Otherwise I love the fleece".  4 out of 5 stars

Price Point:

• MSRP - $139.00
• Retail - $102.99

I need it now! Availability: I have only found this fleece available on-line at Beretta USA and Midway USA

Our Rating:

+-Durable and warm +-Allows for layering up without feeling bulky +-Drop down stadium seating allows you to sit on any wet surface around you +-Adjustable cuffs and thumb holes keep the jacket put around your arms/hands +-Velcro patch panels allow you to customize your fleece's look

Score: 9.0 Amazing

Jared prefers Simon Peter Sport Company for all his FFL needs.

 

Jared's Links:

• Vino Accessories
• Best Golf Tools
• Dorm Room Extras

Beretta Hearing Protection Review

Your hearing, once you loose it .... you can never get it back.  With that being said, proper hearing protection can not be stressed enough.  It doesn't matter whether you are shooting .22LR or a cannon, all of us should be stressing the importance of hearing protection.  OK, enough of the safety talk and now onto the main event.  Recently I purchased the above pictured Beretta Hearing Protection ear muffs.  I am normally a push in ear plug man, but I thought I would get myself something  different.  The Beretta ear muffs are low profile and fully adjustable.  However, they seem to require some breaking in or just loosening up.  Using them right out of the box, they just felt very stiff to adjust and get comfy.  As far as function, I had n0 problems what-so-ever.  I could hold a conversation with my friends and shoot well over 100 clays with a 12 gauge.  Overall I am very pleased with the product, but time will tell as I break them in.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame: Low profile and compact design for protection and value.

Target Market: All shooters who wish to keep their hearing in place.

FNB's:  (Features and Benefits of this product)

• Fully adjustable
• Compact
• Protection of db-25
• Lanyard attachment

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?:  Beretta offers these in green, blue and black.  Beretta USA

What others are saying?: 

• Beretta USA reviewers are giving them 4.5 out of 5 stars.
• Optics Planet - only 1 review posted and the user gave them 2 out of 5 stars.
• Amazon reviewers are giving them 4 out of 5 stars.

Price Point:

• MSRP - $40.00
• Retail - $29.95

I need it now! Availability: Readily available on-line at Beretta USA, Optics Plant and Amazon.

Our Rating:

+-Compact +-Adjustable +-Lanyard

--Need to be broken in/loosened up

Score: 8.5 Great

Jared prefers Simon Peter Sport Company for all his FFL needs.

 

Beretta M9 Pistol Review

By Justin Kepley

A good friend of mine gave me a call one day and asked if I would be interested in taking a CCW class with him. I said "sure, but I do not currently have my own gun, but I can get one for the day of the class".  A week or so before we were scheduled for the CCW class I borrowed a handgun from a family member, we set up some targets to shoot, partly for fun, but to also make sure we could hit what we intended to hit on the day of our class.  That day at our homemade range I was able to shoot a Glock 17, a Smith and Wesson Sigma .40, and a small .22lr revolver.  It had been years since I had shot a gun, but almost instantly I knew I had found my new hobby.

After taking the class and getting my CCW permit, it was time to start shopping for a gun that I would be happy with.  I went into the search with all options open. I started by researching which caliber I would fit my needs the best and when I decided to go with the 9mm I started my homework on the different makes and models of pistols.

I read everything I could get my hands on from varying gun magazines, to online blogs, to a firearm encyclopedia. At that point I had narrowed my search down to just a handful of possibilities. On the polymer side of the coin I was left with the Glock, M&P, and XD and on the non-polymer side I was down to CZ-75B or Beretta 92FS. (It was at this point when a Google search of "Glock, M&P, and XD" lead me to the Gun Guy Radio episodes 20 and 21. I started listening then and have now gone back to listen to all back episodes.)

I borrowed a Glock 17, a CZ-75B, and Beretta 92FS and went to shoot.  After several rounds, I realized that the heavier gun just felt better to me so I knew my choice would be between the Beretta and CZ.  Both felt great in my hands and both shot without any issues. I was still torn until I asked advise from a lifelong friend who has been a member of our military for nearly 20 years, he said "Beretta is a great gun, just heavy for a 9, if you don't mind the weight you will not be disappointed". He also mentioned the M9, stating it was the same as the 92FS except for the military markings and sights.

I think I drove my wife crazy with all of the YouTube videos comparing different guns, most notably Hickok45, or constantly listening to the Firearms Radio Network on my iPhone. I can honestly say that the gun was worth all of the time and research I put into it, I have taught wife and child how to safely handle and shoot the Beretta.  And to this point I have not had a single failure to feed, stovepipe, Hang fire, or any other malfunctions.  All in all if you are looking for a solid gun for home protection I would highly recommend the Beretta 92FS/M9 platform.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame: Home Defense,Target/Range shooting, Military/Law Enforcement, Collection (military history)

Target Market: Military, possibly Law Enforcement, Collector.

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

• Reliability,
• Ease of Field Strip,
• Durability,
• Weight helps with staying on target.
• Dot-and-Post site system.
• Safety/De-cocker

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?: The Beretta M9 Pistol is only available in black but the 92(its “civilian” variant) is available in various configurations, even .40 cal.

What others are saying?: “Great performance on the range. This is a man's pistol. A true warrior that replaced the 45 ACP 1911 service pistol. The Beretta M9 (or 92FS) is the most tested pistol since the M1911-A1. Used by the U.S. Military and thousands of police officers. Beretta 92 pistols with over 75,000 rounds have been reported. This solid designed pistol is what replaced so many police revolvers. Nothing shoots better than a well used Beretta 92FS. Allow about 300 rounds for break-in. Good long range pistol. I can hit the 50 yard gong over and over again. Easy to find magazines and holsters for this popular gun. The Italian made ones are tight! See the new 92-A1 with 1913 Picatinny rail.” -  best9mm.com

Price Point:

• MSRP = $695.00
• Retail = $568.56

I need it now! Availability: This pistol is available from many retailers, including Bud's Gun Shop and Impact Guns.

Our Rating:

+ Ergonomics + Balanced

- Too large for concealed carry

Score: 8.5

Image via m700, The Firing Line

Beretta U22 Neos

I was in my local gun shop when I saw this Beretta U22 Neos hanging on the wall. I found it interesting as a possible purchase for my son who was really wanting a pistol. I figured he would think it was cool looking. I decided to buy it for his birthday. The model I chose was the 4.5 inch, it also comes in 6 inch. It has a rail permanently attached to the barrel that has an adjustable rear sight, windage and elevation, and a fixed blade in front. The rail on it is for Weaver style mounts. The controls work well and are mostly convenient. It has an ambidextrous safety which is under my thumb and is kind of awkward to take on/off. There is also a carbine kit for it, you unscrew the barrel and remove the hand grip. Replacing both with a 16” barrel and a stocked grip assembly. The main issue with this kit is poor availability and it is priced the same as the original pistol.

 Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:  Ergonomic design, ease to operate controls

Target Market:  New shooters, Anyone

FNBs:  (Features and Benefits of this product)

• Easy to use
• Low cost
• Comfortable grip
• Cool, Pleasing aesthetics
• Integrated weaver rail for mounting optics
• Easy takedown
• Carbine kit available

 What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?  Only one finish available, and two barrel lengths.  It also has a carbine conversion kit.

What others are saying? Most reviews I found at the time I was purchasing were favorable:

• “Looks like a space gun”
• “Accurate and easy to take apart to clean”
• Gun Blast

Price point:

• MSRP = $299.00
• Retail = $249.00

I need it now! Availability: Academy has them.

Score 7.5

Beretta PX4 Storm Compact

Beretta is one of the oldest gun makers in the world and I think the experience shows in this pistol. I’ve never had a FTF, FTE, or any kind of complications. Other than the things I don’t like listed below, I can’t complain. The stipling issue was easily overcome by using automotive grip tape, similar to that on skateboards. It can be found at Walmart and many hardware stores, and tutorials on how to apply it can be found on youtube. The take down and cleaning of it are easy as well. Beretta says they’ve used their experience with the M9 in sandy environments to produce a better functioning firearm. Unlike other manufacturers who crank out a new model every year they took their time to produce this masterpiece. Although it has some shortcomings, no product is perfect. It is a very reliable and accurate firearm that is great for conceal or open carry. I think this is one quality gun that I won’t be switching away from for a long time.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame: Capacity, durability, controllability.

Target Market: Duty carry, home defense, concealed carry.

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product)

• Polymer frame.
• Ambidextrous safety/decocker(Type F) and slide stop lever.
• DA/SA .
• 10, 15, 17 and 20 round magazines(9mm).
• Can change the magazine release to the other side.
• Different backstraps.
• Integral/retractable lanyard loop.
• Accessory rail.
• Easy to take down.
• Rotary barrel system to reduce recoil.
• Available in 9mm and 40 S&W.

Does it come in black? (What aesthetic options are there?) It only comes in black.

What others are saying? “Carried a Kimber Stainless ultra Carry II, now its the Px4 Storm compact” Beretta

Price point (MSRP versus actual retail)

• MSRP = $575 Beretta
• Retail = $500.16 Grab A Gun,  $537.99 Impact Guns

I need it now! Availability: Check your local gun shops. Also it can be bought at many websites including gunbroker.com and armslist.com.

Our Rating + The finish is semi matte. + It’s easy to conceal carry. + It doesn’t catch on my clothing. + Fits great in my hand. + Different backstraps to fit different hand sizes. + Nice slide serrations.

- At 27.3 oz empty weight it feels a little on the heavy side. - The finish has worn off in spots because of holster wear. - The side grip stippling was lacking. - You have to disengage the safety, adding time until you can fire it.

Score 8.5 Great!

To hear more about this and other gear go check out the Firearms Radio Networks new show Firearms Insider Gun & Gear Review Podcast.