What are the Differences between a Glock and a Beretta?

Regardless of whether you own a gun or even thought of possessing one, you must have come across these two brands; Glock and Beretta. In this article, our primary aim is to distinguish between the two by pointing out their significant differences. Both these brands are well-established firearm manufacturers with a substantial amount of followers in the shooting community.

Beretta is among the oldest firearm manufacturers in the game, boasting of over 400 years of experience. On the other hand, the Glock is more of a new player that joined the production of semiautomatic pistols not more than 50 years ago. Despite their short period making these weapons, their catalog is a force to reckon with its premium and simple creations.

Both these manufacturers bring forth all-round weapons that are favored by the military, law enforcement officers, and even civilians. Despite this, Beretta has a broader range of weapons from shotguns to rifles to handguns, unlike Glock, which only makes pistols. To get a better understanding of these brands, here is a brief review for both.

Glock

The Glock makers are Australian based pistol manufacturers that are best known for their premium quality and reliable productions. Their catalog is not as comprehensive as most firearm makers as they specialize in polymer-framed semi automatic handguns. These pistols are a favorite to most shooters for their short recoil mechanism and simple build.

After their superb performance on military reliability and safety tests in 1982, one of their models was adopted for military use. Over the years, Glock pistols have seen significant upgrades gearing up from first to the current fifth-generation that fill the market. Each of the generations features new innovative characteristics that gradually improve their performance and exquisite look.

Sales analysis and research show that Glock pistols are the most profitable line of products from these makers. This finding is practical, considering that most of their resources are aimed at the production and improvement of these premium handguns. They are popular among civilian; often for defensive encounters. Law enforcement in over 40 countries also uses this brand’s pistol as their primary firearm in their day to day duties.

Beretta

The Beretta makers are a privately based Italian firm that specializes in a vast range of firearm and firearm-related components. Their weapons feature exquisite elements and perfect finishes that define the exact Italian standards. The Beretta makes are worldwide with at least a dozen pieces for each shooting genre and style. As a keen follower of their releases, I can attest that there is more than one Beretta gun for every shooter.

From their sales analysis and yearly reports, sporting pieces make up for three-quarters of their overall sales in almost every financial year. The Beretta team is the oldest and still active weapon manufacturer with its first production dating back to the 16^th century. Over these years, the team has steadily built and maintained its reputation in the shooting genre. As they progress in age, so has their reliability and following across the globe.

Unlike Glock makers who only specialize in one line of firearms, the Beretta catalog boast a wide variety of different makes. These makes vary from shotguns to rifles; they even make and advertise their shooting protective wear. This diversity does not compromise their quality as every model features the Beretta quality standards with outstanding performances.

Differences between the Glock and Beretta Handguns

The best approach to entirely exhaust the differences between these two brands will be a head to head analysis of their most popular pieces. With this approach, we can tackle each of them from a different angle resulting in a successful comparison. 

Glock 17 vs. 92FS

Safety

When it comes to the comparison of these two pistols, I would say the main difference is that the Glock has no manual safety. The sound of lacking manual protection may seem like the Glock 17 is not safe for use. However, to accommodate this external safety deficiency, the Glock features three internal safety mechanisms.

The first of the three installed mechanisms is a drop safety. As it sounds, this protective measure prevents your handgun from firing in the event of accidentally dropping the gun. To fire this pistol, you will need to apply more pressure on the trigger to disengage the second internal regulation installed for safe use, called the trigger safety. The final measure is the firing pin. You can activate it by pressing the trigger fully, and this is when your weapon will fire. 

On the other hand, the Beretta 92FS features both an external safety and decocking lever. Unlike the Glock, which is simpler to fire, this piece will require you to disengage the ambidextrous safety first before shooting.  After every shot, you will need to cock your weapon using the decocking lever for consecutive shots.

Trigger

Before diving into the trigger section, we need to acknowledge that the 92FS is DA/SA (Double-Action/ Single-Action), whereas the Glock 17 is a striker fired pistol. Considering this information, then it is typical that there will be a difference in their trigger feels especially the pull weights.

The first trigger pull of the 92FS will be more massive than the other consecutive draws. The main reason being the first pull is taken as double action and requires almost twice the effort to release your round. 

The Glock 17 striker firing action allows for consistent lighter pulls in every shot attempt. This consistency enables the shooter to take accurate shots without upsetting the overall balance of the weapon. The 92FS is not the easiest to adapt to; however, with a few trials, you will probably get the hang of it and improve your general performance.

Frame

Most, if not all, Glock pistol models are made of a tough polymer frame. This frame complements the rigid plastic make that maximizes durability and comfort.  The structure is more expansive than most handguns resulting in a broader rim that features steel rails on its sides.

The 92FS is lighter than its counterpart, all thanks to its aluminum build. It also features several metallic elements in its constitution, making it more durable than the Glock 17.

Sights

A perfect handgun also requires a simple sighting accessory to aid in the aiming process and target acquisition. For the Glock 17, all your sighting needs are taken care of by swappable front and rear pieces. Both these pieces work hand in hand to result in accurate shots and natural pointing of the weapon. Being strategically positioned at the front and rear portions of the gun allow for a perfect balance of the firearm, improving your accuracy.

The 92FS also has a splendid sight; however, it is only a front sight and is permanently fixed on the body of the handgun. It is simple and is a favorite to most shooters, including me. The reason I find it perfect for my shooting approach is its simplicity, and it also does not add on too much weight to the weapon. If the sight breaks, which is very rare, there are countless replacement options in the market.

Glock 26 vs. Beretta Nano

Magazine

Of all the concealed carry handguns I have had the chance to encounter, the Glock 26 is among the few that has a double stacked magazine. This nature gives the casing adequate room for holding more shells than the standard options that are close competitors—the guns capacity totals to 11 rounds, ten in the magazine and one in the chamber.

To account for the high capacity, it features a broader and larger grip size of 1.18 inches, unlike the Nano’s width of 0.90 inches. This slim handling characteristic only allows its magazine to hold six rounds, which is average for a weapon of its size. Since it is a product of Beretta, be sure to find numerous magazine options in their stores. Although its handle build is smaller, it is finished with a round form allowing it to fit on the shooter’s hand correctly.

Weight

Regarding their weights, both of them are among the lightest conceal-carry weapons available for purchase currently. However, the Glock 26 is heavier, weighing 19.75oz, whereas the Nano comes at 17.67oz. The stocky build associated with the 26 perfectly balances the weapon and makes way for better aiming and shooting experiences.

The lightweight nature of the Nano does not compromise its performance. It gives the weapon a more solid feel at the same time, reducing the recoil impact felt on the shooter. As a result, the user can make more accurate shots with the steady aim available.

Recoil

A gun’s ability to remain steady after each shot also plays an essential role in determining the success of your weapon. It majorly depends on the internal mechanism of the gun, and since the firearms under the limelight are from different makers, you would expect a variation.

The Glock 26 recoil is less than that of the Nano as it features the least muzzle flip between the two. Less muzzle flip translates to a more accurate and consistent consecutive shot. The 3.46-inch barrel swallows up most of the recoil impact before reaching the grip.

The Nano’s barrel length is shorter and accounts for 3.07 inches of the gun’s total length. Although it balances perfectly, it leaves behind a more noticeable muzzle flip. To account for the impact that may offset your target is its solid grip that enables the user to grasp his or her firearm firmly.

Trigger

Between these two compact pistols, the Glock has the lightest trigger pull. Mind you that both firearms are striker-fired pistols; hence each shot is consistent on the pull weight and even more accurate follow-up attempts. However, this weight might not be the best one available for such pistols; it does rank among the best.

On the other hand, the Beretta breaks at a heavier weight pull and requires a further pullback force. Despite them being bulky, they maintain a uniform feel that the shooter can quickly adapt.

Here is the full review on the Beretta BU9 Nano handgun.

Most Popular Handgun Accessories

Here is a table with a set of handgun accessories that you might find useful.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which Gun is Better than a Glock?

There is a variety of superior weapons to the Glock, and the best one is the Sig Sauer P320 compact. It is almost the same size as the Glock and fits the same profile. From home protection to law enforcement, the Sig promises you excellent, reliable, and consistent results.

The Sig P320 compact in comparison to a Glock is better in every possible aspect you may think of. Because of its excellent performance, it is a favorite for several army troops as a sidearm.

Which Generation of Glock 19 is Best?

In total, there are five generations of Glock pistols, and the best among all of them is the fifth gen, which is the latest one. This specific gen features improved features of the previous models and also additional improvements unique only to it.

These improvements include bringing back the straight grip without the finger grooves. Besides, it also comprises internal modification that smoothens the action cycle of the weapon.

Are Glocks Overrated?

In my opinion, yes, these semi automatic pistols are getting more attention than they deserve. I do agree that they are an excellent option for self-defense or even tactical approaches; however, they are not the best, as most critics claim. I believe that there are better guns out there, and it all boils down to how much you are willing to spend and how deep you dig.

Conclusion

After the detailed analysis of both brands and some of their releases, I can confidently conclude that the Beretta is more superior to the Glock. I choose the Beretta for its diversity and quality performance, not forgetting its pricing. 

Most modern shooters will opt for the Glock for its simplicity and availability. The only way to find out what’s best for you is to head to the ranges and to test out as many pieces as possible.