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Beretta 96D Brigadier 40 cal

interarmsinterarms Member Posts: 22 ✭✭
edited November 2010 in Ask the Experts
Hi, I'm looking for any information regarding modifying my pistol. It is an ex-police officer's Beretta model 96D Brigadier which has no safety or hammer which you can pull back or the ability to stay back. The problem I have with this is for each trigger pull, you have to pull the hammer all the way back each time with the trigger in order to fire it, which makes it a very long pull & consequently harder to concentrate on the target, especially when trying to rapidly fire it. I realize that it must be on purpose being that it does not have a safety. What I am wondering is if you can take parts from a model 92 & install them on this frame, such as the hammer & sear, or whatever else is needed to modify it. Otherwise, it is a great gun & very well made. Easy to take apart too. I am tempted to try the adjustable sights available from Beretta. It seems all those that have tried them like them. Any help would be appreciated.

Comments

  • rufe-snowrufe-snow Member Posts: 18,650 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    It's whats known as a double action only model. To the best of my knowledge it can't be economically altered to the conventional single action mechanism. Rather then wasting your time and money trying to convert it and getting target type adjustable sights, i would obtain a standard model single action 96.
  • beantownshootahbeantownshootah Member Posts: 12,776 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    What Rufe said.

    The models D ("96D") are double-action (long trigger pull, no cocked hammer) only.

    Some police departments require double-action only service pistols to help reduce the chance of negligent/accidental discharge.

    Lots of these ex-police DA only Berettas are out there on the surplus market, usually at decent prices around $350.

    In terms of converting these to conventional double action, I think that's probably *possible* but I strongly doubt its cost effective. Its definitely NOT as easy as just dropping in a new hammer like you can with certain DA-only guns.

    The 96D guns already use lightened springs to improve the trigger pull over a standard DA gun. It *might* be possible to lighten the trigger pull a little more with even lighter springs yet, though at some point you're going to compromise reliability of the gun.

    If you MUST have a conventional gun, your best bet is going to be to sell the one you have and apply the money towards one in the configuration you like.

    If you want to put adjustable sights on yours so be it. Its not a particularly expensive or difficult installation (maybe $60 for the sights, and $25 for a gunsmith to install them. . .or you could install yourself if you're competent).

    After installation the rear sight will probably overhang the hammer a little bit, which is good because it increases the sight radius. It *might* interfere with thumb-cocking the hammer into single-action mode, though in the case of your particular double action gun, that's not an issue.

    Just realize that if you're not shooting to point of aim with the standard fixed sights, I think those can be drift-adjusted for windage to move the point of impact to the right or left, without having to replace them altogether. In general I question the need to put in match type sights on a gun like this, which is just not intended as a match-type gun! DA guns are really intended for combat, and in that case simple snag-resistant combat sights are probably best.
  • interarmsinterarms Member Posts: 22 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Gentlemen, thank you for your advice. I just hate to get rid of such a well made gun. Think I'll keep it for awhile just for plinkin', got plenty more for accuracy (you can never have enough!).
  • beltloopbeltloop Member Posts: 84 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    There is a difference in finger control and which part of the finger to use when shooting a single action vs double action only...master that and you WILL be pleasantly suprised...[:D][:D][:D]...and you won't be concerned with alterations to or selling or having to buy another.

    On the other hand Y not have 2 [8D][8D][8D]
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