Guns are Still Sexy

It seems as if time has forgotten the age where handguns were a defining piece of a person’s character.In the post Wild West of today, handguns occupy more of a utilitarian place in society. The never ending ocean of economy cars and hybrid SUVs still has a reef or two of vibrant colored performance vehicles for those of style. Likewise sexy, stylistic, and high performing handguns are still fixtures of apparel and status for a select few in this age. Where does one find such firearms? The same place which is home to fast, attractive, and vibrant super cars; Italy.

Pietro Beretta Firearms has a long history in Italy. Today, a popular variant of one of their handgun models can be seen in almost every major city or conflict zone today – in the holster of military and law enforcement. The Beretta 92FS and its variants are lightweight, precise, accurate, and easy to use. Combined with its high performance record there is no question why it gets around. However, the Beretta 92 series’ curves are not limited to a dull black finish. One model in particular stands out in this enthusiast’s eyes.

Where the 92FS chambers the world standard 9mm Parabellum, the Beretta 96 Combat Custom chooses the larger .40 caliber Smith & Wesson to soar through its highly polished, extended, precision Brigadier barrel. The added length to the barrel creates more compression, thus increasing muzzle velocity, accuracy, and range. Along with the extension, the barrel is also weighted heavier than that of the 92FS. A carefully machined barrel bushing has a tight fit onto the gleaming 96 Combat Custom. The attached compensator adds a mean look Clint Eastwood would kill for – not to mention the action of vectoring the muzzle flash above the barrel rather than through it after the expended round. In short, these meticulously designed enhancements create a handling experience closer to that of a 9mm than that of the larger .40 caliber; especially when firing rounds in close succession.

The Brigadier slide, polished to mirror sheen, is about sixty grams heavier than the 92FS and one millimeter wider. Fitting tightly to the widened frame, this customized slide forces backwards with ease as it ejects a newly emptied cartridge. The recoil spring forces it forward to its locked position with a massive kinetic energy which forces the barrel slightly downward, negating the muzzle jump from the expended round. The gleaming steel curves run along the slide with the elegance of a Ferrari. The Front and Rear cocking serrations complement its high function rather than mar its beauty. Between them the delicately engraved Pietro Beretta crest rests aside the product of Italy marking and the barrel calibration. Sitting atop the Brigadier slide, adjustable and removable combat sights showcase their effective radiated dots (allowing them to glow in dim light).

Unlike the 92FS, the fire safety is not rudely places towards the outside front edge of the frame. An ambidextrous, easily accessible thumb safety resides in plain sight above the grip. The grip itself is aluminum alloy, diamond cut and ultra thin. A Beveled magazine well allows easy insertion of a box magazine, which features a rubber bumper to preserve its integrity during vigorous competition reloading. A filed down magazine catch button, preventing accidental release, fits nicely beside the redesigned more elegant trigger guard. The trigger itself is aluminum alloy, and serrated to create a sure hold. The trigger pull is significantly reduced compared to the rest of the 92 series. The Beretta 96 Combat Custom is a real nail driver. As precise and accurate as it is beautiful. In a world based on necessity, Italy still produces some of the world’s most attractive performance machines for those individuals who refuse to relinquish the charismatic lifestyle of the 19th Century nomad.