I can't make up my mind!

[garand4life]

I want to get a main line full-size gun. I like my FN but I want to get a full-size "fighting gun". I like the idea of having something that is very common so that mags, parts and the like are widely available and it be a good example gun for my classes when I teach basic pistol. I've narrowed it down to the Beretta 92FS and the Glock 22 (4th Gen). I did think long and hard about the whole 4th gen thing and do prefer that one as opposed to a 3rd Gen. So, as polarizing as I know this question is... I'm interested in hearing arguments over why or why not. Can the Beretta hold it's own against a G22? I have striker guns and hammer dasa guns so it's not that I need one or the other. I really don't need another gun but the want is kicking in. Is one more practical than the other? I like that the Beretta has 18 round flush mags available cheap. I like Glock reliability. I intentionally chose the 22 because I don't have a .40. Thoughts?
One more thing, I am planning through the winter to carry which ever one I get from time to time when I have to wear heavy outer wear in the cold. I've carried both types before on a limited basis and each carried about the same for me. Would that plan cause you to lean to one over the other?

[JLawson]

OK, let's make a list - you want:
1) full size
2) fighting gun
3) very common with widespread parts availability
4) good instructional exemplar
5) you already have striker-fired and DA/SA pistols

How about a 1911 platform in .45 ACP?  Meets your requirements and will let you demonstrate the differences in SAO weapons to your classes.

[garand4life]

Got one of those too. Springer 1911 loaded.

[JLawson]

Let's try a different approach.  You already have several guns and you want more.  Would you say that you are working on a "collection" or are you working on an "accumulation?"  In my mind, a collection has some underlying theme while an accumulation of guns is far more random in nature.

For example, a collection may be:
1) guns in a specific caliber, from a specific manufacturer, or a particular action type,
2) guns from a specific era or related to a particular historical event, or
3) guns associated with a particular pursuit, e.g. duty, defense, competition, hunting, etc.

An accumulation of guns, which is a wonderful thing, really only has one rule: If I don't have one and I have the money then I'm taking it home!

So, would it help to think of your next acquisition as part of an accumulation or as part of a collection?

[tombogan03884]

I'm no fan of Beretta. In fact I hate them because the open top slide seems to be designed to bounce spent cases off your head.
That being said, since you already have the 1911, if you get the 92 you will have the military issue pistols of the last 100 years.

[Sponsor]

[BAC]

If you like the .40, why not consider a Beretta 96?

[Solus]

Get the 22.  Everything else being equal, .40 makes a bigger hole.   Also, striker fired firearms have a bit faster lock time than hammer fired.

[BAC]

Get the 22.

[Ichiban]

Sounds to me like a simple case of gun fever.  You already have two top of the line fighting guns in the SA and FN.  Comparing a steal 9mm to a plastic .40S&W is apples to oranges.  The whole "widely available" and "interchangeable parts" is a real strawman unless you are going into a combat theater or are going to be part of an organized militia after that TEOTWAWKI event.

Go buy whichever makes you go "Oh yeah" when you pick it up.

[tombogan03884]

Sounds to me like a simple case of gun fever.  You already have two top of the line fighting guns in the SA and FN.  Comparing a steal 9mm to a plastic .40S&W is apples to oranges.  The whole "widely available" and "interchangeable parts" is a real strawman unless you are going into a combat theater or are going to be part of an organized militia after that TEOTWAWKI event.

Go buy whichever makes you go "Oh yeah" when you pick it up.

Then at some future time buy the other one