Beretta Nano 9mm Range Report (first 440 rounds)

[kal0]

Yesterday, I took for the first time my Beretta Nano 9mm to the range and
in summary I'm very happy with it. (I'm planning to add this on my carry rotation probably in summer or when I need a smaller option)

Some specs about this gun:
(I copy paste this from the Beretta Website)
Caliber: 9mm
Overall Length: 5.63”
Overall Height: 4.17”
Overall Width: .90”
Barrel Length: 3.07”
Sight Radius: 4.92”
Sights: 3-Dot Low Profile
Frame: Chassis Stainless Steel Insert
Grip Frame: Technopolymer
Slide Material: 4140
Slide Finish: Pronox
Capacity: 6 plus 1 Rounds
Weight Unloaded: 17.67 oz

This is the ammo I used today (No failures to report)
Because this will be one of my carry guns I make sure I test several boxes of what I will carry plus FMJ that have the similar grains, etc. (in this case 124) and I got two boxes laying around of 147 so I also brought that.

100 rounds of 147gr 9mm JHP Winchester Personal Protection (white box)
300 rounds of 124gr 9mm FMJ Winchester NATO (white box)
20 rounds of 124gr 9mm JHP + P Winchester PDX1
20 rounds of 124gr 9mm JHP + P Gold Dot (This will be my carry ammo)



I must say, that my first shots where not that impressive… I was shooting to the left really bad the trigger took me a little bit by surprise.
My excuse
You know this is my first DAO/9 pound trigger type of gun so it will take me some time.
But the trigger is very smooth, so I had no problems adjusting to it once I started getting the feel of it.

My FIRST shots with the Nano! (8 yards-24 ft)


Once I got used to the trigger I was able to start hitting the target without problems. I'm impressed by the accuracy of this little gun. The only problem I had with it was that after 400+ rounds my shooting hand (palm) was not happy... so I stopped

Right now, the only thing I feel I need to do to this gun, is to add some grip tape or bicycle tube on the handles or something to have a more aggressive grip when holding the gun and doing rapid fire.

I'm looking forward for Beretta to start offering things like extended mags and night sights on it...
I will recommend this gun to anyone looking for a small single stack 9mm.

My Nano in the High Noon "Bare Asset" Holster


That's it.. that's my range report.

Later

kal0pr

[speedsix]

...good report on a winner...keep hearin' good things about this one...

[CEOofEVIL]

Thanks for writing that up. Im currently in the market for a single stack subcompact 9mm (considering double too though), and the Nano is one I've been considering. Did the high bore axis seem to cause more muzzle flip in your experience?

Thanks for the info!

[kal0]

CEOofEvil,

Not really, I didn't notice more muzzle flip compared to other small guns, it's snappier than a G26 or PX4 Sub Compact but that's expected in a smaller gun, but nothing that I was not able to manage...

I definitely notice that I need some grips or grip tape so that I can have a more aggressive hold when doing rapid fire sessions (reloading in the middle) etc....

[The Annoyed Man]

kal0, have you ever had a chance to compare this pistol to a Kahr PM9? Just curious..... I'd like to know that there is something else out there like the PM9/CM9 at a decent price point that I could recommend to others.

[A-R]

kal0, have you ever had a chance to compare this pistol to a Kahr PM9? Just curious..... I'd like to know that there is something else out there like the PM9/CM9 at a decent price point that I could recommend to others.

I had similar question. The Kahr just doesn't fit me right (stings my hand for some reason worse than other small 9s or .38 +P airweights).

[n5wd]

... The only problem I had with it was that after 400+ rounds my shooting hand (palm) was not happy... so I stopped

Right now, the only thing I feel I need to do to this gun, is to add some grip tape or bicycle tube on the handles or something to have a more aggressive grip when holding the gun and doing rapid fire.

I carry the Walther PPS which is just marginally bigger than the Nano, and had similar results to my hand after a couple of hundred rounds. With the recommendation of several other PPS owners, I slipped on a Limbsaver and Oh, the difference! While a bicycle tube does sorta the same thing, the fit of the Limbsaver, especially in the web between the thumb and forefinger, make it much more desirable, IMHO.

TAM and A-R: You should look at the PPS for your recommendations for a smaller carry gun... Walther quality, similar small size, 9mm or .40 available, and the prices are coming down... can pick them up now at the deep discount players for about $480-$485.

Wayne

[kal0]

Yeah I actually ordered some Limbsaver grips last night I should get them by the end of the week ... perfect timing for some relax holiday week and some more testing..

I actually fired the PM9 (that one of my buddies own) few months ago and it felt similar but to be fair I just fired 30 rounds on the PM9 so I never had a chance to play with the trigger, do rapid fire or anything like that. I will invite him on my next trip to the range to do some comparison.

[CEOofEVIL]

Thanks for the reply kal0! I'm hoping to find one look at locally today. Let us know how that limbsaver works! I've thought about putting something like that on my P-11.

Regarding the PPS: I really really dig the PPS too. If I was going to have my choice of a single stack nine, that'd be the one of the top of my list. It just feels so dang perfect in my hand, and the size is just what I'm looking for. Unfortunately, I can't find them locally for a decent price. One of the local shops has a used one in .40 for $600! And sadly, that's a "better" price for a PPS in my town. The cheapest I can even find shipped to my local FFL's is $575 . $485 for a 9mm PPS would make me a happy man! Some Day...

[cougartex]

Great report.

[n5wd]

Thanks for the reply kal0! I'm hoping to find one look at locally today. Let us know how that limbsaver works! I've thought about putting something like that on my P-11.

Regarding the PPS: I really really dig the PPS too. If I was going to have my choice of a single stack nine, that'd be the one of the top of my list. It just feels so dang perfect in my hand, and the size is just what I'm looking for. Unfortunately, I can't find them locally for a decent price. One of the local shops has a used one in .40 for $600! And sadly, that's a "better" price for a PPS in my town. The cheapest I can even find shipped to my local FFL's is $575 . $485 for a 9mm PPS would make me a happy man! Some Day...

So as to not hijack the thread... check your PM for info.

[The Annoyed Man]

TAM and A-R: You should look at the PPS for your recommendations for a smaller carry gun... Walther quality, similar small size, 9mm or .40 available, and the prices are coming down... can pick them up now at the deep discount players for about $480-$485.

Wayne

I actually considered the PPS before buying my PM9 earlier this year. In fact, A-R owns a PPS, and he and I exchanged PMs about it a while back before I made my decision and bought a used PM9. I've handled the PPS in gunstores, and I agree that it is a nifty little pistol, but I was looking for something that was just bit more pocketable. The PM9 was marginally narrower, an inch shorter muzzle to back and .5" less tall, 5 oz lighter, same mag capacity, a longer but lighter trigger pull, and similar build quality. I'm not knocking the PPS. I'd still like to own one some day. But, I was looking to fill a specific need (a pocketable 9mm semiauto), and the Kahr met that need for me better than the PPS.

My interest in the Nano 9mm is simply as a viable alternative to the PM9 and/or the PPS. Occasionally, a friend will ask me what pistols I might recommend for a given purpose. I like to have more than one alternative to suggest. If the Nano is at the same level of quality/reliability as the Kahr or the Walther, I would be happy to include it in my recommendations for pistols in that category...that's all.

[The Annoyed Man]

Not to hijack the thread, but I posted a range report on the Nano as well here - anyone interested in this little pistol might like to have a look at both reports.

And I notice a picture in that thread of the Nano alongside a PPS.

[kal0]

Not to hijack the thread, but I posted a range report on the Nano as well here - anyone interested in this little pistol might like to have a look at both reports.

Oh no this is great ... I'm really interested in other people threads regarding the Nano (given that is a new gun) so this is great thanks for the link.
Like I mentioned before I will go again and do some 300 or 350 session thru it once I get the grips by end of week or early next and will report back...