Have any of you people advocating the Beretta or a DA/SA gun actually shot an SAO Sig or CZ or 1911 in a steel plate match? Because there is not a chance I'm picking a DA/SA trigger even worked on (I have several) over an SAO gun for steel plates if the rules let me. Other games other uses maybe worth discussing. Now the overall fit of the gun is of course its own discussion.

Yes to all the above. A Shadow2 or better certainly will be a better steel plate gun. I cued in on his “informal” target and steel gun comment though. If you are getting a dedicated steel gun what you suggested is ideal. My thoughts an “informal” version of the above include DA/SA guns because they are more versatile. My shooting buds have everything from a Czeckmate on down. They are outstanding for games. If I wanted it for anything else, nope. So I took his informal comment as more of a one gun to do everything comment. I might have misread his intent.

I’m not a dedicated game gun guy with exception of my 22 speed steel tricked our 22/45 full blown Volquartsen donor recipient gun. I love the SAO. CZ’s but they aren’t my thing unless I wanted a gun for one thing and one thing only.

A Shadow2 is a pretty cost effective and amazing steel gun.

Of the two you mentioned, I have pretty good experience with both. Having carried Beretta 92 for almost 20 years in military as I was there when we converted over to Beretta a couple years later after joining. I have also owned a SIG P226 for many years. Lots of similarities...and a few differences that are worth mentioning. First of all, the Beretta is a fine weapon and has had no issues of consequence once they got the slide failure of mid-80s rectified. It is accurate, it has a decent trigger but little heavy, sights are adequate, recoil is very manageable.....but is a large weapon. When I was the weapons trainer for a unit in DIA...and gov civilians would prepare to deploy as augmentees I would give them basic weapons safety training before they deployed....men with small hands and most women had a hard time manipulating trigger, using safety. It is also easy to break down, easy to field strip and clean...just generally a great, reliable, accurate weapon if you can hold it repeatably and manipulate trigger/safety. For those with smaller hands they would use two fingers on trigger and off hand thumb to manipulate safety. Weapon is ambidextrous but it is large.
For the SIG P226...again a large, accurate, reliable weapon....also submitted for same military contract of 80s but lost on price of spare parts. I think it is a little more accurate and smoother all things being equal but is a large weapon to manipulate effectively with smaller sized hands. Very very accurate, drop dead reliability, easy to break down and clean....sights are better on SIG in my opinion for standard models....and I prefer the decocker over the manual safety. That being said, in nearly 20 years of use never had an issue where the safety on Beretta messed me up...it is a training issue not a weapon issue.If you train to either flick off or place thumb so it automatically releases safety without thinking about it....then no issues.
The only comment I will have is your choice of weapons....being admittedly new to handguns I would not spend money on custom shop handgun which is what the Legion series is about....
If those are your two choices I would find a Police/Military Turn-In that has holster wear but very little firing wear for a Beretta or search online sites for a used P226 (Good Luck). I had my 220 and 239 for many years and one day a refurbished 226 showed up on my SIG online seller and I jumped on it...as not many ever go up for sale.
If you like that style, size and look of weapon....look at the CZ-75 which in my opinion is every bit as good as the SIG....at a much lower price point. Shoot some handguns, buy one to use on range...nothing wrong with DA/SA...I prefer them for my all around weapons...self defense. I shoot at the range what I carry so I dont have specific RANGE vs Self Defense weapons. I have self defense weapons and go to range to get proficient and build muscle memory.
In order of preference I would go SIG P226, CZ 75, Beretta M9........for price would go CZ 75, Beretta M9 and lastly SIG P226.
I personally believe any of the three will be a great weapon for you to learn with....reliable for home or vehicle self defense and can even carry in cooler months when wearing a jacket or fleece vest in a pinch (Been there, done that). Once you get more comfortable with handguns and figure out what YOU LIKE or YOU DISLIKE (not us or online experts)....then you can fine tune your weapon choice based on that alone.
Good luck and if you have any specific questions...here to help.

Pedropcola has it right, strictly a range gun. Feels good in the hand, balance, soft shooting, and accuracy is what I’m hoping for. As suggested, I need to visit a range and shoot as many guns as I can. Thanks very much for your suggestions. Tom

IMO the beretta is a far better value and I feel that they use better components than the sig too. I notice less need for warranty with the berettas as well based on my online browsing. I also really dislike the long extractor on the new sigs. My opinion means nothing but there ya go!

Beretta. I own more Sigs than any other brand handgun but for what you're looking to do, any 92 > any 226.

I would also second what somebody else said, give the CZs a try.

Gents,

I own both the 92X and a P226 Legion. BOTH are fine handguns and have better than average triggers. The Beretta heats up way too rapidly, IMHO, and has the safety that I call the "dead man switch". Those are my only complaints. If I keep it I plan to have it changed over to the "G" configuration (de-cocker only).

The SIG is perfect from the box and has much better sights. The large green tritium front positively lights up the night and is super bright in day time use.

While I like both the nod of approval goes to the SIG P226 Legion.

Wes

I have heard lots of complaints over the years about 92’s but heating up has never been one. Nor in my extended shooting of various 92 versions with high round counts in a short time span have I ever experienced this observation.

quote:

Originally posted by pedropcola:
I have heard lots of complaints over the years about 92’s but heating up has never been one. Nor in my extended shooting of various 92 versions with high round counts in a short time span have I ever experienced this observation.

Same here. Maybe he’s referring to the barrel being exposed?

I guess maybe but I’ve never grabbed the barrel of a pistol after shooting. Because it’s hot. Lol

I own a bunch of P7’s. They get hot. 92’s don’t get any hotter than any other gun. Of course I usually stop myself from licking hot barrels.

Can't believe no one has given the stock answer...buy both!