Beretta has been making firearms since 1526, but their modern pistol lineup spans pocket rockets, full-size duty guns, polymer striker-fires, and everything in between.
Whether you're a collector trying to map the full family tree or a shooter deciding which model fits your hand, this guide breaks down every Beretta handgun that matters — what it is, who it's for, and what separates it from the rest of the lineup.
The sheer range of the catalog is part of what makes Beretta interesting. No two models solve the same problem the same way. Here's the complete rundown.
Beretta 92: The Benchmark
The Beretta 92 is the one that defined the brand's reputation in America. Introduced in 1975 and adopted as the U.S. military's M9 service pistol in 1985, this full-size 9mm carries 15+1 rounds and runs on a double/single-action trigger with an open-slide, locked-breech design that remains one of the smoothest cycling actions in the business.
Caliber: 9mm | Capacity: 15+1 | Barrel: 4.9" | Weight: 33.3 oz
The 92 is the choice for shooters who want a full-metal DA/SA pistol with a track record measured in decades. Recoil is mild for the caliber, the trigger reward curve is excellent once you learn it, and parts availability is essentially unlimited.
Beretta M9: The Military Icon
The Beretta M9 is the commercial version of the U.S. military's standard sidearm — essentially a 92FS with military-spec markings and American production oversight. It served the U.S. Armed Forces from 1985 until being replaced by the SIG P320 in 2017, logging more than 30 years of active-duty service.
Caliber: 9mm | Capacity: 15+1 | Barrel: 4.9" | Weight: 33.3 oz
For collectors, the M9 carries obvious historical weight. For shooters, it's functionally identical to the 92 — same steel frame, same open-top slide, same reliable lockwork — just wearing military heritage.
Beretta 96: The .40 Caliber Variant
The Beretta 96 takes the proven 92 platform and rechambers it for .40 S&W, the caliber that dominated law enforcement during the 1990s and 2000s. It was a natural evolution for agencies transitioning to .40 who wanted to stick with Beretta's ergonomics and manual of arms.
Caliber: .40 S&W | Capacity: 12+1 | Barrel: 4.9" | Weight: 34.4 oz
The 96 offers more terminal energy than the 92 at the cost of slightly reduced capacity and snappier recoil. It's the platform of choice for .40 fans who want Beretta's legendary DA/SA reliability.
Beretta Vertec: The Americanized 92
The Beretta Vertec was Beretta's answer to American shooters who wanted the 92's action in a more modern chassis. Introduced in 2002, it features a vertically angled grip (closer to a 1911 feel), a shorter trigger reach, and Picatinny rail — departures from the classic 92 profile that made it more compatible with U.S. shooter preferences.
Caliber: 9mm or .40 S&W | Capacity: 10+1 | Barrel: 4.7" | Weight: 32.2 oz
Production ended in 2005, making the Vertec a collectible niche piece. If you're a 1911 shooter who wants to try the Beretta action, this is the bridge model.
Beretta 85 Cheetah: The Compact Classic
The Beretta 85 Cheetah is a single-stack .380 ACP built on a compact aluminum-alloy frame — refined, slim, and distinctly European in character. Part of the broader Model 84/85 family introduced in 1976, it earned a reputation as a high-quality concealed carry and backup gun for law enforcement.
Caliber: .380 ACP | Capacity: 8+1 | Barrel: 3.82" | Weight: 21.8 oz
The Cheetah trades raw capacity for an exceptionally smooth DA/SA trigger and a slimmer profile than double-stack .380s. It's the Beretta for shooters who value craftsmanship and carry comfort over round count.
Beretta 3032 Tomcat: The Pocket Pistol
The Beretta 3032 Tomcat is a tip-up barrel .32 ACP subcompact built for deep concealment. The tip-up mechanism is the defining feature: instead of racking a slide to chamber a round, you press a button that tilts the barrel up, allowing you to load (or clear) the chamber without cycling the slide — a significant advantage for shooters with limited hand strength.
Caliber: .32 ACP | Capacity: 7+1 | Barrel: 2.45" | Weight: 14.5 oz
The Tomcat isn't a defensive powerhouse by modern standards, but as a deep-cover pocket gun or a last-ditch backup, the tip-up loading system makes it uniquely practical for a segment of the carry population.
Beretta Cougar: The Rotating Barrel Rotator
The Beretta Cougar stands apart from every other pistol in the Beretta lineup thanks to its rotating barrel lockup system. Instead of a tilting barrel like most modern semi-autos, the Cougar's barrel rotates as it cycles — an action that cycles more smoothly, sits lower in the hand, and produces a noticeably softer felt recoil impulse.
Caliber: 9mm, .40 S&W, or .45 ACP | Capacity: 15+1 (9mm) | Barrel: 3.6" | Weight: 33.5 oz
The Cougar was discontinued by Beretta but lives on through Stoeger. For collectors and shooters who want something mechanically distinct, it's one of the most interesting carry pistols ever made.
Beretta PX4 Storm: Modern Rotating Barrel
The Beretta PX4 Storm brought the rotating barrel mechanism into a modern polymer-frame package. Introduced in 2004, the PX4 applies the same rotating lockup that made the Cougar famous to a full-size duty pistol with a rail, interchangeable backstraps, and a reversible magazine release.
Caliber: 9mm, .40 S&W, or .45 ACP | Capacity: 17+1 (9mm) | Barrel: 4" | Weight: 27.7 oz
The rotating barrel makes the PX4 one of the softest-shooting full-size pistols in its class. It's an underrated duty and range gun that rewards shooters willing to look past the mainstream options.
Beretta 9000S: The Forgotten Compact
The Beretta 9000S was Beretta's attempt at a compact polymer-frame carry pistol in the early 2000s — a category that would later be dominated by Glock and SIG. The 9000S featured a rotating barrel (for reduced recoil) and a modular trigger system offered in both DA/SA and DAO configurations.
Caliber: 9mm or .40 S&W | Capacity: 12+1 (9mm) | Barrel: 3.5" | Weight: 26.8 oz
It was discontinued in 2005 and never became a mainstream carry gun, but it represents an interesting chapter in Beretta's effort to compete in the polymer compact market. Worth knowing for completists.
Beretta Nano: Slim 9mm Subcompact
The Beretta Nano is a subcompact 9mm designed specifically for concealed carry — thin, snag-free, and built around a serialized chassis that can be swapped between frames. The striker-fired action, fixed barrel, and sub-inch width made it a legitimate contender when it debuted in 2011.
Caliber: 9mm | Capacity: 6+1 | Barrel: 3.07" | Weight: 19.8 oz
The Nano is no longer in production, but used examples remain popular. It fills the role of a flat, single-stack 9mm that punches above its weight in terms of shooting comfort for its size.
Beretta APX: The Striker-Fire Entry
The Beretta APX marked Beretta's full-commitment entry into the modern striker-fired duty pistol market. Built around a serialized chassis (like the SIG P320), the APX offers a modular design, aggressive grip texture, and a clean striker trigger — a significant departure from Beretta's DA/SA tradition.
Caliber: 9mm or .40 S&W | Capacity: 17+1 (9mm) | Barrel: 4.25" | Weight: 27.5 oz
The APX is the starting point for shooters who want a modern Beretta without the DA/SA learning curve. It competes directly with the Glock 17 and SIG P320 in the duty pistol segment.
Beretta APX Combat: The Optics-Ready Upgrade
The Beretta APX Combat is the optics-ready, competition-oriented evolution of the APX platform. It adds a factory-milled optics cut, an extended and improved trigger, flared magwell, and a longer 4.9" barrel for better sight radius and muzzle velocity.
Caliber: 9mm | Capacity: 21+1 | Barrel: 4.9" | Weight: 30.4 oz
For shooters who want a factory-ready competition or duty setup with a red dot, the APX Combat is one of the most capable pistols Beretta has ever built. The trigger is a notable step up from the standard APX.
Beretta APX Carry: The Pocket-Sized APX
The Beretta APX Carry brings the APX's striker-fire action down to a subcompact form factor purpose-built for everyday concealed carry. At under an inch wide and under 20 oz, it delivers a modern carry experience with Beretta's build quality.
Caliber: 9mm | Capacity: 8+1 | Barrel: 3.07" | Weight: 19.5 oz
The APX Carry is aimed directly at the single-stack carry segment occupied by pistols like the SIG P365 and Glock 43. It's the best choice for shooters who want a modern Beretta EDC without the bulk of the full APX.
Beretta APX Centurion: The Mid-Size Option
The Beretta APX Centurion splits the difference between the full-size APX and the APX Carry. It uses the same frame and grip as the full APX but pairs it with a shorter slide and barrel — the classic compact carry formula that makes a gun more concealable without sacrificing grip length or capacity.
Caliber: 9mm | Capacity: 15+1 | Barrel: 3.7" | Weight: 26.1 oz
The Centurion is the sweet spot of the APX family for concealed carry. You get the full-size grip for better control and capacity while the shorter slide reduces printing. This is the APX for serious carriers.
Which Beretta Model Is Right for You?
Beretta's lineup is wide enough to cover nearly every shooting role — but here's a quick map:
- Duty / range / full-size: Beretta 92, M9, 96, PX4 Storm, APX, APX Combat
- Concealed carry (full-featured): Beretta APX Centurion, PX4 Storm Compact, Cougar
- Concealed carry (slim / minimalist): APX Carry, Nano, 85 Cheetah
- Deep concealment / backup: Beretta 3032 Tomcat
- Collector / historical: M9, Vertec, 9000S, Cougar
The common thread across every model is Beretta's commitment to longevity and reliability. Whether you're carrying a Tomcat or a 92, you're holding a pistol built to a standard the industry has respected for nearly 500 years.
If you carry any Beretta model, Alien Gear Holsters offers holster options built specifically for your pistol — IWB, OWB, and appendix configurations designed around a perfect fit.