Beretta M9A3 or Sig Sauer P226 MK25

SIG versus Beretta: These two names are not often cross shopped, but when it comes to these two 9mm variants, I think many will look at both before choosing!
Links to our full reviews of each of these:
Sig P226 MK25: • Sig Sauer P226 - MK25-...
Beretta M9A3: • Beretta M9A3 9mm Revi...
Please check us out on:
Facebook at: / hammerstriker
Patreon at: / hammerstriker
Twitter at: / _hammerstriker
Instagram at: / hammer_striker
Our new web page at: www.hammerstriker.com/
See the Affiliates page for other useful links.

[@destroyingdadxx2274]

I have a Beretta 92fs and a Sig 229 Legion. My Sig cost twice as much as the Beretta but the Beretta shoots just as well if not better. The Sig does have a better trigger but the Beretta has less recoil and I just shoot it better. Both superb guns. Great video.

[@gutblaster187]

With the Beretta though, for less than $200 one can self install an LTT trigger job and have a near perfect DA/SA trigger.

[@destroyingdadxx2274]

Thanks. I may do that.

[@samhouston5217]

@@gutblaster187 Exactly. I have both 229 Legion and the 92FS with Langdon trigger, hammer, springs, guide rod... and BOTH are amazing shooters. 92FS came out to @900 and I got the Legion 229 $899....

[@silverbackgorilla2112]

If I could only have one... the Beretta M9A3

[@MrHav1k]

Sig all day. Love my metal Sigs.

[@guardianminifarm8005]

Both of these are outstanding tried and true sidearms. Tough decision so just buy both if you have $2000+ for them.

[@JustDefense]

Great choices for a head to head, apples to apples review. You’re right. Cant lose with either of them. Thanks for posting.

[@HammerStriker]

Thank you.

[@tahertz8544]

Add the CZ 75 and they were ALL made in 1975. Vintage year for Hammer gun greatness. Side note CZ is buying COLT Defence.

[@erikcarmo6099]

The 2 girls I want so badly....

[@jacruti]

Thank you very much for the time and the great information. very clear and go to the point thanks a gain.

[@farwalker3672]

Another great video. Both are excellent handguns and you could not go wrong with either one of them. That said the Beretta 92 series is just fantastic. The Beretta 92 is what I keep on my nightstand. Thanks for sharing and stay safe.

[@HammerStriker]

Thank you. That M9A3 seems to be getting a lot of love overall in the comments.

[@tauneutrino1able]

I have to go with personal preference, both are excellent and reliable.

[@jasonfite397]

I really love the Sig night sites and how the grips fit my hand perfect .

[@Vox-Populi]

I’ve bought and sold several 92s, but have kept my SIGs. Prefer the manual of arms and shorter slide.

[@MarcoFromTropoja]

I had a m9a3 and sold it after I realized the barrel wasnt sitting straight/flush to the slide. I learned that this is common with a lot of 92 series Berettas.

[@BDAILY365]

I like 92s more than sigs and they work better for me. Unfortunately all my 92s are sold because people wanted to buy them off me. All I have are Sigs lolz. Just saying...I like all firearms!

[@maddog8148]

The Beretta is an Italian Masterpiece....Period. Forza Italia!

[@raulmachado182]

And the sig is a German engineering masterpiece

[@raulmachado182]

@@maddog8148 the sig beat the berreta lol more reliable so if your saying plastic engineering from Germany is better ? Berreta only won because of price point lol do your homework bro 🤣

[@raulmachado182]

@@maddog8148 sig 320 axg is not plastic bro lol 😆you clearly don't know shit about firearms

[@raulmachado182]

Sig 226 isn't plastic

[@MDpolo]

Thank you very much for the video. I’ve been looking for one of these - if not for both of them for quite some time now. Cheers!

[@HammerStriker]

Thank you. These are both hard to find right now but they do pop up occasionally.

[@prohtwanvaja3344]

MK25 look handsome and classics big handle best ergonomic for me outstanding fullsize handgun

[@flavforpar]

Sig all the way!

[@devildog3246]

I have the 92F, M9, M9A1, Italian Police surplus 92, and M9A3. I also have the P229, P226 .40/.357 Sig,(Bought in 1996), P226 Legion 9mm, P226 Mk25, and M17. I can honestly say the Beretta M9A3 is just a better pistol all around. I believe it should've been the pistol picked over the Sig M17. That being said, it's just one man's opinion. The Beretta is a much better shooter for me.

[@3wheelmannc860]

I like both for sure, but if I had to pick from one of those the newer Beretta M9A3 would be my pick.

[@JustDefense]

Both.

[@lynch6642]

The Beretta 92F , y'all saw me shoot that helicopter didn't you?

[@RichiesHouse]

Riggs !!

[@JacksonWalter735]

Another excellent video Hammer Striker! The video is almost over as I type this comment. If I had to choose, I would narrowly go with the Beretta. My primary reason for going with the M9A3 is because I just shoot it better (especially when shooting fast for followed up shots). It's surprising because both of these guns have a higher bore axis than the guns I usually prefer, but I'm so accurate with the M9. I feel like the the P226 feels slightly snappier when I'm shooting fast. This is probably due to the M9's locking block mechanic and the open slide design (most of the reciprocating mass of the slide is underneath the barrel). Both have excellent triggers in single action with a nice break and short reset. In double action, I prefer the shorter trigger pull of the Sig P226 even though the Beretta has a slightly smoother double action trigger. I prefer the decocker on the Sig much more than the slide mounted safety/decocker on the Beretta. You can't accidentally put the gun in safety while racking the slide on the Sig. I've never had that issue with the Beretta but it's still a possibility under stress or if you don't have enough training with it (you could also get the decocker only model if you don't want to worry about this). The safety on the Beretta is simple to engage and disengage though as opposed to what some people think. The Sig is also easier to cut an optic for if you want to do that.

[@HammerStriker]

Thank you. I prefer the M9A3 a bit over the Sig and Hammer prefers the Sig - but it is close.

[@rosscajayon8177]

I have both, a P226 Scorpion and 92FS Inox.

[@Alpha_Omega_1541]

Getting ready to finish my Bachelors degree. My graduation gift to myself is going to be one of these pistols. Thanks for this comparison video.

[@christopherwateland7453]

Say it with me, mate: Buh-Rett-Ahh!!!! Hands down. You won't be disappointed. *Congrats on the Degree!!!

[@lizzapaolia959]

Both nice firearms, however this classic Sig Sauer is absolutely an engineering wonder. SIG Sauer has some great classic pistols. Thanks for sharing this video 🙏

[@jacobdejong9142]

I have a mk25 fde and it came that way from the factory, although they are not currently offering it.

[@markwhite6782]

I have both and love both of them. BTW, get rid of the mags they come with and get MecGar 18 round flush fitting teflon coated mags.

[@samhouston5217]

92 FS @$600 with Langdon Tactical internals and heavy guide rod= @ $900.... sweet sweet shooter!

[@AJ-gk7bn]

Two excellent and beautifully crafted firearms. I prefer the sig, but not because I think it’s necessarily better. The m9 has just never really done it for me. I absolutely still appreciate it for what it is though.

[@rbm6184]

Rather have the SIG P226 and I have owned a Beretta 92 that I did like. With a DA/SA hammer pistol internal firing pin block safety with a decocker I don't need a manual safety. I like SIG ergonomics and handling better and the trigger over the Beretta. Never owned a P226 but I have shot them enough. Berettas were cheaper back in the 80s than SIGs.

[@WhyPhi]

I will eventually get a beretta and I really do like them but I like my sigs better. I’m not a fan of the manual safety on a hammer fired DA pistol. I have a mk25 and a p229 nitron and they make me very happy 😃

[@duran2085]

Ditto!

[@Quality_Guru]

Back in 1985, the US Army selected the Beretta over the Sig. While the Beretta is a very fine pistol it did not score better than the Sig Sauer pistol. The government purchasing office selected the Beretta over the Sig because of price. My strong recommendation is to go with a CZ Shadow 2, which is the finest production firearm for the money.

[@AJ-gk7bn]

Lol now that was quite a plot twist.

[@Quality_Guru]

@@AJ-gk7bn Truth be told, they are all outstanding firearms. Can’t really go wrong with anyone of them.

[@frankgonzalez3822]

There is a video of a small rock getting into the slide of the Beretta 92 And causing a hard malfunction during a Run and Gun in the desert. For most , this is not going to be an issue.

[@nachos_70firebird66]

I'm a Sig Sauer Addict own a SP2022, P226 Mk 25, and Sig Sauer M400 AR-15.

[@user-wt9il2xl4g]

Love both my Sigs and my Berettas, but I do prefer the Sig platform as they are built much more durable with their fully enclosed slide design and their full-length frame rails. Just a much solid(er) build quality. If you ever get a chance to read the original Beretta/Sig MHS competition results (circa 1987ish), the Sig actually trounced the Beretta badly during testing and outlasted it by the thousands of rounds; however, Beretta was able to beat the Sig Sauer at the time on cost, so the U.S. military chose the Beretta M9 that time. Both are excellent pistols though.

[@willbar1961]

I'm a little late seeing this video and thought I would tell you that the Sig MK25 also is/was available in FDE which I have. The only changes the Sig could use are better grips (like on the Extreme model) and the SRT trigger which is excellent. I have the Beretta 92x RDO G Centurion also and the stock trigger is nice. It could use night sights and I put Wilson Combat G10 grips on it. Both the Beretta and Sig are my go to pistols above all the plastic striker guns. Picking only one would be tough.

[@jdb2722]

I have an m9a3. Its the only gun I can shoot well. Never shot the Sig though so it might be the same level of quality.

[@jpg_sig10]

I voted for the SIG Sauer P226 MK25 with my dollars over the Beretta, and here's why: 1) IMHO, the P226 is superior to the Beretta in terms accuracy and reliability. I've rented Beretta 92 pistols on three occasions, firing 300 rounds through them, shooting them side by side against rented P226 and P229 pistols, and my own Gen3 Glock 34, G17, and G19 at the time. At 25 yards I found the P226 to be the most accurate, followed closely by the P229. The Beretta 92 pistols were no more accurate than my (comparatively cheap) Glocks. The rented Beretta 92 pistols had 7 FTF malfunctions over 300 rounds, while the rented P226 and P229 pistols and my own Glocks had zero malfunctions. The P226's superior accuracy became much more obvious at 50 yards, and ultimately 100 yards. Quite simply put, the P226 is the most accurate 9mm Luger pistol I have ever fired. Nine years and about 5,000 rounds later, my P226 MK25 has been 100% totally reliable. 2) Reputation for durability - I've seen the reports and watched the accounts from retired US Special Forces / Navy SEALS personnel regarding the P226 not experiencing any issues at all until about 150,000 rounds, at which time some of their aluminum alloy frames developed cracks near the rear... versus Beretta pistols having their steel slides break and fall apart in much less time. IMHO, the SS P226 MK25 is an inherently more durable design. 3) While I do prefer the longer barrel of the Beretta 92 versus the SS P226, and I do agree that the Beretta is the "sexier looking" pistol, I strongly dislike the slide-mounted safety on the Beretta 92, while I very much like the frame-mounted decocker on the SS P226. 4) Both of these pistols have long heavy DA trigger pulls. I prefer the DA trigger pull of the SS P226 and P229 to the longer DA trigger pull of the Beretta 92 pistols I've fired. My SS P226 MK25 came with the SS SRT upgrade kit already installed (I purchased my pistol, used, in 2015), so it has a really short distinct audible and tactile trigger reset, and a great crisp SA trigger pull. 5) My aging eyes find it a lot quicker and easier to pick up the steel tritium SIGLite night sights of the SS P226 MK25 versus the tiny sights on the Beretta 92 pistols, and the front sights on my Beretta 92 rentals could not be replaced. Go SIG Sauer P226 MK25. Good things! 👍

[@willwilliam217]

I would have picked the beretta because I enjoy my 92S so much, but recently got a 92X and finding the correct night sight combo or fiber optic has been a challenge because not a lot of sights are available that are the same height as the oem. Sig p226 for the win.

[@RobbDzzz]

Look at Langdon Tactical Technologies.

[@smoideen]

Great review. Fyi.. 18 round flush round mags from mec-gar have been available for a while. Hope to add m9a3 to collection soon. I really enjoy shooting the mk25 at the range.

[@HammerStriker]

Thank you. I will check into those 18 rd mags.

[@JustDefense]

Great mags, identical factory and quality.

[@destroyingdadxx2274]

Yup I have two 18 rounders and they run perfectly in my 92fs.

[@Burna43]

That is correct. 18 round mags from Mec-gar available for both firearms.

[@godgunsandgoldens]

I have the beretta M9A3 and had a Trijicon rmr put on. Love to have that MK25 for comparison. Love my Sig’s. Two excellent choices to compare. Would love to know which pistol you shoot better. Highest “shootability” rating video maybe.

[@HammerStriker]

We did a video like that between the PPQ Q5 and a 1911 9mm, this pair might make a good candidate for that as well.

[@clee6746]

The de-cocker on the Beretta makes more sense in terms of location. Sig's De-cocker is right at where the slide lock should be.

[@sakidawg5561]

MK25 P226 (mm are made in FDE as well)

[@FIGNAS83]

Both

[@mikedgg2]

It is the #superbowl of guns!

[@aamiraamir1023]

Both pistols are technological icons of Germany and Italy

[@3Pillers]

👍

[@guardianminifarm8005]

The MK25 did not come with the SRT at one time. This example may not have the actual SRT. It simply has a great "standard" SA trigger. Not a biggie but just a note.

[@HammerStriker]

This one definitely has the SRT.

[@WhyPhi]

Yeah I recently bought a mk25 and it did not come standard with the SRT. I believe you can buy it with it from the factory as an option though.

[@BBDragon66]

I had to click the thumbs up to get it off of triple 6's. Good thing I did like it 😉😉

[@flamelord2685]

Sig p226 without a doubt

[@cynthia6389]

Will ty he thing go off if you shake it? It's the new gangsta style

[@kentsextro9692]

How long ago did you get the MK25? At one time they had 4 different models of it, FDE threaded and non threaded and black threaded and non threaded. I’ve alas wanted one, they’re bringing over $1,200 on gunbroker last time I checked, I bought two of the M9a3 for $750 (wholesale). Surprisingly, it took me almost two years to sell them, then one guy bought them both. Kinda crazy

[@HammerStriker]

This Mk25 is probably 6 or 7 years old. Sig changes their models up constantly even though the underlying gun remains unchanged. Different features, colors, "distributer exclusives", etc.

[@apbiggins8mm]

Well great video but that doesnt help me to decide which one to get lol im thinking getting both but i think the wife would have an issue

[@massimobernardoni6928]

1st: Beretta, 2nd: Beretta, 3rd: Beretta. The n: Beretta. Beretta: what else?

[@theodoresbush]

Sold beretta 92fs bought Sig 226 glock 19x is faster fits my hand better Sig more accurate beretta double action is heavy top 3 of all time

[@AGC828]

While SIG is one of the few companies innovating...there re things SIG could still do for their P-series guns (P226, P229 and P220) e.g. Make a COMP versio, verions with a BLUE'd finish, RDS cut for the P226 MK26...they are still offerig it. ...time to update the MK25 P226. I mean there still is a P226 MK26 following....who want their Nay Seal gun...to hae an optic. Those that hae bought into needing a RDS (civiians...i'm a civilian but don't beleive we need it for anyting but "shooting sports")..

[@morriszachrisson8359]

Sig is the gun.

[@MrJdog1987]

Is the m9 missing a screw or is it just me it’s driving me crazy lol

[@MustHaveJustice]

Having owned a 92fs, p226, mk25, da/sa legion, and a SAO legion (regret that sale) can honestly say the safety argument on Berettas is over rated. You can easily hit it with your thumb if you have normal sized hands. When you want to decock it, just flip it back up off safe. I personally prefer the M9A3 as that’s the gun I still own, it just looks sexy, beautiful lines. By comparison the sig looks far too tall and clunky. YMMV

[@johndeere1951a]

I never liked the Beretta's exposed barrel design, from back when it was introduced. And now one of my many, is a P226 Elite. Legions are silly👎.

[@user-zv2dt2uw2w]

It's hard to beat a Sig P226! I do like the looks of the Beretta but I'm never been a fan of their handguns.

[@BigRed-oi6ky]

Sig Mk25

[@WeightsNGunz]

Two great guns. The Beretta definitely needs the G decocker.

[@duran2085]

4 people saw this video and bought Taurus instead

[@ge-8135]

Sig is the marginally better weapon in the hands of special forces. To everyone else it is subjective.

[@bellerophon9116]

Both of these firearms offer highly robust functionality. Generally, no one is going to find themselves in such an unlikely scenario no matter what the Dooms Day prepper community will tell you. The military personnel that have carried these weapons and had to rely upon them in combat for years as a sidearm take greater care to ensure that their weapons are properly kept clean, and maintained. It's also worth mentioning that sidearms are also not considered to be a primary weapon system for soldiers. For the Internet "experts" that think "Glocks never fail" only Glock will do 🤣 But even Glock and other polymer striker-fired guns can and do fail when gunked up with mud and sand no matter what the Military Arms Channel may show you in a batch of 1 test example. Even the folks at the Military Arms Channel openly state that their tests are not scientific and that they do said tests to drive sales traffic to their website because those videos garner more interest and views. With that said, polymer striker-fired sidearms such the Glock are often by comparison, less likely to be impeded by debris due to looser tolerances and the lack of a full-rail system allowing the debris to more easily clear itself. But the looser tolerances come at the expense of accuracy and overall shooting experience compared to sidearms like the P226 and M9A3 and these sidearms ( Sig Sauer P226 and Beretta 92 platform) have passed a number of tests to be considered quality equipment to use in the field and are still used to this day by military and law enforcement agents the world over. It bears restating, It's not a given that said polymer sticker-fired sidearms will be impervious to jamming in harsh conditions. Most civilians will never take the guns they purchase to range or anywhere else enough to push their sidearms to it limits in any capacity, just as it's statistically unlikely that more than six shots will be fired during a defensive deadly force encounter. This of particular importance when choosing a weapon and considering magazine capacity. Don't allow yourself to be persuaded into buying a more expensive gun simply because the factory magazines hold 17 rounds instead of 15 rounds. Ps. Mecgar makes magazines for both of these guns in their standard factory capacity as well 20 round capacity.

[@growlikethewind5788]

+1 for no safety on the Sig.

[@FIGNAS83]

This is my safety ☝

[@peterrussell798]

@@FIGNAS83 Nice “Blackhawk Down” movie quote.

[@oceaser6977]

I just don’t like the look of the Beretta so I’d go P226

[@janvodros8238]

Sig is better !

[@blackops8996]

Nah