Newest Beretta Pico - are all the bugs gone?

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Carmady

New member
I'm interested in this pistol mainly because of its sights, but I've read a lot about problems with broken firing pins, slippery slide serrations, and hard to rack slides. I've seen where Beretta made "Upgraded" versions for over a year.

I think the newest Picos look like the one in the 2nd post of this thread:
https://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=581300&highlight=pico

Notice the larger serrations, and relocated Beretta name and logo close to the front sight (instead of over the trigger).

Do these differences on the slide ID the newest incarnation of the Pico, and is the pistol reliable?
 
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PSP

New member
The box will say "upgraded" if it comes from the factory already upgraded. The slide serrations are an indication as well. Older Picos may have upgraded parts but will lack the newer more aggressive slide serrations.

In the couple of months since that post I've shot every kind of ammo I had and bought four more. All have worked without problem. I've landed on Hornady to carry. Very reliable gun. :cool:
 
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Carmady

New member
I've seen new Picos online with the old style slide in "upgraded" boxes. They may have made a few versions of upgraded Picos over the last year or so, but I'm under the impression that the new slide is the big clue for the latest upgraded version.

I'm glad to hear you're happy with yours.
 
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Carmady

New member
I bought one this week, but haven't shot it yet. It looks like the newest version with the larger slide serrations and moved logo.

I prefer these sights to those on the LCP (gen 2 with the "big" sights). I prefer the LCP's grip by a long shot, but will try to enlarge the Pico's with an inner tube.

My only concern is weakness of the trigger reset/return. If there's anything to obstruct the trigger return, I doubt if there's enough oomph to overcome it.

If this slide racks with "upgraded easier operation" the earlier one must a real bear. Bearetta.

I like it overall.
 
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TheGuyOfSouthamerica

Moderator
Dear carmady,

Can you post a photo of both sides of the gun.

I have one comming as well and want to make sure it is the newest model.

Why would you modify the gun? i think that is not an good idea.
If you do not like the grip go for another pistol.
The pistol is meant for deep concealed disguised carry and not supposed to be an comfort "Hotel with spa" rather than it is supposed to be a "monastery" (to use that analogy) with the simplicity, reliability and Long life of an "Monk".
 
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TheGuyOfSouthamerica

Moderator
I hate that when People take a file and saw to "modify" their guns.

That should be done by the factory or don't buy that gun.

I don't like "Garage gunsmiths" who add wires to their guns after they destroyed them trying to "make 'em better".

I have an Pachmayr grip sleeve as well ready for when my Beretta FS 92 arrives and I have very smll Hands.
Indeed the gun and grip of an S&W Bodyguard or Taurus 380 mouse gun just fits me perfectly.
 
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Carmady

New member
These aren't mine.

The one with the box is the older upgraded version. Note the Beretta name and logo/trident in the middle over the trigger on the lower half of the slide.

The other one, by itself, is the newest version. Note the Beretta name and logo/trident near the front sight on the upper half of the frame. This gun has some kind of grip tape, and the pinky extension was trimmed down. There are differences in the serrations, too.
 

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Kwik2010

New member
Small issue

I purchased a Pico this afternoon amd ran into a problem fresh out of the box. Luckily it was easily cured but i though I'd give you a heads up in case you have the problem as well. When I got home from the store I went about my normal routine with disassembly and cleaning per the manual and then loading up snap caps and racking a few hundred times before the weekend to smooth things out. On the third round in the flush fit magazine, the slide would not come back. It was completely locked forward. I could not figure it out. I dropped the magazine and then it worked just fine. I repeated the process with every kind of ammo I had at my disposal. Nothing would keep it from happening. After several attempts to search for this issue online I found absolutely nothing. After about an hour of being extremely upset about my brand new firearm not working and trying to investigate the issue I realized what was wrong with what I can only describe as a divine intervention cuz I never would have thought it upon my own. The follower in this magazine was fitting really tightly inside the magazine tube. The front "flag" of the follower (I don't know what it would be called, sorry) was catching the magazine retainer in the front of the grip and not allowing the third round to press down and make room for the slide to come back. After some very minor pressing with my bare hands I was able to make it work flawlessly. Not a huge issue but gave me a small heart attack because it's not every day I drop several hundred dollars down on a firearm.
 
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TheGuyOfSouthamerica

Moderator
Thanks Kwik2010 for sharing.

Does it shoot smooth? What about the recoil? Is the trigger Plastik or metallic? How is the slide rack easyness?

Seems to Beretta is cheapening out their guns.
 
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Kwik2010

New member
I haven't fired this particular one yet so I wont go into that. I know a lot of people complain that the slide is difficult to rack. It is a small gun but this newer model seems to allow a much better purchase on the slide. I don't have any problems racking it. But I'm also 6'0 and 250. So however ya wanna take that. From what I can tell the trigger is a polymer of some kind. My magnet won't stick to it.

*The last one I shot was more difficult to rack. That was back in 2014.
 
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Kwik2010

New member
I don't have a chronograph but I'll see if I can borrow one. I'll be taking it to the range this weekend. I'll let ya know how it goes.
 
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TheGuyOfSouthamerica

Moderator
With my Beretta Pico 380 acp order I ordered as well an spare frame.

This spare frame I just got.
.
It fits perfectly in my hand. A little short though (one.5 finger hold but the extended mag will remedy that) but the grip is very firm so I have a feeling shooting it one handed will even more doable than shooting it 2 handed. One hand shooting may be best with this pistol.

The grip is NOT slippery.
The polymer build of the grip is very sturdy.
The magazine release is even metal and it is not so bad to operate the mag release. It is different but with 2 fingers sliding it down is very practical (one finger is a bit harder).

But this gun is anyways not an combat gun for quick reloads but rather an Self Defense emergency gun.

I can see already that I will like it (considered it may never be used in an emergency situation).
 
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TheGuyOfSouthamerica

Moderator
Regards the "hard to operate Magazine Lever".

The Magazine release Lever is very well to operate with one finger if you grease lube it with liquid grease spray.
I just did it and it smoothed out quiet a bit.

Obviously this style of Magazine release latches will "use up" your finger after about 50 Magazine changes.
But considered in a defensive Situation you about Change only twice the Magazine (after about Shooting 18 rounds) you supposed to be dead or the attacker has deceased or given up. This Kind of weapon is made for max changing once the Magazine in a fire fight.

For this reason the magazine Lever is not an critical part and works very well.
Only the american consumer isn't used to other things he allways was used to, so People consider this style of Magazine release as "awkward" (even if in reality the latch works flawless, uses and customs are a persistant animal hard to overcome).
 
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Carmady

New member
It amazes me, all the bad press the Pico gets (on youtube in particular).

There's nothing wrong with the mag release. I use my left thumb and index finger and catch it with the heel of my left hand. I've seen/heard a lot of complaints about it, but I could also do it one handed with my thumb only while holding the gun with that hand, with either hand. I don't see what all the fuss is about. I'll stick with the thumb/finger way because I think it's easier on the parts. You have to pull down instead of push a button, but it's no big deal.

I shot mine for the first time today, but had to stop about half way through the ammo because the front sight flew off. I was standing on a 9x12 tarp (to catch the brass) and the sight landed on the tarp, with the set screw still in it. More divine intervention. It'll get a dab of Loctite 242 when I put it back on. The manual says it takes a 1.3mm allen wrench, but a .050" works for me. I have no idea why a USA made Pico takes a 1.3mm...

I haven't seen or heard it said, and I've only shot it 69 times, but this thing is NOTHING LIKE A LCP to shoot. I was expecting semi-obnoxious recoil, but was surprised. I believe that someone who has never fired a pistol would enjoy it. It did have a leather strip and some inner tube action to extend and cushion the back strap, but that was more for grip than anything else.

If I had to pick one main gripe, it would be the stock grip. Not so much because of the grip itself, but how it affects the trigger finger.

Overall, I'm delighted with this little jewel.
 
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TheGuyOfSouthamerica

Moderator
Thanks Carmady for sharing,

That was I figuring as well theoretically: this gun will be a soft shooter. Maybe that is due to the high bore axis (1873 Colt SAA plow handle effect).

2 things however bother me a bit:
the firing pin prone to break and the Trigger should be stainless as well instead of Plastik.

Big plus and deal breaker for me was the modularity of the Beretta Pico 380 Auto.
And it fits perfectly (at least the spare grip what I have at the Moment) the disguised conceal cellphone Holster.

BTW: there is a new derringer in form of an actual cell phone (2 Barrel 380 acp).
 
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