Beretta is the oldest operating gun maker in the world. Toughness and a drive to succeed has at times put the company in the hot seat over its 489-year history.
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Beretta weathered a notable controversy in the United States after the Army elected to replace the Colt .45 pistol with the Beretta 9 mm handgun in 1985. While Colt had withdrawn from consideration due to the Army's production schedule, "Gun collectors and other small arms aficionados were upset over the Pentagon's competition to resupply its officers with new sidearms, challenging the need to replace the heavy, reliable Colt,"
reported an article in the Los Angeles Times.
Although the rank-and-file officers eventually accepted the switch, controversy didn’t end there. In the early 1990s, members of the Navy found many faulty features with their new Italian firearms. “Just a few years after its contract award, Naval Special Warfare units started reporting slide failures with the M9, resulting in several severe facial injuries,”
according to The Awl.
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The U.S. Navy blamed Beretta, while Beretta blamed the officers. Ultimately, an investigative panel sided with the Navy, finding that Beretta used substandard steel in its production.
In the end, Beretta resolved its disputes with the government. Over the years, Beretta has been a popular choice for law enforcement agencies across the United States,
according to Policemag.com.
This article does not constitute legal advice. Check the current gun laws before purchasing or traveling with a firearm.
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