Beretta Nano 300 round test

[CDW4ME]

I recently bought a new Beretta Nano 9mm; it came with one 8 round extended magazine and one flush fitting six round magazine. The Nano does not have an internal lock or magazine disconnect, if it did I wouldn’t have bought it. I also bought night sights and an extra six round magazine.

First thing I did was check sight adjustment; I shot 25 rounds of 124 gr. Winchester Ranger T and made a minor adjustment to the rear sight. I subsequently replaced the original sights with night sights, taking care to put the rear in the adjusted spot, and applied some Loc-Tite.

Next shooting session was 200 rounds of four different types of ammunition, 50 rounds each.

Third session was 50 rounds of my handload (a Hornady 115 gr. XTP) and another 25 rounds of the Federal 124 gr. HST +P bringing the total rounds to 300.

Chrono results, in ascending level of KE, average for 5 shots:
Federal 124 gr. Hydra Shok @ 991 fps / 270# KE
Federal 147 gr. JHP @ 914 fps / 273# KE
Hornady 115 gr. XTP handload @1,110 fps / 315# KE
Federal 124 gr. HST +P @ 1,144 fps / 360# KE
Winchester 124 gr. Ranger T +P @ 1,184 fps / 386# KE

Ammunition performance in water filled jugs, average recovered diameter:
Federal 124 gr. Hydra Shok- back of 4th jug / ~.53
Hornady 115 gr. XTP handload- back of 3rd jug / ~.61
Federal 124 gr. HST +P- back of 3rd jug / ~.68
Winchester Ranger T 124 gr. +P- back of 3rd jug / ~.74

Ejection of brass:
Federal 124 gr. Hydra Shok: acceptable ejection pattern, majority at 3-4 o’clock
Federal 147 gr. JHP: erratic ejection pattern, some thrown close to or over my head
Hornady 115 gr. handload: very good ejection pattern, consistently about 3-4 o’clock
Federal 124 gr. HST +P: very good ejection pattern, consistently at 3-4 o’clock
Winchester 124 gr. Ranger T +P: erratic ejection pattern, some thrown close to or over my head

I bought the Nano as a potential pocket carry pistol. I don’t like the look of the Nano with the extended eight round magazine inserted and it would eliminate pocket carry; however, the eight round magazine is useful as a spare.
My choice in ammo is the Federal 124 gr. HST +P for the most energy and consistent ejection of brass, with my own handload as an acceptable (to me) alternate.

Summary, I shot 300 rounds of various ammo through my Nano with no malfunctions.

Nano1.jpg

Here is the Nano with a J frame for size comparison.

NanoandJframe.jpg

NanovsJframe.jpg

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[Taurahe]

Sounds like a good trip to the range

[Tundra5.7]

Thanks for the report. My brother in law has a Nano and I really like how well it shoots.

[CDW4ME]

Thanks for the report.

[archer51]

Nice report. Hope the nano works out for you.

[Phaedrus]

I'm up to about 800 rounds through my Nano with no malfunctions. I'd have 2000 rounds through it by now if I could find ammo more easily and if that ammo wasn't $.40 round!

[CDW4ME]

I'm up to about 800 rounds through my Nano with no malfunctions. I'd have 2000 rounds through it by now if I could find ammo more easily and if that ammo wasn't $.40 round!

Finding 9mm HP for .40 a round would be a feat right now.

[Phaedrus]

A local hardware store recently had a case full of American Eagle 9mm (115 gr FMJ) for $20/50. Since that's not a great price I "only" bought 5 boxes. But last time I was there even that was gone. Been pretty hard to get any but I'm finding it here and there. The LGS has generally had some for around $18/50. They'll only sell it if you're shooting there, so that keeps the hoarders off it. My "stash" is right around 1,000 rounds of 9mm and 1,100 rounds of .45 ACP, and if I don't burn it up too fast I can generally break even. At least my brass supply is getting better.