Beretta's streamlined pistol is the right fit for women - Arms and the Woman

The American credo is often "big is better," but when it comes to firearms for women, that usually isn't the case. Women have smaller hands and less upper body strength than men. Any gun taking this into account will become very popular with women.

That's what Beretta has done. With a bit of tinkering to one of its most popular pistols, the company has come up with a firearm that's right on target for lady shooters.

Beretta's popular 92/96 series of pistols has been streamlined into the Beretta Vertec. The pistol combines the top end of the standard 92/96 pistol with the shorter barrel, beveled magazine well and interchangeable front sight of the Beretta Elite.

Beretta didn't stop there, however. To really make this gun comfortable for women shooters with small hands, there is a new vertical-grip design, a shorter trigger reach and thin dual textured grip panels. The Vertec also sports an integral accessory rail for mounting lights and/or laser sights.

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Women who handle the gun will note these streamlining measures give them a much higher grip on the gun and easier access to important functions such as the magazine release, hammer drop/safety lever and slide release.

When women have a chance to fire the Vertec, they will be impressed by the ease of recoil control created by the grip ergonomics and altered weight distribution. Beretta has designed a gun that feels good in a woman's hand.

The Vertec is available as the 92FS in 9mm and as the 96 in .40 S & W. Both Vertecs have a total length of 8.3 inches, a height of 5.5 inches, and weigh 32 ounces.

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