Well, I decided my Sig Mosquito had to go. Check my thread in the Sig section for the reasons. So I found myself looking for a good 22 auto to replace it. I'd pretty much decided on a Ruger, but I've just never really liked that gun. I don't know why. I just don't like it. Well, I was at Cabellas, picking up some ammo, when I saw they had the new Beretta Neos. I've been reading some really good things about it, but hadn't yet encountered one in any gun store I've been to. No one can challenge Beretta's reputation, and my 92FS is one fine, fine gun. So I immediately became interested. My interest became serious when I saw the price tag. $250. The gun impressed me from the minute I picked it up. So I swapped the Mosquito for one.
The first impression you get of the Neos is that it belongs in a sci-fi movie. It just looks cool. But the second impression goes beyond looks. It's solid. Everything about it says quality. All the more surprising, given the price. I looked at a S&W 422 and it just looked and felt cheap. Not so the Beretta. When I got it home and had a chance to play with it, I was even more impressed. As high tech as it looks, the design is both simple and ingenious. Field stripping it takes about 10 seconds. With no tools whatsoever. That was one thing that peeved me about the Mosquito. Had to use a hex wrench to take it down.
Several things really stick out on this gun. One is very heavy barrel, with a stepped crown. Basically a bull barrel, with flat sides, similar to the Buckmark. And running the full length of the gun is an integral picatinny rail, which is mounted solely to the barrel. So your guaranteed it will stay aligned. And mounted on the rail are one excellent set of fully adjustable sights. You'd expect to find these on a much more expensive gun.
As I stripped the gun down I found more things. Most 22s have very cheap firing pins that are usually stamped sheet metal. The Neos has a very robust, machined, stainless steel firing pin. I'd be stunned if this thing ever breaks. And the firing pin is stopped inside the bolt head, not against the breach face. So this is one of the first 22s I've seen that you can dry fire. Most 22s will either damage the firing pin, the breach face, or both, if dry fired.
Throw in an ambidextrous safety (locks the slide, trigger and the sear), two stainless steel magazines and an "official" Beretta padded pistol pouch and you have one hell of a package for $250.
Of course, all that means nothing if it doesn't shoot good, but the initial reports I've seen on the gun all give it high marks. One review said it routinely gives 1 inch patterns at 25 yards. Another review said they used various makes and types of ammo without a single malfunction. Which I can believe seeing how well the gun is built. We shall certainly see. Still don't believe that price tag. I'm guessing that's an introductory price to break into the market, and will eventually go up.
Oh, and note the "Made in USA" stamped on the barrel.
