ltwguns.com

So in that vein, how about a custom Beretta by Dave Sams.

It started out as a 10 year commemerative model M9 with corresponding serial number and the gold inlay slide lettering. Dave decided to do a little tinkering and voila! A 3 caliber conversion was born. A .40s&w Centurion slide was procured. Long with another compact 9mm barrel which he then recut the chamber for .357sig. Two top ends, three calibers-9mm full size slide and Centurian compact slide in .40/.357.

He wanted one set of mags to work all three calibers. After trying different mags, the ones that worked are the military GI with metal followers. He opens the feed lips a tad and contours them. 100% in the range time we tried with all calibers.

Next was action/trigger/reliability internal work. Every pin was addressed, Transfer bar sanded/stoned. Hammer sanded and stoned. Hammer spring replaced with a lower weight. Every internal surface/contact point was polished. DA pull is just over 8 pounds and SA pull is 2 3/4 pounds!
The .357sig was the accuracy winner and now rides on my side. As a combat weapon I cannot think of a finer combination.

I can see why Dave builds the best Berettas for AMU and private competition. These are guns meant for shooting!

.357sig in complete gun, .40sw barrel under and 9mm full size commemerative side at bottom.

_________________
"No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave."
Calvin Coolidge

So thats what an M9 that works looks like...

Beautiful Al...congrats...

Jim

_________________
"Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." Benjamin Franklin , 1759

I like it. I bet it does shoot great.
I never had a Centurion, but had a Compact, and thought it was the best balanced Beretta. I always wanted to try a Centurion.
I always thought the Beretta 92/96/98 would make a nice 357 Sig, but Beretta apparently disagrees.

Thanks for posting that. I saw the pics of Dave Sams' AMU Berettas on his website, and had been curious.

Yes, I'm a closet Beretta fan.

Al, old buddy......that is one neat set up Dave did!! Although I am not much of a Beretta fan....I think I'd be proud to have something like that on my side! I am a big fan of the .357sig, it is my favorite calibre next to the old .45 and .45 Colts. If you ever come up to ride with me on duty sometime in BG, I will even let you in the cruiser with that on, I know you can shoot....and I know about Dave's work, so what better combination could I ask for as "backup".......as the old Texas Ranger saying goes " The TWO of you will do to ride the river with!!"

_________________
"There is a true glory and a true honor, the glory of duty done, the honor of integrity and principle."--Gen. Robert Edward Lee

I forgot this pic. The one that not too many will see on their Beretta's barrel!

I cannot begin to describe the internals on this combat handgun. My words would just seem inadequate.

_________________
"No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave."
Calvin Coolidge

Very nice Al. Wide spectrum of calibers for all occasions.
After years of falsely drinking the koolaid that the Berettas are not good shooters, after observing several instructors demonstrated that you can shoot really well with Berettas and actually beat 1911 shooters, I took the plunge. Owning and shooting the G-SD, G-Vertec and G-Centurion have been eye opening and learning experience. I really like the G versions and the D spring and 1911 mainspring installed. If those guns are only a bit thinner in the slide area, they would be perfect.

Al,

At the AMU, there was another gunsmith. I think his name was Tony Kidd. He made special rails-almost like accurails and custom bushings. Do you know anything about him? I heard he was customizing 10/22's.

Lester

_________________
Lester Wang

Lester,

Tony Kidd came at the back end of Dave Sams' tenure at AMU. Dave was given the task of making the Beretta a match grade gun by Colonel Johnson, the then AMU C.O. From what I have read in articles, who I have spoken to, and those I know who were there, Dave developed everything that Tony Kidd used for his Berettas. Tony built the Sams conversion once Dave retired, and continued to build them for some time after he left AMU himself. The Accu-Rail like inserts (not a good comparison, really) and barrel bushing are but two of the mods Dave came up with for the match Beretta. I have owned and shot quite a few of Dave's Berettas. I witnessed first hand one that put a full 10rd magazine into less than 3/4" at 50 yards from a rest (and have seen close with a 1911 he built). As tight and accurate as they are, I have never seen one malfunction. They are, truly, things of beauty, especially if you are of the mindset that form follows function. Accuracy and function wise, I'd stack Dave's builds against any, period. That includes rifles.

For an older article from while Dave was still at AMU, check here:
http://www.gun-tests.com/performance/oc ... etter.html

Al, that is a great combo gun. If you need any .357 Sig, I have a bunch of 125gr Federal Premium JHPs and no .357 Sig gun.

~Jim Keeney

_________________
"I'd rather die on my feet than keep living on my knees." - Emiliano Zapata, Mexican Revolutionary

There is a guy named Kidd (don't recall first name) who was doing custom Berettas a couple years ago. His shop was called Cool Guy Guns.
Is that the Tony Kidd perhaps?

Well,Jim got to answer before I could so there you go.

One further explanation. The rails Dave uses are not like AccuRail as they do not run the length of the rails. They are machined oval sections, and 2 are inserted into the rails on each side front to back.

Jim, The Fed .357 was phenominally accurate as Dave had some boxes of the 125gr hp. I'll take what you have. Unless you can figure out how to make those .40 mags work

_________________
"No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave."
Calvin Coolidge

Tony Kidd operates cool guy guns. he builds an awesome 2 stage trigger for the little 10/22.

Better grab 'em Al, before he decides to have another .357 Sig built.

_________________
Sic Semper Tyrannis

See, Chip, therein lies the dilemna... I can't afford another one. I have two in the pipe now, and after that, it might be a while. I'm selling guns, not buying them. I need furniture, paint, curtains, lighting, and a ring. Al will get the Sig ammo, as I have lost all desire to rekindle the fire for that cartridge.

You know, Al, you really did me a favor by getting that Beretta from Dave. Saving ole Jim from a moral/ethical dilemna was a helluva gesture.

~Jimbobo Gumdrop

_________________
"I'd rather die on my feet than keep living on my knees." - Emiliano Zapata, Mexican Revolutionary

I believe all of us here have probably made a similar statement at one time or aother...and gone out and bought another one.

_________________
Sic Semper Tyrannis

Lets see, you, me And Dave met Friday night. Dave andI talked about the Beretta Saturday and Monday in the shop. I told him only if YOU did not want it! As we pulled it apart for the action work he said you never told him you would take it. His gun, his decision. No toes stepped on here.

But, if you feel slighted, I will gladly GIVE it to you to keep our friendship!

Oh, and what the hell is a Jimbbobo Gumdrop? Vaughn's new baby talk pet name for you

_________________
"No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave."
Calvin Coolidge

Sigh, a once proud man falls . Just remember, marriage is an institution, and who the hell wants to be institutionalized, right Jimbobo??

_________________
"There is a true glory and a true honor, the glory of duty done, the honor of integrity and principle."--Gen. Robert Edward Lee

Ring? Jimbobo Gumdrop?

Are congratulations in order? If so....then....Congratulations!

The Jimbobo Gumdrop name was just something I needed to add, as I have never signed away with anything other than my name. Yes, a ring is in my near future, but it'll be a while since I still have some saving to do and need furniture in the meantime. 10% of every paycheck and/or gun sale has helped.

Al, I have never felt slighted by anything you've ever done. I've felt like I've slighted you at times (you need a mag with that gun?), but I'll try and make up for it with some ammo. Love you, man.

JR, when we gonna meet? You comin' to Cartersville soon?

Chip likes pimp grips.

GOD Bless you all.

~Jim Keeney

_________________
"I'd rather die on my feet than keep living on my knees." - Emiliano Zapata, Mexican Revolutionary

.38 Super should have Mexican silver, right?

JR is afraid to come with me to Cartersville. Al told him what it did to him (just like to you, me, C.G., etc., etc.)

A Bobcat conversion to .17 Mach 2 is in the pipeline (actually two of them )

_________________
Sic Semper Tyrannis

Sounds like you failed to master the PLF and landed on your kevlar one too many times there 'ole Jimbobo!

I have cubic zirconia in the shop for you cheapies Jim, Jason turned me down but you can have his at 50% off!

"Chip likes pimp grips"-
I dunno, I thought that being a pimp was his sideline

_________________
"No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave."
Calvin Coolidge

Jim....I hope to meet you very soon, especially since I have a business proposal for you and Al: You two want to go in on a nice set of carved "Mexican Jockstrap" holsters and a nice set of Pearl grips for Chips duet of Bobcat's? Maybe help me come up with a nice name for each of them too? (And yes, Chip....I know you SAID one of them isn't yours, but that wont keep us from ribbing you about them, nonetheless! )

_________________
"There is a true glory and a true honor, the glory of duty done, the honor of integrity and principle."--Gen. Robert Edward Lee

Chips duet of Bobcats? You are referring to firearms and accessories I hope

Seems like you already named the duo there John! Have fun playing with them! What goes on in Bowling Green PD stays in Bowling Green PD!

_________________
"No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave."
Calvin Coolidge