Gun Test: Beretta Nano

Among the new crop of compact, lightweight semi-automatic pistols designed for the armed citizen who carries concealed is the Beretta Nano, a polymer-frame, single-stack semi-automatic pistol chambered in 9 mm Luger or .40 S&W and made in the United States.

Weighing slightly more than a pound unloaded and with an overall length of less than 6 inches, the striker-fired Nano is about as small as a major-caliber firearm can be without significantly compromising shootability and handling. The Nano is less than an inch wide, which makes it ideal for traditional inside-the-waistband, appendix or ankle carry. The Nano’s size and mass fills a practical niche between true sub-compact “pocket pistols” and mid-size semi-automatics.

A serialized stainless-steel sub-chassis insert houses the moving parts of the firearm’s lower half. The polymer grip frame is removable and can be retrofitted with replacement units to accommodate different grip sizes, though none are currently on the market. The grip-mounted magazine release can be reversed to accommodate left-handed shooters. The entire handgun was designed to be snag-free, which results in few, if any, sharp edges to catch on clothing.