Tough choice. Before I finished reading your post, I thought 'Buy both.' I have a Beretta and Merkel that are kissing cousins of the two you're considering, both well built and will outlast me. Fun to shoot and neither was expensive. In a pinch, I'd take the Beretta. I see more German blne guns of various names for sale than the older Beretta 4 series. Both would be nice though.