I was window shopping Bud's Gun Shop and see they have a bunch of used Italian Police Beretta 92S pistols for $299. They look like nice guns, 15 + 1, 9mm. I've never owned a 9mm. Would this be a good start? I have reservations about buying used without touching, but $300 seems like a safe bet. Any suggestions? Thank you in advance. Jeff Taylor, Pgh, PA.

I bought one of these guns (last year when they were $329) and they're outstanding, though obviously not new. 100% reliable. Bud's has reviews on their site, and I'm guessing they're mostly positive. It's my only Beretta, but a great way to get into the brand. Service pistols tend to be well maintained, and surprisingly, not shot that much, though usually have finish wear. I bout two other surplus service guns from Bud's - a model 10 Smith and a .40 M&P Smith auto, and they've both been great working guns. KEEP IN MIND, this gun will wave the European style mag release at the bottom of the grip frame.

For $150 more end free shipping, I'd buy the 92FS new. If I didn't already have one I would jump on this deal.

Beretta 92FS 9mm Pistol - JS92F300M

The 92s is a great deal. I had wanted a 92 for some time but always found something I wanted more. My LGS ordered several of these and for $300 otd I couldn't say no. They were in near new shape. Some minor handling marks but virtually seemed unshot. I was able to with some looking find plenty of European style magazines and really don't mind the lower release. I will also say that the fit and finish was much better than a new production 92. Seems like with any firearm the one that was made 30 plus years ago is much better made than current production. For this reason I would opt to take advantage of this deal on a clean used one that in my opinion is much better than a new one.

I bought one because of the price ($299 and my buddy does FFL transfers for free) although I have never been a fan of the Beretta 92 series. The pistol I received was close to 99% condition, functions flawlessly. The magazine release on the bottom side of the frame is not an issue for me because this is range gun and I don't envision needing a rapid mag change.

I'm a Beretta fan from the 92F to the Elite II...... mostly Compacts and Centurions along with the Elite IIs.............

Remember these have the low mag release..... so most magazines (for the F and FS)won't work.

Small sights and integral front sight .......

if you can grab a few (3/4) extra mags still a good deal to get started.

J&G Sales in Prescott had a huge inventory of surplus Italian police 92s a few years back in two states. The ones at $299 had obviously been used and the ones at $329 were in virtually brand new condition. I opted for the brand new example and it's a great gun.
Jim

I purchased mine for around $249 last year from J&G sales. Looked close to new and functions perfect

I've had this one at least 22 years, smooth and reliable. I'd carry it but it's almost 2X my 6906. Joe

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They are excellent guns. ive an Eyetalion (Italian) made one-NiB-from Ringo1957 for $550. Used but in good condition-you will have no worries.

One like mine:

Bought a 92 from the Sheriff's Dept here a number of years ago. Actually bought two. One was my Son-In-Laws duty weapon (bought it for him to keep) and one from some one who did not want to keep theirs. I used one on active duty, but Uncle Sugar would not sell it to me (nor the various M1911's that I used). Glad I bought this 92 as it is a good shooter, mechanically it is sound, but the finish shows holster wear. As previously stated duty weapons are carried a lot, but not shot very much. IIRC my cost for there was $200 each.

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I think you can put a Third Gen. locking block on those, and I would, if possible. And you may want to change springs. That applies to any older auto pistol.

If you're not a clutz with a Dremel, it's quick & easy to
grind out a port for the heel mag catch.

You won't be disappointed. Due to size recoil is less than smaller 9mm pistols. Actions on the Berettas are very smooth. Many folks feel the Italian made ones are smoother and preferred to those made in US. I have a 1985 92f made in Italy with walnut grips and it is a beautiful excellent shooting pistol.
Berettas made in Italy have a proof mark on the right side of the trigger
guard that indicates year made. You can find a chart on line that decodes the alpha mark.
Good luck!

I don’t think you’ll go wrong picking up the 92S, I picked up one about two years ago and I swear you can’t tell the difference from new. The one I got had to be unissued or was an officers gun that never got carried? This thing had not a mark or a scratch. Got it at a real good price because Beretta collectors? or other collectors wouldn’t touch it because of the importers mark? The gun shop owner told me he couldn’t sell it? The importers mark was neatly done as for as I was concerned so it didn’t bother me any!
Berettas are good guns, I have two Cougar models in my collection as well.

Just wanted to give the OP a heads up......

First ask yourself why do you want it? If you want to carry there are better/newer guns. If you want to just blast at the range they're fine!

The old 92s have mag releases on the bottom back of the grip so not all 92 mags will work. Front sights can't be changed if you want something different. Otherwise it's a good gun as far as function goes

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I’ve personally been a big fan of the Beretta 92 series pistols, and the 92S is one of my favorites, mostly due to the beautiful blued finish they have versus the Brunition finish they come with these days. Thing to be aware of on the 92S however: it has a heel mag release on the lower left side of the grip frame as opposed to a US-style release. This is not a problem for most users, and All standard Beretta Mags are still slotted for the heel release catch. Be aware however that the grip frame has a different contour than the 92FS/M9, so whereas the newer mags with plastic base plates fit the gun and work flawlessly, the base plate will stick forward of the grip a little bit. The base please can be swapped out with metal ones, as I had done, sourcing them from Numrich’s inventory of Taurus PT-92 parts.
Also be aware most of the 92S pistols are setup with low-profile sights, which offer a much smaller sight picture than the standard 92FS. He bulk of the 92S’s available for sale are Italian military and police surplus guns that were built that way to reduce snagging when drawn from a holster. There are commercial 92S pistols around, and I had one of these, that have the standard sights on them, but these are far less common. Those commercial models were imported by the Berben Corp. in the early 80s, and tend to cost a bit more than the surplus guns. Anyway, they’re damn fine guns, and real blast to shoot. I would grab one before they inevitably increase in price a stocks run down...

Also, if you are I. The market for a good first 9mm pistol, have you considered a S&W 59, 459, or 5906 for around the same price? I like the Berettas but I vastly prefer the 39/59 series to the 92 any day. Just a thought...


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Depends on the barrel. The original won't work with the 3rd locking block and the stainless barrel wont work with the original locking block. So I have "extra parts." Joe

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Thanks for the info on the date chart. Mine is coded AP which is 1986.

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

Another difference between the 92s and 92f / 92fs is the latter have chrome lined barrels in addition to the obvious external differences required by military contract specs. Don't think it was ever intended to be a concealed carry pistol. For what it is, a military/police service pistol it is a great one.

Bought my first Beretta a few weeks ago, a 92FS brand new, and made in Italy.
Paid $450 shipped on GB. Really like it after doing some small modifications.
I like it much more than my Glocks. Very little recoil, and looks beautiful, imo.
Ordered a set of Hogue wraparound finger groove grips which arrive today.

Joe-

So, are you saying that if one buys a M-92S, he should acquire spare locking blocks, if available, and swap them out sooner than he would with the current type?

I think that the Army advised changing blocks about every 3,000 rounds, and it may be a lower figure. I think I saw a suggestion of 1,000 rounds at one time. Later blocks are much more durable.

If those are changed on schedule, the Beretta 92's seem to be durable, reliable pistols.

I am saying certain barrels work with certain locking blocks. I would bring the gun to a gunshow and go to the "M9 guy" to try for fit. I bought the SS barrel for my Centurion to eliminate the "smilie" on top of the original barrel from cycling. The locking block from the original barrel wouldn't work with it. I bought the "kit' from Beretta that included the "new" block (was about $4 more than just the block) and works perfectly. I keep the original barrel and block together in the SS bag just in case (has maybe 2K rounds through it but a serious smilie). Great guns and "spare parts" never hurt. Joe

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Decided to get new 92FS. Thanks all. Jeff Taylor, Pgh, PA

One hour ago I ordered the used Italian Police pistol! Any problems with it were probably worked out years ago. Not too worried about a few scratches or wear marks; just the innards! I'll let my FFL/LGS check it out for me for a few dollars more. Beretta is a pretty popular brand, so parts should not be a problem if needed down the road. It should be like the Harley I had last...rat bike with flawless mechanicals!

I ordered a 92s a couple of days ago myself. Never shot one much, most of my experience has been with Sigs, and now Glocks. I figured it's an inexpensive way to try it out...

Edit: it came in and shoots fine.

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