I was looking to buy the Beretta 92X, but after reading some reports of quality control issues, such as the barrel being a bit off center in relation to the slide, while others have noted theirs was fine, I am not sure I am willing to buy a gun online without seeing it first. If I buy the gun at a local gun store, then I can inspect before buying it but then I will be paying retail price for it. There is almost a $200 difference in price...uggg.

You can get the Beretta 92X for about $600 online but not sure I can trust it

What are the shipping and transfer fees?

Never bought a gun on the net. I support local no matter what.

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Life Is A Gift. Defend it!

$30 FFL Transfer and shipping is usually $12 dollars. The 92X at $600 is a great deal but at $800 ugggg. not so sure I want to spend that much on a gun that I dont' feel quality is there

Beretta is a quality company and if you have a problem with their products they should stand behind it. A company like Taurus makes a lot of good guns but they also have quality control problems and I’ve heard from people it’s harder to get them fixed but I’ve had three or four Taurus and never had a problem with them. I've bought a whole lot of different guns off the net and never had a problem with any of them and saved a lot of money

I've bought more online than at the stores. One company I"ve bought a few from recommend opening up the box and looking over the gun before you accept it, and you can have it sent back for replacement. But, I only bought what I couldn't find in a LGS. Personally, if you can touch it and check it over, I'd buy that gun; especially the gun has QC issues (visibly). $200 isn't chicken scratch, but you have peace of mind that if you buy from this dealer, you should be able to have them repair or take care of getting it fixed should there be a need. You may be able to work in a little deal with the dealer by showing him the price of the online dealer. Maybe get a free transfer, box of shells, something. Good luck!

No... but I consider Beretta to be very good guns. Taurus, Mossberg & Glock not so much. You could look for a dealer w/ better prices.

$800? You’re shopping at the wrong store. I sold one today for $625.00

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Life Is A Gift. Defend it!

Check the seller's terms. I've only purchased one gun online, and I inspected it at the FFL before accepting it to make sure it was ok.

I'd have no problems ordering a Beretta online from a reputable seller/dealer, but I'd also inspect the gun before accepting it, and refuse receipt if something was wrong with it.

If your local gun store is selling guns for MSRP, you need to shop around.

The Beretta APX is very high quality and the company consistently makes perfect models. However, the Beretta 92X back in January 2019 folks complained that their barrels were not aligned properly and noted it was made in Tennessee. Since 2019 I have not heard anymore complaints online so maybe early production they had some blemishes and have corrected the problem by now. But unless I can see the gun, I am hesitant to buy it online.

It all depends where you live. I wouldn't be surprised if that gun was close to $800 here in Vegas.

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Release the Kraken

The new move to TN has not been a good one for a Beretta.

Even though the Internet is full of horrible stories of bad guns, I do no believe in the theory of an Epidemic of Poor Quality Control.

Every manufacturer of mechanic things is going to produce an embarrassing item now and then.

People on the Internet want EVERYBODY to know they got a lemon and that the Company is going to Hell in a Hand-basket

The company that makes 3000 things a day will have more complaints than the company that makes 800 things a day

In the last 10 years or so, for every firearm I purchased Face To Face, I had 4 or 5 shipped in before handling them. Using the Internet has found me things that I probably would NEVER have stumbled on by only going to Gun Shows and Local Gun Shops.

Make sure there is a return policy before you order. Even an AS-IS seller will take back a DOA product or a product that was mis-represented

If you have a doubt, ask questions or request photos of things that you suspect.

Save ALL E-mails for future reference

Inspect the item BEFORE filling out a 4473 and taking possession.

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"Acta non verba"

The muzzle end of the barrel not being perfectly aligned within the slide is a common occurrence with the 92, US or Italian made. It doesn't effect the accuracy or functionality of the pistol. Some of my six examples are, some aren't. There have been some production issues since the move to Tennessee, but this isn't one of them.

I actually own a few firearms which had quality control issues at some point in their production.

I own a Taurus Judge Magnum, and although I don't think that the Judge in particular has ever had any quality control issues, the Taurus brand itself is practically synonymous with quality control issues.

I also own a Smith & Wesson PPK/S, which according to the folks on the Walther Forums was unreliable junk, and to be fair they were recalled due to a safety defect, but either they got better or mine is just special because it has literally never malfunctioned for me, not even during an extensive reliability test.

And last but not least is my S&W Sigma SW40VE. Granted that it was particularly the Gen 1 SW40F that had quality control issues, but the reputation followed the series until it was rebranded as the SD Series in the Gen 4 configuration.

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Shooting Comfort is bilateral.

I'm fairly open to other gun brands with the exception of Taurus. I bought a new Judge which also was my first revolver from a big box store. If I knew then what I know now about revolvers I could have saved myself a lot of time.

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U.S. Coast Guard, retired CPO

I bought a new/old stock Grand Power P1 a while back. Turned out it was in the range of serials that had a bad batch of barrels and it had missed the recall. The importer made it right for free so I have no complaints.

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Release the Kraken

"...Would you buy a gun that has quality control issues?..."

No never again.
The last time I did that was 1971. The Factory couldn't/wouldn't fix it (H/Standard Derringer)
Never bought a 'New' gun since.

Lets see, Remington's triggers go off on their own, Winchester hasn't made a quality gun since 1964, S&W cant screw a barrel on straight, Kimbers are junk, Colt revolvers go out of time, Brownings have cheapened out since going to Japan, and I could go on...

While the internet experts complain, I just buy and shoot my guns, and seldom have any issues. Just lucky, I guess.

If you don't have faith in a manufacturer or model, then don't buy it. Justified or not, its not worth the lost sleep.

Larry

thought you were talking about newer Smiths for a moment.....

I wouldn’t hesitate to be an Italiano Berett, but would be cautious of the new American factory as the QC has plummeted.

I think the real underlying question here is would I ever buy another brand new gun from an online source with no way to see or inspect it beforehand?

The truth is that I've had pretty good luck overall doing so, but I will stay away from brands known to have current QA/QC issues including the namesake brand of this forum.

Whenever I can afford to buy locally, I buy locally. Much less risk of initial trouble that way.

Gee then you would never buy a SW revolver online with all the posts that people complain of canted barrels and Mim parts and locks?



Thought you were buying top of the lines Sigs? But had issues with the 210 trigger??



If it is a new gun and is not perfect than Beretta will fix it for you. If used that you get what you get.

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Still Running Against the Wind

If I were looking at buying online a gun model that had a reputation for chronic QC problems, naturally I'd like to see it before buying. But if I limited myself to buying only models that had never had ANY QC issues, well, I guess that eliminates just about every model ever made by every manufacturer.

I bears remembering that one or two minor problems or oddities reported online do not a QC issue make. Often, the people reporting the "problem" may not have a clue what they are talking about. A la, "I just took a close look at my new S&W revolver and there's a CRACK in the righthand side of the frame!!!!"

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Pisgah

The net is full of S&W quality horror stories. Barrels out of line, poor muzzles, this that and the other things.I have about 9 after the lock guns and they are all fine. Plus, I bought them all of the web. Granted mostly from people here on this site.

I am probably heading in the other direction. Being on fixed income and raising two kids, I don't have the luxury to drop cash lump sum on a handgun. Fortunately, I have found a couple of quality dealers online that are allowing me to do an extended layaway. Yes, I am paying close to MSRP, but I am getting what I want. Local shops want either 50% down to place the order, or limit me to a 3 month layaway.

The last five that I took possession of:
- One was purchased new from a Glock Blue Label dealer,
- One was an orphan (Mauser no longer makes the HSc),
- The other 3 were manufactured by reputable companies.

My feeling is, if I am buying new and there is an issue with the arm, it goes back to the manufacturer for warranty work. If the seller completely misrepresents the item, it goes back to the seller within the three day inspection period. I won't consider purchasing anything sold AS IS - NO RETURNS. Fortunately, I have been lucky. I am now working on a layaway for a S&W Model 629 3" and a Sig P229R CPO. Both sight unseen, but from a merchant that I've had good dealings with.

My feeling, if it is a reputable company, any QA/QC issue will be addressed.

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Judge control not gun control!

90-Series Pistol Barrel Alignment


the above link is from Beretta's website and they tell me the barrel leaning to one side is normal. But they also say to keep the area well oiled to prevent rust which the finish is "black" so it is either blued or parkerized which is a no go for me.

I really wanted to buy the beretta but that was a deal breaker for me. Was also looking at CZ Shadow 2 but hear frame by takedown pin cracks after 4000 rounds.

You can inspect the gun you purchased online before making the transfer at your FFL. If you find a defect, refuse to accept the transfer. Both Bud's and Grab A Gun will accept it back if it is defective. Others probably will as well. Ask them in an emsil before buying and save their reply.

The post above I included a link to beretta's website that says that is not a defect and normal so I can be pretty much rest assured no need to get that worried. However, beretta says wear on the barrel will be a little more excessive so keep it oiled to avoid rust. ***? none of my other plastic guns need to keep a constant layer of oil to be rust free.

At least a third of the handguns I own are on some junk gun list but they have been good for me for years . I make up my own mind , check for brand recalls and items to check but mostly I will not buy if I can't handle a firearm . AS others noted any handgun can have problems even over all very reliable models so good luck .

You are running out of brands, they may not make one for "you"
Let us know when you shoot 4,000 rounds out of any gun.Better get a Glock!

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Still Running Against the Wind

OP - original question.
No , I wouldnt.

I respect the reviews of very few (Hickok45) and pursuant to Beretta , Ernest Langdon , who is an ambassador for the brand.
Neither has reviewed the gun, at least that I can find.

I"ve given alot of $$ to Beretta over the years.
At one time, I thought the PX4 Storm C , was Gods gift to mankind.
Then the S&W 2.0C came out...Game over for EDC....
In the blistering summer heat G43 , well , its only negative is being a single stack.

Summary , if you do buy the 92X , Beretta will stand behind their product , they wont ignore you after the sale...
Good luck!