Beretta 92FS INOX

One of my most favored non-S&W pistols is the Beretta 92FS. A beautiful, brand new Italian-made one in blue was the very first pistol I bought after my 25-year divorce-poverty-induced "deep sleep" away from firearms ended in 2008 and after another 5 years of focusing solely on modern sporting rifles (yet another story for another time).

The all-metal Beretta 92FS served as a prelude to my eventual return to S&W as a collector/accumulator of all-metal S&W 3rd Gens, mainly in bright stainless steel and alloy. I'd have to say that I've been reasonably successful in that regard given my "behind enemy lines" moonbat state of residence. I am ready now to start considering other brands and models of all-metal pistols in both new and "as-new" used.

The question for today is: Should I buy a Beretta 92FS INOX?

Here are the facts:

1) There are very few brand new all-metal pistols that I can buy here in the Commiewealth of Massachusetts due to our "Lists" & "Regs."

2) Sigs and most new decent 1911's are well outside of my financial reach without some major re-planning & re-budgeting.

3) The Beretta 92FS INOX itself is not exactly cheap, but through a combination of sales incentives plus price matching, I can do fairly well on one right now (but still not as cheap as a blued one).

4) A 92FS Vertec INOX is, unfortunately, out of the question right now due to very high cost and lack of incentives.

I guess my main question is: Will the non-Vertec 92FS INOX serve me as well as (or better than) my current blued 92FS? They sure do cost a lot more money than the blued model... and I have read some posts elsewhere which seem to suggest that they may not be as robust and reliable as the blued model long-term. Admittedly, some of those posts are quite dated and may not reflect current production or typical experience.

I'm also wondering if the Vertec model would be worth waiting for in lieu of the non-Vertec model? Or is a bird in the hand worth more than a someday maybe possible Vertec?

Your thoughts & experience please! Thank you!

Get a new M9A3. The best of the Berettas yet.
Bob

OIF2 said:

Get a new M9A3. The best of the Berettas yet.
Bob

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Unfortunately, not on our list. Even then, I'm not sure if it is affordable.

It might get added to our list someday... or a dealer might decide to sell them anyway if it is similar enough to a listed gun with only minor/superficial differences. I'll just have to wait and see.

About a year ago, I picked up a very near new 92FS Italian made Inox for $380 OTD. Good solid gun.

I strongly suggest one, If you have an issue finding them let me know I can get you one at the LGS I work at. Maybe even knock a couple bucks off

Pete

My only other than S&W carry gun, This is the new release of the brigadier model

There is at least a perception on the Beretta board that the Italian made 92's are in some way superior to the USA made ones. Don't know if this superiority is real or imaginary. Suspect the latter.

epj said:

About a year ago, I picked up a very near new 92FS Italian made Inox for $380 OTD. Good solid gun.

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That's amazing. Ya did good!!! I sure wish I could do a deal like that!

howiema said:

I strongly suggest one, If you have an issue finding them let me know I can get you one at the LGS I work at. Maybe even knock a couple bucks off

Pete

My only other than S&W carry gun, This is the new release of the brigadier model.

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Thanks Pete. I love the Brigadier model, but again... high cost is a deal breaker for me. I really don't have any business looking at any of the INOX models right now, but circumstances are such that it may be now or never on that plain Jane version.

epj said:

There is at least a perception on the Beretta board that the Italian made 92's are in some way superior to the USA made ones. Don't know if this superiority is real or imaginary. Suspect the latter.

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Yeah, I've always wondered about that myself. The plain Jane 92FS INOX available to me is "Made in USA"... probably due to our MA-compliance requirements.

From what I know the made in Italy Pistols were still assembled herein the US , I have had both and didnt see any difference except the colors of the controls. As far as the MA version, there are plenty of larg cap old mags out there. I have seen maded in Italy versions sold here also.

Good Luck if I come across a short money one I will let ya know

Pete

howiema said:

From what I know the made in Italy Pistols were still assembled here in the US , I have had both and didn't see any difference except the colors of the controls. As far as the MA version, there are plenty of large cap old mags out there. I have seen made in Italy versions sold here also.

Good Luck if I come across a short money one I will let ya know

Pete

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Thanks Pete. I'm in good shape on pre-ban hi-caps. It's one of the reasons I am taking a real hard look at the 92FS INOX.

My blued one says "Made in Italy" on it. For whatever reason, the INOX I'm looking at says "Made in USA" on it. I'd love to compare an Italian INOX next to a USA INOX side-by-side but I don't know of any shops that stock both.

Doesn't really matter to me. I am not picky.

TTSH said:

That's amazing. Ya did good!!! I sure wish I could do a deal like that!

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There is an interesting background to that purchase. I had just gotten a $400 check from American Handgunner for an article I had written regarding pawn shop scores. Only fitting that I spent the money on another pawn shop good deal.

epj said:

There is an interesting background to that purchase. I had just gotten a $400 check from American Handgunner for an article I had written regarding pawn shop scores. Only fitting that I spent the money on another pawn shop good deal.

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Now that is great! Of course, our pawn shops here in the PRM aren't allowed to deal in firearms... so no deals like that around here. Not even close.

I cry a little every time I read on the forum about another super-terrific pawn shop score. I feel so left out.

I have the 92fs Inox, Italian made. I have put several thousand rounds through it with no failures whatsoever. Easy to shoot, very accurate and s breeze to field strip and clean. I like them a lot .

I got a INOX compact 92FS in a trade that is a great shooter. It's one of my favorite pistols but want a Vertec INOX also.

I had a USA made Inox bought in 2001 when they were all stainless. I hate the 2 tone ones now and wouldn't own one.

I have an Ialian made Beretta 92 FS Inox. I have owned a 92F and two 92 FS, all American made. I could not shoot one better than the other, but have a friend who can. He consistently shoots tighter groups with my Inox than he did my other three or his own Beretta. The Italian built guns seem to be built to tighter tolerances.

I've noticed a bit brighter finish on some Italian ones, but suspect that the metallurgy, unless identical, may favor US-made ones.

I don't like the looks of the Vertec, and favor the regular 92FS, with the slight indentation in the backstrap. You may vary.

INOX 92's don't grow on trees. I think you should avail yourself of one if you can.

Change the locking block and springs every few thousand rounds, and the Beretta lasts well, although I wouldn't choose it for a very high round count, like in action shooting matches. As a "normal" use gun, it lasts very well.

For the money, I don't think you'll find another 9mm that is as reliable or as accurate, unless maybe you can buy a CZ-75B in your repressive state. Do rely only on real Beretta or Mec-Gar mags. My son has extensive experience with the Beretta in the Middle East, where he killed a number of jihadists with it. He found it to be VERY reliable, unless cheap GI aftermarket magazines were involved. He paid his own money for good spare mags and had no jams. BTW, with good shot placement, the 9mm was quite effective even with issued NATO FMJ ammo.

You say that you have a "blued" one. Do you mean the Bruniton finish? I've never seen a real blued M-92FS or M-9. Your experience with that gun should let you know if the INOX version is right for you. I do prefer stainless guns for real world use.

Texas Star said:

I've noticed a bit brighter finish on some Italian ones, but suspect that the metallurgy, unless identical, may favor US-made ones.

I don't like the looks of the Vertec, and favor the regular 92FS, with the slight indentation in the backstrap. You may vary.

INOX 92's don't grow on trees. I think you should avail yourself of one if you can.

Change the locking block and springs every few thousand rounds, and the Beretta lasts well, although I wouldn't choose it for a very high round count, like in action shooting matches. As a "normal" use gun, it lasts very well.

For the money, I don't think you'll find another 9mm that is as reliable or as accurate, unless maybe you can buy a CZ-75B in your repressive state. Do rely only on real Beretta or Mec-Gar mags. My son has extensive experience with the Beretta in the Middle East, where he killed number of jihadists with it. He found it to be VERY reliable, unless cheap GI aftermarket magazines were involved. He paid his own money for good spare mags and had no jams. BTW, with good shot placement, the 9mm was quite effective even with issued NATO FMJ ammo.

You say that you have a "blued" one. Do you mean the Bruniton finish? I've never seen a real blued M-92FS or M-9. Your experience with that gun should let you know if the INOX version is right for you. I do prefer stainless guns for real world use.

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Great post. Thank you.

And I learned a new word today... a "Bruniton" finish. Never heard that before and now I know.

Any day I learn something new is a very good day!

ColbyBruce said:

I have an Italian made Beretta 92 FS Inox. I have owned a 92F and two 92 FS, all American made. I could not shoot one better than the other, but have a friend who can. He consistently shoots tighter groups with my Inox than he did my other three or his own Beretta. The Italian built guns seem to be built to tighter tolerances.

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Interesting. Thanks for posting. Yesterday I did some snooping around and all I could find for sale around here are "Made in USA" versions. Not sure which "look" I like better... but it appears I may not have a choice.

joeintexas said:

I have the 92fs Inox, Italian made. I have put several thousand rounds through it with no failures whatsoever. Easy to shoot, very accurate and s breeze to field strip and clean. I like them a lot .

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Texasgordo said:

I got a INOX compact 92FS in a trade that is a great shooter. It's one of my favorite pistols but want a Vertec INOX also.

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kbm6893 said:

I had a USA made Inox bought in 2001 when they were all stainless. I hate the 2 tone ones now and wouldn't own one.

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Thanks guys. By 2-tone, I assume you mean the "Made in USA" version of the 92FS INOX?

There is no super-immediate rush on this. I may put off the purchase until after Christmas just to avoid the current shopping rush. I would like to take a real close look at an Italian version just to make sure I am doing the right thing.