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!

Attached Images

92FS INOX.jpg (55.1 KB, 156 views)

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

Buy it............................

My first hi-cap 9mm was and still is my 1988/89 92F Compact........since then I've acquired several more 92s........ Elite II, Centurions, Inox (Full size and compacts), compacts and Type-M(single stack compact).

In 25+ years.... I've had one "failure to anything".... and that was a deformed reload that would not have fed into a .45..................

They work...........

If the 3913 didn't exist I would be carrying my Type-M as my everyday carry...... and a 92 Compact (13+1) instead of my PC 6906......I don't live in a war zone and the Smiths are just smaller and more convenient for IWB concealed carry.......if the SHTF I would in all likelyhood go to a 92 Centurion .....(17/18+1 with meg-gar mags.) OWB carry.

I'm getting a lot of feedback from friends telling me to wait, if I can, for an opportunity to snag an Italian-made example. Some of the comments made here seem to agree.

It had looked like it might boil down price-wise to a brand new "Made in USA" vs. a slightly used "Made in Italy" due to local availability issues.

Honestly not sure yet which "look" I prefer... but as of last night, it does appear that I might be able to import a brand new "Made in Italy" example after all... total cost of that option still to be determined.

Stay tuned!

I have a Beretta PX4 Sub Compact I love to shoot and on my Wish List is

Personally I prefer the Italian made Berettas with the blued finish, however, I have owned a couple of 92s over the last few years, and I never really noticed a difference in quality between the Italian made or USA made guns. The first 92 I had was a USA made 92FS B.A.T.S. Edition, with the all metal parts kit. Being a special edition (only 600 made) they had a slightly better fit and finish than a regular 92FS, but otherwise pretty much the same as any other. That gun shot wonderfully, and looked brand new from the day I purchased it, to the day I let it go. The second, the 92 I let the first go for was an Italian made, Beretta USA marked 92SB Compact Type M (1988 or 1989 vintage). This one has the single stack mags, and is one of the rarest of the 92 series to find. It had a lot of holster wear, and looks to be in rough shape, but still shoots like a champ. In fact, it was the condition that allowed me to have it so cheaply, good condition examples can go anywhere from $700 to $1000, I paid around $300, basically what the two included single stack mags are worth. It's hard to believe that after 27 years of use, abuse, and an untold number of rounds fed through her that everything is still as smooth and tight as the day she was made. The 92SB Compact type M may be my favorite handgun of all right behind the Smith and Wesson 39-2.

Either USA or Italian made, Brunition, blued, or INOX finish, Vertec or standard grip, you will be very happy with your new 92 whatever route you choose.

I will however offer that all of my local dealers tell me that the USA made guns are much higher quality, I don't know that I necessarily agree.

... a 92FS INOX Compact with rail? Very nice!

If I could I'd own them all. But finances and my moonbat state's laws, lists and regs say otherwise. In fact, our anti-gun AG just sent an open letter to all MA dealers on Tuesday designed to intimidate and assure they do not sell anything that's not 100% to her liking according to her rules. Her threat of audits and legal actions will likely have a chilling effect at least for the immediate future. In fact, it already has.

And I thought we had it bad down here in CT... Seriously, with the exception of the last couple laws reclassifying certain guns as assault weapons, the CT permit system works very well once you have taken the time and spent the money to get the permit.

That said, I believe you mentioned you were from Massachusetts somewhere above. I don't know your proximity to the CT line, but another option for you is to purchase one in CT and have it transferred up to your local FFL. Beretta 92s and M9s are in no short supply at places like Cabelas in East Hartford, CT, or Hoffman's Guns in Newington, CT. I know that Cabelas does the transfer frequently for out of state purchasers, don't know about any of the other dealers around though.

Well, a couple points: First, all MA FFL's must follow the MA EOPS list as far as what they can sell or transfer. They are further governed by the AG's regs (also known as the top secret unpublished list). A firearm is supposed to be on both lists for a MA FFL to be able to sell or transfer it legally. This latest move by our anti-gun AG is specifically intended to tighten up on the dealers. She'd love to put them all out of business if only she could.

But to be clear, that is not preventing me from buying a brand new US-Made Beretta 92FS INOX. It is preventing me from buying certain brand new Beretta 92-series variants that were recommended above. Beyond that, I don't want to get into the minutiae. It gets awfully complicated. I can explain more off-line if you wish.

In regard to Cabela's specifically, let's just say they are having their difficulties with Massachusetts... and I'm going to leave it at that. But I will say this: If I did have an opportunity to import a particular gun I wanted, it would not be from a foreign Cabela's nor to our local MA Cabela's. It's nothing against them. I just have much better options.

Just to close out this thread and put the issue to rest once and for all... I was finally able to do a side-by-side comparison between the USA-made vs. the Italy-made 92FS INOX. The USA-made one was brand new in box. The Italy-made one was slightly used with no box but in excellent condition, albeit considerably overpriced and with 15-round post-ban magazines (which I can't own). While I can't say which one is superior, I came away with a clear preference for the Italy-made version.

The problem is that I can't buy a brand new Italy-made version. For whatever reason, only the USA-made version is available. And even if I could find an Italy-made version in "as-new" shape that I could afford, it would probably come with 15-round post-ban magazines, adding additional complications and expense on top of shipping and transfer fees.

Bottom line: I'm "back burnering" the whole idea for now and sticking with my black 92FS. If/when the time comes that BerettaUSA starts importing the Italian version again, I'll be the first buyer in line. Until then, other possibilities beckon.

Look into a Sig Sauer P226 as well.

Berettas are great, if there are any used P226s out there, give one a look.

Oh, I've always got my eye out for a great "deal" on a used P226. Came very close twice... but no score yet. Seems like even the older style used ones are always $100 or so out of my reach. We won't even talk about the new ones.

I shoot the loaner P226 at my indoor range about every third visit. Interestingly, I always thought I preferred the P229 until I did a side-by-side just this past Monday. The P226 came out a clear winner, at least as a range gun.

Yes the 92FS INOX Compact with rail is on my wish list .. don't know if I will ever see it in my hands .. Would love to shoot one .. But life is short ..

Another gun you should look into (what's the harm in looking?) is a CZ 75B or 85B.

They are affordable, and they are probably one of the best buys out there right now in terms of a quality firearm.

Funny you should mention that. While none of the CZ 75/85 family are MA-compliant (meaning no dealer sales, transfers or imports... even for cops), possession and private F-T-F sales are still allowed. The problem is that private sale CZ 75/85's typically go for HUGE money (up to double retail) in this crazy restricted state.

Prior to the recent "executive action" and a similar coordinated warning letter published by our anti-2A AG, I thought I was getting close on a possible CZ 75B purchase at a semi-reasonable price (for MA). However, those recent events have pushed up prices and pushed supply way down to an essentially impossible point.

Unless and until things calm back down, there won't be a CZ 75B in my collection anytime soon.

I agree I would own them all if had the finances don't allow me to do that either .. but I do like my S&W M&P 40c .. which is my carry gun .. I am able to own and carry any pistol and there aren't draconian laws as your state has as far as ownership of certain pistols ....

I have also carried the PX4 Sub-Compact but I need to have the BatWings changed out for the slimmer ones so the printing is better .. the wings also they seem to rub my arm even thru my clothing and irritates it somewhat ..

The CZ75b looks like the Beretta .. I have a Fratelli Tanfoglio TZ75 Series 88 .. bought it in 89 new and the smitty I bought it from had gone through and polished all the internals and set it up for his wife to shoot competitively with it .. she ended up buying something else and never fired it .. he had one exactly like it he shot competitively with so didn't want another and sold to me at cost .. not even charging me for the work he had done on it .. If you ever get a chance to shoot one please do as it is one of the sweetest shooters I have ever had the pleasure to shoot ..

The 3 pound trigger pull in mine keeps me from carrying it but is a great range gun .. The Series 88 came as a kit with an interchangeable barrel in 41AE and magazine .. looks just like this one .. mine is 95% with around 400 9mm rounds through it ..

The "opportunity" I referred to above to possibly obtain a CZ 75B also included the alternate "opportunity" of going with a Tanfoglio clone instead (one or the other but not both). It's been an ongoing question in my mind which might have been better. Part of me says to stick with the original and part of me says to go Italian! It's a moot point now and for the immediate future but the question is going to come up again someday before I'm pushing up daisies I am sure. I have no basis to make that decision other than what I read on the Interwebs as no one I know owns both. I've tried to examine both pistols in out-of-state shops, but that can be a real challenge once they figure out that you can't actually buy anything there. Mostly, all I can do is look, drool, go home empty handed and scan the Interwebs again.

And I thought my home state of CT was lousy. Well it is, but I didn't realize MA was as bad as it is.

They are both awful, but in different ways. I can own stuff you can't... and you can own stuff I can't. Pretty weird, heh?

You can feel the quality when you hold or shoot the TZ75 .. The Italian's make some very high quality pistols .. and is evident if you have the opportunity to acquire one ..

Well, I certainly love my Italian 92FS. It's one of the nicest range shooters I own.

Let's face it: I'd be very happy with either a CZ 75B or a Tanfoglio in the collection. Neither is MA-compliant. Neither can be sold, imported or transferred by a MA dealer. The exception to that dealer rule would be a gun that was legally owned and registered in MA before 1998... i.e., a "pre-list" gun with a MA pedigree. Private F-T-F sales are not affected by compliance requirements other than the AWB (10 round magazines max if post-ban).

It's rare but I have seen used Tanfoglio pistols for sale in Massachusetts. Most are very used looking. I've yet to come across a 9mm (or .45ACP) in good enough condition and at a low enough price that I could go for it.

Such is life in moonbat Massachusetts. But another "opportunity" will come around again someday I am sure.

Seven long months later and I am finally the proud owner of a brand new Beretta 92FS INOX. Yes, I had to settle for the American-made version but it's not the end of the world. I still like the look and finish quality of the Italian version better but you can't buy what they no longer offer and probably never will again... so I finally swallowed hard and went for the next best thing: The American-made 92FS INOX.

And while I overpaid for it based on my ultra-tight budget and "retired old man" buying rules, the fact is that I got it for a few dollars less than I paid for my all-black Italian-made 92FS three years ago. Go figure! No, the price didn't come down. I just got a little smarter in three years about buying.

As an aside, my active gun collecting days are slowly but surely coming to an end. My collection is about where I always wanted it to be. I'm no longer looking to grow the collection. Rather, I'm in what I call a refining mode... looking only to plug the very last holes... and this was one of them.

So there was a happy ending to this long story after all. Once again, I'd like to thank everyone who helped me out on this pistol purchase. Whenever I post here about a gun I'm potentially interested in, it's a serious matter. I don't do it often or frivolously. So if/when it finally comes to fruition, I like to let those who contributed know. Thanks guys!

Congrats............. and

Two thumbs up!!!!!!

Enjoy.........................I love my Beretta's almost as much as my 3G Smiths..........especially the Compacts and Type-Ms....followed by the Centurions............. funny thing is the full size M-9s not so much........ but the Elite's with the shorter 4.7 inch barrel are a whole other matter!!

As an aside; Beretta should have radius-ed the backstrap from the beginning ..... it make a huge difference in the feel of the gun and trigger reach!


Enjoy your new gun.......... you've got... more than....... a few good years left!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks Bam. I know you know that I'm an all-metal gun guy at heart. Plastic is okay for some pistols (and I own more than a few), but there is nothing like an all-metal gun. Especially treating yourself to a brand spanking new all-metal gun.

Oddly, one of the big motivating factors here was the Hickok45 videos on the Beretta 92FS... which, ironically, kind of dump on the 92FS despite its reliability. He calls it antiquated, overly large, overly heavy, hates DA/SA, poor decocker/safety, etc. But being a lifelong contrarian, that was all I needed to "jump start" my dormant interest and put it right back on the front burner. The crazy terrible things happening in Massachusetts right now provided the remaining impetus to jump now rather than later.

Yes, I am fast running out of those few remaining "good years"... so plugging those holes in the collection ASAP has become something of a priority. The good news is that there aren't very many holes left. In fact, I can count them on one hand. My strained budget is very happy about that!

Is there really a difference between Italian and US made?

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

Try a Galco Combat Master CM202 holster for your Beretta. It rides high, hugs the body, and has excellent retention.


I also like the Don Hume JIT belt slide holster.

My guess is that you will not shoot the Inox any better than your current 92. That said , shooting is only a small part of this hobby and "the heart wants what the heart wants."

PS: Don't overpay should you ever decide your old 92 is all you ever needed :-)

__________________
Dave

Only (or mainly) cosmetically different. You almost have to compare them side-by-side to really take note of the differences, but they are there. Some folks even refer to the American-made one as the "two-tone" version of the gun because of it's various black colored parts showing on both sides... while the Italian-made one is all bright finished. They also come with different grips and different grip screws... and again, I would have preferred the Italian-made ones. In fact, I will likely change the grips to match the Italian version *or* I will upgrade altogether to a very nice quality wooden grip.

Quality of finish-wise, I only compared the two guns side-by-side in great detail on one occasion, but I came away with the clear impression that the Italian-made one was slightly more refined than the American-made version. That said, both of them are very, very nice.

This is mostly going to be a safe queen and occasional range gun for me... but if I were to carry it or it's all-black brother gun, it would be in a shoulder rig. Even going way, way back to the days when I weighed half of what I weigh now, I always preferred a shoulder rig for my full-size revolvers and pistols.

My guess is that you are 100% correct!

Except for two sets of 3rd Gens (410+410S and 908+908S), this is the only other gun I own in two different finishes. There may ultimately be a couple more such "twins" added to the list before I take the big dirt nap, but that's it for now.

Why do I sometimes buy the same exact gun in two different finishes?

Because I can!

Went for the USA built INOX as well. Plan to pick it up tomorrow. Can't wait. The reality of living in MA makes it difficult, moon-battery to its fullest. Hope you enjoy your collection.