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M&P vs Beretta 92 Compact

mag318

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Of all my M&Ps I carry my 9c the most. Today I picked up a Beretta 92 FS Compact Inox and thought I'd post some photos next to my M&P 9c. I've always like the Beretta 92 series along with the old 3'rd generation S&W semi autos. Now everything is high speed/low drag polymer. I've always felt that the 92s and 3'rd Gen Smiths were safer pistols with their traditional DA/SA systems and hammer drop safetys. When I saw the new Beretta 92 Compact at Shot Show I had to have one. The last INOX 92 I bought was way back in 1990 and I used it as a duty pistol for the last 10 years of my career.
As you can see from the photos the 92 Compact is larger than my 9c. But it feels great in hands and I can see carrying it IWB during cooler jacket weather. The last 5 pistols I've bought all had polymer frames so it was refreshing buying an all metal pistol for a change. As much of a S&W guy I've always been I have to admit that Beretta still makes a fine semiauto.
 

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Shot next to a kid with a Beretta 92 this weekend. Beautiful gun, felt good, easy to dis-assemble, de-cocker.. had it polished up real nice too.... so many guns, so little time.
 
I've got an older blued 92 compact without the rail. It's got just about the smoothest double action first shot trigger pull I've ever fired outside of an N-frame. My 3913 can't even come close.

It's been relegated to safe queen status along with my 92 full size since I bought both a M&P FS and M&P C. I shot revolvers too much over the years to ever get totally comfortable with the safety of the Beretta or the 39 series Smiths. The frame mounted safeties on the Taurus or 1911 always seem more natural.
 
If the size and weight doesn't bother you too much, Beretta's always shoot like butter.
 
Hammer will always beat striker fired plastic for me. I have 2 Beretta's. The new compact INOX looks sweet, but I can't deal with the black controls on the stainless finish. I do have an M&P 9 Shield just for carry, but it's not a gun I admire. Just fills a niche. Berettas feel like they roll on greased ball bearings when you rack the slide. Installing a D spring for 5 bucks lightens that double action pull considerably, too.
 
I've got both M&P 9c and Beretta Compact L.

The 9c was actually my first auto bought in 2008, just revolvers before that. It's a great carry pistol and very accurate.

I got my 92 Compact in 2011 and although it's heavier that the 9c and only carries one more round, I still love to carry it in a Comp-Tac Infidel. Every time I shoot it, which is about every two weeks, I say "Why am I not carrying this daily."

The real reason I don't carry it daily is that I carry my 3913 every day. Otherwise it would be the 92 Compact. Just so smooth and easy to shoot. With the compact, when I draw and fire two down range, they always end up right on top of each other.

Dave
 
Sorry guy's and S&W The Beretta is a top notch gun.. Well built well fit gun that feels like it's on roller bearings with a trigger that breaks like a glass rod out of the box.. Beretta is a High dollar gun but something you have.. Well you already know your best choice! If I had the money I would have got a Beretta model 87 for a .22 had a model 92 and sold it years ago was young and foolish.. still have a Beretta model 71 .22 and a model 1935 in .32 cal they are among the most reliable guns I have.. never had a malfunction with the .22 in over 20 years and countless rounds even cheap ammo seems to function all the time in this gun.. My 1935 is a bit of a classic from WWII my dad got when he was in Italy serving in WWII.. George
 
I ordered a skeletonized Elite hammer from Beretta along with the "D" spring and just installed them. My 1'st range outing I put 150 rounds through the Beretta.
50 Federal 115 grn FMJ
50 Federal 124 grn FMJ
50 Federal 147 grn FMJ
Naturally functioning was 100% flawless and what surprised me was the double action accuracy. Since the 1'st shot is usually double action I did some DAO drills dropping the hammer after each shot. At 15 yards here is the result.
I don't know if the skeletonized hammer does anything ofther than perhaps slightly increasing lock time, I just like the way it looks. As for the "D" spring I thought the double and single action wasn't heavy to begin with. But after installing the new spring it did reduce the DA pull by at least 2/3 pounds and it feels great DA or SA. Changing the hammer and spring took all of 10 minutes after watching an excellent YouTube video Beretta puts out.
 

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I have a pair of Beretta 92Ds (think: flat revolver) that I love and that shoot like lasers...but they are huge, and even the "compact" has a huge grip. The appeal of the Shield to me is the very thin slide and grip, which is a big plus for concealed carry.
 
I agree that the Shield is a great CCW, especially in warm weather.
 
The 92s are pretty sweet guns. The LGS just happens to have the compact INOX on the shelf, and I spent a little too much time checking it out. Might have to get it.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
 
Yes, if you can get past the 16 lb. trigger pull in double action mode - oh - and the fact that it is a 9mm. LOL

Unless I missed it, he was asking/comparing 2 different 9mm's. Nothing wrong with 9mm - certainly nothing that every military on the planet finds objectionable.
 
See that this thread is not that old.

I've been thinking about the 92 fs compact inox and had a couple quick questions: How much does it weigh? How long is the barrel?

You'd think one could just go to the Beretta website and look this up... I tried and cannot seem to find the these specifications.

I've had a 92fs for many years. Regarding reliability: I've shot thousands of rounds through mine and never had one single FTE, FTF, or any other kind of issue using several different brands of ammo. I'm not a huge 9mm guy, but am thinking that a lighter, more compact METAL 9mm might just fit the bill :) I'm not dissing the M&Ps or other 'plastic' guns, just not a huge fan of them myself. Though I am thinking about a Shield for cc.

Thanks in advance for your information.
 
Nice pick. Next to an S&W my next choice is Beretta. Come to think about it
I need to start looking for a Beretta:D
 
Beretta, Ya get the Beretta compact for sure. You have a Beretta and know how good it is.. Sorry M&P guy's & gal's.. I'm not sure of the size of the compact but it's about tops in my book.. I know you will see and feel a big difference in size and weight from you 92FS you have now.. Keep both if you can as you will kick yourself if you don't.George
 
I have really tried to like the Berettas, but as a lefty, i have found it hard to adjust to the the external action components, which (for me, with my grip) seem to rub against my thumbs. I don't think this would be an issue for a righty, or perhaps other leftys. But the M&P, on the other hand, is very lefty-friendly.
 
I have one Beretta pistol, the Centurion has full size frame, compact upper. I like it but it is a holster size gun. Carrying it would be like hiding out an N frame, lotsa folks do it. Joe
 
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