Beretta 92FS INOX

[TTSH]

7 Months later...

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.

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!

 

[BAM-BAM]

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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[TTSH]

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!

 

[Arik]

Is there really a difference between Italian and US made?

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[ColbyBruce]

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.

 

[Wee Hooker]

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

 

[TTSH]

Is there really a difference between Italian and US made?

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.

 

[TTSH]

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.

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.

 

[TTSH]

My guess is that you will not shoot the Inox any better than your current 92.

My guess is that you are 100% correct!

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

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!

 

[JBert27]

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!

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.