Beretta 92FS: Still a top-notch 9mm?

[Wee Hooker]

I agree with the others that there are better selections today as far as features and functions but ......given the extensive military service of the Beretta 92 (like) pistol, and the fact that it will likely soon be replaced, I almost feel obligated to own at least one. It's like owning a piece of history.

FWIW, I can shoot mine (on the range) as well as any of the other 9's in the stable. True DA triggers can be stiff but replacement of the trigger spring with an "M" version goes a long way towards making it better. ( Like none of us have tinkered with the triggers on our Glocks, M&P.s , etc

 

[BAM-BAM]

I got my first Beretta 92 in 1988 .... still have it and a few others....

Reliability has been unsurpassed............

But IMHO the M9 (full size)really is too big for a" civilian/daily carry" 9mm.

My preference is the Compact or the Centurion for a full size carry gun. Both are 3/4 of a inch shorter than the M9.... the Compact is 13+1 and the Centurion can be 15,18,or 20+1..... both can use full size magazines as back-ups .... with a Farrar magazine collar on a full size mag you turn the Compact into an Centurion.

Get the factory D spring for an instant trigger job......... $5

After 25 years I've settled on VZ G-10 grips on my carry guns... for the thinnest/strongest grips.

___________________________________

Three other 9mm's to consider are the

Smith 915.... this is the S&W forum...

Browning HP....... still a great gun ....... would be my first choice if I carried cocked and locked

Beretta 92 Compact Type-M the 8+1 single stack version of the 13+1 Compact........ my second favorite Concealed Carry 9mm after the Smith 3913/14 series.

 

[federali]

Unique Pistol

I've fired a fair assortment of 9mm pistols and of all that I've fired, the Beretta comes the closest to feeling like the slide is on roller bearings. It shoots really smooth and recoil recovery is easy.

That said, the Beretta was designed as a uniform duty weapon and attempts to CC this baby is, at best, a compromise, even for large individuals.

 

[bunkie12]

A fan

A couple of years ago, ran across a nice 92FS made/shipped in 1986 for $150. Too good to pass up. CC certainly is out of the question, but despite its large grip, it's great fun, accurate, easy to shoot and absolutely reliable. My BUG for home defense, if I ever empty the 1911. My favorite 9mm; the rest are for a special purpose like CC.

 

[loknload]

Earlier this year I picked up on one of those 92S surplus guns and love it! I realize it's not as refined as later versions but it works for me!
I also own two Beretta Cougars which I did at one time carry the 8040, in general I do like Berettas!

 

[bobbyd]

It all sort of depends on what you want it for and your perspective in owning one.
I think of it as a TOOL rather than a gun I get any particular pride or pleasure from; as such, while it is a bit clunky, it is a serviceable tool and will get the job done.
However, my personal preference is to have guns that I can enjoy as more than just a functioning tool and this is not one of them.

 

[Old Corp]

An awful big 9mm, but looked upon in the light of 'it's a tool', there's not much wrong with them.

Personally, I absolutely hate a slide-mounted safety. Several years back, I picked up the Taurus version, a used SS PT92, which has a frame mounted safety, ala-1911. Paid $200 and figured I'd mess with it a bit. Couldn't get it to malfunction.
Later, it became a loaner pistol for classes I was teaching. It never failed, regardless of ammo choice over many thousands of rounds. (Yes, a Taurus)

But, my choice in a double stack 9 will probably always be the Browning HP. Near-perfection to me.

 

[Cardboard_killer]

Personally, I absolutely hate a slide-mounted safety.

I don't know what it is about them, but I agree. They just look so wrong.

I had a 92 for awhile. It was okay, but just didn't fall in love with it. Awfully big and heavy, and while my hands aren't small, they are on the small side of medium.

No recommendations for the CZ yet, so I put mine out there. A CZ-75 SP-1 does everything the 92 will do, and with, I think, less felt recoil due to the low bore axis.

 

[Xfuzz]

Tried one back in the day..
Shot good liked the hi-cap mags.

However, it was like trying to conceal
a Nine iron during plainclothes carry.

 

[DanHend]

Not a bad pistol at all, but I think you'd really like the Beretta 92g, a Beretta/Wilson Combat collaboration that elevates the platform IMO.


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I would, but after this takes a trip to Wilson, it'll be hand finished with better build quality than the factory Wilson/Beretta guns.

 

[BigCityChief]

I would, but after this takes a trip to Wilson, it'll be hand finished with better build quality than the factory Wilson/Beretta guns.

I don't doubt that at all. My comment was in response to the OP's question about the 92FS. Cheers.


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[ColbyBruce]

Let me put the size issue into perspective. Here is my Beretta 92FS Inox and S&W 65-3 together.

 

[American1776]

Let me put the size issue into perspective. Here is my Beretta 92FS Inox and S&W 65-3 together.

That's a great perspective on size. Everything is relative to something else, and sometimes we forget to keep things in a certain perspective. People, generally, love to extol the compact size and ease of carry of the K-frame S&W, especially the 3 inch version. They weigh 'only' around 32 ounces or so, and are short and compact. Conversely, the Beretta 92 is a huge leviathan, impossible for EDC, only good for open carry in a leg drop, is too heavy, etc.

Then, put them next to one another: What happened to the K-frame's compact virtues? The 3 inch K-frame, the epitome of blending compact size with light weight and full capacity, is now the same size and weight as the unwieldy Beretta, which, by the way, has the advantage of nearly 3 times the ammo capacity, and is flatter than the cylinder of the 6 shot wheel gun.

Thanks for posting that picture.

 

[kbm6893]

If you like the beretta but think it's too big, get the compact or centurion model.

People always say a gun is a tool. It is, but a fun like the 92 and a plastic fun like a Glock or an M&P just don't occupy the same place in my opinion. A BIG part of owning a gun for me is pride in ownership, and while I have a couple of plastic guns, bought solely for carry since they are lighter, I much prefer a metal TDA weapon. If one of my plastic guns was lost or damaged, I could care less. My young children are instantly drawn to my metal TDA guns. They don't even glance at my LC9-S or SR9.

 

[Grayfox]

I've never been much of a 9mm guy. And like many others always felt that the Beretta was just too big. But a friend of mine offered me his 92FS at a price I just couldn't turn down. One trip to the range was all it took to convert me. It feels good in my hand and shoots great.
I still think its too big for EDC and I much prefer my 1911s anyway. But if the day comes when the SHTF, considering that the M9 is current military issue and that 9mm will likely be the most available ammo, My 92FS has earned a permanent spot in my B.O.B.

Interesting story about this particular gun. It was originally sold by the factory to our local PD. Some years later when they changed to Sigs, officers were allowed to buy their Berettas dirt cheap. A few years later that officer sold his to my friend, who later sold it to me. This gun is now over 20 years old, I'm the 4th owner and from the day it arrived from the factory, its never left our little town.

 

[Richard Simmons]

I'm very pleased with my 92FS but be that as it may my CZ-75b is the one I go to the most when I want an all steel 9x19. Besides the cocked and locked option of the CZ I prefer the grip angle and the thinner grip. YMMV

 

[pharmer]

I've got one left. Don't think it would be my last 9mm to go, fortunately I'm not having to do that, yet. Never fail and relatively light for an "extra-size" handgun. Joe

 

[Roberto Renauld]

I have room in my safe for only 1 hi-cap 9mm pistol. I therefore want the one I pick for this role to be the best I can find that suits my own preferences.

For me, I prefer steel / metal pistols. Nothing wrong with polymer; just my own preference for metal. It has to be reliable, and cannot be made by a company with spotty QC. I want the darned thing to go bang when I want it to, and I don't want to have to send it back to the factory to make it work.

It should have the option of extended magazines that work reliably. 18 rounds are good, 20 are even better.

I think I found the pistol that best fits ME: The Beretta 92FS. Got mine new, came with 3 15 round mags. It happens to have the straight dust cover and non-radiused back strap. I keep it loaded with 135 gr. Hornady Critical duty, with a MecGar 20 round magazine plus one in the chamber. I can carry it just fine in a DeSantis pancake thumbbreak holster.

What I like about it is the extensive documented testing this model has gone though. (Average 13,000 rounds before a single stoppage, some M9's have endured 100,000 rounds, 35,000 rounds average service life).

It's a big gun to be sure; but, that makes it easier to shoot fast and maximizes the 9mm velocity. It's just a smidgen longer than a Glock 17.

It may be a retro throw back these days, but for me, I like this pistol. Anyone else share my sentiments on this gun? Any personal experience (good or bad) with the 92FS?

Thanks.

I have a Beretta 92FS, get one you can not go wrong with it!!!...., it feeds any ammo you put in it with no issues at all!!, five shot groups 2-2,5" hand rested and 2,5-4" unrested both hands, with 124gr FMJ factory ammo at 25yds!! Also a very well finished and good looking handgun!!!...
Best Regards
Roberto
Roberto

 

[inspcalahan]

When I started my career, except for the old timers still packing wheel guns, most of the Department had Ruger P89s (cheap and provided by the City, but they did work) or Beretta 92s. I was a bit more of a gun guy than most cops at the time, but I took notice that the swat guys mostly carried Sig. I jumped into the Sig world and throughout my career it's been all Sig or 1911's. That said, I've owned and shot a Beretta off and on for over the last 20 years and never once had a malfunction, saw one at the range or out in the field. Sure parts break, like any gun, but the Beretta is an outstanding design that is very reliable, accurate and just feels good.

I currently have a 92FS that I've had for quite a while, a 96FS that I traded into (honestly, I don't really care for it in .40.....) and I'm patiently/anxiously awaiting a Wilson/Beretta Brigadier 92G that I won a few months back during a fund raiser raffle for brain disease research in infants.

From what I've read on that particular pistol, it might even become something to carry.

Overall, they are great pistols - evident, if by nothing else, that this thread keeps growing with little negative said.

 

[SilentKnight]

You can't go wrong with the Beretta. I am very impressed with the 92FS. I have fired them often in the military and recently used a friends to do some target practice. As previously stated, efficient, tested, accurate, and a little large for EDC carry in all situations. I compare the accuracy to a Browning HP and love both. Main thing is, if you can hit with it and the ergonomics fit your frame, other people's opinions don't matter much. Enjoy!

 

[ContinentalOp]

I love the Beretta 92FS. I've only had 2 or 3 guns that have never given my issues: 92FS, a S&W Model 10, and, so far, my current 642.

The 92FS is the only gun with a slide-mounted safety that I would use. Because it's spring-loaded you can swipe it off with the same motion you'd use on a 1911 or Hi-Power; you just have to start your thumb higher. I would prefer a G model, though. One downside with the FS is making sure you re-sweep the safety off anytime you manipulate the slide (reload, malfunction clearing, etc.) to ensure the gun will fire.

The gun does have a big grip, and I have smallish hands, somewhere between a small and medium glove size. Despite that, I've done better shooting with the 92FS than nearly any other gun, and that includes shooting 1911s.

I do think the 92FS is a bit too big for me to carry on a regular basis. I'd love to get a 92 Compact, or even better, the Type M single-stack. Other people may have better luck with it based on their body type and/or clothing.

I always wanted to try the D hammer spring, but never did. I did add the Wolff Border Patrol trigger return spring for more durability.

If I wanted a double-stack 9mm gun for carry, it would probably be between a Sig P229, particularly the DAK model, and the Glock 19.

 

[ContinentalOp]

Let me put the size issue into perspective. Here is my Beretta 92FS Inox and S&W 65-3 together.

This picture is a little misleading. The hardest part of a gun to conceal is the grip frame. Look at the Beretta's grip frame and compare that to the K-frame's. I had a Glock 23 and a 3" 65. It was easier for me to conceal the 65 than the Glock because of the difference in the grip frame size and shape.

 

[-db-]

The 92FS is the only gun with a slide-mounted safety that I would use. Because it's spring-loaded you can swipe it off with the same motion you'd use on a 1911 or Hi-Power; you just have to start your thumb higher. I would prefer a G model, though.

If you're mechanically inclined at all and comfortable working on your gun, the F models are easily coverted to Gs by disassembling the safety lever mechanism and, if I remember correctly, simply removing a detent or something like that. Instructions for this common modification can be found online.

I always wanted to try the D hammer spring, but never did.

This is almost a must-do mod. It greatly improves the factory trigger and works particularly well, creating a very nice light trigger pull, with the addition of swapping in an Elite II (skeletonized) hammer, but you'll want to test this combo for reliable ignition with all the ammo primers you shoot before carrying the gun.

These mods, including the EII hammer, also apply to and work well in Beretta's Cougar series pistols. This highly modified 8040F has been G'd and carries a D spring and EII hammer.

 

[iPac]

I have wanted a 92 ever since I got my Italian made PX4 Storm Compact. However, I really never had a use for the larger 92. Especially with the PX4 now.

The OP didn't want polymer, but anyone who doesn't mind and wants a great fitting conceal carry Beretta, the PX4 Compact in 9mm is excellent.

I bought mine the 1st month they came out. Got it because the hand fit and size was perfect for me. The fact it was the only Italian made one out of the PX4 bunch was great, as that is what I wanted. It has the rotating barrel, which the sub-compact doesn't. It can take the mags of the full size which can go up to 20rds I believe. Plus it is very attractive, at least in my opinion.

I have shot a few thousand rounds through it, and barely any wear. In fact, when they first came out they had too stiff of a recoil spring that wouldn't cycle most standard ammo. It took 800rds to break it in, and about that time they issued a replacement. I still keep the original in there as it does great with +P ammo. The gun is super accurate to the point where I don't even practice with it anymore as it is just a waste of ammo.

Maybe someday I will get a 92, I like the looks, I like it is Beretta, and I like it is all metal. Beretta definitely makes some quality guns.

 

[scoobysnacker]

TDA (SA/DA) metal hi-capacity 9mm.... yes, the Beretta is a fine choice.

Your 3 main options are Beretta, Sig, and CZ.

I've said it before, and I think most people agree- these are like classic muscle cars, choosing between a Mustang, a Camaro, and a Challenger. All of these are comparable, each with it's own minor plusses and minuses vs the others. They each work a little differently, and seem to be the best line at the options they present.

I'm a Mustang fan, we used to own (among others) a 69 Mach 1 with a 351 Windsor, it was/is the epitome of what a muscle car should be. That said, while I might poke fun at a similar vintage Camaro, it's good natured jesting only, and I greatly admire those also. And if cars were the price of pistols, I'd own one of those too.

The same applies among the Berettas, Sigs and CZs. My CZ 75 is my favorite, but I also own (and really, really like) the Beretta 92FS too.

 

[MAJPATT]

Berettas are solid pistols. Not my first choice, but there is no denying the quality. Here is mine, a 92 G elite:

 

[BigCityChief]

My favorite Beretta: my 92g on the day I got it

A better shooter than my Nighthawk Custom Predator 2 which cost nearly 4 times as much

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[CCantu357]

The Beretta 92 is one of the most underrated guns on the market today, which is funny considering how popular they were in the 1980-90s. They just seem a little big for the caliber. Every time I consider getting one, I cannot help but thinking about getting a Hi-Power instead. Either way its a great gun and I wish they would bring back the slick slide D-series and the single stack M model compact. And those Wilson models seem like a good deal for the money!

It is also strange that some vets I know praise the M9 and others have had more negative things to say. I suppose it comes down to individual piece issued to them, because the 92s out of the box seem very well made.

 

[BAM-BAM]

The Beretta 92 is one of the most underrated guns on the market today, which is funny considering how popular they were in the 1980-90s.

It is also strange that some vets I know praise the M9 and others have had more negative things to say. I suppose it comes down to individual piece issued to them, because the 92s out of the box seem very well made.

To the second paragraph........ over the years I've read/heard that much of the criticism was/is based on "low bidder" magazines and FMJ ammo.

 

[MAJPATT]

The magazine issue is well known. The magazines were made by checkmate to a Government specification which called for the magazine to be parkerized inside and out. This was a deviation from the slick finish found in the beretta spec mag. Reliability suffered. Wasn't really checkmate's fault, it was the Army's fault.

Take a vet's perspective on these guns with a grain of salt. Most Soldiers have very little trigger time or training on the M9. Most Soldiers aren't issued a handgun. I've been in for nearly 13 years and never have been issued an M9. But, joes can talk a lot of trash.