Italian Beretta 92FS Questions

[boykinlp]

The 92F model was the original one the US Military chose in 1985 as the new service pistol after all the testing and evaluation was done. It has all the original required government spec features including the chrome lined barrel. See my earlier post with pictures. The military redesignated it the M9. As I understand it the slide issue appeared in several pistols during extensive Seal training using hot NATO SMG 9mm ammunition. The military then required the modification of the oversized washer mentioned in an earlier post. The new model designation was then the 92FS. I recall that Beretta recommends the locking block on the barrel be replaced after 20,000 rounds.

I have an Italian made 92F that I actually traded an AK for many years ago. I thought at the time I got the better end of the deal, but now I’m not so sure. I’m not sure mine has appreciated in value at all since I got it, and I can’t say that for many guns I own.
Larry

 

[Dave Baird]

That's because there's millions out there and Beretta is still producing them.

 

[Fishinfool]

When we went from .357 mag revolvers with the CT. State Police to the 92fs in I think it was 1985, we were offered the opportunity to privately purchase additional 92's on the original contract for $215.00, I believe it was. I about cried about having to give up my trusty wheelgun, and didn't take advantage of the offer. Oh well...

Turns out they were reliable, easy to shoot well, and scores went up across the board during qualifications.

Larry

 

[rockquarry]

I have an Italian made 92F that I actually traded an AK for many years ago. I thought at the time I got the better end of the deal, but now I’m not so sure. I’m not sure mine has appreciated in value at all since I got it, and I can’t say that for many guns I own.
Larry

I bought a 92F (USA) new in 1988. One big reason for buying it was to see just how accurate a 9mm pistol could be with cast bullets. Such bullets weren't commonly used at that time in 9mm pistols. After several years of work with a dozen or so different cast bullet designs of varying weights and many different powders, my load development paid off.

The Beretta will feed even .38 Special SWCs reliably, something I'm pretty sure it wasn't designed for. The Beretta is accurate with both cast and jacketed bullets. It's a big and heavy pistol but that may be what makes it easy to shoot well. I'm not really a 9mm enthusiast. I don't care for the large grip due to the huge magazine capacity which is unneeded for concealed carry use, but then it was designed for wartime circumstances.

Despite all, my 92F is as reliable a pistol as you'll find anywhere and I've tried many. The double/ single-action feature with safety is as safe as you can get in a pistol and has no disadvantages whatsoever. I just wish now it was a .45. I very seldom shoot any 9mm pistols these days.

 

[VaTom]

I certainly understand the problems with the early M9's has caused many to shy away from full-size Berettas, but I think that's a mistake. The smoothest action I've ever felt in close to 40 years of shooting was a Beretta 92S. Pulling back the slide was like sliding a soft stick of butter across a pool of olive oil, there was no felt movement at all, or sound. Absolutely beautiful. Remember Sofia Loren? Each style and/or manufacturer has their good points and bad points. But no one beats an early full-size Beretta, IMO.

C'iao!

^^^^^^
So true about the smoothest pistol. I haven’t shot a newer 92 series or one made in USA but my Italian made 92F from 1985 is unbelievable in this regard.

 

[BAM-BAM]

I'm a fan of the Compacts and Centurions. Got my first in 1988 when I came across a 92F Compact with walnut grips in a local gunshop. Today it's a 15+1 with Mec-gar new mags

IMHO the Centurion is what the M9 should have been. Today with Mec-gar its a 18+1

Lots of small changes over the years have made the 92 an even better gun...... the scalloped backstrap , ultra thin G-10 grips and short trigger have all but eliminated the "the grip's to big" issue.