Range time with three Beretta's

[444 Magnum]

Well, sort of...
The wife and I went to a buddies house for some range and steak time with him and his wife (sorry, no pictures of the steaks).

I bought some Beretta 92 mags in a lot at an auction so naturally I had to find a pistol to use them in. I picked up an Italian made Beretta 92FS a couple of weeks ago. It's practically NIB with all the paperwork, etc. The previous owner said he had only fired a couple of mags through it and it looks like it.

I was curious to shoot the 92 as I've always heard good things about them. For comparison, I took along a Taurus 99 and a Browning BDA380 made by Beretta.

For those of you who may not know, Beretta had a contract with Brazil to produce 92's from 1974 through 1980 in Brazil. Taurus then purchased the plant and subsequently started manufacturing the PT92 and the PT99. The PT99 is basically a PT92 with an adjustable rear sight and taller front sight.

My PT99 is the older version that did not have the decocker or ambidextrous safety. It also featured the european style mag release at the base of the grip frame. This style was made in Brazil from 1982-1985. I believe my pistol is in the 1982-1983 period based on the serial number.

My buddy also had a 92FS that was his father's but he had never shot it. He has a small pistol range set up in his back yard with various metal targets at different distances. It makes for fun shooting. We used black spray paint in between change outs so we could monitor or hits. We took our time on the small targets and then practiced rapid fire at multiple large targets 5-6 rounds at a time.

I used up a 100 pack of Winchester 115 grain target loads. No failures from either pistol. I shot about 30 rounds through the .380. It was flawless as well.

Both my buddy and I noticed however, that the fixed sight (three dots) 92fs's shot slightly low-both of them shot the same. At self-defense distances it won't matter, but it makes it hard to hit a 4" plate at 20 yards. I had to adjust for it. The Taurus was spot on.

In comparison, other than the differences noted above, I couldn't tell any difference between the Beretta 92fs and the Taurus PT99. They both shot smoothly and flawlessly. I was impressed with both pistols and had a great time.

The steak and 'tater were good too.

 

[mckenney99]

I believe the Beretta 92 fixed sights are regulated for a standard 124gr bullet at 25 yards, thus the 115 grainers will hit slightly lower because they are running slightly faster. Of course that is not an issue for the adjustable sighted Taurus 99.

 

[BKLooney]

Nice!

I've had a bunch of Beretta 92's over the years as well as the Taurus 92's & 99's, every single one of them have performed flawlessly!

I still have a 92 Beretta and a Taurus PT99AFS, fantastic pistols!

 

[alwslate]

I'm assuming you shot one or two handed standing up. Hard to really test the gun instead of yourself shooting standing up.

 

[444 Magnum]

I'm assuming you shot one or two handed standing up. Hard to really test the gun instead of yourself shooting standing up.

We were both shooting two handed and standing. We both shot under the 4" targets with the Beretta's but I hit with the Taurus. The Taurus doesn't have the "dot" system. I had to aim at the top of the target with the Beretta "three dot" sights to hit the 4" targets at 20 yards.

I was taking my time, the pistol definitely shoots lower than my point of aim. Not just mine, but my friend's also- for both of us.

It's not a big deal, just surprising. Self-defense shooting center of mass at 10 yards or less-I'll never know the difference.

 

[LVSteve]

Depends on what you call your point of aim compared to how the gun is set up. Many military pistols are set up such that the front sight has to cover the target, rather than a six o'clock hold.

 

[444 Magnum]

Depends on what you call your point of aim compared to how the gun is set up. Many military pistols are set up such that the front sight has to cover the target, rather than a six o'clock hold.

That makes sense. I typically hold at 6 o'clock.

 

[alwslate]

Winchester 115 gr Target ammo is probably pretty lightly loaded ammo. The Nato spec 124 gr ammo is going to generate a significantly greater recoil impulse resulting in a higher point of impact. The fixed sight 92FS probably was sighted in for that ammo from the factory.

 

[glenncal1]

Shootin' 'n Steaks nothing wrong with that combo. Make mine .38 Super and medium rare.

 

[AJ]

I have a 92F in the nightstand. It has an 18 shot mag in it filled with 147 grain bullets. They were good enough for me when on active duty so should work now for home defense. Spare mag is there also with 15 rounds in it. Shoot them out once a year, clean it and reload the mags. Functions great...... Wonder if I could rechamber it to .38 Super!

 

[Yendor357]

Wilson Combat makes good looking rear sight replacements. If you decide to replace the rear sight, I highly recommend you have a sight pusher. Mine wasn’t bad at all. But a friend of mine had one that was stubborn.

I had read that the Brazillian Taurus pistols were made on Beretta machinery. That was supposedly part of the deal if Brazil adopted the Beretta for their military. I prefer the trigger system of the Taurus. Another friend has a Taurus like yours. Great gun.

 

[MaxKimber]

Berettas use a combat sight picture. Sight Image 3 on the attached pic.

Strange for some, but completely normal to me as I been shooting Berettas for a pretty long time. I trust your 92 is dead on, as the 92 series are very accurate.

Take care...

 

[444 Magnum]

Thanks Max. I'm going to work on that next time out.