I'm going to get a new Beretta but...

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gregp74

gregp74

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Arrrrgh I'm having a terrible time deciding which model to get and I keep second guessing myself finding reasons not to get all of them.

I really want a bruniton finish. The inox ones just aren't me. Too flashy. I'm also one of those weirdos who really prefers Italian made ones. I know there's no logical reason for it, but Beretta's an Italian company and in my head it just feels right getting one made over there. (I'm the same way with Austrain Glocks)

I love the classic 92fs look. I just wish it had a dovetail on the front so I could throw some tritium sights on. If I could find a brigadier I'd probably be happy but they're few and far between from what I can see.

The 92A1 seems like it would be a good choice. I know there are still some new in box Italian ones floating around out there on Gunbroker. I'm ok with the old grip style, although I do have smalling hands that are probably better suited to the Vertecs.

I could go with a 92X variant. The grips may fit me a little better but I've been shooting the old style ones long enough that either way probably isn't a big deal. But darn it they're all made in Georgia not Italy as far as I know.

That leads me to thinking about an M9A3. They've got the tritium sights from the factory and they're italian made. That should make it an easy choice but the problem is I keep hearing horror stories about the finish flaking off.

What would you guys do?
 
My favorite is my M9. My M9A3 has a crappy finish, but shoots well. Front tritium is already dead. Look at the Wilson Brig Tacs. Love mine and not far from M9A3 cost
 
I was fortunate to be able to pick up an Italian 92 FS about 20-25 years ago.

I like that is Italian and stainless. Once my collection grew to where it was difficult to maintain, I came to appreciate stainless steel.

The bad thing is that stupid machined front sight. If I ever get another Beretta it Will Have the front sight dovetailed.

The cool thing I love about the Italian mags that came with it, is that they gliiiiide so ever smoothly in and out. Normal blued mags feel totally different. But these particular Italian mags were $100 each 20 years ago. Maybe the new “anti sand” mags on the market are similar, I don’t know.

For me, I would much rather have dovetailed sights over the Italian manufacture.

Best of luck.

C50C53B3-CFE5-4E69-9737-00C46BD51A94.jpeg
 
gregp74 said:
Arrrrgh I'm having a terrible time deciding which model to get and I keep second guessing myself finding reasons not to get all of them.

I love the classic 92fs look. I just wish it had a dovetail on the front so I could throw some tritium sights on.
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I've also been pondering a Beretta 92 and wrestling with some of the same choices.

Two points to consider regarding the front sights ...

1) In the 35 years or so the Beretta 92/M9 with the milled front sight has been in mainstream production, how many complaints have you read on various forums about the front sight not being regulated accurately? In my reading, practically none.

In the recent years with all the available options with replaceable front sights, 92A1, Brigadier, Vertec, 92X, how many forum posts have you read about folks having issues with their front sights? I've found it to be a common complaint.

2) Tom Givens on night sights https://civiliandefender.com/2016/04/01/low-light-red-sights-and-tom-givens-glock-35/

...in the 60 plus defensive shootings his students have been involved in, the lighting (or lack of lighting) was a factor in the outcome in exactly ZERO cases.
Click to expand...
 
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gregp74 said:
That leads me to thinking about an M9A3. They've got the tritium sights from the factory and they're italian made. That should make it an easy choice but the problem is I keep hearing horror stories about the finish flaking off.

What would you guys do?
Click to expand...

Refinishing is one of the easiest things to get done in a gun. Buy the pistol you actually want and when and if the finish deteriorates get it refinished.

BSW
 
Reinz said:
I was fortunate to be able to pick up an Italian 92 FS about 20-25 years ago.

I like that is Italian and stainless. Once my collection grew to where it was difficult to maintain, I came to appreciate stainless steel.

The bad thing is that stupid machined front sight. If I ever get another Beretta it Will Have the front sight dovetailed.

The cool thing I love about the Italian mags that came with it, is that they gliiiiide so ever smoothly in and out. Normal blued mags feel totally different. But these particular Italian mags were $100 each 20 years ago. Maybe the new “anti sand” mags on the market are similar, I don’t know.

For me, I would much rather have dovetailed sights over the Italian manufacture.

Best of luck.

View attachment 922257
Click to expand...

I've actually got an Inox 92fs right now that I took in on a trade a while back. I just could never get myself to love it and I'm looking for a buyer for it to fund my next Beretta
 
JTQ said:
I've also been pondering a Beretta 92 and wrestling with some of the same choices.

Two points to consider regarding the front sights ...

1) In the 35 years or so the Beretta 92/M9 with the milled front sight has been in mainstream production, how many complaints have you read on various forums about the front sight not being regulated accurately? In my reading, practically none.

In the recent years with all the available options with replaceable front sights, 92A1, Brigadier, Vertec, 92X, how many forum posts have you read about folks having issues with their front sights? I've found it to be a common complaint.

2) Tom Givens on night sights https://civiliandefender.com/2016/04/01/low-light-red-sights-and-tom-givens-glock-35/
Click to expand...

To be honest I'm not sure if I'd even really ever need the night sights. In the mid-2010s I got in the habit of putting them on my pistols. I've had a several CZs, Sigs, and numerous Glocks I've put them on. Probably one of those unnecessary things, especially for guns I don't keep in a night stand and most likely won't be carrying at night. Kind of like paying extra to put the mud guards behind the wheels of a new car. They look good but do ya really need them? (Come to think of it, that's something I've been doing since about the same time!) If anything probably would be better with some kind of a fiber optic on the front.
 
.455_Hunter said:
It's US made, but I would hold out for a 90's Brigadier- I love mine!
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I love love love the brigadiers. I picked one up used in the late 90s. That thing was great. Sadly I was between jobs a couple years later and ended up selling it. I still regret that. I got another inox one a few years ago. I was all excited about it. Sent that and another 92 to WC for some work but I got the 2nd page of the paperwork for them mixed up. The inox came back with their armortuff coating. I was ok with that, as it kinda reminded me of my old one, but it seemed like it didn't stick very well.
 
gregp74 said:
To be honest I'm not sure if I'd even really ever need the night sights.

They look good but do ya really need them?
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On something like the Wilson Brigadier Tactical, Wilson puts a big white dot/circle around the tritium vial, and it is pretty visible in any light.

Conversely, on one of my recent gun store trips, I picked up an FDE M9A3 (tritium vial with no white dot/circle) and a 92FS with the simple white dots, and at least in the gun store lighting, there was no question the 92FS sights were easier for me to see. Admittedly, while I have pretty good vision for somebody my age, I'm in my early 60's and I'm not a 25 year old.

The theoretical disadvantage of the milled front sight on the non-Brigadier/Vertec/92A1/92X slide, bothered me at one time. However, over the years of shooting and spending time on forums reading about folks losing various front sights, having them not installed correctly, or not giving the appropriate sight picture, and my virtually non-existent need for night sights, has made me think the milled in front sight may be the better mousetrap, at least for me.
 
If you want a black M9A3 instead of one of the other color options, you should have no finish issues. Some people complain about the ceracoat finish on the FDE ones. I have one, and it's fine.

They make the M9A3 in black now, and you stated that was your preference. You should be good.

I have owned 28 different Beretta 92 variants over 25+ years. My FDE M9A3 is my favorite one.

Go for it :)

I personally do not shoot a 92 with the Vertec grip as well as I do with the standard grip. But, what is cool is that the M9A3 comes with a conversion grip, to turn it back into the normal Beretta grip. I have small hands, and I find the M9A3 with conversion grip to be a little smaller in the grip than a normal 92FS is.

IOZrui0.jpg
 
Shipwreck said:
Finding a 98 here in the states is almost impossible. And even a used stock is worth thousands here.
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Perhaps as an Italian member I am not the most suitable person to make suggestions because I know that here in Italy all the models I mentioned can be found easily and at reasonable prices.
 
Shipwreck said:
If you want a black M9A3 instead of one of the other color options, you should have no finish issues. Some people complain about the ceracoat finish on the FDE ones. I have one, and it's fine.

They make the M9A3 in black now, and you stated that was your preference. You should be good.

I have owned 28 different Beretta 92 variants over 25+ years. My FDE M9A3 is my favorite one.

Go for it :)

I personally do not shoot a 92 with the Vertec grip as well as I do with the standard grip. But, what is cool is that the M9A3 comes with a conversion grip, to turn it back into the normal Beretta grip. I have small hands, and I find the M9A3 with conversion grip to be a little smaller in the grip than a normal 92FS is.
Click to expand...

Well if the finish would be ok on a black M9A3, I reckon that might be a good possibility. Is there any conceivable reason a 92A1 would be superior to the M9A3 at all? I recall there being something beefed up in the A1 slides? And some kind of buffer in the frame? But weren't they incompatible with some aftermarket parts?
 
I have a M9A3 on layaway thats in FDE/Green. After I pick it up I'll be keeping an eye out for their new Performance 92. That thing is a beauty
 
gregp74 said:
Well if the finish would be ok on a black M9A3, I reckon that might be a good possibility. Is there any conceivable reason a 92A1 would be superior to the M9A3 at all? I recall there being something beefed up in the A1 slides? And some kind of buffer in the frame? But weren't they incompatible with some aftermarket parts?
Click to expand...
The 92A1 and the 90-Two are related. They are the non-compatatable oddballs in the line-up, though they are compatible with each other. They do have a buffer in the frame, though it is probably only really a factor in the 96A1 (.40 S&W version). If you want to shoot .40 S&W in a Beretta 92/96 family of guns, the 96A1 would be a better choice than the old 96. The frame buffer in the 92A1 is not a big deal for a 9mm 92 gun.

The 92A1 slide is sort of a midpoint between a 92FS/M9 slide and a Brigadier slide. However, the Vertec slide, which is used in the M9A3, 92X, Langdon LTT (I expect this slide to become the standard slide in the Beretta line-up) are also beefier than the 92FS/M9 and less than the Brigadier. While the 92A1 and Vertec slides are not identical, they are pretty close.
 
The more I look at them the closer I'm getting to breaking my Italian only rule and going with the Langdon A1 model. I assume that comes with all of the langdon goodies (trigger kit in a bag, trigger bar etc) that I've purchased for my old one right out of the box?
 
If I were you, I would get a Langdon Tactical Beretta. It looks super smooth and receives positive reviews.
 
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