Beretta 92A1, initial thoughts and takeaways

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md7

md7

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Got into berettas a few months ago with my first, a 92FS. Runs like a sewing machine, fits like a glove, and looks like a model.

Knowing I wanted another, I came across the 92A1 in a store a few days back. Available new at pre panic pricing.

Now, I know the M9A3 is the new hotness and I won’t deny that it’s a fantastic pistol. But I think there’s a whole lot to like about the 92A1, even considering some of the design’s oddities compared to the flagship model.

As expected, initial performance has been flawless and the sites are impacting point of aim with standard 124 gr Speer Lawman. Admittedly a couple hundred rounds is by no means definitive, but we’re off to a nice start.

My thoughts to this point are simple. There’s no downside to having one in the stable and I’m enjoying owning this one.

If you’re considering beretta, give some thought to the A1. You may be glad you did.

If any of you THR folks have or had one, I’d love to know if your thoughts and experiences too.
 
I don't know that I care about the rail but I certainly value the attached front sight rather than the earlier version of being an extension of the slide forging.

I also like the round trigger guard better.

Todd.
 
Last edited:
Not sure the M9A3 any longer is the "new
hotness." Any way, if you have an interest
in other Beretta 92s, check out all the
features of the Beretta 92X (no, not the
92X Performance), just the 92X in
full, Centurion and compact sizes. And
the 92X can be had with the G decocker
only feature at no extra cost.
 
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UncleEd said:
Not sure the M9A3 any longer is the "new
hotness." Any way, if you have an interest
in other Beretta 92s, check out all the
features of the Beretta 92X (no, not the
92X Performance), just the 92X in
full, Centurion and compact sizes. And
the 92X can be had with the G decocker
only feature at no extra cost.
Click to expand...

I do like the 92X Centurion G decocker. Also a very nice pistol.

At this point I can’t think of a bad 92 series pistol honestly.
 
I have a number of Berettas, none have a rail or rounded trigger guard but one... the 92X performance. It seems Beretta has had a paradigm shift to all guns having a rail and rounded trigger guard. Easy no more Berettas for me.
 
gnappi said:
I have a number of Berettas, none have a rail or rounded trigger guard but one... the 92X performance. It seems Beretta has had a paradigm shift to all guns having a rail and rounded trigger guard. Easy no more Berettas for me.
Click to expand...

Far as I know the M9 and 92FS retain the square trigger guard and without a railed
front.

First impression I didn't like the rail. Now I don't even notice it on a 92X. But I
never liked the square trigger guard. It was really a throw-back to another style
of holding the autos in the 1980s.
 
Nice pistol!

I've owned and shot various incarnations of the Beretta 92. They've all been good.
 
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I carried a 96FS on patrol. It was okay. Never experienced any stoppage with it. I could shoot it accurately. The only thing I didn't like was the slide mounted hammer drop safety. I sold it when I standardized all my pistols to 9mm.

A few years ago I was in a gunshop and I spied a Taurus 92 in the case. I asked to handle it and I really liked the frame mounted safety/decocker. It felt like a familiar old friend in my hand.
 
Once you get your hands on a Wilson Combat Beretta 92, you will be hooked for sure. I started out with the 92A1 because I liked the looks of that model. It felt good in the hand and shot good also. Then I saved up my pennies for a Wilson Beretta Brigadier and the rest was history. Sold the 92A1 and bought another Wilson Beretta Centurion. Best DA/SA pistols I've ever seen.
 
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I like the 92 line well. Don't have a 92A1 so I would not swear to it, but I don't think it has the same level of parts interchangeability with the rest of the 92 line that the others do. Not a big deal, but a little food for thought if you wanted to swap the top end to get a .40 version or such.
 
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Ohen Cepel said:
I like the 92 line well. Don't have a 92A1 so I would not swear to it, but I don't think it has the same level of parts interchangeability with the rest of the 92 line that the others do. Not a big deal, but a little food for thought if you wanted to swap the top end to get a .40 version or such.
Click to expand...

You are correct. The frames are different, slide on the A1 is thicker where the guide rod sits, the recoil spring and guide rods are different. Maybe the locking block too, not sure off the top of my head about that one.

But I’m ok with that.
 
Olympus said:
Once you get your hands on a Wilson Combat Beretta 92, you will be hooked for sure. I started out with the 92A1 because I liked the looks of that model. It felt good in the hand and shot good also. Then I saved up my pennies for a Wilson Beretta Brigadier and the rest was history. Sold the 92A1 and bought another Wilson Beretta Centurion. Best DA/SA pistols I've ever seen.
Click to expand...

Wilson does a great job with everything they do in my opinion. Do you know if they do custom work on 92’s like they will on 1911’s?
 
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If you're going to start considering Wilson Combat
92s, then pay attention to some of the offerings
from Langdon Tactical, i.e. the Elite LTT.

Ernest Langdon was an advisor to Wilson for Wilson's
upgrade of the 92. Generally the Langdon
guns are considered better; I agree.
 
UncleEd said:
If you're going to start considering Wilson Combat
92s, then pay attention to some of the offerings
from Langdon Tactical, i.e. the Elite LTT.

Ernest Langdon was an advisor to Wilson for Wilson's
upgrade of the 92. Generally the Langdon
guns are considered better; I agree.
Click to expand...

Right now, I’m just enjoying them as they came out of the box. But I certainly will look at Langdon when and if I ever do want to upgrade the FS or A1.

I appreciate you sharing the knowledge!
 
My 92A1 is the first of the 92 series I got. Put the night sights on it. Upgraded to the all metal captive return spring mechanism.
It's a favorite, and a go-to pistol. Shoots to POA, and handles really well. Never a jam, regardless of ammo. Eats anything it is fed.
Runs like a sewing machine.
Wound up getting the CX4 Storm, with the 92 magwell, for a pistol carbine combo, with interchangeable mags. The Storm puts some extra MV on the Luger round.
 
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Olympus said:
I much prefer the look of the Wilson over the Langdon.

View attachment 988576
Click to expand...

I'll grant you the Wilson has "cleaner" lines than
the Langdon but they are just that, a "look." I
don't think you'll find the Wilson action to be as
good as the Langdon. And feature for feature,
I believe the Wilson costs a bit more.

Do you have the "U" shaped rear sight. I prefer
the Langdon or the one on the 92X which are
square.

By the way, the magazine guide on your gun is
a Langdon design. I do prefer the rounded trigger
guard but as Langdon says, it's purely cosmetic.
 
UncleEd said:
I'll grant you the Wilson has "cleaner" lines than
the Langdon but they are just that, a "look." I
don't think you'll find the Wilson action to be as
good as the Langdon. And feature for feature,
I believe the Wilson costs a bit more.

Do you have the "U" shaped rear sight. I prefer
the Langdon or the one on the 92X which are
square.

By the way, the magazine guide on your gun is
a Langdon design. I do prefer the rounded trigger
guard but as Langdon says, it's purely cosmetic.
Click to expand...
Wasn't impressed with the Langdon guns. The silver accents are gaudy and will quickly become dated in the years to come. The Wilson Action Tune on my Centurion is better the Langdons I've handled. My Wilson Brigadier isn't quite as smooth though. I do have the U-notch rear site on both of my Wilsons. Sights are such a personal preference that I don't give any gun points when it comes to aftermarket sights. Everyone has their own preference. As for the mag guide, maybe Wilson retains the rights to that part since I haven't seen that feature on the Langdons. And you'd think if Langdon designed it, he'd put it on his own guns. My Brigadier Tac doesn't have the mag guide and I do really like it on the Centurion. If I would have bough the Centurion first, I would have been a little let down by the Brigadier. But since I bought the Brigadier first, I was over the moon when I felt the Centurion. It's hands-down my favorite DA/SA and I've pretty much owned every flavor of Sig DA/SA there has ever been.
 
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