Accurize my 92FS, or buy new?

[ChuckB]

Hi there. I'm using my friendly Beretta 92 FS in competition- timed shooting from 7 to 25 yards. Now I know that it's not easy to shoot tight groups at 75 feet. I do think, though, that the 92 is not capable OTB to shoot sub-3 inch groups at 25 yards. If I want more accuracy, without breaking my bank, I'm considering having the 92 accurized, or getting another pistol. A 1911, perhaps, or another non-1911 .45, or a different brand 9mm. Let's talk under $700 to start. Any thoughts? Thanks.

Chuck

 

[HSMITH]

I think the 92 IS capable of 3" at 25 yards with good ammunition right out of the box. All I have shot have been, and that covers a couple dozen or more over the last 15 years. At one event we were shooting 1 foot square steel plates at 100 yards with military NATO spec ammo and hitting them with relative ease, no problem hitting them 15 out of 15 times if the shooter did his part. Clay targets on the berm at 65 yards weren't all that hard either. A 55 gallon trash drum could be hit with a couple sighters at 300 yards with a military M9 too.

Don't underestimate your M92. If you need to prove it find a club champion or a competent bullseye shooter to see what it can do. You may need to refine your ammunition, but I really think the gun will do it.

I am a real fan of the M92, if it were just 10% smaller......

 

[cracked butt]

The 92 is plenty accurate enough, if you use good ammunition. I've found that for cheap ammo, American Eagle, and UMC does not shoot accurately in my 92, but I get excellent acuracy with Fiocchi- at about $5 a box its hard to beat. Winchester white box value pack stuff shoots ok too. IMHO the beretta will shoot as good out of the box or with minor tweaking as a 1911 at twice the price *puts on flame retardant underwear*

I think the weak spot on the 92 when it comes to accuracy is the trigger. All of the triger and sear surfaces are covered with the black sticky Bruniton finish unless you have an INOX model. Removing this crud and polishing up the parts, and replacing the hammer spring with one from a Beretta 96D will improe the triger immensely for very little cost. I've heard good things about Langdon tactical "Speed bump" triggers also, but I haven't tried one yet, but I'm sure someone on this board has experience with them.

I used mine for club pistol events at the same ranges as you are talking about. The only disadvantage I see int he 92 is the DA/SA- the DA trigger slows down my first shot. The other problem I had, was not knowing how to aim at very close ranges- I had never shot the pistol closer than 25 yards at anything other than bullseye targets before shooting one of these matches.

 

[ChuckB]

If I'm "convinced" to keep competing with the 92, a trip to Langdon Tactical will be in order come summer. I have a lighter hammer spring in the pistol now. ...and no, I have no need to be "club champion"- I'm way past that point in my life! Too many other important things than my ego.

Chuck