Beretta 92 Brigadier - Questions

[Waveski]

I own the very common Beretta 92s. (Folks tend to love or hate Beretta - count me in the first group.) I like everything about the full-frame 9mm except - you got it - the minimal sights. I have been eyeballing the later variation , the Brigadier. The Brigadier is said to have improved , removable sights , and a slightly heavier slide.

Questions :
Anyone have experience with the heavier slide? Any down side to it?
Are the sights of the Brigadier a noticeable improvement over the poor sights of the 92s , as in , adequate for recreational shooting? (Unlike those of the 92s...)
If the sights are removable , can they be replaced with anything other than the stock sights?
Finally , are the slides of later versions of the 92 interchangeable with that of the 92s? Cost prohibitive perhaps , but - would the newer slides fit on the 92s without fitting by a 'smith? (Fitting would make the proposition way cost prohibitive...)

Input will be appreciated. Thanks in advance , 'Ski.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Anyone have experience with the heavier slide?

Yep.

Any down side to it?

Nope.

Are the sights of the Brigadier a noticeable improvement over the poor sights of the 92s , as in , adequate for recreational shooting? (Unlike those of the 92s...)

Mine is a Wilson/Beretta 92 Brig Tac, which I highly recommend. Mine has interchangeable sites, and I think they all do right? You can put on whatever sites you like.

If the sights are removable , can they be replaced with anything other than the stock sights?

Try a Google search for aftermarket sites. Wilson makes some, and I believe Trijicon makes night sights. Should be a few options.

Finally , are the slides of later versions of the 92 interchangeable with that of the 92s? Cost prohibitive perhaps , but - would the newer slides fit on the 92s without fitting by a 'smith? (Fitting would make the proposition way cost prohibitive...)

Hmmmm. I think it's just a weight and profile changer on the slide is all. I think you should be able to switch it out, but someone with more experience with a stock Brig better answer. May need a different recoil spring.

Good luck! I love my Wilber. That's just what I call it because saying "Wilson/Beretta 92 Brig Tac" gets real old, real fast.

 

[JTQ]

The Brigadier does complicate holster selections as they typically don't fit holsters for standard M9/92FS. However, they've been around for a while and you should be able to find a holster for a Brigadier slide gun.

On the other hand, the Vertec slide also has a dovetailed front sight, and that slide is very similar to the standard M9/92FS shape and should fit standard holsters. For what it's worth, Beretta has Vertec slides on sale right now, if you have a Beretta and want to put on a slide with a dovetailed front sight and don't want to go the Brigadier route.

http://www.berettausa.com/en-us/beretta-slide-fully-assembled-92fs-vertec-9mm/

Edit to add: Regarding slide options, I think the 90-Two and the 92A1/96A1 are the two odd balls. Those two work together, but not with the others. The rest of the family are swappable.

 

[Waveski]

JTQ -

Great lead , thank you.

 

[.455_Hunter]

I replaced my standard 90's 92FS with a 90's Brigadier and couldn't be happier. My Don Hume black leather OWB holster protested a bit when I first inserted the Brigadier, but now fits perfectly.

 

[FL-NC]

We switched our M9 pistols from the stock slide to brigs around 2001. Ours came with Trijicon sights installed. You must also change the slide lock, as the cut is different than a stock slide- for us, the replacement lock came with the slide in a kit. We still broke locking blocks, just not as frequently. The downside is that it won't fit into MOST kydex holsters designed for the 92. The worked fine with our safarilands and another tac holster we had that I can't remember the name of.

 

[1KPerDay]

Brig Slide is heavier. Feels heavier and bulkier when handling and shooting. I prefer the slimmer lighter slide. The FS variant with the straight dustcover looks right to my eye also.

 

[FL-NC]

Full disclosure- I don't care for the 92/ M9. But if I was going to get one, I would get a G model- with decock instead of the off switch. The slide change could make it one if you got the G model slide, I'm almost sure.

 

[Waveski]

Regarding tje 92FS Vertec slide which is available from Beretta --- tech services there advised me that the FS Vertec slide is not compatible with the 92s. Darn - would have solved my problem.

 

[sabbfan]

92A1’s are pretty reasonable prices on the used market and get you a dovetail front sight, if you don’t mind the rail. Usually less money than the brigadier

 

[Waveski]

I worked it out ---

My goal was to somehow have a Beretta of the 92 series with sights , especially front , which would be substantially better than those of the 92S. That's why I looked toward the Brigadier. The Vertec slide looked like a solution , but that did not work out.

Late today I came upon a 92FS retrofitted WITH a Vertec slide , reasonably priced. I thought ,"What are the odds?" I jumped on it. I will probably sell the venerable 92S ... I like the Italian built pistol , with the deep purple hue to the control levers , but I doubt I'll shoot it much once I get to use the improved sights of the Vertec slide.

So , problem solved. Thanks for the feedback. 'Ski

 

[JTQ]

I'm glad it worked out for you.

I've got to admit I had to reread the entire thread at this point.

... tech services there advised me that the FS Vertec slide is not compatible with the 92s. .

I own the very common Beretta 92s.

I really thought you were using the "92s" as the plural of Beretta 92 models. In the US, at least, the 92S (note the big S), is really not common at all. The M9 and 92FS are very common, but not the 92S. I really thought we were giving recommendations regarding M9/92FS era guns. Sorry for my error, and once again, I'm glad it worked out for you.

 

[Waveski]

You ate right , I should have used the upper case S. Sorry for the mislead.

Sure is a nice coincidence that I stumbled across an FS with a Vertec slide
Again , what are the odds?

 

[Panzerschwein]

Don't forget the 92A1. It has dovetailed front and rear sights, can be had with Trijicons from the factory, and the slide is slightly thicker, plus it has a rail. I love mine.

 

[Waveski]

Cooldill -

Thank you for your recommendation. I think that the 92FS , with Vertec slide , is my perfect solution. My criteria was (were?) to stay close to the original 92 configuration , while gaining improved sights and interchangeability of sights. The Vertec slide fairly good 3 dot sights which are dovetailed and therefor allow many upgrade options. The barrel protrusion is the same as the earlier configurations. The mag release is moved and the trigger guard is squared off forward , but I can live with that. Your 92A1 has a rail which I do not need. Since the rail moves away from the original design I prefer not to have it.

So , it appears that you have the configuration that best suits you , and I have the configuration best for me enroute. All's well.

 

[Panzerschwein]

Sounds like a good choice. Here is my 92A1 just for the fun of it:



I've stopped using the pictured 20 round "PLUS 2" Mec-Gar magazines in favor of the flush fit 18 round Mec-Gar magazines, due to durability concerns. This is my primary bedside house gun.

 

[Waveski]

I see your A1 has the curved back strap. I like that feature.

All things considered , it appears to me that you have a first rate h.d. gun there. I can't think of a way to improve upon it.

Mine is intended as a recreational shooter.

 

[Panzerschwein]

I see your A1 has the curved back strap. I like that feature.

All things considered , it appears to me that you have a first rate h.d. gun there. I can't think of a way to improve upon it.

Mine is intended as a recreational shooter.

Thanks! Please show it once you get it, I am a Beretta lover too!