Beretta 92 Brigadier (why?)

[synapse]

From what I am told, the Beretta 92 is already an oversized 9mm. However, I can see they make a Bridgaider version with a heavier slide.

If you can convince me to get the Brigadier, I will do so. Otherwise, I guess I just don't understand the reason for the beefed up parts.

Regards,
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[Boats]

Beefing up the slide was mostly a marketing move through the engineering wing of Beretta to address the nearly non-existent "slide cracking issue" of the mid 80s, that in reality was due mostly to a trace metal found in a batch of regular slides that made them more brittle than normal.

The real reason to buy a Brigadier over the regular model is the dovetailed front sight, which makes night sight installation a job capable of being done without a machine shop. By comparison the beefed up slide is just icing on the cake.

 

[10-Ring]

I've also heard it said that the heavier slide on the 9mm pistols really tames recoil even more making the Brig avery mild pistol to shoot. The 9mm rcoil isn't that bad to begin with, but I suppose for the recoil sensitive, that might be important.

 

[WonderNine]

I thought the Brig slides and regular slide Berettas take the same recoil spring? If this is true, I don't see how the different slide would affect recoil any. If the Brid slide is in fact heavier and it uses a lighter recoil spring then I would suspect the recoil would be the same force, but a hair 'sharper'.

 

[Tamara]

If this is true, I don't see how the different slide would affect recoil any.

Because a heavier slide has more inertia for the same amount of recoil to overcome; the slide doesn't reciprocate as fast. Plus, it increases the overall weight of the gun, which reduces recoil as well.

 

[WonderNine]

Right, but I just have a hard time believing the miniscule difference would have enough effect on recoil to actually be noticable.

I can't tell the difference in recoil between a Beretta 92FS and a Hi-Power.

 

[George Hill]

If you need to be convinced to get a gun... don't get it.

Get the one you drool over.

 

[Pebcac]

Ya know, the more of George's posts I read, the more I think he's reading my mind sometimes!

Every time I've ever convinced myself, or let someone else convince me, to get a particular gun, it's been a mistake. If you don't see the need for the heavier slide, and a front dovetail isn't an issue for you, stick with a 92FS. I loved mine, and miss it more (stupid, stupid trade).

 

[BerettaNut92]

Supposedly the standard slide cycles faster, but 95% of the people out there don't notice it. I don't. Heck I don't even notice a difference in recoil. I just wish stupid Beretta would make the 92FS w/ a dovetailed slide. I whine about it quite frequently.

The Brigadier is also harder to find holsters for.

 

[9mmepiphany]

skunkabilly - your wait is amost over the SD-G is almost here...or take a vertac slide and drop it onto your 92 frame.

ernest langdon once wrote that the brig slide's greatest advantage was in reducing the recoil in the beretta 96 (.40)...he felt that a brig slide on the 92 would last its owner forever. you can play with spring weights on a brig 92 so that the recoil/muzzle flip brings the sight right back to your point of aim.

the major plus of the brig slide is the ability to try out different sighting options without resorting to a gunsmith.

the major minus is the smaller selection of holsters and greater width

 

[George Hill]

I want Ashley Express sights on my 92. Not going to happen... but I still want them.

 

[BerettaNut92]

I want Ashley Express sights on my 92. Not going to happen... but I still want them.

Why not? They make them for the Tomcat and a bunch of other handguns, why don't you call them up?

 

[fatboyclone]

The Brigadier is also harder to find holsters for.

my Brig has no problems fitting into a 92fs holster.

 

[BerettaNut92]

my Brig has no problems fitting into a 92fs holster.

Leather? I think you can stretch the leather out a bit, but I heard you're SOL with Kydex. My holster is a little bit adjustable (Wilson Tact ???) and is advertised to fit both, and I don't have a 92FS so I wouldn't know....

(that's going to change of course)

 

[AndABeer]

because i got it for $300

 

[George Hill]

Putting a Big Dot on my 92? If I can't do it at home, it aint happening. This would require an artisan gunsmith to cut the front sight off and mount the new one.

No dovetail on my 92 means no new sights.

 

[fatboyclone]

yeah shunk i use a leather holster, galco to be specific. i haven't caught the kydex bug yet, just cant get around the idea of a plastic holster.

 

[arinvolvo]

Why? I dont know, they look nicer than an M9...and I got one like new for 399.

 

[BerettaNut92]

She's purrrdy!! I think I need one of those.

Have you seen any of the factory wood grips? They're really nice but not sure how they'd look on a Brig Inox.