Beretta 92 for IDPA/IPSC ?

[saint194]

I've been shooting bulls-eye/targets with my Beretta 92 for the last three years and have just begun shooting "production" IDPA and ISPC. I am very comfortable with the Beretta but between the solid mounted front/back sights and the heavy trigger I am thinking I may need to invest in something different.

Can anyone suggest either how I'd go about modifying my Beretta or suggest a new firearm (something less than $2k). OH...by the way, I live in Massachusetts so I am looking for a gun that would be MA comliant.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Justin]

The Beretta 92 can be competitive in IDPA and USPSA Production Division. The biggest improvement you could make to the gun would be a trigger job.

If you want to dump the Beretta for something else, take a look at either the Glock 17 or the S&W M&P Pro.

 

[Jim Watson]

Agreed. Ernest Langdon got started with a Beretta, later Sig Sauer; so the DA-SA auto will do the job if you work with it.
If you want a new gun, the Glock or S&W would be good. I have a P226 and a S&P Plastic M&P and find the Smith a little quicker to get off the first shot with its consistent trigger, but the SA on the Sig is nicer.

You could pay for a full house gunsmith trigger job or just do a little "spring engineering" to start with. The 92D (DAO) mainspring will reduce the trigger pull a bit if used in a 92F (DA-SA).

If the sights are zeroed, they will serve well. The Colt I am now shooting in ESP does not have adjustable sights and does not need them. The last time I adusted a rear sight was when I put the fibre optic front on my CDP. One time at the range to zero and there they have stayed.

 

[Jeb21]

I have been using a police trade in 92fs for IDPA and for concealed carry for a couple of years now. I put in a metal recoil spring guide rod, and the 92D (DAO) mainspring as my only modifications. I really enjoy shooting and competing with this weapon.

If I was going to switch to another 9mm for competition I would look at the CZ75b, the Browning Highpower - alternatively you could go with a M&P9mm for a less expensive piece.

Glocks are very popular in IDPA so you would not go wrong with a model 17, 19, or 34.

 

[reuben mishler]

These comments are good to hear. I myself want to get into these types of shoots this year and I have a Beretta 92 Vertec. I don't have the money to purchase anything else that would qualify for the production series. I do have a 1911 for the metallic series however.

So I believe I have found a 2 stage buffer spring to replace the original buffer spring in the 92...and now I will look into have a gunsmith do a trigger job on it.

 

[dhfenno]

The 92 will work and work well. Other than polishing everything and changing the mainspring the biggest improvement you can make is change the front sight. On the standard 92 it will cost a bit but it makes all the difference in the world.

 

[gregj]

Another vote for CZ. I use my CZ 75SA Target primarily for IDPA and range. It's wickedly accurate, comfortable, and ergos very much like a 1911. You can probably find one at a gun show dealer for around $1100. The standard CZ 75SA is about half that. The 75B is another good option.

 

[Jim Watson]

I believe I have found a 2 stage buffer spring to replace the original buffer spring in the 92

IDPA does not allow recoil reducing gimmick spring systems.
I don't know about USPSA Production but a 9mm doesn't kick hard enough to need one and there are some peculiarities about their operation that I don't like.

 

[Hk Dan]

You should be fine. I'd shoot SSP with the safety on "Fire" to avoid that snarky safety lever, just get used to prepping it as you present the gun. It'll do fine to get you started!

 

[lmccrock]

I don't know about USPSA Production but a 9mm doesn't kick hard enough to need one and there are some peculiarities about their operation that I don't like.

Changing the spring is legal in USPSA, as long as it looks unmodified externally. I am not a 92 guy, but if you are shooting barely-above-power-factor ammo in USPSA, then just putting a reduced weight recoil spring would help. I would guess a stock 92 spring would be for 9mm NATO ammo, which is a little on the spicy side.

Lee

 

[Hk Dan]

Actually the lioghtweight springs aren't based on the PF of the ammo, they're on there to speed up the action and reduce shot recovery time. PF is not relevent to spring weight. I shoot full tilt .40 in USPSA and run an 11 pound spring, for instance.

Now, are there more meaningful things to spend your money on? Oh yeah. Springs are for "that last 2%"

 

[Remo223]

I believe Brownells sells precision high quality trigger parts for beretta 92 pistols. I don't know what the rules are in your competitions, but there are also extended barrels with barrel porting available for your pistol. I'd say keep using what you got.

 

[Jim Watson]

The OP described a two stage buffer spring, not just a recoil spring swap/
Not allowed in IDPA, USPSA Production rules are not clear to me. They allow a change of guide rod but do not go into a change of recoil column design.

 

[ShootEm]

oops

 

[ShootEm]

I'd shoot SSP with the safety on "Fire"...

You can't shoot SSP without the safety on while the gun is holstered.

 

[ny32182]

In SSP, you either have a striker gun that starts chambered, or you have a DA/SA gun that starts with the hammer decocked and the safety off.

 

[ATLDave]

Holy necropost!