Beretta 92 Quality

[BevrFevr]

surefire

from the website...

"The Brigadier was designed to meet the special needs on the INS* who wanted an accurate, reliable and durable .40 caliber pistol with removable front and rear sights."

-bevr

 

[JNewell]

Part of what you're feeling is the lower bore axis of the Beretta 92 compared to the SIG P2xx series. Recoil has less twist...not that a pistol the size of a P226 or 92 has a whole lot of recoil in the first place.

There are plastic parts in virtually all pistols now. The SIGs have plastic mainspring seats (wow, wonder how well it'll fire if that breaks?) and guide rods. I think, unfortunately, that most of the good manufacturers turned out a better or at least more durable product several years back.

The Brid slide's extra metal isn't an issue for 9x19. The removeable sights are nice, however.

 

[Surefire]

I ended up ordering a standard 92. While I would have liked a Brigadier, none of the distributors that the gun store called had any in stock.

 

[10-Ring]

I've owned my 92fs' since 1992. 1000's of rounds later, I'm very happy w/ them both

 

[Surefire]

Which online stores do you all recommend to get Beretta 92 low capacity magazines? My state bans standard capacity magazines...

 

[carnaby]

I had :banghead: a 96 brig inox with all stainless parts. Had about 2000 rounds through it. The only problem it ever had was the pin part of the slide catch broke off. Beretta only had black ones left. Sold it for $450 FTF last year

I'll always regret letting go of that one. It was my first gun ever too.

 

[Devonai]

Surefire, CDNN is practically giving away in situ prohibita magazines. Check out their website:

http://www.cdnninvestments.com

My Beretta 92FS is circa 1996 and has a steel guide rod. I really don't know about any other parts. I do know I've gone through around 9,000 rounds without any problems.

 

[MadMercS55]

Locally here a NIB Beretta 92FS with 3 15rnd mags is $475-$500 plus tax. IN comparison, a SIG P226 with 2 15rnd mags is $785-$899 plus tax.
I've had a newer 92FS for awhile now, I did replace the plastic recoil rod with a steel unit from Wolff. I also went with a 15lbs spring over the stock 13lbs one since I run hotter ammo from time to time. So far I have 1160rnds through it and I do agree the P226 is a tad more accurate, but in quality, I consider them equal. I have seen SIG's with poor fit\finish from the factory, and the same from Beretta. That doesn't make either one inherently "crap".
I also won't be buying any new SIG's. I don't like the new product lineup, everything with rails and no more stamped slides, etc.

 

[Surefire]

I paid essentially full price...all the gun stores around here want around $725 for a NIB Beretta 92 FS.......

 

[MadMercS55]

Just browsed my usual shop. They have the 92FS with 3 15rnd mags for $475+tx. But they have the new M9A1 for $750+tx. Huge difference in price for not so much difference in gun! Both were NIB as well.

 

[Surefire]

Random thoughts about Beretta, ranging from disagreeing to where they appear to be going, to where I'd like to see them go.

1. I'm NOT happy that the 92 line is being severely cut back (Brigadiers being discontined, etc). To me, the 92 line is the most attractive current production pistol design on the market, and they shoot nicely as well.

2. I'm not happy that Beretta is going with ugly monstrosities such as the PX4 Storm, and the "90-Two". They will have to at least double the shooting potential of the 92 series in order for it to make up for their IMO ugly design. I don't actually mind them trying these designs, but NOT at the expense of cutting back the 92.

3. Did the compact 92 ever sell well? I'd LOVE compact 92s...but they seem to be discontinued. Berettas current compact is the 9000S...another ugly monstrosity IMO.

4. A scaled up 9mm Cheetah would be SWEET...my little .380 Cheetah fits my hand like a glove....if only it was chambered in 9mm I would be very happy.

5. I'd like a subcompact like the Tomcat, but in .380 ACP caliber...with enough metal to last more than 3,000 rounds (apparently the Tomcat has a short life frame). Obviously, this would be bigger than Tomcat size, but preferably a size smaller than the Cheetah.

What are your thoughts?

 

[dsk]

Virtually ALL the nice handguns have been or are being discontinued. SIG's P225, P228, the non-rail P229, the Beretta 92FS stainless, 92 Compacts, virtually all the S&W 3rd Generation 4xxx and 6xxx series autos, the HK P7 series, Browning-marked Hi-Powers, and so on. Call it the Glock phenomenon. Since Glock showed how you could make an ugly pistol that was durable yet cheap everybody else eventually had to cave in and make something similar. Nothing against the Glock, but to me it's a simple tool with no soul. I like guns I can admire and collect, as well as take out and shoot or carry to save my bacon. Nothing new out there even strikes my fancy anymore, so I tend to find gun stores extremely boring unless they have a large selection of used guns.

To be honest, I haven't bought anything new in recent years. All I have now are old designs, and that's probably how it'll stay.

 

[Surefire]

^I also like guns that I can collect and admire, while still shooting. While I think Glocks are fine for utilitarian duty use, they have no "soul" IMO. For example, I would care less if my Glock got a scratch--its just as ugly with or without scratches. A real nice gun like Sig, S&W (revolvers), or Beretta, I am a lot more fussy with.

 

[Billy_H]

I have a Beretta 92FS and a Sig P220ST. I enjoy firing both and have not had a problem with either. In short, if given the chance I'd buy either again.

 

[MadMercS55]

I agree that they are pretty much killing the 92 series. I'm no fan of the 90-two really. And I have owned a few compact 92's over the years and really liked them. I also think it's sad to see them and the Bridagiers die off. For the most part, every single Beretta product I've ever owned has been well made and trouble free.
I do however, really like the PX4. As of today I own 2 of them, both in 9mm. It did take me awhile to warm up to their somewhat radical styling, but after many range sessions, I wouldn't want to part with them.
I've never really had any trigger time with the Tomcat series yet. I've heard that their quality has varied over the years, some runs being more problematic than others. My wife really likes them, but also would prefer one in .380 and not .32.
As for the Cheetah. What can I say! I like them too. Fits my hand and conceals really well. My father had an old Italian one many years ago, held 13rnds and never failed in any way. We fired some pretty potent loads through it and it held up fine. With the death of the compact series, maybe a heavier caliber Cheetah would be possible? It would be nice to see happen.

Beretta seems to be heading in a very new direction lately. They seemed almost stagnant for years, and then came out running with the PX4, 90-two, and such. While their style has changed (not per se for the better either) at least it seems they have maintained their quality levels.

 

[Marko Kloos]

Berettas are top-shelf quality, no question.

The one thing I hold against Beretta is their idiotic decision to discontinue all the CCW-friendly compacts, including the Type-M single-stack compact 92.

 

[carnaby]

I agree, seems like a dumb decision to get rid of ccw friendly guns what with the ramping up of ccw laws in the states.

 

[Old Dog]

DSK nailed it (and hit on most of my favorite autopistols).
And I'm still kicking myself for not picking up a mint LNIB Type M at the gun show a few months back at a unbelievable price.
And I agree with MadMercS55 on SIG's new line (I also hate the rails) and think the 92s are the equal of the 226 in quality, if not accuracy ...
And Surefire, great idea:

I'd like a subcompact like the Tomcat, but in .380 ACP caliber...with enough metal to last more than 3,000 rounds (apparently the Tomcat has a short life frame). Obviously, this would be bigger than Tomcat size, but preferably a size smaller than the Cheetah.

And it'd have a frame-mounted, down-to-fire safety, too ... hmm. I still like my Tomcats, though.

 

[Surefire]

Today was the pick up day. I now have the new 92 FS that I ordered.

First impressions:

1. Mine is USA made (that is what the slide says)
2. Quality is very good on the slide, excellent on the frame. The slide has two minor flaws that I believe were caused by rushing to save time. Slide quality is below Sig level, but better than most makes. Frame quality appears equal to Sig.
3. I do NOT mind the plastic covered trigger. It has a nice shape and feel. As long as it works without breaking, I am happy with the trigger.
4. Action and slide smoothness is incredible--better than any Sig I own.
5. Excellent ergonomics
6. Mediocre sights (not bad in themselves, but it bugs me that they cannot be changed)

If it shoots like the Brigadier rental (as I suspect it will), I will be happy. Overall, I really like this gun...enough that I'd consider going with a second 92 in the future.

 

[Scott77]

I also think it's a shame Beretta is doing away with alot of 92 versions .
Iam just glad they havent done away with the 92fs all together . If they did that they would be insane .