Beretta 92 vs Ruger SR-9

[wristtwister]

I bought a Beretta 92FS at a gun show a few weeks back, and had I been able to shoot it before buying, I would have probably have bought another SR-9 instead. I've been drooling over the 92 for a year or so, and was really disappointed in its performance on the range.

Tinkering with the sights doesn't seem to fix it's problems, so I'm not sure it's a fixable problem, and I've never experienced it before. I read on other threads where the guns shot "low and left", or "high and right", but this one seems to be "high and left". It might be the ammo, but it's driving me nuts trying to get a group in the center of the target using conventional aiming practices.

My groups at 15 to 20 yards are about 2 inches, but every one is high and left of the X ring. I bought the thing to start doing some pistol competition, but I wouldn't attempt to compete until I figure out this malady.

I shoot both .40 S&W and 9mm a lot, and my .40 cal is dead on at those ranges. Misses with that are "operator error", but I don't seem to be able to get a consistent group in the center of the target with the 92.

I don't want to spend a fortune at a gunsmith getting it accurized if it's a simple problem that I'm just not aware of... I've got other Berettas and they are dead on, but different calibers. Any ideas?

The SR-9 I bought from the same guy is dead on accurate, just waiting for it's turn back at the gunsmith's for it's safety fix, but it doesn't fit the "service weapon" category I was hoping to shoot in. They're very specific about what guns you can use in competition, and the 92 is in that group, the SR-9 is not.

I'll probably love the gun if I can figure out how to get it in the X-ring without a second mortgage. Disappointing performance from Beretta? I can't imagine...

WT

 

[Flopsy]

No offense, but maybe it's you?

Maybe you need to take some time and practice with it. Every gun shoots differently, so I never expect to be a deadeye my first time out with anything new. Hand it off to somebody else who is used to shooting them and see if they have the same problem.

 

[Texas9]

Bear in mind that the barrel on a 92 is loose by design. Not that dissimilar from a 1911, it was engineered as a combat sidearm. In that respect, 2" groups are acceptable (by most) in a firefight.

I have heard many things about these guns as comp. guns, mostly good. I haven't modified mine, but might I suggest the two most popular options I've found:

1. Install (or have installed. 92's are tricky for the inexperienced) a "D" mainspring. The 92D mainspring is a fairly lighter on the double action pull. This help with that initial shot, and correct some errors with the follow-up single-action shots.

2. Get a match-grade barrel/slide. There are lots out there (the 92 is still a popular gun) to choose from, and closing that "looseness" in the barrel will tighten up your groups.

Both of these, of course, suggest that operator error has been ruled out. I hope this helps!