Beretta 92FS accuracy

[au_prospector]

In 1988 I was in the USAF Security Police. My unit transitioned from S&W Model 15 revolvers to Beretta Model 92F pistols. I was issued a Beretta and promptly qualified expert with it. I remember it being a blast to shoot and it was accurate. When I separated from the military in 1990, the armorer (me) gave me a brand new 15 round Beretta Italian made magazine for the pistol I knew I would someday own as a going away present.

Fast forward to 2013 and I run across a Beretta 92FS that is a police turn in from Manatee County Florida. Its obviously used, but has no corrosion and is fitted with a Hogue grip and Trijicon night sights. There are no magazines, but fear not, I still have my 92F souvenir. I gripe the seller down to $280 and walk away with the pistol I always wanted.

Today I shot it for the first time and noticed a couple of things.
1) It may need a new slide spring. Manually working the slide on a newly inserted loaded mag resulted in a hesitation as the slide grabbed a round before it sent it into the chamber. Its a noticeable delay, call it a hitch.
2) Accuracy was a bit disappointing. I shot 15 rounds at an 8 inch target at 30 yards. 10 rounds landed on the left half of the target scattered about a 5 inch group, the other 5 were not found. This was a rested group.

Note the barrel rifling is pronounced and sharp. I do not think the barrel is shot. Could be the ammo I was using. Winchester 100 round Value Pack 115 grain in white box.

What can be done to improve accuracy? How much improvement should I expect from loading my own 9mm? Anything else I can do?

 

[brnmw]

Ammo could be a cause... eye sight is another from your USAF days j/k
As for the spring go check out "Wolff Gunsprings" website, they have some for the 92 model.

 

[Pilot]

I'd try 15 yards first, and see if you can get it to group. 30 yards is pretty far. My 92FS is plenty accurate, but it was brand new. Yours may ahve some issues that a gunsmith or you may be able to address. Common mods are installing a "D" spring to lighten trigger pull. There are many other mods that are easily DIY. Check out the Beretta Forum and do a search in the gunsmithing section.

http://www.berettaforum.net/

 

[1KPerDay]

How much improvement should I expect from loading my own 9mm?

SIGNIFICANT improvement, IMO. My 92FS has a .357" bore, and .356" standard 9mm pills don't result in excellent accuracy. .358" LRN reloads are pretty accurate, however. But the best groups out of my 92FS are still not as good as the best groups out of my 226 (which also has a .357" bore). The 92FS groups are consistently about 20% larger.

FWIW. 30 yards is a long way with a handgun on an 8 inch plate, also. Try moving closer until you get a feel for it. I also replaced the mainspring with Beretta's "D" spring from the DAO model... both DA and SA trigger pull have improved.

 

[jmr40]

Individual guns. I've owned 3 differnt Beretta's. Accuracy ranged from great to poor.

 

[JonnyGringo]

The 92fs is the only pistol I have ever owned and shot with regularity. I currently have three, each set up a bit differently and the accuracy is mediocre at best. Thirty yards should not be too far for accurate and reliable shot placement with today's modern firearms, IMHO.

 

[Cookie_Monster]

Beretta 92F Type -S-

Hello ALL...

Just purchased my 2nd Beretta, it's a 92F from Gunbroker.com. The story behind the gun is it's supposed to be an Israeli Military turn-in. After receiving it I noticed some unusual markings,


1st: the serial number from the frame is also engraved on the barrel and slide,

2nd: below the 92F stamp is laser etched Type -S-


The proof stamp dated the pistol from 1988. I read on another forum that it might be a mid-production pistol somewhere between a 92F & 92FS.

Wondering if anyone has seen this before???

 

[Seven High]

au prospector: Do you know what happened to the S&W Model 15s that were turned in for the M9s?

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

My Beretta 92FS. Four shots just over an inch. I think I pulled the other one. 25 yards. Some Berettas shoot just fine. ..

[/IMG]

 

[Grunt]

Being CATM, let me fill you in on a couple of things. First, watch the locking block. If you look at the bottom of the barrel and notice the locking block, see how it looks like a little stubby armed cross? Right in the "armpit" of that cross, watch for hairline cracks. A cracked locking block is pretty common and a cracked one is not a tough job to replace. However, if it breaks loose while you're firing it, it can be a genuine PITA to get out again. I've had to resort to jiggling the slide while trying to pull it back to trying to forge the locking block wing with a screw driver into the rigth position all the way to cutting a slide with a dremel cut-off wheel to get it apart!
The next thing I believe you mentioned was the recoil spring. Take it apart and hold the spring next to the barrel. If it's as long or longer than the barrel, you are good to go. If however, the spring is shorter than the barrel, it's time for a new spring.