Beretta 92FS Advice Wanted + Some Questions

[OregonJohnny]

For some reason, I have started thinking that although I have various handguns in .38, .357, .40, .44 and .45, I need to have a 9mm. My very first pistol was a Ruger P95 stainless 9mm, but I traded it in toward a Smith 1911 stainless (much better gun IMO). So now I feel like I need to fill that 9mm gap. Without creating a debate over Glock vs. Ruger vs. Beretta, etc. - I was hoping someone could through some advice my way.

I have a TON of experience with my dad's Beretta 96 (.40). It is one of the first models (Italian made) from about 16 years ago. With at least 3,000 rounds through it, it has never had a single problem. So I am very comfortable with that platform. My questions are:

1. Can you easily find, (in a US gun shop) or do they even make, BRAND NEW Beretta 92FS that are manufactured in Italy? Or can you only buy Beretta USA Corp. models?

2. Is there any difference between an Italian Beretta and an American one? I thought I heard somewhere that some of the initial problems with the military M9 fragility was because of different steel used in Italy versus US.

3. Can 17-round magazines made for the "Ninety-Two" model work in standard 92 guns? My guess is no, which is fine, because 15-rounds is plenty!

4. If I were going to consider any another 9mm, it would be the Sig 226 (so please, respectfully leave out suggestions of other manufacturers and models in your responses). However, there is a big difference between $500 for a Beretta, and $850 for a Sig. So besides overall length, barrel length, and brand name, what are the differences between the 92 and the 226 that would warrant spending $350 more for the Sig?

Thanks for any answers and/or advice. P.S. - "Beretta-bashing" and stories of Navy Seals getting broken jaws because of cracked slides won't dissuade me, because of my above mentioned VERY positive experience with my dad's 96. Only Beretta praise, please. Thanks again!

 

[pdowg881]

I don't own either the Sig or Beretta. But I have shot a friend's. I found the beretta to be the softer shooting a lowest recoiling 9mm pistol i've shot, and I shot it better than the Sig. So from my limited shooting experince i would go with the Beretta. But I've never carried or had extensive experience with either. I also think the Beretta would be more difficult to carry concealed too. But its a great range gun.

 

[FlyPenFly]

You can get a new P226 for around $600-$750 from Sig Forums if you look or Bud's Gun Shop or Whittaker Guns.

The latest 92FS are fine weapons but for me, they don't compare to a good a P226 or P229.

 

[bpsig]

yes you can find both usa and Italy but you have to look hard. Most of the guns 2001 later have plastic parts . as for a 17 rd magazine yes. Top gun supply has them in stock made for 92f by mecgar also some of the new 18 rounders.

 

[hrgrisso]

Great Choice

If these are your final 2 your getting a great gun either way. I find them both to be very naturally point of aim for me. And while I think the Beretta may have the slightest of edges in regards to accuracy I found the Sig to handle better in fast follow up shots, my own personal belief is that it was due to the weight of the slide etc.

The only negative aside from the few early case metal issues you've already mentioned that I've ever heard have been largely due to low quality magazines. Get good mags and you'll do fine. Good shooting.

 

[PirateRadio]

I've shot a Sig and I own a 92FS. So far, the 92FS is my favorite handgun. I find it to be very very comfortable in my hands, very accurate and it goes bang every time I pull the trigger.

I think both the Sig and Beretta are great guns. Find out which one fits better in your hands and have fun shooting!

 

[MK11]

Good choice either way. I prefer the Sig and consider it to be far more ergonomic than the Beretta (and more reliable, in my limited experience with the Beretta). There's an instructor at the Roger's shooting school who has posted that he likes both but prefers the Beretta trigger, which should be a pretty big recommendation.

I'd look for a Beretta Compact 92. Don't know if they still make them but I always liked that size compared to the hogleg 92F.

 

[MadMercS55]

I own a couple 92FS's. My daily carry is an Italian made piece date coded 2004 and has all steel parts except for the guide rod. I payed $485 out the door NIB locally, in contrast I paid $530 for my U.S. made 92FS with plastic parts, also NIB. I believe the current production 92FS to be above all the shortcomings of the previous versions. I have over 5,000rnds total through a 92FS without any malfunctions at all. The plastic parts don't really bother me, however I know alot of people feel differently. If I had the choice between a new production P226 and the Beretta, I'd take the Beretta every time. When it comes to SIG's I prefer the older versions with the folded sheet metal slides and Germany stamp, to me they balance much better and in my experience, are also less problematic than alot of the newer production versions.

 

[The Ruckus]

I own a 2007 production Beretta 92FS made in the USA. I only have 465 rounds through the gun but I have not had one problem. I don't feel that the plastic parts cause any problems what so ever. You don't need to go on a scavenger hunt for an Italian Beretta unless you're a collector (IMHO).

 

[rklessdriver]

I own both a 92FS and a P226. Both were used Police trade ins. I've had the Beretta since about 1996 (it was made in 86). I've had the P226 since 1998. BOTH ARE FINE WEAPONS. Only thing that has ever broke was the trigger return spring on thhe Beretta about 3yrs ago. Both guns have over 10yrs in my ownership of daily carry and weekly trips to the range. I shoot Federal 9BPLE (+P+) and they have eaten alot of it over the years. The Beretta has also had quite a few thousand more rounds of 124gr NATO ammo put throug it when I was still in on AD the Marine Corps.

I also last year bought a 96G (.40S&W) top end and a few mags from CDNN for the Beretta. I'll have to look at where the top end was made, I think USA. If fit and functions perfectly on the gun.

It's up to you which one you like better. The Beretta is a big gun for a 9mm. Not like the Sig 226 is a compact or anything but the Beretta is freakin big and some folks don't have hands that big. I like both. I trust both.

Stories of slides breaking on Beretta M9's are greatly in error. A few did fracture when the pistol was first adoped by the military due to improper heat treat, which was quickly corrected. I spent 11yrs in the Marine Corps on Active Duty. I've carried and shot more rounds through Beretta M9's over that time than most people will ever dream of. If they were the JUNK the internet keyboard commandos would have you believe, my face (and the face of millions of other service members) would have been torn off by a broken slide many many years ago. I have trusted one in actual combat and I continue to trust one daily.

Look at CDNN, Hoplite, BACHMAN PAWN or SOG someone that has police trade ins. Good deals to be found there, if your willing to buy a pre owned gun... If you want new CDNN has a bunch of brand new overstocked 92's and 96's at very good prices.
Will

 

[12many]

I have the F92FS Inox. Nice gun with no problems. Big grip. Got it at buds for a good price and could not find the Inox local.

This is a bit off topic and I am not a Taurus fan or hater, but at Bass pro I saw the Tarus clone of the beretta in stainless and it looked great. His a more unfinshed metal look with a high polish barrel. I liked the way it looked.

 

[The-Fly]

92fs are very high quality handguns. No difference between the US and Italian made ones. For mags, use the 17 or 18 round mec gar mags, they work just fine.

I have an US made 92fs, and probably 10K rounds + through it in the past 2 years. It's still going strong.

 

[Black Majik]

I've owned both the P226 and Beretta 92FS Inox at the same time once long ago.. Short story, my P226 stayed, my 92FS got sold off.

Grip, ergonomics, and pointability will all be subjective to the shooter. They all felt better on the SIG in my perspective, the rear of the backstrap didn't flair out as much as the 92FS.

The trigger was smoother, shorter and lighter on the P226 than the 92FS. The D-spring did help lighten the DA pull quite noticeably. But the grittiness of the DA pull was still there. Quite simply, I've yet to find a DA/SA pistol that could match the shorter draw stroke of the DA pull.

The fact that the front sight was irreplaceable on a 92FS was also a big negative in my eyes. The red on red (for the INOX models) became an eyesore causing a really ugly sight picture. Hence, the P226's stock sights were also better to use.

Detail stripping both, the 92FS has a sear spring that is a pain to get back in. Some time, and thinking got it back into the gun... but I never did dare detail strip that Beretta after it's first time. Really not all that bad, but the P226 is also easier to detail strip.

Lastly, fieldstripping the P226 produces 1 less part. No locking block to separate from the barrel. Minor quirk, but since we're comparing.

Both are very accurate. Both easy to produce 1 ragged hole at 10 yards. Both very smooth to shoot. The Beretta was probably one of the smoothest feeling actions on a 9mm production pistol. With an action so smooth, you'd figure the trigger wouldn't suck so bad.

I liked the 92FS overall, I just liked the P226 more.

My advice would be to settle for slightly used. I heavily prefer the older stamped slide German SIGs compared to the US produced SIGs of today. There are plenty of lightly used stamped slide P226s for sale around $500 - $550 if you take time to look. SIGforum would be a great place to start.

Good luck. (Go for the SIG!)

 

[glockman19]

I too recently bought a NIB 92FS INOX. It was USA made and the first thing I did was replace the plastic guide rod for a Stainless steel and I'm busy swithching out all other plastic parts for steel.

I'm a glock guy but find the 92 series beautiful guns and had to get one. It satisfies the full size 9mm in my collection followed by the Glock 19 & 26.

My only problem/issue is the sights are slightly off and I'm having a heck of a time floating/banging/moving it over. It shoots 1" to the left @ 7 yards.

I bought mune @ www.budsgunshop.com for around $450

 

[db_tanker]

My 92 FS Inox is a sweetheart...the fiancee can't shoot it because the grips are just too wide...I added some to it due to the fact that I have Crimson Trace's on it. The 15 round mags are just fine for me, but I also have a few 17's that feed just fine. I cannot stress mag quality enough here though...I had a Mini-14 that I tried some cheap (read 5 dollar gun-show specials) and the damn things would FALL OUT while shooting...so from then on, I don't care which firearm I was shooting, it either had a factory hi-cap or something damn close to it.

I generally have excellent accuracy out of my 92 with the 147 MC rounds from Remington and Winchester...but my HD loads are always +P Hydros.

 

[Urbana John]

I've got 2 Beretta 92's, one is blued and one is SS. the SS is my daily carry CHP. Both were bought used---both are very good autos.
My first Beretta 92 was in 40 S&W, which I used during the 2 hr. range time for my permit. My "partner" was ex-LEO with a custom Colt 1911 and after firing some 150 rds., he stated that if we had to shoot much more, he was going to have to clean his Colt!!
I've also got the Cliener (sp) 22LR kit for mine and it works very well for a cheap after market kit.
Also have the Beretta Storm carbine which takes the same Mags.
AND if you find used 40 S&W Beretta Mags--they will work in 9mm Beretta's!!!
I don't know how they handle factory ammo,,,,all I shoot are my reloads.
UJ

 

[highrider]

I've got two 92FS's and three P226's, so I obviously think highly of both, and I consider both to be classic handguns. You can't go wrong with either. I am a Sigaholic, but when you rack the slide on a 92FS it is smooth as silk. You are looking at two handguns that will serve you well. Good luck.

 

[jmr40]

I own both and like the Sig slightly better. I would not pay $300 more however. Sig sells a lot of factory certified used guns for $550-$600. I paid $600 for one and could swear it is new.

 

[StockKahr]

I have a year 2000 model 92FS Inox (no plastic parts). I don't plan to part with it, ever. I have no idea how many rounds I have through it, but I do know that it has never had a FTF or FTE, or any other problems, for that matter. A few notes on the comments above:

The fact that the front sight was irreplaceable on a 92FS was also a big negative in my eyes. The red on red (for the INOX models) became an eyesore causing a really ugly sight picture. Hence, the P226's stock sights were also better to use.

Flat black paint on the front sight, with bright white paint for the dot, solves that problem for under $2.00. (That's what I did, in fact.) I also replaced the rear sight with a target sight, since the Beretta is my bedside table gun, rather than my carry gun.
<------------(See user name.)

Lastly, fieldstripping the P226 produces 1 less part. No locking block to separate from the barrel. Minor quirk, but since we're comparing.

It could be because mine is an older model, but my locking block won't even come out during field stripping.

I have the D spring for a lighter DA trigger, although I rarely shoot it double action.

You won't make a bad choice either way, which is why the extra money for the Sig would be better spent on practice ammunition, black and white paint, and a rear target sight.

 

[Confederate]

The Beretta is a fine gun, I think, but I'd be very surprised if there was anything that would make an Italian version better than a current issue. The initial problem with the military failures was one of design, not place of manufacture. I actually met the top Navy guy who oversaw the tests on the early Berettas and he was pretty convincing in telling me about the slide failures. He told me that there was no way they could predict failures. They'd check them microscopically and look for signs of fatigue such as tiny cracks. Nothing. But anytime after 5,000 rounds they could fail. Might shoot a few more thousand, or a few hundred, but that when they failed, they did so catastrophically. I talked to him on the day he retired and he was still hot over it because he said the military had not taken adequate precautions over it. Shortly thereafter, Beretta beefed up the problem areas and the issue vanished, but I never got the idea that it was anything other than a design problem. You are right about there never being an Italian 92 that's failed like that. Why? Who knows?

I know that I still very much like the Beretta. The reason I sold mine was more financial than anything else. I also never really appreciated Beretta raising the prices of its 92s from $300+ to $600+ almost overnight as a result of winning the military trials, especially when the military was getting them for about $200+ a copy.

I'd like mine to be a stainless. And I also really liked the nickel plated 92 shown in the movie, A Few Good Men. It was the dress pistol that officer used to commit suicide with.

Right now my only 9mm are a 659 and 5906 Smith, which I also really like.

 

[GunAdmirer]

Everyone needs a 92FS. It is a very reliable pistol and fun to shoot. The plastic parts on the newer models don't bother me a bit. They wouldn't use them if they weren't reliable. Can't go wrong with U.S. or Italian.

 

[bobn]

I have a 92G Vertec that has been thru > 1000 rounds with 0 issues. Only had it a couple months though.

highrider is right, there is something special about the feel of racking the slide.

The G has the advantage that you can't acidentally put the gun in safe mode - it's a decocker, not a safety, better in HD use.

 

[Doogy]

I'm a big Beretta fan, having fired thousands of rounds in them during my time in the Marines. Even now, it is the only gun i'll own, as I trust my life with it. I replaced the spring with a 'D' spring for a shorter/better trigger pull, and added a stainless steel guide rod.

As far as "plastic parts" that some talk about. Aside from the plastic guide rod, the other parts are polymer coated STEEL, not all plastic. won't make any difference to how the gun works and fires.

 

[wideym]

I really like the 92FS. Bought one in 96' and have put close to 3,000 rounds through it already. Since then I have bought other caliber pistols, but the Berretta has 9mm covered.

Even better was when Cheaper than Dirt 96G kits. I bought one a year and a half ago for $150? (can't remember the price). The 40cal slide and barrel drop right onto the 92 frame without any problem. I've probably put about 600 rounds of 40cal through it so far. I also expecially like the decocker only G model.

 

[Pimpstar00]

1. yes
2. Not really, the usa ones are pretty good now.
3. yes, they fit. but px4 mags will not.
4. I have and like both. But I can't really think of a good reason to spend that much more if you already like the beretta.