Beretta 92S early 1980's

[Vodoun da Vinci]

I have a Beretta 92S from the early 80's in mint condition. This is the model from right before the military adopted the design. the mag release is in the middle of the left side grip. Just exactly like this one:



I rarely shoot it now - better fish to fry and it's really a nice gun. I have Pachmayer grips on it, 3 mags, holster, the original grips/box. The local GS guy tells me it's worth virtually nothing on trade...I haven't blue booked it yet.

If it's worth nothing I'll keep it but if it's worth decent money and someone will shoot it and love it like I have I'd like to trade it/sell it. What say you guys? Worth anything or just an old gun? I have lots of pistols I wanna own in my life and this one deserves a home that will shoot/fondle it more than I ever will.

VooDoo

 

[wally]

Is it marked "Made in Italy" got the box and accessories? If so ignore the local GS pirate, put it up on Gun Broker or whatever. Searching Gun Broker gives you an idea of current asking prices, closed auctions give a look at recent selling prices.

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

I had a look...thanks Wally!

Seems there are a few there as good as mine with box/papers and extras going for between $500 and $800 *but* there are no bidders. I guess I'll have to watch them for a couple weeks and see if they sell and if so, what they actually fetch.

Asking and actually getting is two different things. Mine was made in Italy I believe....I'll have to try and get a picture up of it. It's in 95% condition easily.

VooDoo

 

[9mmepiphany]

The problem is that there isn't a large demand for a Beretta 92 that differs that much from the current 92 offering...especially when you can get a used 92FS for the same price.

I can understand the LGS guy saying what he did, it would likely sit on his shelf for a long time before the "right" buyer came in...maybe someone who needed a "S" to fill out his 92 collection. I certainly wouldn't pay more than half for a "S" than I could get a used "FS" for.

Having said that, I have several guns in the same category...ever heard of a Heritage Stealth...but I like it for the story it represents

 

[Lone Star]

Will those accept Third Gen. locking blocks and current magazines? If not, even less reason to buy one.

The nice blue finish is all it'd have going for it over a new 92FS.

 

[bc1023]

In the same condition, they sell for more than a new 92FS, because they're rare and there is some demand, albeit small. The new models are dime a dozen.

I've got a mint condition 1978 standard 92 and a 1983 92SB and I wouldn't trade either of them straight up for a new model. They bring more money than the new models on Gunbroker as well.

 

[1KPerDay]

Try a beretta forum or someone that would appreciate that beauty.

 

[MachIVshooter]

To someone who is interested in it for what it is, it's probably worth $500 or more. To someone who just wants a 9mm pistol, probably not worth much over $200.

 

[amd6547]

Yeah, if you put on the berettaforum want ads for $500, you would sell it quickly.

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

Thanks for the comments, Friends!!

I never thought about asking at the Beretta forums...that's a great idea!
Really, it makes the newer models look rather cheap. It is an Italian gun and the fit and finish is really hard to describe or see in pictures. I shot it with a Gun Buddy about 7 years ago - he had a brand new 92 (not sure which version) and he ended up shooting mine to figure out if my groups were smaller and more consistent than his because of the gun or the skill/experience.

He shot a lot better with this gun. It's just tighter and put together better.

I'll have to give it a run at the Beretta Forum and see what they have to say after I take a few pictures of it.

VooDoo

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

Shot some pix of this beauty on Saturday and registered at the Beretta Forum. I really wanna get some perspective on what this pistol might be worth to someone who understands what it is...I'm all hot for a Beretta PX4 Storm SC. If I can get a decent price for it (lots of goodies come with it!) I have a good chunk for my new Storm SC.



If I can find an interested party, it'll go with the Bianchi UM84 holster, 3 mags, box, papers, mag pouch, and a carry case that it all fits in real nice.



I can't figure out why my registration at The Beretta Forum is in limbo since this weekend...I haven't been approved to post or received anything even acknowledging that my registration is even being reviewed. Is it usually this tough to get accepted to the Beretta Forum? Or are they just slow on approving me in particular....I'm getting paranoid.

Any other guys here at THR members there?

VooDoo

 

[amd6547]

Usually, it's pretty quick...

 

[j1]

On Gunbroker there is a place to "watch this item.". Then you will be informed if, when and what it sold for. Check the listing for this feature, and good luck selling. It is a great gun.

 

[tarosean]

Any other guys here at THR members there?

Yes..

check your spam folder, sometime forum stuff will go in there...


Also if you check gunbrokers completed auctions. they seem to go from a low of 260.00 - 608.00 (NIB)

 

[Lone Star]

What about my qustion pertaining to the later locking block? Anyone know?

 

[Miked7762]

The only reason you would get a premium price is for nostalgia or collectibility and the polymer trigger is going to hurt that. You might consider picking up an inexpensive used metal trigger and installing it before listing the gun for sale.

If the holster is genuine Bianchi it will help get a higher price as it is not an inexpensive holster, especially with the harness adapter included.

Will those accept Third Gen. locking blocks and current magazines?

All models will accept any generation locking block as long as the correct plunger pin is installed with it. Beretta brand standard 15 round magazines still have the cutout for the heel magazine release. The 17 round magazines and 15 round M9A1 magazines will not work.

 

[amd6547]

Some of the responses here are pretty ridiculous...saying it would not be worth much more than $200, for example...
I also didn't see any mention of a "polymer trigger" (?)
These early versions of the 92 are well known to have been very finely crafted.
I used to own a very nice 92FS...I would have gladly traded it plus cash for a nice early example like this.
I don't have any gun purchase funds right now, or I would make an offer.

 

[Miked7762]

I also didn't see any mention of a "polymer trigger" (?)

Except perhaps the photo of the actual pistol clearly shows it has a new style polymer trigger?

Compare the gun to the photo on the front of the manual and also the picture at the start of the thread.

 

[jjona5]

yo

Post up a price and maybe it will sell ). Also I am from the beretta forums. What is your location?

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

No polymer on this gun...all aluminum and steel. I doubt it would take the new mags as the mag release is not in the same location.



I'm in Illinois....I'm gonna show it abut the Beretta forum when approved to post there. I'll probably list it in the classifieds over there. I like shopping and browsing at Gunbroker but I'll not list anything there as I'm not experienced at selling and I have had several suspicious encounters there with bidding that I thought was "tampered with" or maybe rigged.

That environment is too pushy and dog eat dog for me. I'm just looking for a good home for a pistol I love but will not likely shoot. I appreciate it but it's not a "goosebump" thing for me...it belongs in the hands of someone who always wanted one. I have no Safe Queens here. I really just looked at it the other day and thought I would be better served to use the money invested to purchase something I'd actually carry or use. Like a new Beretta PX4 Storm SC.



I appreciate everyone's comments and participation. Thank You very much. By the way, I *did* find my activation code for the Beretta Forum in my trash box. So, I'm now activated and will proceed to see if this gun moves to a new home or if it stays with me in the safe.

VooDoo

 

[oldillini]

I have a 92FS that is only a year old. Really like the looks of that 92S, but don't have funds for it. Personally think $500 is not out of the question.

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

Listed this at the Beretta Forum classifieds yesterday morning at like 6:50 AM Saturday for $600 - had 3 offers to buy in 4 hours. Granted I think one of those offers was from someone wanting to steal it *but* the primary buyer and I are conducting the transaction.

I'm a happy camper and someone is getting a pistol that is virtually NIB and built like a tank. Good deal all around and so far I'm really happy.

I wanted to take the time to say *Thank You* to folks who participated in this thread as the information and opinions really helped me make this happen. This is my first internet transaction with a firearm and I want to proceed slowly and see that no one gets/feels cheated or deceived and that everyone gets as much of what he wants as possible. I could not have researched this and priced this gun accordingly/fairly without the Internet and the ability to search on my own and ask questions of a wide variety of folks.

Also, I'd like to point out to others that "experts" need to be questioned and a healthy dose of skepticism is appropriate. I trust the guys at my LGS. I have done a lot of business with them and I am taking my CCW training through them. I shoot there at the range 2X a month and they function as my "Go To Guys" on all things firearm related. They are my FFL of choice.

And they were *dead* wrong about the price of this used firearm and how much interest it could generate. Take the time to research prices and interest on your own if you have guns that you want to buy, sell, or trade.

This one fetched 3X the price I was quoted at various gun shops and I don;t think it was because they were trying to take advantage of me - only trying to be conservative and conventional.

Thanks again for the help, you guys!

VooDoo

 

[tarosean]

This one fetched 3X the price I was quoted at various gun shops and I don;t think it was because they were trying to take advantage of me - only trying to be conservative and conventional.

They are in the business of making money.... You will always make more money by selling your car, gun, etc. outright than trading it in.

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

I should clarify that my requests at the LGS were "what is the pistol worth on the open market?" and "how much would someone pay for this pistol/how much should I list it for?"

My LGS responses were a result of their research of current "book values" and resales. The price they quoted me was not how much they'd allow on trade - they were helping me ascertain how much $ I could expect to gain from the sale of this particular pistol. Many knowledgeable and experienced folks gave me the same advice and the same figures.

Without belaboring the point I'm letting folks know that opinions, even qualified opinions from folks who know a lot about the subject of the value of a particular firearm (experts - I'd call the guys at the LGS experts as they get paid to appraise firearms and sell new/used firearms!) are just "opinions" and that if we are serious we need to spend considerable energy seeking qualified advice and be diligent.

In my case, it was appropriate to ask a lot of questions and be as informed as possible to take my chances. Some people get upset when you ask them questions - they see it as having their authority questioned. When I went to the LGS to have them process the FFL portion of the transfer and ship the gun for me (they made money on my transaction which I am happy for as their kids gotta eat too!!) one of the appraisers was upset that he had been that far off on the appraisal.

To get $300 for a pistol appraised at $200 would have been OK with him. To get $600 for a pistol he expertly judged to be a $200 would upset and alienate many buyers/sellers. I'm not bent or distrustful of his skills or advice because of this.

I merely want the community to learn from my experience. Ask a lot of questions and weigh the possibilities and try and make your transactions fair. Opinions, even expert opinions, are still just opinions.

VooDoo

 

[bannockburn]

Vodoun da Vinci

Good to hear you made out alright on the sale of your Beretta 92. It looked to be in great condition and with all the extras you did a nice job of putting together a decent package and maximizing your profit.