Beretta 96 Question

[Roz]

Hi,

I was looking at purchasing a used 96FS today with 500rds through it. Besides not being able to obtain a permit immediately, I had another issue. The barrel was dramatically lighter in colour than the frame/slide. I have a 92fs in Inox and the barrel and slide match in colour tone. Is this normal?

The colour of the barrel appeared to be consistent throughout the entire barrel except for the lock up areas and the barrel hood.

I've seen 92fs in blue/park that did not have this dramatic difference in colour.

You could almost say the barrel was grey and the slide was black.

Is this normal?

 

[meathammer]

The barrel on my 96 is black. Not as dark as the frame and slide finish, but not grey. Could it be an aftermarket barrel maybe?

 

[JeffC]

The barrel is blued carbon steel, the rest of the gun is finished in Bruniton*
Depending on how 'matte' the surface of the barrel is it will definitely be a shade lighter than the rest of the pistol. It also depends on how 'wet' the barrel is. After degreasing a Beretta barrel they are much lighter in color.

Just to make sure look on the barrel and make sure it has a Beretta proof mark. There should be a letter P within a badge stamped on the lower side.

 

[Archangel06]

There should be a letter P within a badge stamped on the lower side

Where exactly? Is this mark on all Beretta's USA, and Italian?

 

[michiganfan]

Just looked at mine. It is as described by meathammer. Great gun. I've got two Glocks and I had a HK 40 c. The Beretta is the best . Except of course for my BHP.

 

[Archangel06]

I agree that the barrel, and slide have different coatings, but JeffC hit it on the head, my barrel wasn't "wet" I had just cleaned it the night before with Hoppes solvent cleaner, and it dried out..If I re-oil it it then gets darker.

Rob

 

[JeffC]

Where exactly? Is this mark on all Beretta's USA, and Italian?

I just looked at my three Berettas,

96D Centurion(Italian) has PB on the right lug where the locking block rotates and has what looks to be a 'crown' on the right side of the barrel mid-way.

92FS Inox(American) has the P within the badge on the right side lug where the locking block rotates.

92F(American) has no markings at all

 

[Archangel06]

Yeah that's the whole thing with mine, it has no markings, my father, and I have had this 96 since new, and I know for a fact that the barrel is factory....

 

[Roz]

Pretty much the same explanation all over. Thank guys, I'm not quite as worried about it.