Future of the Beretta 92 Series

[1911Bird]

Now that the M9 is being phased out of the US Military, what do you guys think the future holds for the old Beretta series on the civilian market?

I feel like there’s been a recent increase in interest when it comes to metal framed hammer guns (Beretta 92 series were in the top 5-10 best sellers several months on gunbroker in 2021, as were 1911’s, CZs, and the Sig P226). I happen to think that all of the above are perfectly acceptable, if not excellent choices for self defense/“tactical” purposes, especially the Beretta, with the 18 and 20 round magazines from Mec-Gar.

Still, I am curious what you guys think — will the DA/SA type of action endure in a polymer-dominated world?

 

[.455_Hunter]

Not everybody likes polystrikers. There will be a market for good DA/SA guns. When the 1911 began phase out of service in 1985, how many 1911 makers were there? How many are there now? There several generations of Veterans who were exposed to the M9- some negative, many positive. Not all of them have bought a Beretta 92 yet...

 

[Zendude]

I think it’s popularity will be at the level of the P226 or maybe the CZ 75 series as you mentioned. I don’t see it being as popular as the 1911 though. I don’t think I’ve ever seen it carried by LEOs anytime in the last few years.

 

[WestKentucky]

There is a strong enough market for clones to exist. They will stick around for a while. Taurus pt92 series has been around for a few decades, the Girsan Regard is a new player and I seem to recall a 92 copy in 22lr coming out recently. There are enough 92s around that they will stick around for a long time.

 

[lsudave]

Not everybody likes polystrikers. There will be a market for good DA/SA guns

I think it’s popularity will be at the level of the P226 or maybe the CZ 75 series

I think these two quotes sum up my opinion. I enjoy shooting pistols, and have a few. I do not own anything with a polymer frame, and only a couple striker-fired pistols (of the old, .32 acp variety).

Fullsize DA/SA 9mms, to me, are the handgun equivalent of muscle cars. Distinctive, they do the job, and "they don't make them like they used to" type of things. 92, 75 and P226= Camaro, Mustang, Charger (the 60's versions). During the heyday, people were fans of one over the others; now they will all become considered classics. I own each (the guns, not the cars- I wish). I was the CZ 75 fan back in the day (see my avatar), but they all take turns being my fave.

 

[wgp]

I was never a fan of the DA/SA, sold a Sig 220 because I could not get used to the trigger. Recently bought an M9 and it has changed my whole outlook. Added a 92X Compact and was looking at a 92G Elite LTT yesterday. Yes they're heavy, but these triggers work like they should, the pistols are beautifully made and accurate, and yes I like traditional craftmanship (1911s, HiPowers, steel revolvers). I'll keep my Glocks of course but the Berettas are trying to push the Glocks out of my holster.

 

[.455_Hunter]

I'll keep my Glocks of course

Why? What do they bring to the table over a good DA/SA gun? I have found it to be nothing over 30+ years of exposure to them.

 

[12Bravo20]

There are enough veterans that carried the M9 and liked them (not me) and want one for their collection along with enough civilians that want what the military has used to keep the 92 around for quite some time.

 

[nofendertom]

I like the Beretta 92---no problem with DA/SA---all it takes is practice.

 

[WestKentucky]

I like the Beretta 92---no problem with DA/SA---all it takes is practice.

I’m plenty well practiced and with soft trigger pulls for well aimed shots it’s pretty easy to get doubles. It’s a small problem for me, but that is literally the only problem I have with da/sa triggers in well over 10k rounds through them, mainly through 92 series pistols.

 

[Madcap_Magician]

I really, really, really, want a pair of Langdon Tactical 92s. A full-size 92G and a compact 92G with the Spartan sights and carry bevels.

 

[lightman]

There are enough veterans that carried the M9 and liked them (not me) and want one for their collection along with enough civilians that want what the military has used to keep the 92 around for quite some time.

I figure this line of thought pretty much covers it. Hopefully the existing 92's will be sold and not destroyed.

 

[old lady new shooter]

92X Compact

What's the weight of the trigger on that in DA and in SA?

 

[GNP]

If I ever ran up on a 92 with a frame safety like the Taurus I'd probably buy one.

 

[jmr40]

I think the steel framed classic guns like the 1911 will be around forever. I think the days of aluminum alloy guns are numbered. Especially DA/SA. Yea, they can be mastered, but why, when there are better options. The steel framed guns are tough and most will last at least 100,000 rounds. And while they can be a little heavy most are trim enough to be carried easily and look nice.

The aluminum guns were an attempt to make a lighter gun and save manufacturing costs. But aluminum isn't nearly as strong as steel, or plastic. This required a thicker, chunky gun. And the expected lifespan is in the 35,000-50,000 round count. I see the aluminum guns, and DA/SA firing systems as a stopgap step in the evolution of firearms. They are neither fish, nor fowl to me.

Newer plastic guns do what aluminum was intended to do and do it better. You can make a plastic gun lighter and trimmer than aluminum and get round counts of without major parts breakage far better than aluminum, at least as good as steel. Some have documented over 300,000 rounds. And they are cheaper to produce than aluminum.

As to aesthetics there are a lot of steel framed guns that are very nicely done. The 1911, BHP, Smith & Wesson, and CZ have all made some nice guns. None of the aluminum guns have ever appealed to me. If I want a lighter gun, I'll take plastic. Glocks aren't the most aesthetically appealing, but there are several plastic options that I think look much nicer than any of the aluminum guns. The FN, Sig 320, HK, and a few others are much more attractive to me.

 

[shoobe01]

The Full Size 9 mm Tilting Block Beretta? Will never go away.

The 92 was released in 1976. The US didn't adopt the 3-updates-later FS until 1986.

The 92 is a straight-line derivative / update of the single stack 1951. Annoyingly produced since 1949 till the 92 took over production.

And the 51 is derived (though parts start being a lot less similar, it's very directly derivative still) to Beretta models produced since 1915.

And only the US has switched. Still issued to numerous other armies, police, and paramilitaries in one form or amount. I vaguely recall them getting new orders for new versions in the last year.

Like the way Sig or especially CZ has been producing conceptually-similar guns that are all derived from the 75, I have to believe Beretta will continue to offer an open-topped, tilting-block gun for several more centuries at least.

 

[wgp]

Why? What do they bring to the table over a good DA/SA gun? I have found it to be nothing over 30+ years of exposure to them.

They're light, durable, relatively lower priced, they always work and you can get accessories anywhere. Another tool in the kit. If there is something annoying about the Berettas it is that holsters and such are harder to find.

 

[.455_Hunter]

They're light, durable, relatively lower priced, they always work and you can get accessories anywhere. Another tool in the kit. If there is something annoying about the Berettas it is that holsters and such are harder to find.

I will give you lighter, lower priced and lots of accessories. Durable and always work are more open to interpretation.

 

[pharmer]

The 92 is a large handgun in every way. I have a Centurion and I like it. I'm currently breaking in a CZ P 07 to replace my 1994 SW 6906. I have a Glock 17 too, has a 5# trigger and i hit better with it than any other gun. I don't carry it because........well, Murphy's law and all. Each to his own. Joe

 

[Old Dog]

Oh, there's some 92s out there in cop holsters, not many, but it's proven pistol. The 92/M9 is not going anywhere. As others have noted, it'll have a place with the SIG P-226s, CZ-75s, 3rd gen S&W pistols. I have a sentimental fondness for the M9, having been issued it for years and even carried it in a couple bad places for a time... Plenty of metal-framed DA/SA pistol fans out there.

If I ever ran up on a 92 with a frame safety like the Taurus I'd probably buy one.

Here ya go. Sportsman's Warehouse routinely has them in stock - the 92X.

 

[12Bravo20]

I will give you lighter, lower priced and lots of accessories. Durable and always work are more open to interpretation.

That is how I feel too. And on the Beretta M9, it was basically untested in severe desert environments in 1990 when we deployed to Saudi. Yes I know improvements were made since then and the M9 served well later on.

Part of the reason I don't like the M9/92 is how it fits my hands and I was never able to shoot it as accurately as the M1911A1. Though there are plenty of people that do shoot the M9 just fine.

 

[lemaymiami]

Can't speak for anyone else - but the full sized Beretta was the sidearm I shot the best with when qualification time came around years ago... Nothing before or since ever measured up in my usage on the street (1973 - 1995). My service years were over long before the M-9 came along so I had no experience with one in my time with Uncle Sam (1968 to 1971). My exposure to the 92 was actually a confiscated weapon in the mid to late eighties- a European model we converted for City use and I was lucky enough to have it issued to me (the 92S with the mag release on the bottom of the grips..). In the early nineties as part of our accreditation process we upgraded weapons policy and I had to turn the Beretta back in. Our newly issued Sig Sauers (P229 in 40cal) were what I carried my last five years before retirement but I still have a soft spot for that early Beretta - and may buy one some day - bottom mag release and all...

So far I've kept away (and must admit as well that for me... a handgun was only what I reached for when nothing stronger was available -if I had any choice in the matter at all...). That Beretta, brand new or beaten up and kicked around, is just as much a classic as that GI 45.. But I can actually score well with the Beretta... and these days the available ammo for a nine is far better than what we had when I was on the street...

 

[.455_Hunter]

That is how I feel too. And on the Beretta M9, it was basically untested in severe desert environments in 1990 when we deployed to Saudi. Yes I know improvements were made since then and the M9 served well later on.

Part of the reason I don't like the M9/92 is how it fits my hands and I was never able to shoot it as accurately as the M1911A1. Though there are plenty of people that do shoot the M9 just fine.

I agree that personal experiences with platforms are the biggest driver in these discussions. For me, I never had an M9/M92 jam, and qualified expert the first I ever fired one (as a new 2LT sent to the range). I carried it with confidence and now own four variants on the theme.

My experience with Glocks is exactly the opposite, with hideous ergonomics combined with unreliability and poor design with regards to safety.

 

[BreechFace]

Oh, there's some 92s out there in cop holsters, not many, but it's proven pistol. The 92/M9 is not going anywhere. As others have noted, it'll have a place with the SIG P-226s, CZ-75s, 3rd gen S&W pistols. I have a sentimental fondness for the M9, having been issued it for years and even carried it in a couple bad places for a time... Plenty of metal-framed DA/SA pistol fans out there.


Here ya go. Sportsman's Warehouse routinely has them in stock - the 92X.

View attachment 1050415

Wow, that is one handsome looking handgun!

And then they ruin it with the lawyer speak on underneath the muzzle on each side:

"Read Manuel Before Use"
"Fires Without Magazine"

What a detraction.

 

[wally]

There is a strong enough market for clones to exist. They will stick around for a while. Taurus pt92 series has been around for a few decades, the Girsan Regard is a new player and I seem to recall a 92 copy in 22lr coming out recently. There are enough 92s around that they will stick around for a long time.

While my Beretta 92 is better looking and better made, I actually prefer my Taurus PT92 for the "1911-like" thumb safety over the slide mounted one on the Beretta. PT92 was clearly the best gun Taurus made, although the TX22, G2C/G3/GX4 guns in my experience have been much better than the reputation of previous guns (after the PT92 series and these newer models).

What someone needs to clone is the Beretta Steel-1 9mm pistol: