Open to comments on Beretta 92 Series

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Paul7

Ammo like Federal AE, WWB and Tula is often underpowered for use in stock Berettas. Berettas leave the factory with springs rated for NATO spec 124 gr loads, which are +P or even +P+. Your slide is not coming rearward enough to time properly. Try cycling the same rounds thru by hand. If all function properly, then the ammo is underpowered. Competition shooters who use light loads will switch to a lighter spring.
 
I will try that Kurt, but I am leery about guns that require special ammo. IMHO, a gun should work with ALL factory ammo.
 
My 92FS has been 100% with all ammo except Federal. I've had some failure to extract with Federal as well as one time when it did not lock the slide back after the last round.

It shoots all the other cheap stuff ok but seems to really like 124 grain rounds. They seem to give much more consistent and forceful ejection patterns.

I'd make sure the pistol is cleaned well and properly lubed. Be sure to get any grime from under the extractor as well. Maybe try some hotter loads for a while then go back to the cheaper stuff.
 
Paul7,

Try looking at the other way around. I'm leary of any ammo that is not designed to work in all guns. It's like putting Regular gasoline in an engine designed to run on high octane Premium. Performance will suffer. ;)
 
I've not tried any other ammo (heck only shot 250 rounds through mine in the week I've owned it :D) than the Magtech "Shootin' size" box. All 250 went bang. Not sure what the issue is, but I don't really plan on shooting much of any other factory ammo. Maybe another 250 round box of Magtech (it's not horribly expensive at 68$) for the brass to reload. After that, I'm reloading it all!
 
My only experience is with the M9, but I found it to be reliable, accurate, light-recoiling, and easy to shoot. Only ding is unavoidable, it's a big, thick service pistol and doesn't lend itself to easy concealment.
 
Out of all the DA/SA guns out there, the Beretta 92 series is the only one I care for.
Every one has a "D" spring in it but I do wish they where all decocker only like my Elite. Safety is off with one in the chamber for any 92 that I use for defensive purposes so having the lever automatically flip back up would be nice. Its the reason I put a set of Stealth levers on my PX4sc.

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I've never had a problem with any ball or HP ammo from 115gr. to 147gr. in standard or +P configuration. If someone is having a problem you can either shoot it more to break in the spring, cycle the slide while watching TV or put in a lighter recoil and hammer spring.
 
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paul7 said:
I will try that Kurt, but I am leery about guns that require special ammo. IMHO, a gun should work with ALL factory ammo.
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Oh good-grief! Just change the spring - they cost about $5 and take 20 seconds to install.

Guns are not magic talismans. Guns are simple machines that obey the laws of physics. There is no logic in being 'leery' about a gun that doesn't like your pet brand of cheap ammo.

Your insistence that all guns should shoot all ammo also shows an ignorance of what it takes to make ammunition, as well as a lack of familiarity with manufacturing in general.

Sorry to beat you up so bad, but your not exactly thinking with your noodle.
 
I don't have one, but a buddy does and I shoot it a lot on range trips. Personally I consider it more of a range or target gun than a defensive weapon, simply because the grip so so big and awkwardly shaped for me. I can never get a good grip on it right off the draw, but if I take my time and carefully set my hands on it then it becomes a very stable and accurate shooter. The trigger is smooth and heavy, which is to my liking. I'm a DA revolver fan and the Beretta DA trigger is kind of similar to that of a good S&W revolver. I have to agree with all the comments on the feeling of the slide. It really does feel like it's moving on greased ball bearings. The whole thing is a very classy-looking and solid-feeling gun, but I wouldn't choose it for defensive use because of the grip and the bulky size. You may not have those issues.

As an aside, the Beretta 92 will accurately shoot an entire box of 380 ammo without any damage. I did this when I was young and stupid and someone left the open 380 box sitting next to the 9mm box.
 
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My experience with my own 92FS is that it is a first rate and well made all-metal pistol. It never failed firing any plain jane FMJ or JHP ammo I put down the barrel. After 5 years, I finally sold it just because I got tired of jockeying it around in my hand to hit all the controls. If it had a frame safety or if my hands were bigger, I'd probably have kept it.

As it stands, I've got a CZ75D PCR Compact coming in to replace it. I opted for a decocker pistol just because I've gotten away from manual safeties whenever possible.

Still, the Beretta 92 is a great lookin' classic pistol. I do believe everyone needs at least one all-metal auto-loader and the Beretta is a great choice.
 
I owned an early Italian made 92F that came with both the Walnut and Plastic grips... Fit and finish was very good, very smooth action and functioning, and very reliable. I think reliability is the 92's strong suit.

Cons for me...
  • Way too big for CCW
  • Accuracy is not on par with some of its competitors
  • I don't like the safety and its manual of arms - you need to train to flick it up on the draw no matter how you carry it (on or off safe) to be sure the safety is disengaged before you fire. I don't see any reason to learn or take the time to do this when there are other more concealable options available

They also make a DAO version btw that eliminates my concern with the manual safety.

So, bottom line, if you are ok with the size and manual safety they are fine guns...
 
I am a huge fan of the 92fs. I bought a police trade in that I use one as an occasional CCW and for IDPA competition. I have several thousand rounds through it, mostly of cheap Winchester white box 115 fmj, Federal 115 fmj, and Remington 115 fmj. Never had a problem. I did not expect the like this pistol because it is not size efficient anymore. It fast became one of my favorite pistols. I bought a second Italian made 92fs. It is also wonderful.

I put fancy wood grips on mine, put a "D" model mainspring on it, replaced the plastic guide rod with a metal one, put in a new factory weight recoil spring and changed out the lock block with a new factory model (total cost for all products just over $100). So my total expenditure for this wonderful shooting police trade in was $450.

Get one you if it fits your hands. I believe you will really enjoy it.
 
I dislike slide mounted safeties ... if this wasn't a problem for me I'd probably own a couple.

For those of you with the DAO guns, how well can the trigger be tuned? (I've shot CZs with nicely tuned DA triggers that were wonderful).

Of course if I ever stumble across an 92 or 96 Steel-I version for sale at a good price, I'll just have to snag it right up (has frame mounted safety ... like a Billennium which don't ever show up at anywhere near a good price).
 
The only people who really don't like the Beretta 92 series handguns have.
A. Never owned one.
B. CCW every day and the guns are just a bit too large for that.
C. Are .mil or ex military with little or no love for weaponry to begin with.

One of my first semi auto handguns was an early Model 92 Compact and I still own a Beretta today which is an M9.
 
Ammo like Federal AE, WWB and Tula is often underpowered for use in stock Berettas. Berettas leave the factory with springs rated for NATO spec 124 gr loads, which are +P or even +P+. Your slide is not coming rearward enough to time properly. Try cycling the same rounds thru by hand. If all function properly, then the ammo is underpowered. Competition shooters who use light loads will switch to a lighter spring.
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The above brands, Monarch, and Remington UMC are ALL that I have used in my 92FS. Over 1000 rounds (over half of which have been Tula and Whitebox) at the range without a single malfunction. Acquaintances of mine have had no problems either. Maybe the poster's was just a lemon? Could also be dirty, or having problems due to not keeping wrists firm during recoil (I hate to call it limp-wristing :))

Mine has been a great, reliable gun. I own an SR9, LC9, FNP-9 (DA/SA with decocker, which, as to the OP's worries about the controls being to close....you shouldn't, it's an awesome, simple 9mm), and G19....none of which give quite the feeling of smoothness the 92FS does when racking the slide and shooting.

BUT, it is a HUUUGE gun. I only use it for fun, but I would probably grab it in a bad situation where size wasn't an issue.
 
5 or 6 years ago i owned a black 92fs and stainless 96 (.40). swapped frames and slides and had 2 2-tone pistols which shot just like before--great. sold them and regrettably didn't own a beretta until i bought a 92fs compact a couple of weeks ago. haven't fired it yet but it's sweet. and "made in italy" on the slide is cool.
 
OP, I bought my 92FS for home protection, not CCW, just as you state is your intent. (Though, later I did qualify for my CCW with it.) Mine was purchased new at a gun show, and it was made in Italy. I like the safety decocker, the loaded chamber indicator you can feel in the dark, and the DA/SA option on the first shot. I would recommend you practice the DA at the range to get used to the difference.

I have larger hands than most, though I'm not a big guy. I have no trouble controlling my shots with it.

I've never had a FTF with it. The only times I've ever had a FTE were when it was very dirty and I was shooting my own reloads. I have put at least 8 boxes of Federal ammo through it, and never had an error once with them.

I've put about 2000 rounds through mine in the last 10 months. (Good thing I reload.) There are no cracks or unusual signs of wear.

I've been thinking about getting another semiauto for CCW, but I am quite spoiled by the quality of this firearm. Nothing else really pleases me when I hold it.
 
My stock 92fs, with Teddy Jacobson trigger job (but otherwise stock), just shot a 4" 50 yard group today (handloads with 147grFP match bullets). I think it is starting to break in! :)
 
To sum up a bit, it is a bit wide in the butt, but a very fine shooter, & too big for CCW but the military didn't buy it for that.

The AMU guys were shooting these at Perry last time I looked. If that don't beat all!
 
Well, you can CCW it with a windbreaker, but that's kinda obvious in the summer now. :)
 
I prefer the safety setup on the Taurus clone to the original, but the Beretta has a much nicer fit and finsh.
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Taurus sets the bar pretty low when it comes to fit & finish. Last year I bought a Taurus PT92. I'll have to plead temporary insanity. It looks more like it was deported from Brazil rather than exported.
 
Most people could conceal a Beretta 92 effectively with an inside the pants holster and a Hawaiian shirt (or any shirt worn outside the pants). I really don't know what all the fuss is about. Sure, it won't be as comfortable as a more slender gun, but it can be done.
 
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I have concealed carried a Beretta 92 for over a year and a half now - even in the summer...

It's not that hard...

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