cslinger
Member
I have been on a bit of a Beretta kick as of late and recently picked up a Beretta 92A1. I own, shoot and collect firearms not as a result to placate some tactical or defensive need or desire but primarily because I enjoy the history, mechanics, industrial aesthetics and discipline that comes with them.
So please keep in mind when I review these guns I don't do so from the stand point of a crack commando, law enforcement officer or school crossing guard. I do so as a low speed high drag schmuck who likes to shoot and share his "toys" responsibly.
With that being said I give you the Beretta 92A1. I haven't shot a 92 in a long time and always found them large for my itty bitty girly hands. I have, however, always wanted to add one to the collection because of the beauty of their lines and the fact they are an iconic piece of history.
As always all reviews are out of 5 rounds.
FIT AND FINISH - 4 ROUNDS
Like my recent PX4 the fit, finish and attention to detail is very nice on this 92A1. Everything is smooth, no obvious tool marks, gouges, sight misalignment etc. The only real area to knock it down is cost cutting of using the plastic guide rod. It just doesn't seem to fit in with the rest of this firearm. It hasn't caused any problems, its just more of an aesthetic blemish. As an aside some folks have complained about it being warped out of the box. I think some of this may be attributed to an optical illusion the spring plays on the eyes as my rod looks a bit warped but without the spring is straight as an arrow.
TRIGGER 3 ROUNDS
Nothing wrong with the trigger, just heavy. No grit or any issues, nor does the long heavy double action pull bother me as I prefer it, but it is a long pull that is heavy. The single action is a bit long but breaks nicely.
ERGONOMICS 2 ROUNDS
There are simply better guns in this regard today. The 92 is a BIG gun. I mean a really BIG gun with big grips and long reaches. Now that being said I was able to hold and shoot it very well and enjoyed it immensely much more so then I remember. So basically its not that it is poorly designed it was just designed at a time when handgun ergonomics were not at a point where they are today. The backwards safety decocker doesn't bother me because I only use it as a decocker.
AESTHETICS 5 ROUNDS
How can you not talk about aesthetics when talking about a Beretta 92. It is the anti Glock. It is one of the nicest looking pistols around. Throw some proper grips on them and they are lookers for sure.
ACCURACY 5 ROUNDS
Out of the box hit right at point of aim. Only shot 100 rounds so far of 115 and 124 grain stuff. I am still learning the gun so I was obviously less accurate then I am with some of my old soldiers. That being said even due to my small hands and the size of the gun I was doing very well. So mechanical accuracy seems excellent and forgiving of my skill.
RECOIL REDUCTION/FEEL 4 ROUNDS
Its a big honkin' gun that shoots an itty bitty 9mm bullet. Not much to write home about. Not much felt recoil at all. As a matter of fact most of my accuracy failures were from gripping too tightly and pushing down. Just let the thing shoot and it is dead on. No real recoil at all.
RELIABILITY 5 ROUNDS
As I have said so far I have only put 100 rounds of ball through but no issues so far even when jams were attempted to be induced through improper grip etc. I have little doubt the 92 will be nothing but dead nuts reliable.
CAPACITY 4 ROUNDS
At 15 rounds this gun is ridiculous. At 17, which my model came with it starts to make more sense. Mec-Gar 18 and 20 shot mags bring this thing into its own. Its a large gun might as well use it to hold lots of ammo.
VALUE 4 ROUNDS
My 92A1 was 630 bucks out the door. That included NIB gun, 3 17 round magazines, cleaning gear, case, box etc. All in all I think this a very good value for an all metal, well known, reliable gun from a long standing company.
DURABILITY 3 ROUNDS
Everybody knows that 92s are not the most durable firearm ever made. That being said the typical failure point, the locking block is a cheap and easy fix. The 92a1, seems to address some of these issues with the newest version locking block, a recoil buffer and thicker slide. For my use I imagine the gun will be plenty durable.
OVERALL 5 ROUNDS
I am tickled pink with this thing. It is just plain fun to shoot and looks fantastic. I think its priced right, comes with everything you need out of the box and should be as reliable as the sun rise. It is also very easy to field strip and clean.
Sure it has its ergonomic foibles, sure there are better "weapons" out there but for what I want in a firearm this Beretta nails it. Not only that you can actually now replace the front sight on them.
So at the end of the day I am very happy with my purchase and it has pegged my fun meter in both shooting and pride of ownership. I must confess that I still believe it's contemporary of the day, the SIG P226 is the better gun in all except aesthetics and IMO should have been the choice of the military's replacement of the 1911.
So here are a couple picks of the new girl and one with my old West German war horse.
Take care, shoot safe, have fun.
Chris
So please keep in mind when I review these guns I don't do so from the stand point of a crack commando, law enforcement officer or school crossing guard. I do so as a low speed high drag schmuck who likes to shoot and share his "toys" responsibly.
With that being said I give you the Beretta 92A1. I haven't shot a 92 in a long time and always found them large for my itty bitty girly hands. I have, however, always wanted to add one to the collection because of the beauty of their lines and the fact they are an iconic piece of history.
As always all reviews are out of 5 rounds.
FIT AND FINISH - 4 ROUNDS
Like my recent PX4 the fit, finish and attention to detail is very nice on this 92A1. Everything is smooth, no obvious tool marks, gouges, sight misalignment etc. The only real area to knock it down is cost cutting of using the plastic guide rod. It just doesn't seem to fit in with the rest of this firearm. It hasn't caused any problems, its just more of an aesthetic blemish. As an aside some folks have complained about it being warped out of the box. I think some of this may be attributed to an optical illusion the spring plays on the eyes as my rod looks a bit warped but without the spring is straight as an arrow.
TRIGGER 3 ROUNDS
Nothing wrong with the trigger, just heavy. No grit or any issues, nor does the long heavy double action pull bother me as I prefer it, but it is a long pull that is heavy. The single action is a bit long but breaks nicely.
ERGONOMICS 2 ROUNDS
There are simply better guns in this regard today. The 92 is a BIG gun. I mean a really BIG gun with big grips and long reaches. Now that being said I was able to hold and shoot it very well and enjoyed it immensely much more so then I remember. So basically its not that it is poorly designed it was just designed at a time when handgun ergonomics were not at a point where they are today. The backwards safety decocker doesn't bother me because I only use it as a decocker.
AESTHETICS 5 ROUNDS
How can you not talk about aesthetics when talking about a Beretta 92. It is the anti Glock. It is one of the nicest looking pistols around. Throw some proper grips on them and they are lookers for sure.
ACCURACY 5 ROUNDS
Out of the box hit right at point of aim. Only shot 100 rounds so far of 115 and 124 grain stuff. I am still learning the gun so I was obviously less accurate then I am with some of my old soldiers. That being said even due to my small hands and the size of the gun I was doing very well. So mechanical accuracy seems excellent and forgiving of my skill.
RECOIL REDUCTION/FEEL 4 ROUNDS
Its a big honkin' gun that shoots an itty bitty 9mm bullet. Not much to write home about. Not much felt recoil at all. As a matter of fact most of my accuracy failures were from gripping too tightly and pushing down. Just let the thing shoot and it is dead on. No real recoil at all.
RELIABILITY 5 ROUNDS
As I have said so far I have only put 100 rounds of ball through but no issues so far even when jams were attempted to be induced through improper grip etc. I have little doubt the 92 will be nothing but dead nuts reliable.
CAPACITY 4 ROUNDS
At 15 rounds this gun is ridiculous. At 17, which my model came with it starts to make more sense. Mec-Gar 18 and 20 shot mags bring this thing into its own. Its a large gun might as well use it to hold lots of ammo.
VALUE 4 ROUNDS
My 92A1 was 630 bucks out the door. That included NIB gun, 3 17 round magazines, cleaning gear, case, box etc. All in all I think this a very good value for an all metal, well known, reliable gun from a long standing company.
DURABILITY 3 ROUNDS
Everybody knows that 92s are not the most durable firearm ever made. That being said the typical failure point, the locking block is a cheap and easy fix. The 92a1, seems to address some of these issues with the newest version locking block, a recoil buffer and thicker slide. For my use I imagine the gun will be plenty durable.
OVERALL 5 ROUNDS
I am tickled pink with this thing. It is just plain fun to shoot and looks fantastic. I think its priced right, comes with everything you need out of the box and should be as reliable as the sun rise. It is also very easy to field strip and clean.
Sure it has its ergonomic foibles, sure there are better "weapons" out there but for what I want in a firearm this Beretta nails it. Not only that you can actually now replace the front sight on them.
So at the end of the day I am very happy with my purchase and it has pegged my fun meter in both shooting and pride of ownership. I must confess that I still believe it's contemporary of the day, the SIG P226 is the better gun in all except aesthetics and IMO should have been the choice of the military's replacement of the 1911.
So here are a couple picks of the new girl and one with my old West German war horse.
Take care, shoot safe, have fun.
Chris
