Simple Beretta 92 takedown question

[Thunderchicken]

i have a new-to-me 92F that my LGS said was a former European police trade-in. I shot it and it runs very nice. Today I cleaned it and according to The Intertubes I should be able to remove the locking block from the barrel by "pushing it out to either side." This doesn't work because the pin that passes through under the barrel, which I think is to retract the block under recoil, won't pull back far enough to allow it. As usual, I am hesitant to force anything (though I probably can't pull hard enough to hurt something that resists the force of the recoil anyway).

I would SWEAR that the guy at the shop, who was kind enough to disassemble it for me so I could look at the wear, just did some kind of magic and it slide right out. I assume--since he's a retired Gunnery Sergeant--that the pistol just likes him better than me...

Anyway, before I crawl back to them with my tail between my legs, I thought I'd see if someone could tell me the One Simple Trick I need. Along with any other wisdom you'd like to share. I paid $360, so feel free to start with "you got rooked, loser!" Thanks for any help.

 

[I6turbo]

It most likely will come out if it's in the PERFECT position. Same for getting it back in. I have run into this exact thing. I took mine out of my 92SB and began to wonder if I was losing my mind when it seemingly would NOT go back in. With my last remaining sanity I recalled that it DID come out, so it would go back in if positioned perfectly. It finally did go back in.

That said, there are some claims including some by Beretta, that the retaining pin has to be driven out. It's such a tight tolerance fit that it may vary from gun to gun, or perhaps they've changed some of the newer models. I didn't want to remove the pin.

 

[Devonai]

After 12,000 rounds through my 92FS and being up to my elbows in about half a dozen M9s over the years, I can safely say that the locking block will fall out when it wants to fall out. If I had some chicken bones I might be able to divine why.

 

[1KPerDay]

try pivoting it up or down. Mine comes out the side when it's partway down and it has to be in the right position to get back in.

 

[OregonJohnny]

Yes, some come right out, some have to be positioned PERFECTLY while there is a full moon in the sky to finally pop out.

1 of my 92 pistols (Italian-made 2007 production) has a locking block that falls out just by looking at it. My other 2 (1998 and 2014 US-made guns) get close, but get jammed up pretty good. Honestly, I just leave them in while cleaning the gun. If it worries you, spray some Gun Scrubber in and around all the little nooks and crannies of that locking block and plunger while it's in the barrel. Then blow it out with some compressed air and drop some oil wherever you can.

I don't really think that removing the locking block for cleaning is absolutely necessary. You can get around it.

However, having said all that, I would advise you to get the latest generation of locking block and plunger, that is on it's 3rd or 4th redesign of the shape of the locking block wings. This is to prevent cracks of the locking block. You can look up the different generations of locking block design and compare with the one you have. Here:
http://berettaforum.net/vb/showpost.php?p=969773&postcount=18
or
http://www.berettaforum.net/vb/showthread.php?t=45325

If you decide to replace it, a plastic gunsmithing hammer/mallet and some very light tapping should help pop out the old one.

 

[tarosean]

Okay young grasshopper.
It won't come out by going straight out, as you've already figured out.
Start like this, push till it stops.



Then you have to push the small end out first.


Then continue to push it around the corner.

 

[Shipwreck]

There is no reason to remove it for just normal cleaning. I do push the plunger down, and then pour oil on it. Then, move the block to make the plunger come back up. Work it up and down a few times, then wipe the rest of the oil off.

I do this every 2-3x I clean the gun after shooting. But, there is no reason to remove the block unless you want to change it. Then, you should knock out the pin in there when you change it.

 

[strambo]

When you don't want it to fall out it does and skitters across the room, that is all I know about them.

Just mess with it, you aren't gonna break it with your hands (step away from the hammer!)

 

[WestKentucky]

This was one of my frustrations with the Beretta. Some tolerances so tight that it became frustrating to work on it. I do remember having to jiggle it to get it in and out, but I sold that gun in frustration and bought my 2nd pt99afs. Good luck, and I hope yours is looser than mine was....that should keep it working and make it easier to do proper maintenance.

 

[OregonJohnny]

So...? Did you get it out, Thunderchicken? And did you check which generation of locking block design you have?

 

[USAF_Vet]

I had a few M9s in the USAF that the block didn't want to come out, no matter what. Others were so loose it was all you could do to keep them in. A jiggle here and there and some lube and some soak time should be all it needs. Maybe a tap with a brass hammer, but only under the most extreme circumstances.

As for what you paid for it, your locking block is your punishment for stealing it. I wish I could find a 92 of any variant for $360 in my area.

 

[Thunderchicken]

Gentlemen,

Thanks for the responses, especially the photo series from tarosean. I am going to take it apart again, probably tomorrow. That looks like exactly the trick I need. When I figure out which block it is, I will post it.
BTW, the Gunny wasn't at the store when I dropped in again. A young guy that looked like the manager told me you have to drive out the retaining pin most of the time. Pretty sure that translates to "don't ask me gun questions," but nobody can know everything, I guess.

Thanks again for all the wisdom.

 

[Shipwreck]

"Officially," you are supposed to drive out the pin.

And, if you ever change them.. If you aren't sure you have a 3rd generation pin in, you are supposed to change the pin when you put in a new block.