Dragonfly
Member
I must admit that while I’m maybe more of a SIG or H&K guy I do have a soft spot for the Beretta 92. I like the classic 1980s styling of my current model (a 92F) and I enjoy shooting it ok, but it’s pretty large for my small hands, and I found its smaller (non-replaceable) sights tough to see.
I was intrigued when the M9A3 was introduced a few years ago—the Vertec frame was especially tempting—but the price was always a little too high. However, I saw this all-black version for $200 less than the more-common FDE version I went for it. Many of you are already familiar with the model, but if not, read on.
The most obvious external change is the Vertec frame (for those that want the classic feel there are a set of rubber grips (Hogues, I think?) to approximate the older grip frame shape. I’ve never owned a double-stack semi-auto with a straight backstrap so it feels different for sure, but it feels pretty good to me.
The new grips have a couple of different textures, a nice grippy pebbled texture as well as a more traditional checkering—they offer good purchase without feeling too snaggy. You can see the enlarged magazine release, too. I’ve got small hands and this is one of the few full-size autos that I can hit the mag release without changing my grip.
The front strap has sort of a cross-hatching pattern at the top, with grooves towards the bottom. It’s quite effective.
The backstrap has similar cross-hatching.
The slide-mounted safeties have been angled up a bit, to eliminate the potential of inadvertently activating the safety when racking the slide.
The sights are a real improvement—here is the rear sight. It’s nice and tall, and is removable.
Here’s the front sight (also removable). I would have preferred a Trijicon HD-style sight, like SIG X-ray sights, with a brightly-coloured front sight and blacked-out rear, but these are certainly an improvement.
The muzzle end of the barrel is threaded to allow for suppressor use (although I don’t think sights are tall enough to see over the suppressor…although I won’t get a chance to try!). It's nice that there's an included o-ring. I kind of like the extended barrel—it reminds me a bit of the 93R!
So—initial impressions are favorable. I’m taking it out to the range on Friday.
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