The pistol I shoot the best is a Beretta 92 series. It was the first pistol I ever hated.
When I was first issued the gun, I was horrible with it. I resigned myself to it and didn’t practice with the weapon I would deploy with and depend on.
Under the wise instruction of an SF NCO, I got smart and spent countless hours turning your taxpayer dollars into noise and brass. After a couple deployments and a few years, I got a little better and realized that any shortcoming in performance was certainly due to the shooter. The gun was fantastic.
I put thousands and thousands of rounds through the 92 in one of the most hostile environments on Earth. It ran flawlessly.
When I got home, I logged 30,000 rounds through a single 92FS. I don’t think I changed the recoil spring for the first 10,000 at least. It was the first gun I ever ran the Bill Wilson 5×5 drill with in under 20 seconds.
There’s no pistol I’d rather go back to war with than a Beretta 92 series. And there’s no more proven combat and duty pistol than the 92.
Like many shooters, there are some changes I had made to my personal 92 series guns. Different grips, different sights, barrels re-crowned, barrels threaded, G-model conversions, Wilson Combat trigger jobs, Ernest Langdon’s “trigger job in a bag”, etc., etc., etc.
I wasn’t the only one who loved the gun, but wanted changes.
Beretta, it seems, was paying attention.
Available beginning today, Beretta has released a full suite of new 92X guns. Each of one of them maintains the key features loved by thousands of shooters, but updates them all with options we’ve been looking for on a stock gun for decades.
At the invite of Beretta, I spent a day at Elite Shooting Sports putting a few hundred rounds through each of the new 92X series of pistols. There are more than a couple changes to the guns, and all for the better.
Starting at the front, each of the 92X Full Size, Centurion, and Compact pistols now include a dovetailed M9A3 compatible front sight. That means not only easy adjustment, but tons of options are available. Getting a Tritium front sight installed on a 92FS was possible, but not simple. With the 92X series it’s just out with the old and in with the new. The pistols ship with a bright orange front sight right out of the box.
I had a recessed target crown put on my 92FS from Wilson Combat a few years ago. The 92X series features a chrome-lined barrel with the recessed target crown standard. Suppressor-ready barrels can be ordered directly from Beretta.
Every version of new 92X series comes with a three-slot Picatinny rail. However, the 92X Compact comes in a version with the Pic rail as well as another one with the traditional featureless dust cover. For those of us who carry IWB, the smooth dust cover is often preferred.
The rear dovetailed sight includes a serrated back surface and a short ledge on the front. The rear is slightly angled and provides an ideal window to view whatever front sight you choose to put on the pistol. The flat surface of the front also meant that I had no issues racking the slide on my belt, pocket, or heel.
One of the biggest complaints with the Beretta 92 series has always been its slide-mounted safety. I share a deep and abiding hatred of it as well and consider it entirely unsafe on a duty or carry weapon. I’ve seen people rack the slide and accidentally turn the safety on many times, and I’ve certainly done it myself. In a self defense or combat situation, that error can be a deadly one.
That’s why just about everyone wants not a safety, but a “de-cock only” G model lever. With each of the slide-mounted action lever models of the 92X series, the user can swap between the F/S and G models easily, all on their own.
The big change on all of the aluminum-framed models is the grip. The straight drop thin Vertec/M9A3 grip is instantly recognizable by any 92 enthusiast. For all of you pequeno-palmed pistoleros, the Vertec grip is likely to be a much better fit than the traditional large grip style.
But that same old grip that’s been a gripe for so many small palms worked great for those of us who prefer a healthy handful. For us, Beretta has included a wraparound grip that more closely resembles the traditional arched mainspring housing.
I shoot both the Beretta 92s and my 1911 noticeably faster and with less fatigue when using the arched grip vs. the straight version, and the well thought out inclusion of the wraparound style is much appreciated.
The front strap comes textured from the factory. The grip panel texture itself, on both the naked grip and the wraparound, is absolutely ideal. It’s hard to describe. It’s not sharp, but it’s rough. It’s not squishy, but it has some give. Imagine getting licked by a dehydrated house cat. Kinda like that, but in a good way.
Each member of the Beretta 92X family also includes a beveled magazine well and a reduced power hammer spring straight from Beretta.
Magazine capacity is outstanding in every size. For the Full Size and Centurion 92X, Beretta ships three 17-round magazines with each gun. Fifteen and 10-rounders are also available. The Compact model ships standard with three 13-round magazines, and 10’s can be had as well. The 17-round magazines (or larger) will fit in any of the guns. I ran each model with a full magazine +1 without issue.
Most of the parts, including the trigger, on the 92X series are backwards-compatible with the 92FS and later models. So are the magazines.
The 92X Performance model is a different animal altogether. The 92X Performance is a steel framed burning-fast beast of an IPSC gun, with a frame-mounted safety, weighing in at just under 48 oz. unloaded. I’d say it was a shoulder workout as well as a pistol, but the rounds pour out of the pistol so fast you don’t have to hold it up for long.
The 92X Compact, with the classic round dust cover (my favorite of the group), has a MSRP of $800. All of the aluminum-framed railed models have an MSRP of $899. The race-ready 92X Performance ups not just the weight, but also the price, at $1,399.
The oldest firearms company in the world tends to improve their products in a slow, iterative process. In releasing the 92X series, it’s clear that Beretta has looked at the market and listened to their customers. They’re providing not just lots of options, but giving their customers factory features the rest of us have been paying gunsmiths to do for years.
As a hardcore 92 fan, I’m stoked.
My first “brand new” handgun was the 92FS. It was dead accurate right out of the box. Put hundreds of rounds through it and loved the hell out of it, until my son shot it and fell in love with it. It’s in his safe now. This article has me thinking about getting the 92X now.
“…tends to improve their products in a slow, iterative process.” No sh!t. 40-45 years later…they finally got around to the changes listed above. Kinda like Glock “perfection” , you know, without all the teenee, tiny steps in between.
To be fair, unlike Glock, Beretta has also released entirely different lines of pistols during that time. They’ve taken baby steps with the 92, but took a different direction entirely with the APX line, as well as released the PX4 Storm line.
They iterate within the line, but also produce multiple, varied pistol product lines.
And a vastly superior handgun compared to a Glock.
the M9 sucks. Its a Government gun taken care of by government workers on a government budget. the 92FS is amazing gun that just works for tons of people myself included. I have alot of rounds through my mine for competition. If i could only have one handgun to go to war with the 92fs would be a safe bet.
Incorrect sir. The M9’s are the all metal ones. The parts are higher spec and the QC is second to none. At the factory only the top guys get to work on the M9’s, we likened them to Legos while the 92 cell is off brand megablocks.
I spent 5 years with an m9. Gov guns suck. They may have had good qc but they were built in the early 90s. This was the mid 2000s. After who knows how many upteen thousands of rds.
Probably true the shot to hell army issue ones you encountered weren’t the best, but for the guys who build them man for man, every one of us would choose the M9
The M9 that the Marine Corps was given is straight garbage. I’ve had a locking block break and I’ve seen at least four others personally. In 18 years I’ve never seen as many malfunctions down a weapon as with the M9. Not sure I can remember more than once or twice that an M4 went down and they were shot far more. Beretta owes the US military an apology. Unfortunately a few cents a gun cost us an opportunity to have the far better Sig P226
Quality control doesnt count for much when your pistols are constantly being beat to shit and treated like 2 dollar whores in the field 24/7.
The m9s were built like shit by comparison… they were also American made, and we suck at manufacturing and QC
Please correct the article. The Performance model has a frame safety, which to date has only been available on Beretta’s ultra limited, premiere 92 series pistols.
Done. Thanks for pointing that out.
The frame mount safety and pic rail hasve also been available on the Brazilian model for years. 😉
The Taurus is no Beretta.
Different company, old design because they are too cheap to afford the license…
The Brazilian army adopted the Beretta 92S in 1975, a full decade before US Army. Beretta installed a factory in Brazil and produced all the contracted pistols and a M-12S submachine guns that were also adopted. After that they sold the factory to Taurus which continued the production of these guns under their name… same guns, same factory, same tooling, same workers… use the quarantine to do your research.
“Imagine getting licked by a dehydrated house cat.”
I tried, but it didn’t go well. I’m now mentally scarred, and you owe me.
I like Beretta, they were the first OEM to support us California residents during freedom week and gave us a nice discount.
Beretta is the only major gunmaker that doesn’t suck up to anti-gun politicians. The usual suspects who come out of the woodwork at the mere mention of Springfield think nothing of buying a Glock despite the fact that they wine, dine and donate to East and West Coast politicians who restrict our right to bear arms so they can sell guns to cops
Now built in Gallatin, TN, 10 miles from my farm. Haven’t bought a Tennessee Beretta yet, but it’s on the list for sure.
Might wanna wait for them to iron out all the screwups caused by their affirmative action hires first.
I figured Beretta would begin to get creative after losing the Govt contract.
And here I was thinking about getting a Px4 compact Inox and wishing they made the frame with palm swell grips.
Dang it. Love me some Beretta. Especially when the distance goes past 15 yards.
I might have to look at the compact. I agree the non railed version is sexier.
Still waiting for a polymer framed Tomcat with a double stack mag, and dove-tailed sights.
Cmon Beretta!
I don’t know about creative. It seems to be features from the m9a3 in different sizes. Sales on the A3 aren’t too hot, so they couldn’t sell an A3 compact. Now they are selling a 92x compact. Just to be clear though, still looking at getting the compact.
Take a look at the APX Carry, Jeremy reviewed it.
92FS, own 3, 1 Inox. WON’T CARRY ANYTHING ELSE AND I CARRY CONCEALED ALL THE TIME
Do you carry all 3 at once?
That would be impressive.
Does anyone else think that the Beretta 92X looks like an airsoft gun?
I am disappointed that the Centurian and Compact models don’t have a frame mounted safety. That has always kept me from carrying 92FS because as a 1911 kind of guy I know that I will engage the safety in a DGU situation. I have recently revisited the 92 at the range and shot 30 rounds double action. Did surprisingly well. I plan on shooting DA from the draw next session to see if I am any better than I used to be. If it works out, I might consider a G model compact for carry. I am not holding my breath.
The safety on a 92 is probably the most redundant feature on any handgun made in the first place, so I’d personally take a G model over a frame safety version any day.
Safety delete! Don’t drill a hole in the slide.
You actually disengage the safety on a 92 the same as a 1911 almost. Make your thumb straight and swipe down. There are videos on youtube if I’m not making sense.
Also you can get a g conversion kit and make it decocker only.
I personally prefer the slide mounted safety because it’s up out of the way when operating. I guess it’s all in how you look at it.
Huh? If you swipe down you engage the safety.
thumb straight out (forcing lever up), then down out of the way.
i started with a pjk9hp. sort of stuck with that manual of arms.
I have big hands and I can’t get that motion with any consistency. Also, putting it back on is a bigger challenge than taking it off.
But the bigger issue is accidentally putting the gun on safe when clearning manipulating the slide.
G model only is the way to go.
All, glad to hear all the positivity around the M9/92. Just bought one, to remember the good old days in Iraq. Took it to the range this weekend, and she’s shooting low. All that said, where in the world can I find the gunsmith willing to cut me a dovetail in the front? All the folks I reached out to said there wasn’t enough meat on the front ring to cut a dovetail into a standard M9.
Be cheaper to buy a M9A1 slide I think.
There is not enough meat on the Standard slide.
You could send it to Wilson combat and have drill the front for an insert.
I had the same issue with a 92A1 I bought a few years ago. I changed the rear site to compensate for the difference instead of having the front milled. Wilson Combat offers 3 different height options depending on the distance and change in height you desire. They have a conversion chart link in the sight descriptions to help you figure out which one you need. Went with the .280 and it has been dead accurate ever since. Did it myself, after buying the Beretta sight pusher that fits the slide. A lot cheaper than having it machined.
My 92A1 has a dovetailed front sight so I’m guessing that’s a typo.
@Pete I just went through this entire exercise. The slide with the fixed sights does not have enough material to allow for a dovetail front sight. Allegheny Arms will drill your front sight for a fiber optic and it is very nice. Also, before assuming it is shooting low put it on a bench with some bags and shoot it from SA. You might be surprised that it might be you with a new gun. If you do replace the rear sight look at Dawson Precision.
Best to you.
Ernie Langdon and Bill Wilson are phenomenal wizards on 92s.
You cannot imagine what they can do and have done.
Ernie has also developed the ultimate PX4 Compact Carry.
Langdon Tactical Technology .
Also you can buy most anything (parts) direct from Berretta on their website.
I’ve had a sordid love affair with the Beretta m9/92. I kept letting them get away from me because there’s guns I shoot better, but for some reason I keep coming back to them! I’ve had probably close to 20 of them in differing variants, M9’s, 92fs’s, 92f’s, M9a1, 92a1, railed and non railed compacts, 96’s, a Centurion, a 92fs Inox, and a few others I’m sure I’m forgetting. Right now I’m settled on a standard 92fs and an M9a1 with about 20 mags (the milsurps are cheap and reliable!). They’ve all been exceptionally reliable. Of all the variants I’ve had I only remember one malfunction, and that was from a batch of Aguila 9mm with extremely inconsistent powder loads. One round was so light that the slide just didn’t cycle. Would like to get G conversion kits for mine but don’t get have a punch set small enough to work on the levers. Only thing I can say against them is I’m not a fan of them suppressed, they seem substantially more gassy to me with unpleasant pressure blasts to the face when shooting (due to the open slide maybe?). In any case, they’re John Woo approved, what more recommendation do you need!?
That 92X compact with removable front sight would be a nice upgrade to the 92 compact fixed sight. Are the slides interchangeable,,, I wonder? Already installed the ‘G’ de-cocker only kit from the Beretta store.
Always wanted a 92 after seeing the Lethal Weapon series. Rented one in college, that cured me. The vert grip might work well for me, but I despise slide mounted levers. Now if they’d put a frame mounted safety lever on the smooth dust cover model they’d have something.
Be patient. I think we might see more from Beretta ,listening to what people want.
I’m with you on hating it in the beginning. I didn’t have a lot of pistol experience, but did have a bit of shooting experience and thought I should have shot it better when I qualified with it. It was a range gun at Officer Training School. A few years later when the Air Force sold me as a free agent to the Army for a trip to Afghanistan, the Army was nice enough to give me a brand new one. That one shot a lot better. I bought a 92FS within weeks of my return. I’m a little more accurate with my Colt 1991, but I have no issues with the Beretta at all and would have no issues carrying it professionally again if need be. Ok, if I have to gripe a little, the grip is just a little big for my hand, but with 9mm, that’s not much of a problem.
JWT, I never had any experience with DA/SA autos until I went to the academy. We shot a Smith 9mm stainless alloy single stack of some discription if memory serves. I was aware of them of course, but never saw the point. The whole question looking for an answer thing. I had owned a Walther PPK/S at one time. That didn’t last long. Elegant little pistol, but underpowered and well DA. Traded it away on a deal for a BM-62. Anyway, I bought a Beretta 92 FS shortly after all the above. Only because I paid $200 for it. I shoot it well enough, but I have never been fond of it. That backwards operating leaver on the slide will always be a decocker to me. Never a safety. Sigs have a properly designed decocker. That said, the M-9 was only a rumor when I ETSed. Never will carry the Beretta in harm’s way. Of course, only carried an AR in harm’s way when forced to.
Lifelong 1911.
Raised hell in Sept 90, when I could not get one at Ft Benning.
Took M9 to range.
Loaded up a dozen mags and stuffed them in my pistol belt.
When the troops were done, I walked the line shooting cross alley, etc.
Every pop up dropped, no alibis, stove pipes, etc.
I could not make it miss, much less misfire.
The troops applauded the “Old Man”.
They had never seen one on the range and figured that we were all just bolos or has beens.
Carried my M9 every day for 13 months in the sand box.
They damn near had to pry it out of my hands when I finally PCSd.
Back in the states, I bought the first civilian model ( a Centurion ) that I saw.
These days, when the weather is nice (less than 101•+99%), { Very Merry Christmas! }and the really “Old Man” is feeling frisky, I just want to cut loose on a table of pins with my brace of 96D Brigadiers.
Yes, it’s a “Texas Thang”.
@Charles Thank you, Sir, for your service! And you have good taste in handguns.
Beretta 92s (96s) and PX4s are also available in DAO.
We call them “slick slides” because there’s no selector lever.
When I was a young troop with HCSO, I alternated between 357s and 1911s.
A few deputies would get together and have reloading parties so we shot a lot more revolvers.
Years later, I acquired a brace of tuned Brigadier 96Ds and I will put their action up against any revolver.
They came with the (overkill) heavy slides milled for front sights so they sport Trijicons front and rear.
They shoot like a dream but they throw that 40 brass straight up into satellite orbit.
Max trigger time on revolvers will do more than anything else to improve marksmanship skills.
It’s easy to save the brass, and you can reload 38s for what you pay for 22 long rifle.
inb4 every 1911 fan contests the remark as to what is more combat and duty proven
I’m a huge 1911 fan, but the numbers don’t compare. The Beretta wins by a landslide.
What numbers?
1911 to M9
Lifelong 1911.
Raised hell in Sept 90, when I could not get one at Ft Benning.
Took M9 to range.
Loaded up a dozen mags and stuffed them in my pistol belt.
When the troops were done, I walked the line shooting cross alley, etc.
Every pop up dropped, no alibis, stove pipes, etc.
I could not make it miss, much less misfire.
The troops applauded the “Old Man”.
They had never seen one on the range and figured that we were all just bolos or has beens.
Carried my M9 every day for 13 months in the sand box.
They damn near had to pry it out of my hands when I finally PCSd.
Back in the states, I bought the first civilian model ( a Centurion ) that I saw.
These days, when the weather is nice (less than 101•+99%), { Very Merry Christmas! } and the really “Old Man” is feeling frisky, I just want to cut loose on a table of pins with my brace of 96D Brigadiers.
Yes, it’s a “Texas Thang”.
JWT, on another note. I know you have an affinity for RMK. Heard from Chris Stanaback today. I have a #4 6″ Fighter on the way. Brass double hilt, (would rather have had nickel silver, but hey, no wait), leather hilt, thinned and radiased dura-aluminum butt cap w/lanyard. Don’t need it. Already have several #1s, but the WWII nostalgia thing.
Oddly enough I don’t have any of their number ones. It’s the hunting models I tend to pick up. The little bear Bowie is about the most practical design out there.
No #1? Everyone should one. Truth told I own more of their outdoors knives than any other models. #28 Woodsman is the best deal in the catalog.
I guess they’re are okay, there gunms and that’s a good thing. I never was worth a sht with them, then throw in the 9 mm vs .45 and I haven’t touched one since. Everyone has their favorites.
Gotta get one, probably two, both the Compact and Centurion. Mo money.
Today there is absolutely nothing from Beretta I would consider buying today. In regards to the model 92 they have completely trashed it. They use a junk cast locking block known for high failure rates, a junk plastic safety, a junk plastic op-rod and a junk plastic trigger. They have turned the 92 into a complete piece of shit. All of the other platicky trash pistols they make have been plagued with reliability problems too. Fk Beretta they deserve to go completely out of business
Oh, it’s Vlad. But which Vlad?
Gen 3 locking block lasts about 3-4 times longer than gen 1 (about 15K rounds before service). The 92X uses a metal safety, a metal trigger, and no handgun uses an op-rod. If you mean a recoil rod, 3/4 of them use metal rods anyway, and even then; the plastic rod isn’t something that ever breaks.
But yeah, sure; you’ve added a real valuable comment to the discussion.
To smith
Recoil rod and op rod are the same thing you Moron. Both have a spring wrapped around them and arrest the rearward movement of the slide or bolt. Now what part of this do you not understand.
An op rod does arrest the motion of a slide or bolt, yes. The part I believe you are trying to refer to in the 92 does not touch the slide while in use. It just keeps the spring centered. The spring is the part seeing all the real wear. That’s why those components on any handgun are typically not referred to as ‘op rods’; they don’t actually operate much of anything.
As for the locking block bit, sure its a cast piece, but I’d love to see you show one source of non-anecdotal evidence to support your claims on them being “junk…. plagued by early failure”. The gen 1 block (as proved out and documented by DoD inspectors for the past 34 years) can do at least 5k before service in a new gun. The gen 3 was tested by actual qualified professionals with more than 2 brain cells to rub together, and they told the DoD (who they knew would verify it) that the new blocks can do 15k-20k before a swap.
Maybe I work in industry, or maybe I can read, and actually shoot / know serious shooters who have put some real numbers downrange to back all this. Either way, I hope this information has been helpful to someone, and that you have a marvelous Friday.
To J Smith Prostitute of the Gun Industry.
So you wanted proof huh? Well here is a graphic picture showing what a piece of shit the cast lock block is. And the second link shows not only a broken locking block but a shattered slide as well. I guess I forgot to mention those catastrophic slide failures as well. And before you go mouthing off about the new improved slide its a band-aide on a gladiatorial wound as Beretta had such little faith in their quickie so called fix they had to jury rig a larger pin to deflect flying shrapnel when the new improved slide inevitably fails and blows up in your face. Sure tell me what a great design the 92 is and how safe it is to use. If you knew anything at all about hand guns you would be aware that the 92’s parent gun the Walther P38 was noted for cracking its slides as well. Next time research the history of pistols before pretending to be an expert or trying to tell people your an expert.
https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?8166-The-Achilles-heel-of-the-Beretta-(Broken-locking-block)
https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?36877-Beretta-M9-failures
And I also forgot to mention that I personally spoke to people in the U.S. Military that used the pistol in “Desert Storm.” It was a functional failure as its open top slide allowed too much desert dust and dirt into the mechanism. The U.S. Military Personnel then resorted to putting their 92’s into plastic bags and then stuffing them in the holster. Good luck getting at your pistol quickly in a combat situation.
Just curious, why did you capitalize ‘moron’?
to Smith
Quote”””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””Gen 3 locking block lasts about 3-4 times longer than gen 1 ”””””””””””””””””’
Pure 100 per cent bullshit. You obviously work for the gun companies. The junk cast locking block on the newer Beretta 92’s has been plagued by early failure.
J Smith, Vlad is a long time troll on this website. He is generally anti-gun in a pure socialist. He copies and pastes the same rants about multiple Firearms when they make no sense whatsoever. He has been caught in multiple lies and has had to change his username several times. Most of the long-term readers of this website have learned to just gloss over his writing. It’s always the same ignorant bulshit anyway.
Gotcha, thank you sir. I went and forgot rule 1 of the internet: don’t feed the trolls. Anyway, he beat his own argument with the links he posted, so my work is done.
Loved the article by the way! That dehydrated cat tongue analogy was a new one to me.
to Taylor
Yeah , anytime anyone disagrees with you and he is not a bonafide Far Right Wing Fanatic you label him as a troll yet you have no technical info to reply with nor any experience with firearms either that is obvious. Last time I checked being a Socialist or a Left Winger is not illegal in the U.S. even though you and your kind would love to make it so and you make no bones about it either.
And further more until I actually have in hand this new Beretta 92X I will take it with a big grain of salt that it has no junk plastic parts in it either as the present model 92’s (FS) sure have them as I have examined them. It would make little sense to make metal pats for the new 92X and plastic parts for the standard grade 92. It would cost Beretta just too much money.
To vlad, anyone to the right of Joe stalin is a “right wing fanatic”
LMAO.
Mine does fine – just a regular old Italian 92F.
Still has the original plastic guide rod.
I somehow dont think Beretta is going out of business any time soon. May be the oldest company of any type in the world.
And kudos to Beretta USA moving from Maryland to a free state like Tennessee.
They make good stuff.
I’m sure the plastic guide rod is perfectly fine, but I didn’t like it in what is otherwise an all-metal 92X (purchased in 2021). So… I obtained a steel guide rod to replace the plastic. Just cost a few bucks. Maybe not necessary, but nicer.
I have now put 114 rounds through my 92X, and it runs flawlessly. Fun to shoot, too. I have also done a G Model conversion on it, and I like that as well.
But I would like to share a video (if not of a 92X) that made me want a Beretta 92 series pistol in the first place:
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=little+girl+shooting+a+Beretta+M9+first+time+ever&docid=608043330546590351&mid=9493E586CD807443B5CA9493E586CD807443B5CA&view=detail&FORM=VIRE
Back when I was just barely old enough to purchase a pistol I really wanted a McCain/Riggs gun, but they were a little out of my budget so I bought a Ruger P89 instead. Since I’ve owned a 92FS, and a pair of P95s, and now (being a revolver guy) I own no semi-auto pistols. I’d like a 92 INOX but I’m kind of into the P series Rugers as well, and could buy 2 or 3 used P series Rugers for the price of an INOX. Dilemmas, dilemmas…
1st world problems……lol
But a Beretta Inox 92 is sexier than 3 Ps series Rugers put together.
And I’m a Ruger fan.
The P89 was too long ago to make any valuable assessment with, but I honestly thought I shot the P95 better than the 92FS, although the Ruger was very slide heavy and the Beretta pointed easier. Bottom line is that bringing home a P series pistol is kind of like bringing a mutt home from the shelter. It might not have the pedigree, but that doesn’t make it any less lovable.
They’re fun guns…..and yes….they were Bill Ruger’s amalgamation of several designs in his masterpiece.
The were homely and little ungainly but kinda cool and priced right. When they dropped the price to 325 sales took off. A Beretta was around 500 back then.
I like the DAO versions and would love to find one reasonable. They are great guns to teach others with as they are comfortable to most.
But the Beretta has a nice racy look with the rearward grip placement and scalloped lines.
My Beretta is also much more accurate, especially when shooting at distance. Just a preference. I like Beretta for shooting, even if I don’t carry one much.
No argument on the Beretta. If there’s one knock on them it’s that the grip is a little fat for a lot of people, but not a problem for me. Just for the $650 I’d spend on the INOX I could buy a P95, P94 and a P90 and have all the bases covered for future caliber wars.
Would be cool if they made a compact/subcompact version available thinner overall and maybe a little smaller overall too. Instead of 1.5″ width make it more like 1″. If they can’t do a double stack or staggered magazine and get it that thin, that’d be awesome. If not, cool with single stack mag with lower capacity.
Decocker only would be my preference for the slide mounted de-cocker. I would also be ok with safety as long as its up for safety where you could carry cocked and locked and down to decock.
“And there’s no more proven combat and duty pistol than the 92.”
is this indisputable? cz75’s are used in 27 countries, the 92 in 37, and glocks in 56. the colt and fn designs are far older as well.
it just makes me wonder.
i hate slide safeties that go up.
I’ve done the math a few times and yeah, the Beretta seems to win out by far. As far as I can tell, there have been more 92 series guns carried by a military in combat than all of the 1911’s and Glocks combined. Don’t forget, the United States military is massive, and has been at war for 18 years, using the 92 series.
Which, by the way, brings us to an unprecedented time in US history. Sons and daughters in the United States will be fighting in a war that was started before they were born.
Fathers who had their sons born during their first combat tour in Afghanistan have to face the reality that those sons can now be deployed, for their first combat tour, in Afghanistan.
“We are at war with Eurasia. We have always been at war with Eurasia.” – G.O.
I thought it was East Asia! Who can keep track? And why can’t I have any of the new boots of which we are manufacturing so many?
we are at war with eastasia. We have always been at war with eastasia.
The top 5 most widely issued LE pistols reads as folliws:
FN/Browning hi-power
Glock 17/19
Beretta 92
Sig p226/229
Beretta PX4
Cz75s arent even in the top 10.
All the complaints about the slide safety……..I have never once engaged the safety while racking the slide. If you have that problem rack it with the safety on then bump it forward (not up) with your thumb.
How’s the recent on the plebian models?
And is it optics ready like the competition?
What do you think is the competition? The 92 X is not milled for Optics.
That slide doesn’t have a lot of real estate for optics. Barrel mount? 🤣
The P320 X5/Legion are ready for optics.
The Glock 19/17/34 MOS is ready for optics.
The CZ P10F is ready for optics.
The Shadow 2 is now optics ready.
The Canik TP9SFX is ready for optics.
I even bought a slide WITH suppressor height sights AND a Romeo1 direct from Sig Sauer for $350. The whole package, ready to rock.
Where did you get the recessed target crown put on your barrel?
Wilson Combat
I just ordered a 92x Centurion and can’t wait to get it out. Selling the customized 92A1 and Elite I had a few years back was a bad decision, in this 92x I’m getting everything I want out of the box (mostly, minus a wc mag guide). I’m glad I waited for this over the LTT, but it would have been a fine option too.
I am a diehard Beretta owner. 7 different guns and the 92x performance will be #8. I have never had a malfunction with my 92s or my PX4. I have with my model 21a but that was ammo not the gun. Shoot Stingers and it runs great.
The 92x performance looks like a great gun with great features.
Now release the ARX 200 in 7.62/.308
Thank you for the review. I have been interested in the Beretta 92 line for a long time but always seemed to lean in another direction . The 92X has started me thinking that I need to check one out and see how it feels in hand . Glad to see RMK fans out there . I have have models 20 and 21 , my Dad was friends with Ward Gay .
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