Beretta 92FS/M9, Why the hate?

[r6guy85]

i dont know why people complain about the beretta 92fs so much. all i can input is why i love my beretta 92. please see picture atached. 10 yards 10 shots lol

[Bizcuits]

You get a bunch of troops issued them, troops complain, people who've never used them but respect the opinion of troops proceed to echo complaint regardless of their own experience or opinions.

Now that being said, my wife loves Beretta, it comes from her time with Security Forces in the AF, "her duty weapon". It took me (4) years of being married before I could convince her to try my glock 26 for concealed carry. She now carries it and the 92fs is her side of the bed gun.

I don't personally have an issue with Beretta's, but it'd be the last gun I'd use in our houses, unless it was the closest one during an emergency. I'm far more partial to my Glock 19 but that's because I carried one for 9 years. Outside of a new guide rod (about 10k rounds so far) and A LOT of holster wear from continuously hitting the center console, it's still kicking just fine.

[f308gt4]

Couple of points I need to bring up in defense of the Beretta 92:

1) Locking Block: This was fixed in the 90's, I think, with the generation 3 locking blocks. Not really an issue anymore, but I guess there are still plenty of older pistols around. If you've bought a new one recently, the locking block wont be an issue.

2) Slide Safety/Decocker: More of a training issue than anything. Train with what you are going to use and you shouldn't have a problem. If we lived in a free state, it would be easier to get one of the "G" (decocker only) versions of the pistol, which are my preference. I have a 92G-SD, and so don't have to deal with a safety.

With regard to the Slide mounted location, again not an issue if you train. You can't expect to buy a pistol, shoot it once or twice, then have it do bedside or even carry duty. If you plan to use it for defense purposes, you need to practice. Even if it is just a range toy, you should practice. With practice, even something like a slide mounted safety no longer becomes issue.

Also, you have to remember, this is an Italian pistols, and Italian stuff is quirky by nature. I've had lots of Italian cars, and always found quirks associated with them. Its just what you deal with to have a beautiful, well performing car or pistol.

3) Trigger: DA/SA is a training issue. In single action, the trigger is quite nice. Also, the DA trigger is easy to improve with a $5 spring. The SA trigger is not quite a 1911 trigger, but much better than the striker fired pistol triggers that are available. People are unwilling to put the time in to learn something new, and thus don't practice. Without practice, you wont get proficient.

4) Grip: Yes it is large, but it is manageable. I put VZ grips and a short reach trigger on mine, which really helps. I've got small to medium sized hands, and haven't found the grip to be an issue. The Vertec pistols (which are on-roster) have a smaller grip if it is an issue for you.

5) Slide cracks: An issue with the first F-pistols, and only affected something like 17 pistols. Fixed on the later pistols in the 80's (the FS designation). No longer an issue if you are buying new or even used. Mostly FUD spread by those not in the know.

6) Reliability: Apparently, the military doesn't take very good care of these, and many of them are super worn out, not oiled (they like to run wet), etc. Happened to the old 1911's and will continue with whatever pistol they choose next. Those of us in civilian life generally take better care of our stuff, and if you take care of it, your beretta will run for years (lifetime).

I find the pistol quite pleasant to shoot. The weight makes the recoil easy to manage. The long barrel and sights help to make it very accurate.

When you consider that you can get one of these pistols for around $500-600, it really is a great deal.

To answer the OP's question, I would have to say that the hate is due to the slide mounted safety (and people unwilling to train to it) and the FUD spread about its locking block and slide issues. It's really too bad, as the 92 is a great pistol- both beautiful to look at, easy and accurate to shoot.

Incidentally, Beretta also has another pistol, the PX4 which also isn't very popular. Again, a great pistol that people overlook. Maybe that these are also DA/SA pistols plays a role as well, but doesn't seem to affect other manufacturers like Sig and CZ.

PS- I've been a Glock guy for a long time, and still love my G19. But, I think of it like blonds and brunettes. Some people like blonds, some people like brunettes. I like both. I'll never sell my Glock, nor will I ever sell my Beretta's. Each are fun for a different reason.

[jpx0123]

I like em so much I have 2.

[PyroFox79]

Couple things really. I've owned one so this Isnt just me repeating what ivd seen people say or what not

1) horrible trigger. Compared to other guns. Long double action and gummy single.
Its not that bad. Maybe you have weak fingers.
2) oversized grip makes it hard for some people and personally the gun is uncomfortable
My girlfriend is 5'0" she has small hands and has no issues shooting it. Neither did the countless Female marines and Sailors Ive seen shoot them on the Range.
3) if I have to replace one more locking block or safety/decocker im going to puke lol. As a gunsmith this is my #1 most repaired gun.... The decocking mechanism and locking block break all day long.
As an Armorer in the Corps I've seen ONE break and that was because it was never replaced.. Never seen a decocking block break ever.
4) exposed locking mechanism. Any dirt dust or poo in large quantities will find it's way into the mechanism. This is one ivd more or less heard from our troops in the Middle East.
Never seen one jam with all the sand and dirt and other **** that gets into guns in Iraq
5) can't do much with it. Very very little aftermarket parts except maybe grips
After market parts arent really needed.
6) history of reliability issues. Ya ok so the frame would break off in the early model m9s I think but they fixed it by now. Their metallurgy had some serious issues back in the day and when I test fire one I can't help but not be right behind it.
Something that happened about 30 years ago on a marginally small amount of pistols isn't really something to be concerned about.
These are just a very few of the things I can remember off the top of my head. I've made note of more. There are too sides to it. I really enjoy the looks and everyone loves to shoot it, lord knows it's in EVER Hollywood movie. 9mm is cheap and fun, accuracy is enjoyable, can be made fully automatic easily if that's what you're into, easily field strips and easy to clean, it's a decent full sized handgun. I don't dislike mine mainly because not forced to use it I think lol. Anyways hope that helps

Answers in Red.

Also its not hard to rack the slide with out engaging the saftey. This wasnt even something i ever even heard about until started going on internet gun forums.

[Mr310]

There's something about it that just feels cheap to me. I can't explain it, and maybe I've just been spoiled by Sig Sauer, but it just doesn't seem like a quality gun. That being said, I'll never sell mine. Already made that mistake once.

[CK_32]

My complaints are that its too fat for my girly hands


Too heavy for my girly wrists


And just an average pistol beyond that

[DArBad]

Most people online, friends and shooters at the range have one thing in common, they all claim to dislike the Beretta 92FS/M9 pistol...............

What's your opinion?

I like the Beretta M9/92fs series. Fits my hand quite well, I like the smooth refined function, its unique but " sexy " style, and its reliability.

All gun brands will have haters and likers...... so don't worry too much about it. You said its your favorite, then that's all that should matter to YOU.

[elsupermanny14]

A lot of people claim to hate the Beretta 92/M9 for a few reasons. Very few people (this board is no exception) do not take the time, and will never take the time, to learn how to shoot in DA. The trigger being too "stiff" or too "long" means the operator is not comfortable with a DA trigger pull. DA trigger pull is intended to be stiff and long. An 11lb DA trigger on a Beretta is difficult to pull, DUH! A 12lb DA trigger on a Sig P series is also difficult to pull. Of course no one likes to bash a Sig, because then how would you justify spending $850-$1000+ on a pistol? I personally changed the hammer spring on my M9 to the D spring and it dropped the trigger pull to about 7-8lbs in DA. The pull is so light and I'm almost as accurate in DA as I am in SA. With MORE PRACTICE I will eventually be just as accurate.

Everyone that complains about the safety/decocker location has not trained with the pistol or put in any effort learning to using their particular pistol. When I rack my M9, I place my hand over the front of the barrel. I don't know why it's difficult for people to figure that out? It's just easier to complain I suppose.

Disengaging the safety is pretty easy too people. You can disengage it very easy when your reach down to draw your pistol. They safety is also very easy to disengage while you have the pistol in front of you.

It's also easy to NOT engage the safety when racking the slide, again move your hand up over the barrel when racking your pistol.

The locking block issues are a thing of the past, the cracking slides were never really an issue. And for those who think there is a lack of aftermarket support for the M9, try Google, it's your friend.

Now I will admit the gun is huge, thick, and it takes adjusting to holding something that big. Well, practice and you will see how you start to get comfortable with it. If you need to, buy thinner grips from Wilson Combat and there is also a short reach trigger.

People hate on the Beretta because they only repeat the hate they hear without actually having any experience with the gun. Or people own the gun and do not practice with it enough and then complain about how it's different than their other guns. Remember this is Calguns, people put like to put 500 rounds through a particular gun all year and then claim how experienced they are with a particular side arm.

Also, if you think the Beretta is not a good self defense pistol, or too difficult to use under stress, go look up Ernest Langdon or Ben Stoeger. Practice is your friend at any level.

I personally love my M9, it's built like a damn tank, and I like the added "safety feature" of the DA trigger. Go figure right?

[Sam]

I dislike the location of the decocker/safety.

[Mr310]

A lot of people claim to hate the Beretta 92/M9 for a few reasons. Very few people (this board is no exception) do not take the time, and will never take the time, to learn how to shoot in DA. The trigger being too "stiff" or too "long" means the operator is not comfortable with a DA trigger pull. DA trigger pull is intended to be stiff and long. An 11lb DA trigger on a Beretta is difficult to pull, DUH! A 12lb DA trigger on a Sig P series is also difficult to pull. Of course no one likes to bash a Sig, because then how would you justify spending $850-$1000+ on a pistol? I personally changed the hammer spring on my M9 to the D spring and it dropped the trigger pull to about 7-8lbs in DA. The pull is so light and I'm almost as accurate in DA as I am in SA. With MORE PRACTICE I will eventually be just as accurate.

Everyone that complains about the safety/decocker location has not trained with the pistol or put in any effort learning to using their particular pistol. When I rack my M9, I place my hand over the front of the barrel. I don't know why it's difficult for people to figure that out? It's just easier to complain I suppose.

Disengaging the safety is pretty easy too people. You can disengage it very easy when your reach down to draw your pistol. They safety is also very easy to disengage while you have the pistol in front of you.

It's also easy to NOT engage the safety when racking the slide, again move your hand up over the barrel when racking your pistol.

The locking block issues are a thing of the past, the cracking slides were never really an issue. And for those who think there is a lack of aftermarket support for the M9, try Google, it's your friend.

Now I will admit the gun is huge, thick, and it takes adjusting to holding something that big. Well, practice and you will see how you start to get comfortable with it. If you need to, buy thinner grips from Wilson Combat and there is also a short reach trigger.

People hate on the Beretta because they only repeat the hate they hear without actually having any experience with the gun. Or people own the gun and do not practice with it enough and then complain about how it's different than their other guns. Remember this is Calguns, people put like to put 500 rounds through a particular gun all year and then claim how experienced they are with a particular side arm.

Also, if you think the Beretta is not a good self defense pistol, or too difficult to use under stress, go look up Ernest Langdon or Ben Stoeger. Practice is your friend at any level.

I personally love my M9, it's built like a damn tank, and I like the added "safety feature" of the DA trigger. Go figure right?

I definitely agree with you about the Calguns mentality, but the Sig and the Beretta just aren't comparable.

Also, can you clarify what you mean about your hand placement? From what you said, I gather that you sweep yourself every time you rack the slide.

[meno377]

Most of the complaints about the trigger, grip, and slide safety/decocker come across as those who don't want to spend the time to practice and train.

[saudadeii]

Some hate Glocks. Some hate Rugers. Some hate Seahawks. Some hate Patriots.

Typically, it's simply a matter of preference. Shoot what you like. Root for who you like.

Well, except the Patriots.

[Peter.Steele]

Also, can you clarify what you mean about your hand placement? From what you said, I gather that you sweep yourself every time you rack the slide.

He's talking about the open top part of the slide, not the muzzle.

Hand goes over the top of the barrel, with fingers and thumb gripping the slide right behind the ejection port.

Or at least that's what I'm assuming ... that's how I do it with my 92FS and PX4.

I hated the M9 when I was in the service. I bought a 92FS in a fit of nostalgia about 5 years ago, and it turns out that ... I love it. It feels like an extension of my hand.

[Mr310]

He's talking about the open top part of the slide, not the muzzle.

Hand goes over the top of the barrel, with fingers and thumb gripping the slide right behind the ejection port.

Or at least that's what I'm assuming ... that's how I do it with my 92FS and PX4.

I hated the M9 when I was in the service. I bought a 92FS in a fit of nostalgia about 5 years ago, and it turns out that ... I love it. It feels like an extension of my hand.

That's how I used to rack the slide on mine.... until my hand slipped and the slide took a chunk out of my palm. I still need to get some skateboard tape or something.