Beretta 92 Love!

[Bobby Ricigliano]

I've had a long term affection for the Beretta 92 platform, having shot them in the Army and using a 92F extensively as a duty weapon for a decade ++. My issued 92F is beat all to hell and looks like it was dragged behind a patrol car, but it still works flawlessly. Zero malfunctions, ever.

So obviously I have gravitated toward having a few of these in my own collection. (The duty gun still technically belongs to the taxpayers!). Here are my personally owned Berettas.


(From left to right:
Beretta 92FS, upgraded with metal guide rod and VZ grips

Beretta M9A1, upgraded with metal guide rod and metal factory extended mag release, Streamlight TLR-1 (300 lumens) and 20rd MecGar magazine. This is my primary HD handgun and the Winchester Ranger 147gr SXT is a proven load.

Beretta 92A1. Italian made and aesthetically my favorite. Upgraded with metal guide rod, metal magazine release, and Beretta wood grips. The internals are slightly different on the 92A1 and it has by far the slickest action and smoothest slide right out of the box on a Beretta that I have ever seen. It was also a great value at $588 + tax and DROS which included three 17 rd magazines.

I would highly recommend any of these three pistols to anyone who wants a full size and full weight all metal gun that will absolutely go bang every time and shoots very accurately.

[Roland Deschain]

Your HD gun looks alot like mine



That said recommend me a metal guide rod (only weak point I see so far )

PS: How do you like the factory wood grips vs the M9A1 grips? I figure my HD weapon can look sexy to as long as it doesn't reduce function

[Sc0tts0]

Nice! I'm jealous. I only have 1, but its upgraded with everything I could upgrade it with, steel guide rod, extended mag release, etc. Its my favorite pistol hands down and the one I shoot the best. I'm sure one has something to do with the other, but still. I applaud your taste!

[Mr310]

They're all gorgeous.

What are the internal differences on the a1? I was unaware.

My lust for a Beretta has begun again, gotta admit. This really doesn't help.

[Bobby Ricigliano]

I was able to pick up a factory Beretta guide rod and spring and metal magazine releases, all in factory Beretta packaging on Ebay relatively cheaply. When in doubt, go with factory parts.

Supposedly the plastic parts Beretta uses have no issue with breakage or reliability problems, so the upgrades are completely optional. However, since the gun is already big and heavy, I just feel better with the metal parts. None of these guns will get abused like my duty gun with close to 10k rounds through it, so it is mostly personal preference.

[Bobby Ricigliano]

They're all gorgeous.

What are the internal differences on the a1? I was unaware.

My lust for a Beretta has begun again, gotta admit. This really doesn't help.

The 92A1 has a captive guide rod/spring that is all one piece. It also has an internal recoil spring buffer. The 92A1 is only made in Italy as far as I know.

[Bobby Ricigliano]

Your HD gun looks alot like mine



That said recommend me a metal guide rod (only weak point I see so far )

PS: How do you like the factory wood grips vs the M9A1 grips? I figure my HD weapon can look sexy to as long as it doesn't reduce function

I bought the wood grips strictly for aesthetics, but they function nicely as well. The 92A1 came with flathead screw grips and I replaced them with the hex screws. The original plastic factory grips work fine. If you have big hands consider the Hogue wrap around grips.

[FS00008]

The 92A1 has a captive guide rod, different takedown lever, rounded trigger guard (a la 92-S or the original 92), slightly different rail, and a dovetailed front and rear sight.

It also is incompatible with 92FS/M9 slides and vice versa. The frame is wider.

Sadly the 92A1 isn't on the roster.

[Bobby Ricigliano]

The 92A1 has a captive guide rod, different takedown lever, rounded trigger guard (a la 92-S or the original 92), slightly different rail, and a dovetailed front and rear sight.

It also is incompatible with 92FS/M9 slides and vice versa. The frame is wider.

Sadly the 92A1 isn't on the roster.

Yes, all true. Thanks for the additional info.

[kds857]

woohoo, steel trigger, steel guide rod, competition mainspring, and replaced sights that shoot point of aim instead of 3 inches low!

[Dragon]

Very nice!

[orangeusa]

Nothing wrong with 92's

[Alan Chen]

Nice. Wish I bought one at my LGS before the current panic.

[TripleThreat]

This is the only photo I have of my 92A1. You can see I placed it on top, because I love it so much. Truly one of my favorite weapons.


Triple

[Bobby Ricigliano]

I had sort of hoped this thread would turn into some Beretta eye candy!