Color me... baffled. 92F vs. Hi-Power two great 9mm pistols

[Dr.Rob]

I will admit it until today I hadn't shot a 92F in 20+ years. And now I recall why I didn't like it.

WOW, is it a BIG pistol. Seems overbuilt almost. Wider, longer taller than a BHP and only holds 2 more rounds. (Modern 17 shot Beretta mag and 15 shot Ramline BHP mag. Original was 15 vs. 13) A lot of the increased size/width seems a result of the DA mechanism and the 'wraparound' slide.

I have pretty good sized hands and long fingers and I can't hit the mag release without changing my grip. Safety and slide release are no problem. Ambidextrous controls are excellent.

DA trigger is LOOOOOOONG and SA trigger has what feels like a 1/2 inch of creep.

Oversized trigger guard looks like it would work with gloves.. but the giant exposed moving part on the right side looks like a place for dirt and sand to cause problems.

I know this is a piece with decades of service and a good record... but side by side, I have to wonder why the US didn't go with the BHP.

It was still fun to shoot but with my pal's aftermarket rail and slick grips I struggled to find a way to grip it that I felt really good about.

My pal griped a bunch about my Hi-power too he thought it kicked a lot more, was a bear to rack the slide and didn't like my rubber grips at all.

Great way to spend a Weds. night with a friend, we went through 200 rounds or so of 9mm fmj.

 

[tarosean]

I have to wonder why the US didn't go with the BHP.

They are expensive to maintain... That was the reason the British gave to dumping them. Our FBI also dumped them. Course they were implemented right before the Miami shootout changed everything for them.. Which coincidentally, I read somewhere recently the FBI is going back to 9mm for new recruits.

In addition, FN decided to enter the BDA into the XM9 competition (Army Pistol Trial) and not the HP...

 

[Billy Shears]

but side by side, I have to wonder why the US didn't go with the BHP.

Because the military specified the new M9 service pistol would have to be a double action, and the Hi Power is a single action pistol.

 

[jmr40]

The 92 is one of those guns I respect. I've had a couple, they shot well and ran 100%, but they just didn't appeal to me. If someone issued me one I'd use it with confidence, but wouldn't buy another.

 

[bannockburn]

I have small hands so that the Hi-Power is a perfect fit for me while the Beretta 92 is a bit of reach in just about every aspect of its design.

 

[saltydog452]

Maybe its a 'Generation' preference.

Of the two mentioned, I like the BHP. Number Two Son likes a David Sams tweaked 92 that appears 'stock'.

We both like the 228.

salty

 

[Ohen Cepel]

The BHP is a great pistol, fit my hand very well. SA though and that isn't always the best option for some people.

You can get thinner grips for the 92 which helps some with the grip. I also like it but it is a large pistol. Now that they come with 17rd mags it's better but still large.

I have shot M9's a lot and seen them take a good amount of abuse. They aren't perfect but are very good in my mind.

 

[Fiv3r]

I actually really enjoy both. I find the BHP a joy to hold and love the history. I can see how a large heavy 92 could inspire a lot of confidence. It's a solid pistol and performer, but huge.

When I was recently shopping for a new 9mm, I considered both. The BHP wasn't the DA I wanted. The 92 was just way too big and heavy for the carry piece I was looking for.
I ended up going with an FNX-9 as I have enjoyed my striker fired FNS-40 a lot, and it was a good compromise between the two for my needs.
That said, when money isn't an object, I plan on getting both the 92 and the Browning. Two great guns with a lot of history behind them.

 

[barnbwt]

The 92 is intended for the 7ft warrior class, while the HP seems more 'practical' for mundane chores and carry. The HP, unlike the 1911 or 92, served widely in Europe for the better part of the last century, and lives on in a zillion clones and descendants.

TCB

 

[Nom de Forum]

Yeah the BHP is more comfortable to carry around and hold in most people hands but the B92 is more durable and reliable. I appreciate the Beretta's durability and reliability, but just don't enjoy shooting it as much because of my average size hands.

 

[amd6547]

I shot the HiPower for decades, and carried it a lot...owned several different ones.
A few years ago, I bought a 92FS, just to see what all the complaining was about. I found the Beretta to be a great pistol. Accurate, reliable, and points well.
Eventually, I got into Glocks, and traded the 92FS for a new G17. After shooting that, and a G26 for a while, I gave up on the HiPower altogether...the Glock system does everything I want a 9mm to do.

 

[SSN Vet]

Anytime you find yourself asking the question "why did/didn't the military do/not do this or that", the answer is usually "politics".

 

[SSN Vet]

Also.... when the Browning spec changed to a 32 lb. hammer spring, the trigger pull went from bad to terrible.

It can be improved. And after TLC in skilled hands, mine is very nice. But it will never match a 1911 SA trigger.

 

[1KPerDay]

I like the 92. Sexy, smooth, and I shoot it well. It is large.

I've never even TOUCHED a Hi-Power. Can you believe that?

I really want one... but the prices are kinda ridiculous of late.

 

[C0untZer0]

When I tell people that the Glock 17L and the Beretta 92 are almost the same size they say "No Way"

But the pistols are close in size.

 

[C0untZer0]

I always wondered why we didn't go with BHP since it was so similar to the M1911, minus the grip safety. It should not have required much re-training. The BHP was in service with the UK and obviously had a long service record.

 

[Quentin]

I also am a fan of the Hi Power but understand the spec was for a DA 9mm, not SA. So the HP was eliminated from competition from day one. Too bad though.

But what really amazes me is why the military didn't go with the S&W 5906 or 5903. To me, either is a better fit than the M9. The Beretta is a fine pistol but there were other choices. I should read up on the trials, maybe the 590x wasn't as reliable.

 

[OregonJohnny]

I must have abnormally shaped hands or fingers. I just don't get it. I wear a size medium glove, I'm 6' tall, slim build. My Beretta 92FS feels like it was made for my hand. Sure, it's a very large semi-auto pistol, especially for a 9mm. But when I have a shooting grip on the gun, I can easily reach the mag release, slide catch and decocker with my thumb.

For those who have a 92/M9 or want one, but have a hard time with it's size or reaching the controls, there are some things to consider:

1. Slimmer grips - I use Alumagrips, and they are not only a little bit thinner than the stock plastic grips, but they are slightly more rounded on the edges, making them feel much smaller. They are also very aggressively checkered for a much more secure hold on the gun.

2. Oversized checkered mag release - makes the reach to the button just a few millimeters closer, and its face is larger and aggressively checkered.

3. 92FS frame vs. M9 frame - The 92FS frame has a slight radius cut in the top of the back strap where it meets the beavertail. The M9 does not have this cut. It improves trigger reach by a millimeter or two, kind of like the Glock SF vs. standard Gen 1/2/3 frame.

A LOT of people don't care for the Beretta. For me, it just works. And I shoot it far better than any of my other handguns.

 

[Old Dog]

I like the Browning Hi-Power; I love the 1911, and for many years I was ambivalent about the M9/M92FS ... but now, I always keep a 92 around the house loaded up.

With the awesome Mec-Gar 18-round flush fit mags and the 20-round "Optimus" mags, the 92 is a fun gun for me. My hands aren't exactly huge, but the 92FS fits me well and I shoot it accurately.

Never had one that wasn't 100 percent reliable, either, so yeah, I guess I am a big fan of Beretta's flagship pistol.

 

[deejai]

The Browning BDA was submitted to the JSSAP but was voluntarily withdrawn from the competition beforehand. Probably because of reliability issues.

http://archive.gao.gov/d4t4/130439.pdf

 

[TennJed]

I got my first CZ 75 yesterday and I would throw that into the mix as well

 

[Hanshi]

I've owned a few 9mm handguns and liked them all. I now have only one, the Browning Hi-Power.

 

[mgmorden]

I too have found the Beretta 92 to be VERY overrated. I got one at a deal about 2 years ago and have no intention of getting rid of it just due to its military record (mostly its just a gun for the collection), but I just don't like it. Its big, the trigger is bad, the sights are bad (and the front isn't replaceable), stock magazine size is only 15 rounds (compared to everything else that size holding 17 or 18) and it just doesn't sit well in my hand.

Compared to most other modern guns I just don't like it.

Its been about 15 years since I've fired a Hi Power but from what I remember I liked it more than the Beretta 92. I actually have one of the Israeli Surplus ones inbound from Cole's so I'll form a better opinion soon.

 

[tipoc]

I know this is a piece with decades of service and a good record... but side by side, I have to wonder why the US didn't go with the BHP.

After the shooting and the shouting trials results were that the Beretta 92 FS and the Sig P226 were selected as the U.S. sidearms. The Sig was chosen as an alternative.

The military designated that the gun have the following features and if it did not it was not qualified to enter the tests at all. So a da/sa mechanism with a decocker was needed, an aluminum alloy light weight frame, an exposed hammer fired gun, a squared trigger guard, a capacity of more than 10 rounds, that it be in 9mm, there were limitations on it's weight when empty and with a full mag and the endurance reliability testing of course.

At any rate the BHP did not fit the criteria of what the military wanted in the first place. The da/sa pistol FN did enter did not pass the testing phase.

The M9 is a large gun. Larger than the P226. I thought it was way too large the first times I shot it. But a few years later I better of it and find it to be one of the more accurate service guns out there. Not as comfortable in my hand as the Sig but not impossible either.

Unlike a number of polymer guns the grips on the 92 change out easily to adapt to the shooter.

P.S. It's a serious complement that the BHP is being phased out of service by the British who have used it since the 1940s. Essentially the same gun that was produced in 1935 has remained in continual service with militaries, law enforcement and gunnies around the globe and only it's price of production knocks it from that perch. Not bad for arguably the worlds best fighting 9mm handgun.

tipoc

 

[.357 magnum]

I own Two Berreta 92's

They are Big, that is for sure. I have small hands, but I have NEVER had trouble shooting them. They are 100% reliable. I like the fact they are Big and Heavy! Recoil is Not an Issue. Making follow up shots and multiple shots MORE ACCURATE. I do prefer guns with less recoil for Accuracy sake. Also, I have a Wife and A Good defensive weapon with Less recoil is something I appreciate for her. She does Not shoot My .45's or 40's. But Handles the 9mm's Quite Well. I have Confidence she can Defend Herself, even if I am not with her. I have her currently using a Smith&Wesson MP 9mm with a 4.2 inch Barrel, because it is Simple, just pick it up and Shoot! It gives her 18 shots of 9mm and she does NOT have to remember anything! Just take it out of the holster, aim and pull the trigger! I also use LE Ammo in All my guns. I want the MOST LETHAL Ammo available for DEFENSE. I Always keep up with the latest Ammo choices for that reason. I have Found in 9mm it is Hard to Beat the Federal LE 147gr HST's in +P or Standard Pressure for Both Penetration and Expansion. I also use Winchester 147gr Standard or +P for defense. The Winchesters Penetrate Like Monsters, but do not Expand quite as Well as the HST's. These are things we should All take into consideration for defending our loved Ones. To sum it up I think Berreta makes a Damn Good 9mm. It is a Very Good Defensive Platform. Also My Berreta 92FS in Stainless and 92A1 in Black LOOK AWESOME. An added extra for me! I personally wish the U.S. Military would spend the Money to arm our People with .45acp's again. I think this would be Money well spent. These days only Special Forces, Seals etc. get that Luxury. Our Military Personnel DESERVE the BEST!

The Best to Everyone!

Frank