Going a bit bonkers for Berettas

[ECVMatt]

I recently got into the 92 FS world and was very impressed with comfort and accuracy of the gun. My gun shoots very soft, is very accurate, and is fun for us 80's/90's kids that are getting nostalgic.

So that experience led me down the 92 rabbit hole. Being in CA, I can not get the latest and greatest LTT or Wilson Combat version, but they do sell all the parts a la carte. My original 92 has some sentimental value, so I did not want to go tearing it apart. That led me on a search for a second 92FS.

We have a website out here called Calguns and they have a classified section that I am sure has cost one of my kids their college education. However, it is a great place to buy used guns in CA and sometimes great deals are found. With several new guns add to the CA approved list, some of the older designs can be had for a steal and so it was that I came across a NIB Italian 92 FS. After doing the paperwork, I quickly ran home to start ordering some parts. I ended up with a LTT Tigger Job in a Bag and an all steel parts set from Midwest Guns. I should add that the hammer spring cup is plastic on my gun. This part was not included in the Midwest kit, but they do have them on Ebay. I should have that tomorrow and will be replacing the plastic one for sure.

I finally had some time tonight to throw everything together, well almost everything, and it was much different than working with my standard Glock pistol. Overall I found the design relatively simple to work with, but the small parts and springs can be a bear. Once I had everything back together, I discovered that the double action was not working, so I had to remove the trigger bar and file off some material on the over travel section. It only took a minute and I was good to go. The trigger pull ended up great!

I almost got all the work done, but I did not have the right sized punch to work on the safety. Amazon will hopefully save me tomorrow or the next day and I will get that knocked out.

Another bonus to the 92 FS or M9 is the abundance of surplus gear for the gun. It is also sometimes helpful to be a lefty. I went a bit crazy on Ebay, but have some good stuff coming. I can't believe some of the prices I got on new Safariland holsters.

I am off to the desert for some shooting this weekend and will be able to give the gun a good work out. I will update after I get a few rounds down the pipe.

 

[hoardingthemanual]

That’s neat. I’m a fan of the 92FS too. I prefer da/sa over most others and the quality of the beretta is great. Maybe in the future I’ll get a second one too. Thanks for the write up.

 

[vanfunk]

Nice! I haven’t owned one in 20-25 years but am thinking about buying one again. Have fun!

 

[bannockburn]

ECVMatt

Great review on customizing your Model 92 Beretta!

I have thought about getting one on more than one occasion but the regular frame design makes the grip frame feel too large for my hand. It's a bit of a reach to the trigger. I need the version which has the straight back Vertec configuration.

 

[JTQ]

I have thought about getting one on more than one occasion but the regular frame design makes the grip frame feel too large for my hand. It's a bit of a reach to the trigger. I need the version which has the straight back Vertec configuration.

In the current Beretta line-up, the Vertec frame is the most common option.

 

[Jim Watson]

If I were starting over in DA/SA it would be with a LTT Beretta instead of a GGI Sig.

 

[bannockburn]

JTQ

I must confess it's been awhile since I have perused the Beretta website. For some years now I have been in the SIG realm of things. starting off with a P226, then a P229, a P238, a P365X, an M18, and the latest, another P226. I also had on "loan" my brother's P228 and enjoyed it's reliability and accuracy for a number of years. All of them fit my smaller size hand perfectly.

I do apologize for getting off track.

And now back to the Beretta discussion...

 

[JTQ]

The high-end Beretta competition guns come with a Vertec-ish frame, the new single action options come with a Vertec frame, the M9A4 (and M9A3), and the 92X models also come with a Vertec frame. For those that don't care for the smaller grip of the Vertec style frame, Beretta includes a wrap around grip that mimics the traditional more rounded grip of the M9/92FS.

90 Series

Beretta 90 series pistols: the epitome of reliability, accuracy, and craftsmanship in a sleek and versatile design. Trusted by professionals worldwide.

www.beretta.com

 

[ECVMatt]

The first of some of my Ebay purchases came today.

I was able to get a foliage green Safariland 6005 for twenty-five dollars. It came with a drop leg attachment which I changed out for a regular slotted belt loop system that I had in the "Box O' Holsters" and I am good to go. Since this is just a fun shooter and camping companion I don't really care about the color but I guess it does go with the camping theme. This is my first 6005 style holster, so I need to work on the thumb release, but so far so good. I could see how this would be a great holster for ATV and horseback. It is very secure yet quick to release. I am sure most folks have already figured this out, but I am a slow learner.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

I loves me some M92 Berettas, yours looks great!

With some heartache, Ive discovered that I shoot soulless tupperware significantly better, however, so all my beloved Italian (and German) metal pistols have been retired to the safe.

Still carry Berettas regularly, but they are plastic fantastics.....

 

[drobs]

The first of some of my Ebay purchases came today.

I was able to get a foliage green Safariland 6005 for twenty-five dollars. It came with a drop leg attachment which I changed out for a regular slotted belt loop system that I had in the "Box O' Holsters" and I am good to go. Since this is just a fun shooter and camping companion I don't really care about the color but I guess it does go with the camping theme. This is my first 6005 style holster, so I need to work on the thumb release, but so far so good. I could see how this would be a great holster for ATV and horseback. It is very secure yet quick to release. I am sure most folks have already figured this out, but I am a slow learner.

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Nice. I briefly owned a 92FS that I bought to familiarize myself with. It was a good shooter, just really heavy for a 15rd 9mm. I was working as a civilian contractor in Iraq and figured it would be a good idea to be able to shoot a M9 that everyone was carrying.

The PX on Camp Liberty in Baghdad was selling those tan left hand Safariland holsters cheap - like $15 each. I bought a bunch them and gave them away to LH military members all over Iraq & Afghanistan using the APO system. I still have 1 or 2 floating around the house here.

That holster will oddly enough work with a Browning Hi Power.

 

[ECVMatt]

Nice. I briefly owned a 92FS that I bought to familiarize myself with. It was a good shooter, just really heavy for a 15rd 9mm. I was working as a civilian contractor in Iraq and figured it would be a good idea to be able to shoot a M9 that everyone was carrying.

The PX on Camp Liberty in Baghdad was selling those tan left hand Safariland holsters cheap - like $15 each. I bought a bunch them and gave them away to LH military members all over Iraq & Afghanistan using the APO system. I still have 1 or 2 floating around the house here.

That holster will oddly enough work with a Browning Hi Power.

That is awesome! Thanks for the info and background. I am ashamed to admit it, but shortly after I ordered the foliage green version I found a three-color desert pattern version with matching mag pouch for a steal as well. So...I guess we all know where that went.

I am not too sure about the Hi Power information...now I have a couple of holsters that fit a gun I don't own, but have always wanted.....

 

[bannockburn]

ECVMatt

I am not too sure about the Hi Power information...now I have a couple of holsters that fit a gun I don't own, but have always wanted.....

I did the same thing with a Colt AR-15! Long before I had the rifle I had been stocking up on magazines, magazine pouches, ammo, cleaning gear; even a bayonet!

So with a couple of empty holsters to fill that might be a sign that a Hi-Power is going to be something for to get in the near future!

 

[ECVMatt]

@drobs - I get that it is heavy for a 15 round 9mm and I am an admitted Glock fan so I get the lighter/same more capacity thing, but for some reason the addition of the Mec-Gar 18 round magazines kind of makes it more palatable.

@bannockburn - You might just be right about the Hi-Power! My antennas are up for one of those.

It is supposed to be pretty nasty in the desert this weekend, but will still be fun to go exploring. There is supposed to be an abandoned radar installation that I haven't been to so I will put that on the agenda. The Beretta should make a good companion for this. My three color desert holster is supposed to come later tonight so I will get everything tuned up and ready to go for tomorrow.

 

[drobs]

The thumb strap will retain a Hi Power in that holster. However the Hi Power won't click in it, like a 92FS will. You could probably remold the holster with a Heat Gun to fit a Hi Power more tightly.

Heavy 9mm's shoot great but I stick to lightweight Glocks for carry. My most recent heavy all steel 9mm is a CZ 75 SPO1 Tactical. I put it on a scale and it weighs 3.9# with it's 19rd magazine. It shoots fantastically.

I outfitted my Glock 43X with 15rd Shield Arms mags, mag release, and I even have a 20rd mag (Shield Arms + Taran Tactical +5 baseplate) as a backup. Even with the 20rd mag it weighs 1/2 as much as the CZ. Plus I shoot it just as well.

 

[ECVMatt]

I headed off to the desert this morning and decided to try and locate an old abandoned radar installation located on top of a mountain. On the way I stopped to do some informal plinking with the Beretta and the it shoots great!

I was able to find the radar installation. It is a neat location but obviously I am not the only one who has been here. It was definitely comforting having my pistol in a couple of extra magazines. It's pretty remote out here and you are definitely on your own. I guess I don't feel unsafe out here but I definitely feel safer with my pistol. I had planned on spending the night out here in the bed of my truck but the wind picked up and I retreated to the safety of my home. I guess I'm getting old.

I thought I would post a picture of the rig I put together for this pistol.

 

[Riomouse911]

@ECVMatt, glad to see the 92 come together like it did. I bought a commercial M9 last summer and went the M*CARBO route on the innards, as they needed some attention to greatly improve a so-so factory offering.

The teeny pin needing removal from the ambi safety lever is handled by one punch that I luckily had in my kit. But I will admit that when taking out a roll pin in the slide, I got a punch stuck in the thing something fierce and couldn’t remove it. Either the punch was a tiny bit oversized (maybe) or the hole a tiny bit undersized (more likely). I ended up cutting the punch tip off and using a second one to drive the pin and the punch tip out from the other side.

The only thing I have noticed with mine is the POA is different than almost all of my other 9mm semi autos; this uses a low “ dot on center” hold that takes me a while to get used to. (Its even lower than my SIGSauer P228 sight picture.)

Glad the weather wasn’t as rough as Dallas Raines was predicting and you found your radar site. When “blowing sand and gusts to 60” for the high desert are in the forecast during the week, I try to stay out of the area until it settles down.

Stay safe.

 

[Old Dog]

Ah, Beretta love. I'm onboard.

I apparently am one of the few human males whose hands fit the Beretta 92FS/M9 perfectly. When my branch got these in the early '90s, I easily shot Expert the first time I qual'ed with the pistol. I have maintained a love affair with the Beretta for many years now. Strangely, I favor the original grip design over the Vertec (I also favor the arched MSH on the 1911 over the straight MSH). I could care less about the slide-mounted backwards safety, it's a de-cocker, nothing more.

The PX on Camp Liberty in Baghdad was selling those tan left hand Safariland holsters cheap - like $15 each.

Eh, I was at Al Asad (in the early days) when guys were still using the Serpas and I was telling them the Safariland ALS holsters were way better. We were ordering them in (at full price) in black. I had a Galco Miami Classic that an officer gave me more than I paid for it when I rotated out. I feel vindicated now when I note that the Blackhawk holsters have faded into oblivion and people have figured out that the Safariland is possibly the best retention holster ever produced.

 

[IALoder]

Very nice! It looks great with the grips! I love me some Beretta 92's! How much do you think the LTT trigger job in a bag helped the pull? I recently picked up a well used 1999 mfg 92fs for cheap, and it's going to get a total revamp, and the Trigger job in a bag is on the list!

 

[wgp]

My M9 is very good, but what has sold me is the Beretta 92X Compact. My favorite carry piece. Absolutely the best DA/SA trigger I've ever used, and it's not even the Langdon trigger I've read about.

 

[ECVMatt]

@Riomouse911 Dallas was right! The wind never stopped and it rained off and on most of the day. I am glad I have my "Helendale Hideout" to save me when the weather turns. I did not think about Mcarbo. I was too focused on LTT I guess.

@IALoder I don't have a trigger pull gauge but the kit made a huge difference. The trigger bar has both a over travel tab on the front and a modified trigger reset on the rear. I did have to take some material off the over travel tab. It is a simple process. The reset is very short and allows for quick follow up shots. The outcome was fabulous! I stuck with the factory weight hammer spring as I am more concerned with ignition and I still could not be happier.

@Old Dog The gun fits my hand as well. It is such an easy shooter and accurate to boot.

I put 200 rounds through it today. It was windy, rainy, and cold so I just shot my steel target. The gun functioned perfectly. Hopefully I will get some better weather next time.

Here's a couple of pictures from today.



It was cold but fun and I can't believe how much I am enjoying the Beretta.

 

[Targa]

Very nice!! I am a Beretta fan as well. Here are my 92’s.

 

[I6turbo]

I recently got into the 92 FS world and was very impressed with comfort and accuracy of the gun. My gun shoots very soft, is very accurate, and is fun for us 80's/90's kids that are getting nostalgic.

To help feed your nostalgia, here's my 92SB that I bought new in 1984. I had it up until a few years ago when it got rooted out of the safe by some sort of CZ. It was a well-made gun with an action that felt like it was on roller bearings.

 

[Riomouse911]

You planted a seed @ECVMatt, I pulled my three Beretta’s out this morning for a Beretta Monday at the range. Ammo was 9mm WWB 124 gr FMJ and .40 S&W 180 gr FMJ.



The Helwan is an Interarms import, with the usual rough finish, stout trigger pull and small sights.I swapped the locking block and recoil spring when I picked it up, and two aftermarket mags to go with the one original. Honestly, I haven’t shot this gun in at least 5 years (Well, maybe even 10?!?)

I shot 7-10-15 yds on a B-27, no award winning stuff but I l kept them in the 9 so not too bad for fading eyes and an old surplus gun.




The 96 Centurion is a DAO .40 S&W that I bought off GB. I think it was a security guard company gun based on the engraving on the frame. Like the Helwan, I swapped the locking block, springs, etc. when I got it home.

Recoil with the .40 isn’t much different than with the 92 9mm, the wide grip distributes the impulse well., This gun shoots really low compared to the other two, with my first shots at 7 allowing me to see and adjust upwards. The rest did ok, staying in the 9 (Which is fine by me).




The M9 I bought last September, and I have shot this gun several times since. I did do a M*CARBO spring kit to improve the trigger, which wasn’t great out of the box.

Now it shoots great, putting them where they need to go without a hitch.



The only casualty was the extractor in the Helwan. It started leaving fired cases in the chamber a couple of times on the last 5-6 shots, a quick exam showed it had chipped right on the hook.

I ordered one from Jack First, its a project for me to do next week when it arrives.



Stay safe.

 

[ECVMatt]

@Targa and @I6turbo

Those are some nice guns!

I really like the look of the straight dust cover on the 92SB.

Thanks for sharing!

I am home for the desert now and it is time to get everything cleaned up. Between the rain and the dust, the guns got a good work out this weekend. And then onto the truck...that one might have to wait until tomorrow...