Another guy buying a 92FS wanting advice...

A

Adventurer_96

New member
I've been meaning to buy a 92F or FS for a while, especially since I have 3 std-cap mags for it, and I'm down to crunch time here. I've found two that I'm interested in.

One, private sale, is a 92F, with two std-caps and a 20 round mag, $375-400, depending on how well I can negotiate. Good to very good condition in regards to the finish, and seems to be well cared for at a casual glance.

Second, 92FS at a dealer, i$350, is a formerly confiscated gun being sold by this dealer since he got his mitts on a few hundred guns in varying condition. This one has seen more wear on the finish,etc. but the feed ramp does not seem to have had too many rounds through it and the barrel is clean.

Obviously, I'd rather get the 92F but I may be too late for it. What specifically do I need to keep in mind with these pistols? There really is no major difference between the 92F and FS, if memory serves. I'm in the military, and we use them (after a fashion) at work but I don't know if there is anything in particular I should examine.

I figured since I haven't seen a message "Need help picking out a Beretta" in a while it was time to post one. Thanks in advance.


Two rules in air combat:

Lose sight, lose fight.
Maneuver in relation to the bandit.
 
I recall reading about a man who got his rifle confiscated by U.S. Customs at the Canadian border.

The rifle had been stolen from a previous owner and recovered by police and then sold legally by a dealer.

The Customs agents ran the serial number and it came up stolen.

Something to think about.

-Mk.IV
 
That exact thought had crossed my mind, since I'll be moving with my guns in the coming years thanks to Uncle Sam. I'd thought of photocopying the bill of sale and keeping it in my rangebag if that's the one I choose!
 
There really is no major difference between the 92F and FS, if memory serves.
Click to expand...
The difference is that the FS model has a slot in the slide and a corresponding tab in the frame designed to keep a broken slide from flying back into the shooter's face.
 
92 F Vs 92 FS

The differance between the two is as Matt VDW, explaned. If you buy a 92 F model, berreta will do the upgrade for free. They are extremely nice hand guns. Very reliable and also very accurate. If you buy one you will not be sorry.

Tony
 
The 92 is typically a very accurate and user-friendly tool. They do, however, require copius amounts of oil for lubricity and as an anti-rust measure. The locking block is a pain in the posterior coming out easily with a tricky re-assembly probability.

The pistol shoots well with minimal recoil. That said, when you factor in the military application here with the tendency of barrel corrosion and the awkwardness of the locking block, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to determine that corruption is alive and wel in our federal government. The are many other offerings out there that would have been much better than the 92. Oh, by the way, did I mention it is not advised to run large amounts of +P ammo through em'? Nevermind that most NATO ammo is loaded to +P pressures. Finally, I don't care for the exposed trigger bar and see this as suicide in a war zone over the long haul.

FWIW,

WB
 
Yep, they hit the nail on the head, the s means it has the slide retention slot on it. That is the way I would go.
I have a Beretta 92FS and at least so far after maybe a few thousand rounds it has been for lack of a better word perfect. Knock on wood. It is extremely reliable and way more accurate than I am.
I carried it back when le and still it is my preffered carry peice. I don't find it to difficult to conceal and sure makes me feel better to know I have such a formidable weapon.
I have a great respect for other makers, but for me Beretta 92FS is the way to go.
 
Actually, the manual states
We do not recommend extended use of +P+ or submachine gun ammunition because the chamber pressure may reach or exceed proof load pressure, decreasing the major components service life expectancy.
Click to expand...

Doesn't say anything about using NATO spec or +P ammo.
 
No pistol is perfect, but the 92 is in the top three or four.

Muzzle flip is much less than most, due to lower bore axis.

The grip is quite large, so hopefully you've handled on in the store before buying. It's not for everyone. Depending on how you dress and carry, however, it can definitely be concealed. Try a good IWB to conceal the slide/barrel and watch out how you bend over. :-)

Like many semiautos, it can and will break small parts at surprising times. If you are buying a used one, I would immediately replace the trigger pin, trigger bar spring and trigger spring, all of which seem to break in service. I'd also replace the recoil spring, as a favor to the pistol. These parts are all very inexpensive from Beretta USA. Wolff makes a nifty redesigned trigger spring called a "trigger conversion unit" that eliminates breakage of the trigger spring. Stick with factory or at least factory standard parts, at least until you are very sure what you are doing and how the pistol will perform.

Be advised, the locking block was redesigned a few years ago and if your 92 has an older style LB, you should consider replacing it, although it is not a cheap part. At least, inspect it carefully when you get the pistol and periodically thereafter. See http://beretta.squawk.com/technical/blocks.htm.

One of the nice things about the Beretta 92 is the chrome-lined bore in the non-SS versions. The outside may be subject to corrosion, but the bore is not and cleans up very, very quickly.

:)
 
I ditto the 92FS's reliablity and shootability. If you are going to shoot a lot of +P in it, I'd suggest getting an extra power recoil spring from Wolff or others and new magazine springs. Wolff has +5% and +10% strengths available. Magazine springs are often overlooked as needing replacement and can lead to feeding problems with extra power recoil springs and/or heavier recoiling loads if they have weakened.
 
Thanks for the info

Thanks for all of your input, to see the latest in this saga check the new thread about my dilemma on trading a Colt Cobra for a 92!
 
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