Beretta 92 American or Italian

R

redlightrich

New member
Hello all, does anyone have any real experience with quality of either of these firearms? It appears the the 92FS is made in Italy, and the 92FS Inox ( Stainless) is made in the good old USA!!!

The price is similar ( the Inox is 100 dollars more) which when factoring in more expensive stainless and USA labor, sure makes sense, but are they equal in performance?

My guess is in use, there would be no perceivable difference.

Anyone have both? Anyone used both?

My daughter has the M9A1 which is very similar to this model. She loves it and shoots it well, she likes the quality, and I agree. Does this quality pass thru the Beretta line?

I would hope the USA made model is even better!!

Thank you

Rich
 
The only negative I've heard about the Inox was with some broken extractors. My buddy broke one years ago and when I searched the internet for a replacement I found that his wasn't the first. Now, in all fairness to Beretta, that problem may have been limited to a certain production run that has since been corrected.
 
It appears the the 92FS is made in Italy, and the 92FS Inox ( Stainless) is made in the good old USA!!!
Click to expand...

That may be the current production situation, I don't know, but be aware that it changes from time to time. I have an Italian Inox, for example. For a while, the Inox version was being produced on both continents, and the ones of Italian origin had stainless-colored controls and the ones made in the US had black controls. The point being, things like cosmetics and production site are subject to change by management.

People argue enough about whether Italian or American versions are better that it makes the think the difference is inconsequential. Those arguments usually center on finish rather than function, too. Overall, it is a pretty solid design that Beretta executes quite well in both factories.
 
Most Beretta 92FS pistols sold in the US are made in the US and have been for years. Things could be different right now since Beretta USA has just moved its manufacturing facility out of Maryland and is still ramping up production in their new plant.

I do have two comparable Beretta pistols, one made in Italy and the other in the US. They are not 92 models. They are Beretta Cougars. I do not appreciate any difference in build quality between the two.

Italian-made Beretta pistols can be identified as such by characteristic proof marks on the frame.

Most of the differences between US and Italian-made Beretta 92FS pistols are cosmetic and are differences in markings. One functional difference between the two is that the BUSA-made pistols have a solid "dog bone" pin securing the mainspring cap/lanyard loop whereas the Italian pistols have a roll pin. The roll pin is much more difficult to remove than the dog bone pin. This is a factor if you decide to switch mainsprings to lighten the double action trigger pull, as many 92 series owners choose to do.

A video demonstrating the cosmetic differences:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNCSFSYsa1M
 
My SS 92FS is a made in USA one. No problems so far, bought it in 2002. The only experience I've had with an Italian gun was a 92FS we had for sale(new one) at the store where I worked, the black paint or whatever the finish was, was peeling off the slide. I don't know if it ever sold or not. My gun has SS small parts on it, wasn't marked INOX, just SS. Good one.
 
I have two - both Italian, also the quality is just as good for the American. However, my Italian stainless is in a class by it's own. None of those black plastic parts on the gun - all stainless....very sweet.

Laura
 
Thanks folks, I think I will then buy the Inox. There is one at the LGS calling my name. It has 2-15 round mags ( which is max in NJ) so it will be a good buy for me. I also see they make a 22lr conversion kit which I would actually use.

Thank you again for the insight

Rich
 
I have an M9A1, and it's by far my my favorite handgun. The one modification I made was the replacement of the grips to the Beretta branded Houge rubber grips. (Available on the Beretta and Houge websites.) I have long fingers, and this ergonomic change made my favorite gun perfect. I also plan on adding red or green paint to the front dot to change from white.

If the M9A3 is available in your area I would look at this also. With the Beretta factory moved from Maryland to Tennessee, I haven't been able to find one anywhere locally yet.

I train every other week, and clean after each use. I've had ZERO malfunctions at all. As with everything, keep a round count for the maintenance schedule, and change the springs and locking block on schedule. It's a very accurate, safe, and easy to handle firearm.
 
75218ron said:
Those are NOT plastic parts. They are metal parts with a polymer coating.
Click to expand...



except the guide rod is all plastic

which is good.

I have an all-steel inox italian beauty from probably 1990'ish era. with inox magazines with matching basepads. Very cool pistol to own but too nice to impose any wear on.

On the right is my competition 92.


0be001ce2c87c38d36b385fc195c1aa6.jpg



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I have an all stainless Inox made in USA which is sweet. I understand the all stainless controls are relatively rare on USA Inox guns...or maybe not :)
 
Hello Again, went back to the LGS today, to hold the Inox. They said that this one was the last one they would receive this year ( they said Beretta builds in batches, and does not return to that gun type for a full cycle, however long that is). I almost bit, but I held off. I have until close of business tomorrow to decide if I want it.

I am leaning towards yes.
 
I had always wanted the traditional black Italian 92FS, so that is the first one I bought.

Next up is the INOX. I'm perfectly ok with it being US made, but I wanted the traditional Italian black first. :cool: Then I'll be stalking the M9A3, but it needs to be in black.
 
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