Beretta 92 With NATO Ammo

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doctorj

New member
I recently read a thread that discussed the fact the NATO ammo is hotter than standard 9mm-- maybe equivalent to 9mm +P+. Since the Beretta is the standard military sidearm, does this mean the Beretta is built for a steady diet of MILSPEC 9mm?

Thanks-
 
I'd sure hope that the military M9 is suitable for use with NATO ammo! However, you may have heard about slide breakage with the M9. During the late 1980's the slides on a few M9's broke in half. The problem was traced to a large lot of 9mm ammo that was loaded VERY hot, and meant to only be used in submachine guns. Instead it was used in the pistols as well, causing the breakages.

So yes, the Beretta will handle standard NATO ammo. But at the same time, it's not an excuse to abuse the gun. I assume you just want assurances that your gun will last forever no matter what you shoot through it. The answer is always the same. No matter what you shoot, if you can afford enough ammo to break the gun you can afford a new gun anyway!
 
Aluminum.

I believe Beretta lists a markedly different lifespan for +P vs. standard pressure ammo. Something like 30,000 rounds vs. 50,000. I'm sure someone has the correct number or a link.
 
The 1911 lasted in the military for a long long time. If I am not mistaken, many of the 1911s were used for decades (like since before WW2).

The 45 is a low pressure round though.

I just wonder how the Berettas will be doing in 40 or 50 yrs.

Aluminum Frame + high pressure ammo doesnt sound like a good combo for a long service life.
 
I have an Italian Beretta 92 (as opossed to a MD made one) and it seems to be holding up rather well. Granted, I take better care of my stuff than most other LEO's and it is not my carry piece (Currently a Glock 17, which by the way is an excellent firearm) The aluminum frame will give an excellent service life and is light weight and durable(Non-rusting) but a steel one would have had advantages too.
 
Beretta says that EXTENDED use of +P+ will shorten the life of the gun.

If you plan to shoot a lot of +P+ or NATO ammo (about the same thing) you might want to consider purchasing a different pistol.

Maybe a Ruger or a Glock.
 
When 1911's were rebuilt and reconditioned, what did they do (or what could they do) to the frame? It seems to me that if a frame developed a problem, the gun would pretty much be trashed.

Can frames be re-worked? If they can't, then I wonder how long a 92 will really be able to stay in service.

How many rounds a year would you say the average pistol gets shot in the military?
 
My wife is in Navy Reserve and qualifies with the M9. Some of the guns they use have more than 100,000 rounds fired using military ammo and are still operational. I would maybe put in a stiffer recoil spring and ABSOLUTELY put in a SHOK-Buff to protect the frame from battering if a steady diet of +p will be used.
 
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