Beretta 92S Question

R

robhic

New member
Hi, just have a quick question about my (soon-to-be) Beretta 92S pistol. I got it from CLASSIC FIREARMS and it's one of a batch of Italian Police trade-ins that are making their way to used gun brokers.

I thought $299 with one 15rd mag was a pretty good price for my introductory Beretta! This'll be my first and my question is if this pistol is the same size as the other 92 series guns? It has a heel-mounted mag-release but everything else seems the same.

I'd like to know for purposes of acquiring an AIWB holster for it if I decide to get a holster.

So if anyone knows something regarding this issue (or interesting info on the Beretta 92S pistol) I'd like to hear your thoughts! And thanks!
 
May be problematic locating mags for the 92S. I've looked at these police trades and passed personally. Pretty worn and the unknowns scared me off. I have purchased other police trades though in the past.
 
May be problematic locating mags for the 92S. I've looked at these police trades and passed personally. Pretty worn and the unknowns scared me off. I have purchased other police trades though in the past.
Click to expand...

Mags are not an issue. There are tons of current production mags that work. They just need to have the notch on the lower portion of the mag.

92fs-magazin-stainless-steel-look-dx.jpg



Get yourself a D hammer spring and swap it out. Also check the locking block for damage and determine if you have the older or newer version of the locking block. If it is the older one you might want to replace it. If you don't replace it just keep an eye on it if you intend this to be a higher round count gun. If you are going to carry it practice a lot with the heel mag release. It is not hard to use but you need to develop the muscle memory for it to become intuitive.

The gun should fit most 92FS holsters. The profile is not much different. The sights are going to be small vs newer 92F or 92FS guns. They work but are small by modern standards. They are excellent guns and it should serve you well. You really cannot upgrade them because you would have to mill the slide and there is not really enough metal to properly dovetail them. IMHO

I am not sure what the condition of the newest batch of guns is but when I bought mine a few years ago many were LNIB or unissued. Many had little to no wear at all. Here is mine. It came with the newer locking block. It had no wear except a bit of finish wear on the take down lever. They are nice old school Berettas. Most of the ones I saw were in great mechinical condition only the finish wear differentiated the good, VG and LNIB guns.

 
Last edited:
To above: THANKS FOR THE QUICK INFO! I already kinda "jumped the gun" and ordered new hammer, recoil and mag springs. I figured they've done their duty in the 30 yrs or so. I watched some YouTube videos about the gun (what did we do before YouTube?) and a really great step-by-step disassembly and re-assembly video(s) for a FULL, COMPLETE strip!

Don't plan to go THAT far but good to have. I also got some Hogue rubber grips for the 92. Don't think they'll fit the heel mag release but trimming some rubber doesn't seem insurmountable. They may even have a punch-out for the 'S' model like some Ruger MkIII .22 models I purchased did for different models.

The gun are Italian Police trade-ins and are supposed to be good-very good NRA scale. I've gotten some other Mil-Surp guns from CLASSIC and they were nice. A bit of holster wear expected but some DID look new. The ad says barrels and feed ramps on some look untouched. (fingers crossed...)

Thanks for the mag info but YouTube beat you to it. It looks like mags for the FS will work if that cutout at bottom is there. I'd guess a quick trim with a Dremel could also do the trick! Thanks again!
 
Last edited:
robhic said:
I'd guess a quick trim with a Dremel could also do the trick!
Click to expand...
I wouldn't bother with this unless I was truly desperate. Seriously, mags with the 92S cut are NOT hard to find, nor expensive; AFAIK all recent-production Beretta brand 92FS magazines have it.

AFAIK the only major group of 92-series magazines that are generally found without the 92S cut are M9 military surplus, most of which are beat-up and undesirable anyway.

Additionally, quality magazine steel (e.g. Beretta or Mec-Gar) doesn't cut as easily with a Dremel as you might think!

[EDIT TO ADD] My memory was evidently a little blurry, as it turns out that recent Mec-Gar 92FS mags do NOT have the 92S cut.
 
Last edited:
Also check the locking block for damage and determine if you have the older or newer version of the locking block. If it is the older one you might want to replace it. If you don't replace it just keep an eye on it ...
Click to expand...

That's good to know but how would you suggest I do this? This is my first Beretta and how would/can I tell if the locking block is the new version or the old version? I've got the excellent YouTube video for 100% complete strip so doing it (not that I plan to go THAT far!) should be easy but how will I know what is what?

Thanks for the heads-up but what do I look for? Thanks.
 
I wouldn't bother with this unless I was truly desperate. Seriously, mags with the 92S cut are NOT hard to find, nor expensive; AFAIK all recent-production Beretta and Mec-Gar brand 92FS magazines have it.

... Additionally, quality magazine steel (e.g. Beretta or Mec-Gar) doesn't cut as easily with a Dremel as you might think!
Click to expand...

I saw the bit about that lower cutout so I made sure the (aftermarket) mags had them. Beretta mags are EXPENSIVE!!! :eek: And the aftermarkets, while easier to get, are all 10 rounders as the 15s seem harder to come by. :( I figure I can live with 10 rds and not OEM for general and range use. The Beretta 15 rd mag that is supplied with the pistol will get a new spring, some TLC and be the one used if I ever carry this pistol.

Thanks for the tip about mag hardness - I've never tried to modify one so this is good info to have. Thanks!
 
robhic said:
This is my first Beretta and how would/can I tell if the locking block is the new version or the old version?
Click to expand...
Check this Beretta Forum thread.

In case you weren't already aware, AFAIK all of the recent 92S surplus pistols bear 2004 proof date codes, but evidence suggests that many were built earlier and proofed upon being declared surplus. They are found with a variety of locking block types. Mine has the so-called Gen 2a (or early 2nd-generation) locking block.

If you upgrade to a Gen 3 locking block, you will also need the matching plunger, but AFAIK Beretta sells the block and plunger as a set. (Or so says the Interwebz. I haven't upgraded yet.)
 
Check this Beretta Forum thread.

In case you weren't already aware, AFAIK all of the recent 92S surplus pistols bear 2004 proof date codes, but evidence suggests that many were built earlier and proofed upon being declared surplus. They are found with a variety of locking block types. Mine has the so-called Gen 2a (or early 2nd-generation) locking block.

If you upgrade to a Gen 3 locking block, you will also need the matching plunger, but AFAIK Beretta sells the block and plunger as a set. (Or so says the Interwebz. I haven't upgraded yet.)
Click to expand...
__________________

Wow, thanks for all that! This pistol I'm expecting to arrive in a day or so is fairly old. Side of grip (heel) mag-release I'd guess this is a Gen1 if that pertains to Berettas (like Glocks...).

It's an Italian Police trade-in so I figure right off the boat. :D

I'll wait for it, strip and clean, look at the block and compare to the photos/info in those links. Lube and shoot the heck out of it!!! :D

Thank you so much for all that pertinent info. I can't wait for this sucker to arrive at the FFL dealer!!!
 
The heal release cut outs are on 15's, can't remember if the 15rnd GI mags do though, predates m9 (92SB) so I think not, Im not sure if they show up on Beretta higher 17/18's , i don't think so. I use mec-gar 18's that do not for sure.


Taurus mags including 17 rnd mags still had the heal cut last I knew (2007) and are actually good quality, this is the only 15+ rnd non modified mag I know that will interchange.

The Taurus was spunoff from the original 92 design (heal release / frame safety)
 
My FiL got one like that two or three years back. It looked barely fired, but the barrel was a bit pitted. He figured it was stored improperly. It wasn't very accurate. He eventually found a barrel for cheap and now it is more accurate than any of his many centerfire pistols other than his CZ75.

IMHO they are solid pistols for an absurdly low price. Congratulations! :)
 
Since many kydex holsters latch into the trigger guard, there might be issues with matching a holster to that earlier rounded trigger guard. Just something to keep in mind. I don't know if that will be a problem but I'd be careful in shopping for kydex holsters.

Bart Noir
 
I don't have a 92S, but a 92A1.
But I like the curved trigger guard on mine.
It's the one thing I like better than the 92FS.

DiSantis makes some nice holsters for
Berettas.
 
The heal release cut outs are on 15's, can't remember if the 15rnd GI mags do though, predates m9 (92SB) so I think not, Im not sure if they show up on Beretta higher 17/18's , i don't think so. I use mec-gar 18's that do not for sure.
Click to expand...

From what I've found while doing a LOT of reading/watching YouTube, the Beretta mags for the older pistols, MecGar, ProMag and other after markets can be found with the lower cutout to fit the older-style guns. I just ordered some off eBay for $19 each for the 10 rounders.

Fifteens were less available unless you get a $35 (!!!) OEM from Beretta. I'm looking at this gun more as a range gun so 10 rds is fine with me. I'm looking at the 15 round mag coming with the pistol to be loaded with SD ammo HP stuff and kept for defensive use, if ever I need it.

Thanks again to all for the input!!!
 
ya the heal cut died out since it's so old.
That's why a lot of mags dont have them, GI mags are cheap but I dont think they have them cause the m9 never had the heal release, other wise they're a cheap source of 15's

watch out for pro-mag sometimes they work but over all have a bad rep in most guns, make sure you vet them before you trust them.

if you can get mec-gars with the cut then by all means they are great quality mags.
I know the 18's dont but the 15 and 17's might.
 
watch out for pro-mag sometimes they work but over all have a bad rep in most guns, make sure you vet them before you trust them.
Click to expand...

I've read of problems with ProMag in other guns/calibers. I got some for a BERSA Thunder .380 and some for my Ruger LCP. Never had a problem and I'm hoping these are same. Range use so no worries. I'll use the OEM Beretta mag for anything more....
 
I checked all of my Beretta mags and much to my surprise, all but one had the low heel release cut in the mag body. Maybe I'll go back to see if the LGS has a better looking 92S than the one I inspected. They just received a large crate of them and a hundred or so M57 Tokarevs as well.
 
Maybe I'll go back to see if the LGS has a better looking 92S than the one I inspected. They just received a large crate of them ...
Click to expand...

I'd bet it's the ones that seem to be arriving at a LOT of dealers/distributors. I got mine from https://www.classicfirearms.com/ and they have a video showing a guy opening a crate of these trade-ins. It's a big box with all the Berettas just heaped in there :eek: with no wrapping or protection.

But he shows one and they do look clean. Classic is near you but I've seen these at Bud's Gun Shop and AIM surplus, also. I'm sure there are many others.
 
Not sure how long all the choice guns are gonna last, but I just picked up my $299 + shipping Beretta 92S and it is BEAUTIFUL! Coupla scratches on the plastic grips (which I plan to replace, anyway...) and the pistol looks new (except for a lot of oil, which is not all bad, IMO).

Classic firearms came through on this one! If anyone is looking for a nice 92S - this looks like the place.

Now I gotta go clean, de-grease, oil (where needed) and wait for the soonest chance I get to go shoot this baby! The Italians sure have a flair for style!!! ;)
 
This is not the first lot of these guns to come into the country. The best guns have come and gone. IMHO The first ones came in around the end of 2014.

This is the second round of these guns. That does not mean there are not good ones to be had but there is no need to panic buy them. PW Arms is the one importing them.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top