Bought my first handgun, a Beretta M9

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pafc

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Hi everyone, I've been reading these forums for a while and they have been a great resource for me. This year I decided to buy my first gun, partly for home protection but mainly to get involved in target practice and maybe down the line casual competition shooting. After a 3 month wait (fellow NJ residents, I'm sure you can sympathize), I finally obtained my firearms ID card and handgun purchase permit. To celebrate I bought my first gun, the classic Beretta M9:

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For my first purchase I wanted a full size 9mm with minimal recoil that I can keep for a long time and perhaps pass down to my son one day. I decided on the M9 (and not the 92FS) because I love its connection with the US military.

I haven't shot it yet, but I'm already thinking about my next purchase! Maybe a PPK?? We'll see. I have one more pistol purchase permit that expires in 90 days so I may be making that decision sooner rather than later.

As of right now, I'm going to get to the range and try out my new gun. I have a few questions upcoming about ammo and necessities for the range, so please be patient with me! :D
 
Congrats on your new pistol. It should serve you well for a lifetime and then on to future generations.

I am very pleased with my 92FS Inox.
 
Most Beretta 92/M 9 owners find that their pistol will feed and fire just about anything as long as it is 9mm Pb.
 
It really is a great platform. I have Taurus's PT92, which is based on the older style Berettas back when they had frame safeties instead of slide mounted. I love the ergos of it. Almost as much as CZ-75 ergos.
 
Welcome to the forum. After the USMC made me give up my 1911, i carried a M9 for years and shot the snot out of it.

While its not my pick of the litter currently, i know it will serve you well. Enjoy!!!
 
Good to hear the pistol is for sporting use. Many a sport user have been active for years/decades, a good/fun way to know. Some simply want the gun, they are the one's needing a crash course in defensive use.
 
I think you'll enjoy your M9. I have a 92FS, and sure do like it. Ran 100 rounds through it just this morning. Your next choice? Might I suggest something in .22LR? Then .45ACP. Then..... yea, it never ends.
 
An M9? Why not, it's a classic sidearm that easily handles just about any 9mm ammo, is very accurate and easy to shoot. Runs very well with just some common sense maintenance. Everybody seems to be running to small, plastic stuff these days but you won't be sorry you chose the Beretta.

Next, you'll want a .22LR pistol just for fun; might I suggest a Ruger Mk III or ilk. Then you'll finally want a 1911 in 45ACP just because.

It never ends..........
 
I would not think about getting a second one just yet. Buy boxes of 9 mm and practice, practice and practice. Load with only two rounds and practice reloading drills. Load with some live and some dummy rounds and practice tap, rack, ready. Practice the failure drill. Practice multiple target engagement. Practice shooting on the move. Practice, practice and when you're done, practice some more.
 
Congrats! I think you'll be pleased with your choice!

It seems that at one time, there were rumors of issues with frame cracking, but I don't know how well founded they were. I would THINK that, if it WAS an issue, it is resolved by now.
STILL IN ALL, you might find it worth your time to investigate the matter and ask some veteran Beretta M9/M92 gunsmiths about it. In particular, in the unlikely even that it might occur, knowing where on the frame to look for it could save you considerable repair money and other things.
Just saying...
 
Congrats. Nice choice. I assume that concealed carry is not on the radar given your location, so a quality full sized 9 mm is a good choice, and the big Beretta is one of the best values around when one considers quality versus price. I have a 92FS in Inox with nice walnut grips. It is a beautiful pistol to look at, to handle, and to fire. What a great way to start a handgun hobby!
 
While normally I would agree with train and buy ammo over another gun if you've already got the permit and it expires in 90 days...buy another gun haha.

I would check out the Glock 19, S&W M&P 9, Springfield XDm 9mm, CZ75, a 1911 in 9mm from Springfield, S&W, Kimber, Ed Brown, Wilson Combat, Les Baer, STI.

Another option is a revolver from Ruger, namely their GP100 in .357 Magnum or a S&W revolver also in .357 magnum. I recommend a .357 because you can also shoot .38 special in the guns with literally no changes or modifications.
 
745SW & 4V50 Gary offer good advice. As soon as possible, get instruction from a good defensive pistol instructor. At minimum, you'll want 3 magazines for your pistol (5 is better), a well-made holster (I prefer Milt Sparks' holsters, but they're not cheap), and 500 to 1000 rounds of ammo for such a course. You may not use all 1000 rounds in the course, but you will probably wish to practice on some skills before, after, and in between instruction sessions.

I'd also run no less than 200 rounds through your pistol & magazines before going to the class, and 500 rounds would be better. I know your interest in your M9 is just sport, but you may as well learn use of the pistol in more grim circumstances, just in case (God Forbid) it happens. People learn the unarmed martial arts for any number of reasons not related to personal defense, but they may as well have use of the spillover benefits, should the need arise.
 
/What is the difference between the M9 and the 92fs?/QUOTE]

The major functional differences are the sights and the backstrap. The 92FS has three dot sights and the M9 has 2 dot combat sights. The 92FS backstrap has very slight radiusing below the beavertail where the M9 backstrap is straighter. This can make it slightly easier for shooters with smaller hands to reach the trigger comfortably on the 92.

Most of the other differences are cosmetic. Looking at the frame from the side, the dustcover of the 92FS tapers down in height approaching the muzzle and the M9 dustcover does not. The markings are different. For example the right side of the 9 FS dustcover reads "Warning: Read manual before use. Retract slide to see if loaded. Fires without magazine", where the M9 reads "US 9mm M9-Beretta-U.S.A.-65490(M9)".
Click to expand...
 
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