Got my CCW and SOS on my first field strip :-S

B

Bachá

New member
Hi... so fiiiiiiinally got my CCW permit. those of you following the zaga and giving advice along the way thank you very much...

It is a painful and expensive process to get a firearm and a CCW permit here in my country... unfortunately with the right kind of motivation even if it is evil, anyone can do it, so as always the protectionist rules only apply to the law abiding citizen.

So the Beretta 92 compact is behaving phenomenally. I was at the range last week and put 100 round through with without a single malfunction, shoots really nice, easy to be combat accurate with it for a newbie like me.

I have been carrying it, just to see how I feel and how it fits... It is definitely heavy. It is not like you are going to forget you have it on you... but doable. Concealability... not a problem if you are willing to run it really low in your waist band, which of course limits you hability to have the grip grip really quick.

Also... I need help (already) with field strip :eek: I bought seal1 CLP so after shooting it I was ready to clean it. I field strip the upper, take out the barrel, guide rode and recoil spring without a problem. The I thought it would be a good idea to apply CLP under the grips like a lot of you have mentioned... saw a couple of videos and realized that the grips are help by 2 simple screws each so of I went to take out the grips.... After taking out the first 2 screws of the left grip I applied a little pressure from the inside of the magwell out and the grip jumped taking both screews and washers out of the whole... but when I was gathering them this little screw appeared in the desktop I was working :confused::eek: I thought I had cleaned everything really well and didnt have anything else but the gun, the clp and a cleaning kit from hoppe... I have been studying the diagrams and I cant seem to find a screw like this goes in the gun so I dont think it is from the gun, plus I didnt touch nothing internally but I am freaking out it could have fallen off the gun and I dont know :confused: My guess is from something else and it was on the desktop before I begun taking apart the gun... but like I said... I am freaking out!

I want to go to the range this week also but in my unexperienced mind I cant help but to think something will blow up next time I want to use it :mad:

The gun seems to work properly, fires (dry firing) properly, the hammer, slide and everything else seems to work just fine. So any beretta experts out there that can help me?


26769247520_0273b6a949_z.jpg
 
That screw is designed to screw into a plastic boss or possibly into sheet metal. Your gun should not have either.

That screw looks like it came out of a small electronic box device....IMO.
 
I would leave the grips alone from now on. I have had a 92 for around 25 years, have never had the grips off, and it runs great.

"I field strip the upper, take out the barrel, guide rode and recoil spring without a problem."

That thing I quoted is all you need to take apart.
 
Congratulations on getting your CC permit, and I'm glad to hear that you like the Beretta!

I just stopped in to say that. I can't help you on the screw question. :o
 
Bacha

As Nathan said, that is the wrong type of thread for a pistol. A pistol would use a machine thread which is not as coarse.

You should try to remember what you worked on, on that desktop, before the Beretta. Because I think you are correct....whatever it was, is missing that screw.

Good Luck :)
 
@foolzrushn & @Nathan

Wow... you guys can tell if a screw is from a gun just looking the thread used? That´s so cool! :cool: Thanks!
 
Congratulations on getting your CC permit, and I'm glad to hear that you like the Beretta!

I just stopped in to say that. I can't help you on the screw question.
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Thanks... some guys just figured it out just by looking the thread on the screw!!! :eek: I am still amazed....

Love the beretta... a little heavy, but I guess that is also why it shoots so well in my un experienced hands.

The only thing that "worries" me is the DA pull... I suck at it right now.
 
I would leave the grips alone from now on. I have had a 92 for around 25 years, have never had the grips off, and it runs great.
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THanks... some guys sugested to take the grips out to clean the frame really well. I mentioned I live in a humid hot wheather and I sweat like a pig :eek:

Would you still consider it unnecesary?
 
I carry 1911s, which are also all-metal pistols like the Beretta. I don't remove the grip panels every time I clean one of my pistols, but I do remove them when I perform a detail strip. In a humid climate where moisture (and, especially, perspiration) can migrate to between the grips and the frame, I think period cleaning and wiping down with oil under the grips might not be a bad idea.

But, unless you bought the Inox version, your Compact has an aluminum receiver. Aluminum is a lot softer than steel, and the threads of machine screws are very fine. Did you buy your pistol new, or used? If used, it's possible that the previous owner stripped the threads in the frame and substituted sheet metal screws in place of the original machine screws that held the grips on. Take a good look at the screw holes in the frame. See if you can see any threads in the holes -- if the sides look smooth, then the threads have been stripped out and you will have to look for alternatives, or else have the holes TIG welded, redrilled, and retapped.

[Edit to add]Here's a link to a lengthy video on detail stripping the Beretta 92. Right at the start, you can see what the frame should look like after removing the grips:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTc_wb5YaU4

And, courtesy of Brownells, here is a schematic exploded view of the parts in a 92 Compact. Note part number 51 -- it's a grip screw bushing. The 1911 uses the same system. Rather than the screws going directly into the frame, these bushings are screwed into the frame and should be considered to be basically permanent. The grip screws then go into the bushings. The good news for you is that it may be possible for you to replace the grip screw bushings if the holes in the frame aren't completely ruined.

92-96_FS_Compact.jpg
 
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If you want to keep it looking pretty then yes. Dust and dirt and moisture will get in those crevices in between the grip and the frame. But it is not necessary to maintaining the function of your gun.

Try to carry in a holster that keeps the gun out of contact with your body. If you carry every day, especially in a humid place like where you are, you will notice your gun begins to rust around the grip area. I don't like to put a protecting substance on the grip before I carry because I don't want the grip of my gun to be slick. I just clean the rust off as it appears and then dry the grip very well before I holster the gun again.
 
I carry 1911s, which are also all-metal pistols like the Beretta.
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Thanks Aguila... that is the very schematic I studied and watched two lengthy videos on detail striping a 92... could not see anything about this little guy in the photo... So I assume it scape my cleaning process before started working on the beretta.

What 1911 do you carry? how long and how are you carrying it?

I intended to get a Glock 26 at first... but they are grossly expensive in my country, and being a new shooter I was afraid I would have problems handling it. Loved the look of the beretta since I was a kid, so...

It is not that difficult to carry/conceal them... I see people make a big deal about it :-)

I do want a smaller gun for certain situations... my options are Beretta Nano, SW Shield, Beretta PX4 sub compact, Sig 320 sub compact, SW MP9c... we´ll see. But I really like the heft and the feel on the beretta... I think the closest one in a small package would be the PX4... the sig 320 films hollow compared to the other guns...

[Edited to add] Bought it new... the grip screws are HEX so nothing like this little guy in the photo. The bushings are... well.... new :-)

It is the inox model and it has an aluminum frame as well... just the slide and barrel are stainless.
 
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If you want to keep it looking pretty then yes. Dust and dirt and moisture will get in those crevices in between the grip and the frame. But it is not necessary to maintaining the function of your gun.
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Got it... thanks.

Yes I want to keep it looking pretty... I is a big investment for me in my country. So I want to keep it as pretty as possible.

It is supposed that Seal1 is impregnated on the metal after 3 or so applications... and you don´t need to apply as much after that.

Applied the seal1 left it for 15 minutes and then cleaned it. After I just wiped it off the gun felt really greasy and slick... after 24 hours it felt... lubricated but not slippery if that makes any sense. We´ll see... Seal 1 says shoot, clean, shoot, clean, shoot, clean and then the weapon is protected...
 
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Just wanted to congratulate you on your ccw permit success. 92 compact is a fine firearm and I'm happy to read you are having a positive experience with it.

Ive disassembled lots of 92's over the years. I've never seen that screw in any of them. Id likewise suggest it is for something else.

Good suggestions above, a parts fiche helps a great deal for such situations.

I'm a gunsmith by profession. May I humbly advise you to be prepared to launch springs, detents, screws, and other small bits from guns, if you are going to be disassembling them consistently. Don't get upset, it happens, and will continue to happen.

It gets to be. a fun game, finding random detents and screws months later in seemingly obvious places.

How can some folk tell if a fastener is used for a gun or not? It may seem neat, but, ask them how long they've stared at dirty floors, random fasteners, and buggered threads.

I'm firmly convinced there is a third dimension these parts, and socks from the dryer, go to and appear from. Nothing anyone can say can convince me otherwise.
 
Congrats. yeah thats definetely not a screw used in a firearm.

I have never handled a beretta 92 or 96.

I am also a newer concealed carrier. I have had my permit for maybe 2 months. I also carry a metallic pistol, I carry a Springfield Armory Loaded model 1911A1 5" .45acp. I however do not carry every day. My work doesn't allow carry and I wouldn't be able to anyways because of need for comfort and flexibility. However when I am not working and out n about, I carry my pistol maybe 20% of the time. Maybe not even. It is very comfortable and hides very well on my small frame. I use a cheapo blackhawk leather IWB holster with a clip meant for tucking shirts, and is made of plastic. I'm not very fond of this holster but can't afford anything else right now that I would actually carry over this. At least it is comfortable

Hope you like your beretta dude, I hear they are good guns, and apparently beretta is the current oldest still running gun manufacturer in the world
 
and apparently beretta is the current oldest still running gun manufacturer in the world
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Great. I was just about to go to bed before I read this. Now I'm going to get lost on Wikipedia reading about that, thanks. Lol
 
How can some folk tell if a fastener is used for a gun or not? It may seem neat, but, ask them how long they've stared at dirty floors, random fasteners, and buggered threads.
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Like any other artisan that knows and loves his craft right? :cool:
 
Hope you like your beretta dude, I hear they are good guns, and apparently beretta is the current oldest still running gun manufacturer in the world
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It is a beautiful piece of machinery... the only thing I quasi regret is not buying the full size... I knew this wasn't going to be my main carry gun... but as my first gun I wanted a gun for a lifetime. It is really difficult to sell guns in my country... so... even though I am already looking for my second everyday carry gun, this is not going any where unless I needed the money for food... or can exchange it for a 92A1 full size :eek:

Just out of curiosity why did you choose a 1911 as your first carry gun?

As far as I know Beretta is the oldest corporation... period... There are beretta receipts from more than 500 years ago...:cool:
 
So I was at the range yesterday and put another 100 rounds (115 gr PMC ball ammo) through it, using only one magazine... worked flaaaawless. So yeah... the damn screw is for something else.

The only thing that happened once is the slide did not lock back on last round... I guess it could be me applying pressure on the slide lock right?

Big shout out to Seal1 CLP if any one is interested. First time I shot the gun the residue was like glued to the metal. After cleaning it and applying Seal1 this time the carbon just glides off the parts just rubbing it with a rag... of course I am going to give it a proper cleaning... but it is nice to see a product work so well.
 
There is a major difference in a machine thread screw, and a sheet metal or wood threaded screw.

The screw in the picture is a wood/sheet metal thread. The only place on any gun I've seen a screw like that is to hold a buttplate onto a wood stock.... except it's the wrong type of head. Nearly all of those type woodscrews have an oval head, or a flat head.

I also agree that this particular screw looks very much like a screw from a plastic electronic enclosure, (tv, radio, etc...) or something similar. It could even be from a vacuum cleaner....

Just not a gun screw.
 
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