Which Beretta 92 model?

First, I am a huge Beretta fan. At the moment, I have 7 of them. I have a 92A1 that has an extremely tight lockup of the barrel, slide and frame. It is a very, very accurate pistol. However, as much as I love it, I cannot imagine trying to carry it concealed. For a 9mm pistol, it is HUGE.

If you are stuck on carrying a 92, I'd suggest looking at the compact models. They have shorter grips and barrels. If you look around, you might be able to find a 92 Compact M model. These have single stack magazines, making them even better for concealed carry.

Another Beretta model that is great for concealed carry is the PX4 Compact. I wish it were a bit thinner, but it has just enough grip length to let you have a full grip. There are also three interchangeable backstraps to let you adapt it for your grip size. The barrel length is 3.3" and gives pretty good accuracy. But the best thing is that you can carry 15+1 rounds of 9mm in the pistol. I have one that I use for my daily concealed carry pistol. I think it is about perfect for the job.

Good luck! It is hard to go wrong with a Beretta!
 
A few days back I bought a slightly used 90-Two. The grip design was a marketing failure but I rather like it. I'd better buy a spare plastic grip while I still can, in case it gets broken. There will be no after-market parts for that grip, not ever.

It has a revised safety design which I think Beretta is now putting on the M9A3, the version being offered to US Mil and soon, to us not-so military types.

The shape and leverage of the new safety pretty much makes it impossible to accidentally move the safety to the 'on' position. I can grab the slide from any angle and rack it without also pushing down the safety lever. Yet the safety flicks up and 'off' just as easy as the original version. It is really an improvement.

The 90-Two also has a slide buffer sitting in the bottom of the frame trough, just ahead of the trigger. It is a bluish color and may be plastic. I haven't tried to scratch it to find out, since deliberately scratching guns is not something I like to do. I don't know if this is being offered on the upcoming M92A3 or whatever they name the civilian version.

Bart Noir
 
Get the 92 FS, 92A1, or M9.

If you own other pistols, you almost surely already have a better-suited carry, because the 92 series is big no matter what version.

It probably costs Beretta a lot more to make a 92 than it does Glock to make their polymer gun. There's a higher overhead for materials, machining etc.
The US military is looking at a new handgun, and if Beretta loses the contract, they lose incentive to keep mass-producing such an expensive gun.

Consider this: Smith and Wesson has dropped their metal duty guns, going instead with the polymer M&P series, and only making their revolvers and 1911's in metal. Ruger has done the same. SIG and CZ are now making polymers alongside their metal offerings, because of cost, (and they both are now into the 1911 market too). FN still squeezes out the Hi Power and Walther the PPK in steel, but their money makers are the polymers.

Doe you expect Beretta won't face the same financial decision? The 92 will either jump in price (like the 1911 and Hi Power), or go the way of the S&W 5906 and be discontinued.
Get the version you most like, now, before that happens.
 
I agree. Once beretta loses the m9 contract, the 92 is done. No plastic gun will ever replace it in my heart, but the times are changing, and for the mass public, the plastic striker fired guns are all they want.

Lots of 1911's out there because the patent expired, but the 92FS will not be farmed out to other companies. And if it was, who would buy one? I owned a Stoeger Cougar once and I couldn't get over not seeing Beretta on the slide. And I won't even consider a Taurus PT92.
 
I agree. Once beretta loses the m9 contract, the 92 is done. No plastic gun will ever replace it in my heart, but the times are changing, and for the mass public, the plastic striker fired guns are all they want
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It's true, and that's a shame. I picked up an old S&W 39-2 in nice condition today, and the guy who processed me said something about how I should have looked at the Glocks.
I just smiled and said I have plenty of "protection", I just want something to collect and enjoy.

Metal framed handguns like the Beretta, Sig and CZ are making the transition from "tactical" to "collectible", I suppose. I'm more of a "collectible" type of guy.
 
I bought a new Italian 92fs a few months ago. I did not need another big 9mm. I have a Taurus PT92 that I bought new in 1990. I have liked shooting it and I guess I thought I needed the Beretta to go with it. I love them but I carry a p3at or LC9s.
 
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