The Beretta 92 is a series of semi-automatic pistols designed and manufactured by Beretta
of Italy. The model 92 was designed in 1972 and production of many variants in different
calibers continues today. The United States Armed Forces replaced the Model 1911A1 .45
ACP pistol in 1985 with the military spec Beretta 92F, the M9.
Although only 5,000 copies of the original design were manufactured from 1975 to 1976,
the design is currently produced in four different configurations and four calibers:
92 series in 9×19mm Parabellum 96 series in .40 S&W
98 series in 9×21mm IMI 98 and 99 series in 7.65mm Luger
History The Beretta 92 pistol evolved from earlier
Beretta designs, most notably the M1922 and M1951. From the M1922 comes the open slide
design, while the alloy frame and locking block barrel were first used in the M1951.
The grip angle and the front sight integrated with the slide were also common to earlier
Beretta pistols. Perhaps the Model 92's two most important advanced design features appeared
on its immediate predecessor, the 1974 .380 caliber Model 84. These improvements both
involved the magazine, which featured direct feed, that is, there was no feed ramp between
the magazine and the chamber, and the magazine was a "double-stacked" high capacity design
- a feature originally introduced in 1935 on the 9mm FN/Browning "Hi-Power".
The Beretta 92 first appeared in 1975 and was designed by Carlo Beretta, Giuseppe Mazzetti
and Vittorio Valle, all experienced firearms designers on the Beretta design team.
92 Production began in May 1976, and ended in
February 1983. Approximately 7,000 units were of the first "step slide" design and the rest
were of the second "straight slide" type. The total production was 52,000.
92S In order to meet requirements of some law
enforcement agencies, Beretta modified the Beretta 92 by adding a slide-mounted combined
safety and decocking lever, replacing the frame mounted manual thumb safety. This resulted
in the 92S which was adopted by several Italian law enforcement and military units. The later
relocation of the magazine release button means these models cannot necessarily use
later magazines, unless they have notches in both areas.
92SB The extremely rare 92SB, Initially called
the 92S-1, was specifically designed for the USAF trials, the model name officially adopted
was the 92SB. It included the changes of the 92S, added a firing pin block, and relocated
the magazine release catch from the bottom of the grip to the lower bottom of the trigger
guard. 92SB Compact, shortened barrel and slide.
It was replaced by the "92 Compact L". 92F/92G
Beretta modified the model 92SB slightly to create the 92SB-F and, later, the 92G for
French Government testing, by making the following changes:
Design of all the parts to make them 100% interchangeable to simplify maintenance for
large government organizations. Modified the front of the trigger guard so
that one could use finger support for easier aiming.
Recurved the forward base of the grip to aid aiming.
Hard chromed the barrel bore to protect it from corrosion and to reduce wear.
New surface coating on the slide called Bruniton, which allegedly provides better corrosion
resistance than the previous plain blued finish. 92FS
The FS has an enlarged hammer pin that fits into a groove on the underside of the slide.
The main purpose is to stop the slide from flying off the frame to the rear if it cracks.
This was in response to reported defective slides during U.S. Military testing.
92A1 and 96A1 The 92A1 was introduced in 2010, based on
elements of 92FS and 90two. The overall shape and styling builds on the 92FS, with an accessory
rail on the underside of the frame; internal design reflects the 90two. Model 96A1 is a
92A1 variant chambered for .40 S&W. It has been speculated that Beretta would include
92A1 and 96A1 variants with heavier Brigadier slides, but this has not been verified.
Design
The Beretta 92's open slide design ensures smooth feeding and ejection of ammunition
and allows easy clearing of obstructions. The hard-chromed barrel bore reduces barrel
wear and protects it from corrosion. The falling locking block design provides good accuracy
and operability with suppressors due to the in-line travel of the barrel. This is in contrast
to the complex travel of Browning designed barrels. The magazine release button is reversible
with simple field tools. Reversing the magazine release makes left-handed operation much easier.
Increasingly, it has become popular to reduce handgun weight and cost and increase corrosion
resistance by using polymers. Starting around the year 2000, Beretta began replacing some
parts with polymer and polymer coated metal. Polymer parts include the recoil spring guide
rod which is now also fluted, magazine release button, magazine floor plate, magazine follower
and the mainspring cap/lanyard loop. Polymer coated metal parts include the safety levers,
trigger, trigger bar, slide lock/release and disassembly latch.
The 92 also spawned several variants of similar internal design. The Beretta 90two is a full-size
variant of the 92-series with a redesigned slide and a redesigned aluminum frame with
an internal recoil buffer, user changeable monogrips and an accessory rail.
Variants
The Beretta 92 is available in many configurations each with a distinct model name. Combining
the various options results in more than 50 different configurations, but the major variants
are defined by their operation caliber, operation and combination of optional items:
Calibers Each model name starts with two digits identifying
the caliber: 92: Chambered for the 9×19mm Parabellum.
93R: Chambered for the 9×19mm Parabellum as above, but capable of semi-auto, or three
round burst. Weapon was originally equipped with a 13 round magazine and a 20 round magazine,
as well as detachable butt stock. The "R" stands for "Raffica", which is Italian for
"burst". 96: Chambered for the .40 S&W, introduced
in 1990. 98: Chambered for 9×21mm IMI. This option
was introduced in 1991 for markets where it is illegal to own a weapon chambered for a
military cartridge such as 9×19mm; essentially, this is the case of Italy. There were also
about 5000 early 98F manufactured in .30 Luger. Operation
F Models Also known as the 92SB-F, the model 92 F has
a double-action first trigger pull, followed by a single-action trigger pull for subsequent
rounds. The "F" and "FS" models have a safety lever that also functions as a decocking lever.
G Models The G models were adopted by the French Military
as PAMAS; they feature a manual decocking lever only instead of the safety-decocking
lever of the 92 FS. When the decocking lever is released, it automatically returns to the
ready to fire position. There is no manual safety.
DS Models The DS models are "double action only" pistols:
the hammer always follows the slide forward to come to rest in the double action position.
The hammer spur has been removed, and is flush with the rear of the slide. The manual safety
lever on the slide provides the same function as it does on the 92 FS.
D Models The D models are also "double action only"
pistols. They are identical to the DS models but without the manual safety.
Centurion Models These pistols offer the frame of the basic
92 FS model and the reduced length of the Compact version. Special G Centurion, DS Centurion
and D Centurion models are available in some countries.
Competition Conversion Kit Models The standard model can be converted with a
special conversion kit into a competition target pistol. The kit includes a 7.3 in
barrel with counterweight and elevated front sight, a fully adjustable target rear sight
and ergonomic walnut grips. Target Models
Designed for competition shooting, these models meet all U.I.T.S. standards for large caliber
pistols. They differ from basic 92 FS in the following aspects: 150 mm barrel, with aluminum
counterweight sleeve, fully adjustable target rear sight, ergonomic walnut grips with "orange
peel" anti-slip finish. Inox Models
The Inox models feature the following parts made in stainless steel: the barrel, the slide,
the trigger, and slide stop lever. Options
Brigadier (1993)
60-gram heavier slide and 1 millimetre wider to improve control when firing multiple shots
in quick succession. It also includes removable front and rear sights.
Elite I (1999–2001)
Pistols with this option include the heavier Brigadier bruniton slide with front serrations
and Elite designation, Inox finish stainless barrel, thin skeletonized hammer, and bevel
of the magazine well. A flat hammer spring cap was standard as well as the decock only
feature and dovetailed front sight. It was introduced in 1999 and replaced by the Elite
II option in 2001. Elite IA
(2001) This option is essentially a black Vertec
with a bruniton Brigadier G slide having the Elite 1A designation and a thicker skeleton
hammer. The 4.7 in stainless barrel with Inox finish was also changed to the blackened
stainless version like black Vertecs. Elite II
(2001) This option replaced the Elite I option in
2001 and includes the same features as the original Elite plus removable Novak type sights,
extended magazine release catch, checkered front/rear grip strap, thicker skeletonized
hammer, and lighter D-spring. This option is available only with the stainless G-Model
slide, also with front serrations. The stainless barrel for the Elite II has a target crown.
Inox (present)
Stainless barrel and slide. Can have either black or stainless controls.
Compact L (1992–)
Shorter barrel, slide, and more compact frame. Compact Type M
(1992–) Similar to the Compact L, but has a slimmer
grip that accepts only a single stacked 8-round magazine.
Centurion (1992–1998)
Shorter barrel and slide, but with standard-sized frame that has a slightly shorter dust cover.
CB (1992–1993)
Single action only. It is designed for sport shooting and includes a front barrel bushing
for improved accuracy. Stock
(1994–) Heavier Brigadier slide. It is also designed
for sport shooting and includes a front barrel bushing for improved accuracy.
Combat (1994–2001)
Heavier Brigadier slide, single-action only and also designed for sport shooting, including
a front barrel bushing for improved accuracy. It also came with an additional longer barrel
that was weighted. Billennium
(2001 only) A limited-edition commemorative model manufactured
in 2001, featuring the heavier Brigadier slide. Only 1000 Billennium pistols were initially
imported into the United States, the other 1000 were sold throughout the rest of the
world. The Billennium also has a frame mounted safety.
Steel I (2004)
Nickel-plated carbon steel, single-action-only, collector's model. [Edit: Both single-action-only
and single/double-action variants exist. Also used and desirable for competitive shooting
because of its steel frame, the frame-mounted safety and/or Vertec-style grip-frame that
are all found to be desirable features in a competition gun.]
Optional magazines To keep in line with the introduction of laws
in some locations restricting magazines that hold more than 10 rounds, Beretta now manufactures
magazines that hold fewer than the factory standard 15 rounds. These magazines have heavier
crimping to reduce the available space while still keeping the same external dimensions
and ensuring that these magazines can be used on existing firearms.
Italian magazine manufacturer Mec-Gar now produces magazines in blue and nickel finishes
with an 18 round capacity, which fit flush in the magazine well on the 92 series. Mec-Gar
also produces an extended 20 round blued magazine that protrudes below the frame by 3⁄4 inch.
These magazines provide users in unrestricted states with an even higher capacity.
93R Machine pistol
The Beretta 93R is a significantly redesigned 92 to provide the option of firing in three-round
bursts. It also has a longer ported barrel, heavier slide, fitting for a shoulder stock,
a folding forward grip, and an extended magazine. Unlike other Berettas in the 90 series it
is single-action only, does not have a decocker, and very few are around today.
Copies
The Beretta 92 was designed for sports and law enforcement use and, due to its reliability,
was accepted by military users in South America and other countries all over the world.
A large contract for the Beretta 92 was with the Brazilian army, for which Beretta set
up a factory in Brazil. This factory was later sold to the Brazilian gunmaker Taurus. Taurus
makes these pistols without the need for a license from Beretta since their design is
based on the original Beretta 92, whose patents have since expired.
The PT92 can be distinguished from its modern Beretta counterpart primarily by having the
safety mounted on the frame as opposed to on the slide like the Beretta. Though mechanically
similar to the original, the PT92s differ from the early 92s by having a trigger guard
similar to the modern 92s and a magazine release in the same place as the modern 92s
Turkish companies MKEK and Girsan has been manufacturing a copy of the Beretta 92F as
Yavuz 16 for the Turkish Armed Forces and General Directorate of Security. There has
been speculation that these were being made under contract from Beretta. Some of these
pistols were imported into the United States by the company American Tactical Imports as
the American Tactical 92 or AT-92. Yavuz 16 was exported to Colombia, Georgia, Malaysia
and Syria. France has made licensed copies of Beretta
92FS as the PAMAS G1 and the French-M92 is now in use in the Armies and law enforcement
agencies, only to be replaced by the SIG SP2022 in the national police. Taiwan had made Beretta-like
pistols namely the T75 pistol while South Africa had produced the Beretta under license
since 1992 as the Vektor Z88, and the batches are used by the South African Police.
Egypt had produced the Beretta under license as the Helwan 920, and Chile also made copies
of the Brazilian PT-92 for its army use. Users
See also Beretta 92 models
Beretta 93R Taurus PT92
References
Further reading
External links Beretta 92 at the Internet Movie Firearms
Database Official Beretta 92 page
Beretta USA page Diagram of beretta 92dead link]
Details on the Beretta 92 A short story of the 92 and its derivatives
Free videos of Beretta 92/96 disassembly How To Make The 92FS 9mm Shoot, Performance
Shooter, October 1997 Beretta 92F exploded-view parts diagram from
American Rifleman