Beretta 92FS Review

A testament to Italian ingenuity with firearms, the Beretta 92FS 9mm pistol has been the weapon of choice for many. It is a fine and incredibly handsome weapon, though some people complain of it being too large. Then again, it was never made to be concealed.

The Beretta 92FS is a semi-automatic pistol and it is a favorite with the United States Armed Forces. It was chosen to replace the earlier Model 1911A1 in 1985. It is a remarkably accurate sidearm, and the fact that it looks so good is simply an additional bonus. It is also very safe because of the double/single action where the first shot is fired from the double action while the rest are fired from the single action mode.

Operating on a short recoil, delayed blowback system, the Beretta 92FS provides faster cycle times and enhanced reliability in addition to its exceptional accuracy. The stove piping and jamming concerns have been all but eliminated by the open slide design, making it easier to load one cartridge at a time in case of damage to the magazine. A standard Beretta 92FS magazine holds 15 9mm rounds, but larger factory and aftermarket magazines are available that can hold 17, 20, or up to 30 rounds each.

The chrome lined barrel is 4.9 inches long and provides extra corrosion resistance, protects the rifling with a recessed combat muzzle crown, and is very easy to clean. Maintenance is quick and the disassembly easy as field stripping has been simplified by the disassembly latch. Reassembly is a piece of cake as well, with two white dots for the rear sight and one for the fixed front sight.

The Beretta 92FS has stood the test of time, and being the most tested handgun in the history of the US military, it has been put through a lot. The non-reflective black coating, exclusive to Beretta, allows the gun to survive extreme exposure to the elements because of its superior corrosion and wear resistant finish. The frame is made of aircraft quality light aluminum, which makes it light weight yet extremely strong.

The magazine release is reversible to accommodate both right handed and left handed users. This allows brisk reloading. The external hammer design, another traditional feature of Beretta handguns, has been included in the Beretta 92FS as well. It provides an immediate visual and tactile indicator about the status, cocked/uncocked, of the pistol and significantly reduces the chances of misfiring with the light primer, in addition to providing energy to the firing pin.

The average slides durability, according to US Army testing, is over 35,000 rounds while frame durability is over 30,000 rounds. The average reliability, according to Beretta USA, is 17,500 rounds without stoppage. The Beretta 92FS is truly a legend among handguns and stands tall as the most tested and trusted of all defense weapons in history.

Model: 92FS

Action: DA/SA

Caliber: 9mm

Overall Length: 8.50"

Overall Height: 5.40"

Overall Width: 1.50"

Barrel Length: 4.90"

Sight Radius: 6.10"

Sights: 3-Dot

Capacity: 15 + 1

Weight: 33.30 oz.