Beretta 92
Encyclopedia
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 (FS, G, D and DS) and four caliber
s:
. From the M1922 comes the open slide
design, while the alloy frame
and locking block barrel (originally from Walther P38) were first used in the M1951. The grip angle and the front sight integrated with the slide were also common to earlier Beretta pistols.
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.
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 polymer frame that has an internal recoil buffer, user changeable grips and an accessory rail.
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 (92/96/98), operation (F/G/D) and combination of optional items (Inox/Brigadier slide/Compact length):
G Models
DS Models
D Models
Centurion Models
Competition Conversion Kit Models
Target Models
Inox Models
Brigadier: (1993–2006)
Elite I: (1999–2001)
Elite IA: (2001–2006)
Elite II: (2001–2006)
Inox: (present)
Compact L: (1992–)
Compact Type M: (1992–)
Centurion: (1992–1998)
CB: (1992–1993)
Stock: (1994–)
Combat: (1994–2001)
Billennium: (2001 only)
Steel I: (2004–2006)
Italian magazine manufacturer Mec-Gar now produces magazines in blue and nickel finishes with a 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 in. These magazines provide users in unrestricted states with an even higher capacity.
, for which Beretta set up a factory in Brazil. This factory was later sold to the Brazilian gunmaker Taurus
(Forjas Taurus S/A ). Taurus makes these pistols (called the PT92
) 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 (the originals were rounded) and a magazine release in the same place as the modern 92s (the originals were at the bottom of the grip.)
Beretta
Fabbrica d'Armi Pietro Beretta is an Italian firearms manufacturer. Their firearms are used worldwide for a variety of civilian, law enforcement, and military purposes. It is also known for manufacturing shooting clothes and accessories. Beretta is the oldest active firearms manufacturer in the...
of Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. The model 92 was designed in 1972 and production of many variants in different calibers continues today. The United States armed forces
Military of the United States
The United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States. They consist of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard.The United States has a strong tradition of civilian control of the military...
replaced the Model 1911A1 .45 ACP
.45 ACP
The .45 ACP , also known as the .45 Auto by C.I.P., is a cartridge designed by John Browning in 1904, for use in his prototype Colt semi-automatic .45 pistol and eventually the M1911 pistol adopted by the United States Army in 1911.-Design and history:The U.S...
pistol in 1985 with the military spec Beretta 92F, the M9
M9 Pistol
The Beretta M9, formally Pistol, Semiautomatic, 9mm, M9, is a 9×19mm Parabellum pistol of the United States military adopted in 1985. It is essentially a military specification Beretta 92F, later the 92FS....
.
Although only 5,000 copies of the original design were manufactured from 1975 to 1976, the design is currently produced in four different configurations (FS, G, D and DS) and four caliber
Caliber
In guns including firearms, caliber or calibre is the approximate internal diameter of the barrel in relation to the diameter of the projectile used in it....
s:
- 92 series in 9×19mm Parabellum
- 96 series in .40 S&W.40 S&WThe .40 S&W is a rimless pistol cartridge developed jointly by major American firearms manufacturers Winchester and Smith & Wesson. The .40 S&W was developed from the ground up as a law enforcement cartridge designed to duplicate performance of the FBI's reduced velocity 10mm cartridge which could...
- 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 M1951Beretta M1951
The M 1951 is a 9 mm semi-automatic pistol, developed during the late 1940s and early 1950s by Pietro Beretta S.p.A. of Italy. The pistol was produced strictly for military use and was introduced into service with the Italian Army and security forces as the Modello 1951 , replacing the 9 mm...
. From the M1922 comes the open slide
Pistol slide
The slide is the part of the weapon on a majority of semi-automatic pistols that moves during the operating cycle and generally houses the firing pin or striker and the extractor, and serves as the bolt...
design, while the alloy frame
Receiver (firearms)
In firearms terminology, the receiver is the part of a firearm that houses the operating parts. The receiver usually contains the bolt carrier group, trigger group, and magazine port. In most handguns, the receiver, or frame, holds the magazine well or rotary magazine as well as the trigger mechanism...
and locking block barrel (originally from Walther P38) were first used in the M1951. The grip angle and the front sight integrated with the slide were also common to earlier Beretta pistols.
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.
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 (92 & 92S) cannot necessarily use later magazines, unless they have notches in both areas.92SB (92S-1)
The extremely rare 92SB, Initially called the 92S-1, was specifically designed for the USAF (US Air Force) trials (which it won), the model name officially adopted was the 92SB. It included the changes of the 92S, added a firing pin block (thus the addition of the "B" to the name), and relocated the magazine release catch from the bottom of the grip to the lower bottom of the trigger guard.- 92SB Compact (1981–1991), shortened barrel and slide (13-round magazine capacity). It was replaced by the "92 Compact L".
92F (92SB-F)
Beretta modified the model 92SB slightly to create the 92SB-F (the "F" added to denote entry of the model in U.S. Government federal testing) 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.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 BrowningJohn Browning
John Moses Browning , born in Ogden, Utah, was an American firearms designer who developed many varieties of military and civilian firearms, cartridges, and gun mechanisms, many of which are still in use around the world...
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 polymer frame that has an internal recoil buffer, user changeable grips and an accessory rail.
Variants
Calibers
Each model name starts with two digits identifying the caliber:- 92: Chambered for the 9x19mm Parabellum.
- 93: Chambered for the 9x19mm Parabellum as above but is capable of semi-auto, full auto, or three round burst. Weapon was originally equipped with a 13 round magazine and a 20 round magazine.
- 96: Chambered for the .40 S&W.40 S&WThe .40 S&W is a rimless pistol cartridge developed jointly by major American firearms manufacturers Winchester and Smith & Wesson. The .40 S&W was developed from the ground up as a law enforcement cartridge designed to duplicate performance of the FBI's reduced velocity 10mm cartridge which could...
, introduced in 1990. - 98: Chambered for 9x21mm IMI9x21mm IMIThe 9×21mm pistol cartridge was designed by Israel Military Industries for those markets where military service cartridges, like the 9×19mm Parabellum, are banned by law for civilian use, such as Italy and Mexico.-History:Based on the 9×19mm Parabellum cartridge, the casing was lengthened from...
. This option was introduced in 1991 for markets where it is illegal to own a weapon chambered for a military cartridge such as 9x19mm – 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 (adopted by the US Army as the M9 PistolM9 PistolThe Beretta M9, formally Pistol, Semiautomatic, 9mm, M9, is a 9×19mm Parabellum pistol of the United States military adopted in 1985. It is essentially a military specification Beretta 92F, later the 92FS....
) 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 (designed for the French "Gendarmerie Nationale") were adopted by the French MilitaryMilitary of FranceThe French Armed Forces encompass the French Army, the French Navy, the French Air Force and the National Gendarmerie. The President of the Republic heads the armed forces, with the title "chef des armées" . The President is the supreme authority for military matters and is the sole official who...
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 never stays cocked). 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 (the lever has also been eliminated).
Centurion Models
- These pistols offer the frame (and same magazine capacity) 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 (185.4 mm) 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 (P.G.C.). They differ from basic 92 FS in the following aspects: 150 mm (5.9 in) barrel, with aluminum counterweight sleeve, fully adjustable target rear sight, ergonomic walnut grips with "orange peel" anti-slip finish.
Inox Models
- The Inox models (from the Italian "inoxidable" meaning non-oxidizing) feature the following parts made in stainless steel: the barrel, the slide (including the extractor, the safety and the right-side manual safety lever), the trigger (and trigger pin), and slide stop lever.
Options
Vertec: (2003–)- New vertical grip.
- Short-reach trigger.
- Thinner grip panels.
- Integral accessory rail.
- Removable front sight (can be replaced with TritiumTritiumTritium is a radioactive isotope of hydrogen. The nucleus of tritium contains one proton and two neutrons, whereas the nucleus of protium contains one proton and no neutrons...
sight). - Beveled magazine well (to enable easier/faster reloading).
Brigadier: (1993–2006)
- 60 grams (2.1 oz) heavier slide and 1 millimetre (0.0393700787401575 in) wider to improve control when firing multiple shots in quick succession. It also includes removable front and rear sights.
- Pistols with this option include the heavier Brigadier bruniton slide with front serrations and Elite designation, Inox finish (silver) stainless barrel, thin skeletonized hammer, and bevel of the magazine well. A flat hammer spring cap was standard as well as the decock only (G-Model) feature and dovetailed front sight. It was introduced in 1999 and replaced by the Elite II option in 2001.
Elite IA: (2001–2006)
- 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 (11.9 cm) stainless barrel with Inox finish was also changed to the blackened stainless version like black Vertecs.
Elite II: (2001–2006)
- 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 (than Elite I) 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 (frame anodized to match color). Can have either black or stainless controls.
Compact L: (1992–)
- Shorter barrel, slide, and more compact frame (13-round magazine capacity).
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 (like "Compact"), 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 (2000 copies) commemorative (of the year 2000) model manufactured in 2001, featuring the heavier Brigadier slide.
Steel I: (2004–2006)
- 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 (for added weight and strength), 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 (deeper indentations in the side) 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 a 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 in. 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, extra 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.Manufacture by Taurus
The Beretta 92 was designed for sports and law enforcement use and, due to its reliability, was accepted by military users in South America. A large contract for the Beretta 92 was with the Brazilian armyMilitary of Brazil
The Brazilian Armed Forces is the unified military organization comprising the Brazilian Army , the Brazilian Navy and the Brazilian Air Force....
, for which Beretta set up a factory in Brazil. This factory was later sold to the Brazilian gunmaker Taurus
Taurus (manufacturer)
Forjas Taurus is a manufacturing conglomerate based in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Beginning as a tool and die manufacturer, the company now consists of divisions focusing on firearms, metals manufacturing, plastics, body armor, helmets, and civil construction.-History:Taurus produced its first...
(Forjas Taurus S/A ). Taurus makes these pistols (called the PT92
Taurus PT92
The Taurus PT92 is a double action/single action, 9x19mm Parabellum, double-stack magazine, semi-automatic, short recoil action pistol manufactured by Taurus in the former Beretta factory in São Paulo, Brazil....
) 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 (the originals were rounded) and a magazine release in the same place as the modern 92s (the originals were at the bottom of the grip.)
Manufacture by MKEK
The Turkish company MKEK - Makina ve Kimya Endustrisi Kurumuhas - been manufacturering a copy of the Beretta 92F as the Regard MC. 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.Users
- Special forces.: Special Security ForceSpecial Security ForceSpecial Security Force is a Bangladeshi law enforcement agency that provides protection to government officials and foreign dignitaries....
.: Brazilian Armed Forces.: Standard issue pistol of the French Military, designated PAMAS G1 (Pistolet Automatique de la Manufacture d'Armes de Saint-Étienne, "automatic pistol of the Saint Etienne manufacture"). Also used by the Gendarmerie NationaleGendarmerie Nationale (France)In France, the National Gendarmerie is a branch of the French Armed Forces, in charge of public safety, with police duties among the civilian population. It also contains a military police force and a special forces component . It has a strength of more than 105,975 persons...
. 92S in use with Mizoram Armed PoliceMizoram Armed PoliceMizoram Armed Police is a Special Unit in the Police Department of Ministry of Home in the State of Mizoram, India. At present it comprises 3 Battalions with an additional 3 Indian Reserve Battalions...
in 9mm Paraellum : Komando Pasukan KatakKOPASKAKopaska or Komando Pasukan Katak is the premier frogman and underwater demolition unit of the Indonesian Navy. The Unit's motto is 'Tan Hana Wighna Tan Sirna', which means 'There is no obstacle that can not be defeated'. It was officially established on March 31, 1962 by President Sukarno to help...
(Kopaska) tactical diver group and Komando Pasukan KhususKopassusKopassus is an Indonesian Army special forces group that conducts special operations missions for the Indonesian government, such as direct action, unconventional warfare, sabotage, counter-insurgency, counter-terrorism, and intelligence gathering.Kopassus was founded on April 16, 1952...
(Kopassus) special forces group.: Issued to units of the Iraqi Armed Forces (model 92FS).: Italian Armed Forces and various police forces.: Unité Spéciale de la PoliceUnité Spéciale de la PoliceThe Unité Spéciale de la Police is a special unit of the Grand Ducal Police that was created in Luxembourg in 1999. It is tasked with responding to especially dangerous situations such as hostage rescue operations, arrests of dangerous individuals, bomb threats, and dignitary protection duties...
of the Grand Ducal PoliceGrand Ducal PoliceThe Grand Ducal Police is the primary law enforcement agency in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. The police is under the control of the Minister for the Interior of Luxembourg, although they operate in the name, and under the ultimate control, of the Grand Duke. Day-to-day executive control is...
(92F).: Royal Malaysian PoliceRoyal Malaysian PoliceThe Royal Malaysia Police is a part of the security forces structure in Malaysia. The force is a centralised organization with responsibilities ranging from traffic control to intelligence gathering. Its headquarters is located at Bukit Aman, Kuala Lumpur. The police force is led by an...
(Pasukan Gerakan KhasPasukan Gerakan KhasThe Pasukan Gerakan Khas is an elite high-profile counter-terrorism and special operations tactical unit of the Royal Malaysia Police...
).: Various branches of the armed forces.: Special Service Group (SSG) of the Pakistan ArmyPakistan ArmyThe Pakistan Army is the branch of the Pakistani Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. The Pakistan Army came into existence after the Partition of India and the resulting independence of Pakistan in 1947. It is currently headed by General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. The Pakistan...
.: Used by Military Police: Law enforcement groups.: Slovenian Armed ForcesMilitary of SloveniaThe Military of Slovenia consists of the Slovenian Armed Forces . The SAF are the armed forces of Slovenia. Since 2003, it is organized as a fully professional standing army...
(since 1991) and police.: Produced under license since 1992 as the Vektor Z88, and used by the South African PoliceSouth African PoliceThe South African Police was the country's police force until 1994. The SAP traced its origin to the Dutch Watch, a paramilitary organization formed by settlers in the Cape in 1655, initially to protect civilians against attack and later to maintain law and order...
.: In service with the US Armed Forces since 1985. Also used by the US Border Patrol and US Immigration and Naturalization Service. The 96D variant was formerly used by the Maryland State PoliceMaryland State PoliceThe Maryland State Police is the official state police force of the state of Maryland. The Maryland State Police is headquartered at 1201 Reisterstown Road in the Pikesville CDP in unincorporated Baltimore County.-Organizational structure:...
, but replaced with the Beretta Px4 StormBeretta Px4 StormThe Beretta Px4 Storm is a semi-automatic pistol manufactured by Beretta of Italy and intended for personal defense and law enforcement use. The Px4 uses the same short-recoil, rotating barrel lock as the Beretta 8000 Models and uses the same operating system as the M9/92/96 series, while being...
pistol in May 2008. Also issued to LASDLASDLASD may refer to:*Laboratório de Sistemas Distribuídos*Leechburg Area School District*Lehighton Area School District*liquid-applied sound deadener*Littlestown Area School District*Local Agent Services Division of Meridian...
reserve and full time deputies
External links
- Official Beretta 92 page
- http://www.berettausa.com/ Beretta USA page
- Diagram of beretta 92
- 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