Beretta Guns Pistol

Introduced in 2010, the Model 92A1 and 96A1 represent Beretta's evolution of the world famous 92FS pistol.

Combining the best elements of the 92FS and the 90-Two, these pistols feature:

1. Higher capacity magazines: 17 rounds in 9mm. completely interchangeable with other 92 family magazines. Three magazines are included with each pistol.
2. Features a removable front sight: Allowing the user to easily replace a damaged sight or with an accessory sight.
3. Accessory rail: The frame of the A1's have an integral MIL-STD-1913 rail for fast attachment of tactical lights and laser aiming devices.
4. Internal recoil buffer: Increases service life by reducing stress on the receiver created by the more powerful .40 S&W caliber ammunition.
5. Captive recoil spring assembly: The single-piece design simplifies the assembly and disassembly process and minimizes the possibility of spring loss.
6. Rounded trigger guard: Updated styling to conform to current pistol gripping practices.

RELIABILITY AND DURABILITY STATISTICS

• The average reliability of all M9 pistols tested at Beretta U.S.A. is 17,500 rounds without a stoppage.
• During one test of twelve pistols fired at Beretta U.S.A. before Army supervision, Beretta-made M9 pistols shot 168,000 rounds without a single malfunction.
• The Beretta 9mm pistol was the most reliable of all pistols tested in the 1984 competition which resulted in the award of the M9 contract to Beretta.
• Two-thirds of all M9 pistols endurance tested at Beretta U.S.A. fired 5,000 rounds without a single malfunction or, at most, with only one malfunction.
• The average durability of Beretta M9 slides is over 35,000 rounds, the point at which U.S. Army testing ceases.
• The average durability of M9 frames is over 30,000 rounds. The average durability of M9 locking blocks is 22,000 rounds

The 92FS is a short-recoil based semi-automatic pistol, with DA/SA firing modes. The 92FS is traditionally chambered in 9mm Luger, although .40 S&W, 9x21mm IMI, and 7.65mm Luger are also available (Models 96, 98, and 99 respectively).

The 92FS has an open slide top, and the top not only reduces weight, but it makes clearing jams easier.

Beretta uses a proprietary Teflon-based paint finish on their pistols, referred to as Bruniton. While traditional bluing is a surface-modification, Bruniton is a coating. The finished pistols are flat-black and have little glare, an obvious advantage to the military. The pistol coating provides a very durable and corrosion resistant layer. To further inhibit corrosion, 92FS barrels feature hard-chromed bores and chambers.

All M9 and 92FS pistols feature a 4.9" barrel with traditional land-and-groove rifling. One feature is the locking-block mechanism. In the 92FS the locking mechanism uses a separate block to align and lock the barrel up. There are two locking lugs that engage appropriate recesses cut into the slide's internal side surfaces. Most modern pistols utilize a locking lug that is integrated with the bottom of the barrel.

For user ease, the 92FS features an easy-to-change reversible magazine release. The ambidextrous safety/decocking mechanism, located at the rear of the slide, provide a positive "on" and "off". When applied, the safety safely lowers the hammer, and also rotates the rear of the two-piece firing pin out of alignment, thus making it impossible for the hammer to strike. The safety disconnects the trigger group, meaning a trigger pull does nothing when the safety is engaged.

The Beretta also features an automatic firing pin catch, which is a bar that blocks the firing pins forward movement, unless the trigger is fully depressed. Should this pistol be dropped on a hard surface, this block prevents an accidental discharge.

The 92A1 features an integral Mil-Spec 1913 (Picatinny) rail, comes with three 17 round magazines, an internal recoil buffer, captive recoil spring assembly, and the old-style rounded trigger guard. The 92A1 also features a removable front sight; you can replace or upgrade sights with relative ease.

The differences between the M9A1 (military version) and the 92A1 (civilian version) are slight. M9A1 and 92A1 both have the standard "92″ grip frame, and are able to utilize any 92 grip panel. The 92A1 grip frame is serrated while the M9A1 is checkered. The 92A1 has the buffer assembly developed for increased durability in pistols chambered in .40S&W (Model 96A1), where the M9A1 does not. The M9A1 features a more aggressive bevel in the magazine well.

The 92A1 comes with stainless-steel 17-round magazines. The M9A1 on the other hand, comes with proprietary PVD-coated 15-round magazines. PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) is actually the process used to coat the magazines. The PVD-coated magazines are designed to better withstand the dry dusty conditions of Iraq and Afghanistan.

Both the 17-round stainless and the 15-round PVD coated magazines feature a dirt "rail" – a slight indentation on both sides of the magazine. It serves a dual purpose: the valley on the outside of the magazine acts as a trough for dirt to collect. The peak formed on the inside of the magazine is designed to keep cartridges away from the walls of the magazine, and away from dirt, oil, and other foreign materials that may get trapped inside.

The 92A1 can keep a grouping well within MOI (Minute of Intruder). The weight, which tips the scales at 34.4oz unloaded, may be a bit heavy for some shooters. However, the increased heft makes the recoil barely noticeable.

The 92A1 comes with 3-dot sights and are easy to see. The advantage of the 92A1 over the M9A1 is that owners can choose to replace the sights if they choose to do so.

The 92A1 breaks down very easily for cleaning. The button on the right side of the frame is pushed in, allowing the breakdown lever to be rotated down. The slide then moves forward and can be removed. After cleaning is completed, the slide is simply placed back on the frame and racked back. There is no need to rotate the lever again as the breakdown lever returns back to its "locked" position automatically.

There is no doubt that the Beretta 92A1 and 96A1 are fantastic guns with many desirable features. For more than 500 years Beretta has been manufacturing what many consider the best gun. Beretta, like many gun manufacturers today, is facing hard decisions and a great deal of inconvenience due to those who would disarm the people of their Second Amendment right.

In business since 1526, Beretta is the oldest firearm manufacturing company in the world. Beretta remains the U.S. Armed Forces supplier of the M9 Combat Pistol. Today, the Beretta family still owns and operates the company.

Beretta focuses on its broad range of modern firearms including side-by-side shotguns, over-and-under shotguns, assault rifles, express rifles, hunting rifles, lever and bolt-action rifles, submachine guns, single and double action revolvers and semi-automatic pistols. The parent company, Beretta Holding, also owns Beretta USA, Benelli, Franchi, SAKO, Stoeger, Tikka, Uberti, and the Burris Optics company.

The Beretta USA factory, in Accokeek, Maryland, manufactures military, police, and civilian pistols.