Beretta 92

Overview:

The Beretta 92 (also Beretta 96 and Beretta 98) 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 M1911 .45 ACP pistol in 1985 with the M9. Although only 5000 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 three calibers:

• 92 series in 9x19mm Parabellum
• 96 series in .40 S&W
• 98 series in 9x21mm IMI

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 locking block barrel lockup 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) using polymers, and polymer parts have started showing up in Beretta 92/96 models too. In 2003, the first internal polymer part to be introduced was a recoil spring guide. New polymer parts include safety lever, trigger, mainspring cap, magazine floorplate, and follower. In contrast some parts have been painted black to match the included polymer parts, these include; slide release, disassembly latch, and hammer. 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 frame, slide, and grip, and has an accessory rail. The Beretta PX4 Storm is a series of pistols in 9x19mm, .40 S&W and .45ACP with the same basic action as the 92, but a modified slide and frame to drastically reduce weight and incorporate a sleeker styling.

Specifications:

Type

• Semi-automatic pistol.

Place of Origin

• Italy.

Weight

• 950 grams (34 oz) (92).
• 970 grams (34 oz) (92S/SB/F/G).
• 920 grams (32 oz) (92D).
• 900 grams (32 oz) (Compact/Vertec).

Length

• 217 millimetres (8.5 in).
• 211 millimetres (8.3 in) (Vertec).
• 197 millimetres (7.8 in) (Compact/Centurion).

Barrel Length

• 125 millimetres (4.9 in).
• 119 millimetres (4.7 in) (Vertec/Elites/Border Marshal/Combo).
• 109 millimetres (4.3 in) (Compact/Centurion).

Cartridge

• 9x19mm Parabellum (92 series).
• .40 S&W (96 series).
• 9x21mm IMI (98 series).

Feed System

Detachable box magazine:

• 10, 15, 17, 18, 20 rounds (92, 98 series).
• 11 rounds (96 series).
• 10, 13 rounds (Compact L).
• 8 rounds (Compact Type M).