Beretta 92
Summary
| Country | 🇮🇹 Italy |
| Category | Semi-automatic pistol |
| Manufacturer | Beretta |
Technical specifications
| Beretta 92 | |
|---|---|
| Fire Rate | 40 rounds/min. |
| Caliber | 9 x 19 mm Parabellum |
| Magazine | 15 rounds |
| Length | 217 mm (8.5 in) |
| Weight | 0.95 kg (2.1 lb) |
| Range | 50 m (164 ft) |
Description
The Beretta 92 series is a line of semi-automatic pistols designed and manufactured by Beretta of Italy. Developed in 1975 with production commencing in 1976, the design has seen numerous variants across several calibers and remains in use today. The United States military adopted the Beretta 92FS as the M9 pistol in 1985, replacing the .45 ACP M1911A1.
The design evolved from earlier Beretta models, including the M1923 and M1951. It incorporated the open slide design from the M1923 and the alloy frame and hinged locking block (from the Walther P38) first seen on the M1951. Common elements from earlier Beretta pistols included the grip angle and the front sight integrated with the slide. Significant advancements came from the 1974 Model 84: the magazine featured direct feed without a feed ramp, and it utilized a double-stacked design, an innovation introduced in 1935 on the Browning Hi-Power. The final design was a collaboration by Carlo Beretta, Giuseppe Mazzetti, and Vittorio Valle. The open slide facilitates smooth feeding and ejection and allows for easy clearing of obstructions, while the hard-chromed bore resists wear and corrosion. The falling locking block design promotes accuracy and can function effectively with suppressors, and the magazine release button is reversible, aiding left-handed operation. Around 2000, Beretta began incorporating polymer and polymer-coated metal components to reduce weight and cost and improve corrosion resistance.
The Beretta 92 series is available in numerous configurations and models. Initial production included the original 92.
Variants include:
- 92S: Introduced a slide-mounted safety/decocking lever.
- 92SB (initially 92S-1): Designed for the USAF trials, featured an ambidextrous safety, 3-dot sights, and a relocated magazine release button.
- 92SB-F, or 92F: Implemented 100% interchangeable parts, a squared-off trigger guard, a recurved grip base, hard chromed bore, and the Bruniton surface coating.
- 92FS: Added an enlarged hammer pin to enhance slide retention.
Later variants include the D/DS (double-action only or with safety), G/G-SD (decocker-only), Vertec (straight backstrap, accessory rail, removable sights), 90Two (thicker slide/frame, accessory rail), A1/96A1, Centennial (frame-mounted safety, SAO), M9A1 (Picatinny rail, checkering, beveled mag well), M9A3 (thinner grip, interchangeable wrap-around grips, universal slide, threaded barrel option), M9A4 (optic compatible, enhanced trigger), Elite LTT (Vertec slide, M9A1 frame), 92X (updated platform), 92XI (frame-mounted safety, SAO), and 92GTS (DA/SA, twin sear). A limited number of 92SB carbines were also produced. The significantly redesigned 93R is a machine pistol variant offering three-round bursts. Copies have been manufactured under license or independently in countries such as Brazil (Taurus PT92), Egypt (Helwan 920), South Africa (Vektor Z-88), and Turkey (MKEK/Girsan Yavuz 16).
The Beretta 92 has been adopted by military users globally. The United States military adopted the 92FS as the M9 in 1985. The 92S was adopted by several Italian law enforcement and military units. A modified 92F was adopted by the French military as the PAMAS G1. The US Marine Corps adopted the M9A1 in 2006. The M9A3 was presented as a potential upgrade for the US military. A small number of 92SB carbines were made for the Los Angeles Police Department. Copies like the Yavuz 16 were manufactured for the Turkish Armed Forces and General Directorate of Security and exported to several countries.
Users of the Beretta 92 series include the United States military, Italian law enforcement and military units, the French military, and the US Marine Corps. Other users include the Los Angeles Police Department, as well as military users in Brazil, Egypt, South Africa, Turkey, Canada, Colombia, Georgia, Malaysia, Syria, and the Philippines. The platform has been adopted by military users in countries all over the world.