Beretta Model 92 (M92)

History

The Italian group Beretta has been manufacturing firearms since 1526 and is now the oldest such manufacturer in the world. Its more modern types of semi-automatic pistols were used during the two world wars and in many conflicts in between, making the brand the standard for other competing pistols on the market.

The first well-known semi-automatic pistols appeared in 1915 with the Model 1915, a method that evolved over the interwar and post-WWII decades to produce the Beretta Model 1951. The brand spawned the classic, world-famous Beretta Model 92 launched in 1975.

The brand is still in production today (2014) and has been embraced by a wide range of military, civilian, security and law enforcement communities for its loyal service. The basic design has also spawned quite a few variants, some of which are chambered in different ways, making the Type 92 an undisputed world success in the small arms market.

The design of the weapon is credited to Carlo Beretta, Giuseppe Mazzetti and Vittorio Valle.

The Model 92 essentially became a modernized form of the earlier Model 1951, thus following the same general form and function (including the Beretta clip cutout slider). The Model 92 introduced a double-action (DA) trigger unit, as well as a higher-capacity magazine. Overall, it's still largely the same Beretta pistol. Its main chamber is the ubiquitous German 9x19 Parabellum pistol cartridge, but in the form of .40 Smith & Wesson, 9x21mm Israeli IMI and 7.65mm Luger cartridges.

The base model 92 weighs 950 grams, has a length of 217 mm and a barrel length of 125 mm. The muzzle velocity reaches 1,250 feet per second, and the effective range is up to 160 feet.

Due to the Model 92's variable design and chamber, pistols eventually accepted detachable magazines ranging from 8 rounds (compact) to an impressive 32 rounds.

The original Model 92 was actually produced in a limited run of approximately 5,000 pistols from 1975 to 1976. Subsequent additional production increased this total to over 50,000 by 1983.

The Model 92S was introduced to meet Sold to law enforcement to better support groups and increase the safety of firearms, with a combined safety/shock lever system now mounted on rails instead of frames. Production continued until the mid-1980s and was seen in several armed forces (including the Italian army) and police groups around the world.

Then came the Beretta Model 92SB (originally called the 92S-1), a brand designed for US military trials when they were trying to replace the old stock of the classic Colt M1911A1. 45 caliber semi-automatic pistol, offering a more modern offering. Its design follows the earlier model 92S series with all its inherent changes, but incorporates safety locks on both sides of the rail. The magazine release is placed behind the trigger ring for ease of use, and an automatic firing pin lock is added.

The handle shape has been ergonomically improved and the hammer has been slightly redesigned with a "Half-Cock" groove. The result is a pistol that is largely faithful to the original Model 92S, but with a slightly heavier overall form.

The compact was developed as the 92SB compact with a shortened slide and barrel and a smaller 13-round magazine capacity.

As it gained acceptance in the US military process, some modifications to the 92SB were required, which resulted in the final Type 92F. The logo features a redesigned trigger loop to better serve the two-handed grip, and a lanyard loop has been added.

The bottom of the magazine has been lengthened for better reloading/general handling. The grip has also been redesigned to be better, and the barrel is chromed to improve wear. The outer surface of the weapon is coated with a special corrosion-resistant substance.

It is this Beretta brand that is designated by the U.S. military through the "M9" as its standard sidearm (described in detail elsewhere on this site).

The Model 92FS was subsequently fitted with a larger hammer pin and reshaped trigger guard for better two-handed operation. The earlier changes were introduced to allay concerns about runaway slides with cracked sides of the rear frame found during the US military's extensive testing program.

Released in 2010, the Type 92A1 was largely based on the 92FS, but added an accessory rail under the weapon's front frame for tactical flashlights and laser sights. The Type 96A1 is the same weapon, albeit for the .40 Smith and Wesson cartridge.

Beretta has also grown in other areas, including competition pistols, compacts, special collectible brands and special shapes. The Type 93R is an automatic submachine gun form also based on the Type 951R. The Type 92 has also been widely adopted or copied (sometimes illegally) around the world. Special forces also rely on type, giving products huge market acceptance.

Its reliability in all conditions makes it an ideal single-mode solution for military, navy, air force and gendarmerie forces as the last line of defense. Even the guards of the Vatican City are armed with this trusty Italian pistol.

Variants of the Type 92 base frame also include the Type 92D without manual safety and with automatic cocking. The 92DS model is a double acting (DAO) only model, based on the 92F model. Model 92FC is a compact model and model 92FCM is a smaller product.

The "Inox" marker is made of stainless steel. The Type 92G was adopted by the French Gendarmerie (hence the "G" in its name) and lacked the combined defocus lever/safety lock feature. The version is manufactured locally in France under the designation PA-MAS-G1.

The Type 92SB-C is a compact version of the actual Type 92SB, while the Type 99 carries a 7.65mm Luger chamber.

Although the Beretta 92 series originated in the 1970s, it will remain in widespread use for decades to come due to its pedigree, proven history and availability of 9mm cartridges. It certainly sets the standard for other semi-automatic machines and will meet the sidearm requirements of many of its users in the near future.

Specification

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Changes