Just applied for my next handgun permit this week, and while looking at some M&P’s I happened to see a .40 90 Two that struck me.
Anyone have credible feedback on these?
I got one last summer. I’m very impressed with it.
The trigger is very smooth in DA mode, and crisp in SA mode.
The slide and frame fit is close with no play, and cycles like lightning. I think the pistol’s finish seems to be somewhat self-lubricating.
With that in mind, it’s liable to be quite slippery if your hands are wet.
The interchangeable grips are what made me REALLY like it. The OEMs that it ships with were just a tiny bit too large for me, and when I found a pair of replacements, I jumped on them. If I recall they weren’t much over $20 shipped. The difference was remarkable. I could really get my hand around it, and it helped a lot with control.
It came with 2 17d mags which I quickly supplemented with a few 20rd’ers. Having 21rds +20 more on your belt is a decent loadout, IMO. 
Excellent. That was exactly the type of reply I was looking for. Thank-you.
I really liked the feel of it and have always liked the Beretta platform overall. Will do a little more research, but think it is my front runner at this time.
I think the 90 Two is an excellent variation on the 92 system. One other additional comment to add to 1911-A1s summary: you’ll have the built-in rail on the dustcover, a great feature if you want to run a VBL on the gun. I have aftermarket polymer rails on two of my older M9 types, but I think the built-in (like on a newer M9A1) is obviously more desirable if a rail is indicated by your needs.
I haven’t tried a .40, but the 9s run great. Full disclosure in that I’m biased because I truly love the M9s/92fs series (including the Elites that were made for a period in the recent past). But I think you’ll be pleased if you go that route. The 90 Twos are also a tad more grip-size friendly to those who otherwise find the M9 grip a bit large.
They also come with a silly plastic rail cover. You will lose it. Just take it off and store it somewhere safe if you want to keep it.
Beretta’s history with .40 caliber guns is pretty dismal. To the best of my knowledge every agency that adopted 96es had lots of problems with them.
I concur. I had a Beretta 96 a few years ago that I couldn’t get rid of fast enough. Broken extractors seemed to be the order of the day with this pistol. IIRC most of the Maryland LE agencies that carried the 96 have transitioned to the M&P 40.
Another very common issue is the trigger spring breaking. I’ve had a few of these break on me. I wonder if they’ve addressed this issue in the newer models. Replacing the stock spring with a Wolff solves the issue.
Now you guys chime in, after I already gave my deposit.
Just kidding, I read that they addressed most of these issues by adding a frame recoil buffer as well as a captive recoil spring assembly to the 90 Two in order to better accommodate .40 cal. Neither of which the 96 has, if I understood correctly. What has been the impact on functionality? I have no idea yet but hope to find out.
Thanks for the feedback everyone.
Let us know how it goes. IME after the trigger spring issue was addressed my Beretta has been a reliable and accurate shooter. The grip is perfect for guys with big hands. It’s not what I carry or shoot on a regular basis anymore, but I wouldn’t hesitate to reach for it if needed.
The key to that question is read from what source? What sort of testing and observation underlie that statement? It’s entirely possible that the revisions you mention solved the issue…but absent some significant accumulation of data that demonstrates that I would be reluctant to bet anything of value on the claims. If you don’t intend to shoot the pistol very much then the point may be moot as you may never see any issues manifest. If you run the gun for more than a few hundred rounds per year you will start to hit the round counts that gave groups like the INS problems with their 96 pistols.
The Beretta 92 series pistol (The best handgun Beretta makes by far) is a pretty well known quantity given it’s use by the US military and large LE agencies like LAPD. In 9mm it tends to be a pretty decent handgun if you maintain it properly. In .40 it’s never worked well. I find it difficult to believe that what appears to be a slight revision of the 92 series design is going to offer vastly superior service to the 96 series guns. It’s possible…but unlikely, in my view. The question becomes, then, what you are willing to bet on. Bet on the manufacturer’s claims, or bet on the canon of knowledge extant on the 92 platform in .40 caliber from agency issue of the weapons. The 92 pattern .40 guns were based on an original 9mm design, and when we examine the .40 guns that were scaled up from 9mm generally they don’t work so good. (The Beretta 96 and Glock .40’s are testaments to this) Guns designed from the ground up to be .40’s tend to work very well. The Sig P229, H&K USP/P2000/Etc pistols and the M&P family all have a great track record in .40.
If you want a Beretta, my advice is to stick to something like a 92 Vertec. If you want a .40, I suggest shopping for something like a Sig P229 or an M&P.
I have some thinking to do I guess. I started looking at the M&P but saw the 90-Two and liked it…a lot. And again, after doing some research, it appears that changes were made to better accommodate the .40.
But if it is untested then I guess I will have to decide if I want to be a pioneer or not. Although none of the 90 Two posters here has had a bad thing to say, just the 96 posters. So, I really don’t know but am inclined to stay the course for now.
Edit: After re-reading I see the 90 Two posters were referring to the 9mm version. I guess I better get my raccoon tail hat and traps ready.
Dude, go for the 9!
I can not find a single field test on the .40 beyond 500 rds anywhere. But at the same time I understand I was extremely lucky to get one period, let alone for $665.
I am excited about trying out this gun. I will for now have faith that the two critical upgrades by Beretta will better accommodate the .40. For now.
But I hear the handgun permits here in my county are about 2 month backlogged, so I may have a while to think about it.