I’ve always wanted a Beretta 92. I shot one in the Marines once, one whole magazine. But I loved it. Plus it was in about every movie I watched growing up. I always meant to get one but there was always a reason not to. Either I could not find them or for the money I could get something else and other stuff. Lately I have found myself questions some of the guns I have and if I really liked them. I’m trying to enjoy what I have and not to just have a gun just because. Between a little extra money from work and selling off a few guns I had enough money to buy a couple guns I wanted including a Beretta 92.
Specifically I found a used NIB 92a1 at a local gun shop. Dude had bought it and never shot it. I picked it up for $550. I finally got to get it out and shot it yesterday. I was just shooting at some steel to make sure everything worked. I put 150 rounds through it. A mix of 115,124 FMJ and HP, and 147 FMJ and flat point. Everything went great with no issues.
Right off the bat I know I need to do the “D” spring to lighten the double action up. It’s smooth but so god damn heavy. I’ll also do the “G” conversion. I don’t have big hands but the size of the grip did not bother me. I might look into the vertec grips or maybe something else latter. I also noticed that is did not want to come out of my M12 holster. I know it wasn’t designed for a railed M9.
So any suggestions of anything else to look at with my Beretta? How about a different holster. It’s not going to be a carry gun but I probably will put a light on it and make it my house gun.
The G conversion is the only thing that, in my opinion, is a “must do.” The D spring is nice also. Don’t fool around with the super high cap mags, they are generally a PITA to load. The 15s and 17s are good. Obviously some Nights sights and a light down the road.
A “Vertec” grips is not something you buy from a store or Amazon. The 92A1 has arched grip backstrap, the Beretta Vertec has a straight back strap. One company and only one company (Wilson Combat) is commercially doing grip conversion from the 92 arched style to the Vertec, by shaving off the metal on the back strap to the Vertec profile, and they’re only doing that on the Brigadier Tactical that they sell. One just can’t send any commercial 92 to them to do the conversion.
If a thinner grips is desired, Wilson Combat sell the ultra thin 92 G10 grips.
SS recoil spring guide, 18lb Wolff recoil spring, D spring, Elite 2 hammer, make sure its got the latest locking block on the barrel, use FACTORY MAGS, you’ll be good to go.
I did not mean the actual vertec frame, but I read where some have put the vertec grip panels on regular 92’s as a way of getting a thinner grip. I will look at the Wilson G10 thin grips though, thank you.
I had someone give me one, free and clear, with two hi-cap mags (during the Ban). I couldn’t hit squat with it. That double-action first pull, and then the rest of 'em are single action, and the big fat handle. Lord-a-mercy.
Took it to a gun show. Traded straight across for a nice Browning Hi-Power. Instant wonderfulness.
As already mentioned; D spring, G conversion, Elite hammer. My “plain Jane” version, as in not my WC or LTT, has a Wolff trigger spring, D spring in it. With the WC trigger bar and other items mentioned, it is much nicer than I have felt on some factory models, close to the WC, not to the LTT though.
I know lots of people recommend the famous “D” spring. It is an improvement over the hammer springs that they put in the FS models. But one can go a little better than the D spring. I’ve been told that the D springs are measured around 16 lb. I’ve used 13 lb. springs that you can order from several sources, Wolf/Wilson/Langdon tactical. They are a huge improvement, I’ve gotten smooth and lighter DA pull with 100% reliable ignition with all American factory ammo.
I’ve heard that the D spring is better at igniting harder primers, like those used in NATO military ammo and some European commercial rounds. I and many people have used the 13lb springs with good success.
Congratulations! Great pistol. 13 or 14 lb. hammer spring. Check out Langdon Tactical for parts, grips (I prefer them), and tuning. I have factory Beretta 92 and LTT. Love to shoot them!