I have a old Berretta 92 that I’m only starting to shoot decently with now. I used to be unable to hit much with it, but I found that the trigger pull that I shoot rifles with is completely inadequate for shooting the Berretta. That’s now been fixed.
This pistol is definitely not anywhere close to the best, but I’d still like to get better with it. Does anyone have tips/things to watch out for?
Thanks
If it’s old and it seems rather used or you are not sure how much it was used, should replace some springs. I think they are up there at the top for what they are. A lot of models as old or younger have become worse off over the years or died out.
People seem to shoot them better when they adjust their grip to it instead of trying to make the gun adjust to their grip.
Replace the mainspring with a “D” mainspring if you haven’t already.
It will lighten the pull which should make shooting it accurately (especially in double action) easier.
As for running it better that’s about it.
For maintenance watch the locking block and the area of the slide around it for cracks. Replace the trigger return spring regularly.
That’s all I can remember from my years running a 96. I’m sure someone else more knowledgeable on the 92 than me will be along soon to expound.
When I mean old, I mean bought a long time ago and sat in a safe. The gun itself works flawlessly. I restretched a mag spring and it feeds just fine.
I did have to change my grip and trigger pull a bit to accommodate the gun- do you have any tips for dealing with the heavy (and kind of sloppy) single stage pull?
Thanks
EDIT: sorry,RD62, didn’t see your response. I will do that and see how it helps. Thanks
It is a combat pistol, with a somewhat vague trigger break. If you want to improve the trigger, you may want to investigate installing a lighter mainspring and trigger springs, but be careful to not go too light to keep the reliability of igniting primers. A competent gunsmith should also be able to smooth out the contact points of where the hammer meets the sear, and other areas that can be stoned and improved. The trigger bar can also be smoothed out but that is more for the DA pull than SA.
It is not a 1911, but I’m sure you can improve the trigger with some work.
Seek out training with super Dave. He can make an M9 sing, bro.
bc
Not so much about shooting accurately but one problem I have is that I sometimes activate the safety when I “monkey grip” during slide manipulations like I do with the Glock.
It would be wise to replace the stock spring with a “D” spring. Or cut the 3 or 4 links off the stock spring. Same as the “D” spring.
Polish the trigger internals
Get some Mec-Gar mags. They are bombers.
Acquire some triggers springs. They break often. Also, get a spare locking block. By far one of the weakest parts of the beretta. Mine gave out at 7,000 rounds.
Lubricate, lubricate, lubricate.
Dry fire. Do it for 20-30 minutes a day. Do most of it in double action. Get some good snap caps like the a-zoom. You know when you are doing it right when you get a smooth pull and your front sight doesn’t move.
When at the range do lots of shooting from double action. Shoot, Decock repeat. I usually would do this for two or three mags. I also did a lot of double action shot to single action, decock then repeat. I find that the beretta is one of the most accurate production handguns out there. The D spring helps, but you can’t use equipment to overcome a lack of practice.
Try mastering the pistol before spending money on a trigger job.
When I owned a Beretta 92FS, I had to adjust the placement of my trigger finger. I moved my trigger finger in to the distal joint like I would when shooting a revolver. Move the trigger finger further inside the trigger guard until you just touch the side of the trigger with the first crease at the joint of your finger. This required a slight adjustment to the way I gripped the pistol. If you have bigger hands, you may not have to adjust your grip. If you find your shots are consistently going to the right of your point of aim, move your finger outboard in small increments until your shot group is centered.
Using this technique gives you more leverage when pressing the trigger and I was able to manipulate the trigger on my 92FS more consistently. I was able to shoot decent groups out to 50 yards using this technique and making hits inside the 8 ring of a B-27 silhouette target at 100 yards was also possible.
Try this technique and practice dime drills during your dry fire sessions. If the dime stays on the front sight, you should be able to get good hits during your live fire sessions.
As already stated, practice the DA pull and and shooting doubles from DA.
If you think the 92 has a bad trigger what do you normally shoot?
Avoiding cutting yourself with the safety is my biggest concern i have when racking the slide. Practice, practice, practice.
Like others have said a “D” springs is a good 5 dollar investment. Otherwise the 92 doesn’t have a bad DA pull. Practice as much as you can and make sure to get a smooth pull all the way through, don’t stage the hammer then jerk it till it breaks. (seen a lot with new troops) That is a major accuracy breaker. Another issue is people who just over muscle all the way through the DA same principle applies.
To those that mentioned the safety issues, two things I have instilled when training. One, always go thumbs up. Its impossible for me to not know if the safety was on and my thumb knuckle will slap it up into the fire position. Two, when doing malf drills I rotate the pistol to the left (righty) and grab the rear of the slide with my left index finger hooked around the safety and my left thumb under it with upward pressure. There is no way for me to accidentally engage it that way. YMMV
Op I would also second getting the newest gen locking block as they last longer than the previous ones.
I exclusively use the 92 in IDPA/USPSA competitions and tactical training. My recommendations are as follows:
Install D mainspring
Lightly polish hammer surface to smooth trigger pull.
Use Beretta or Mec-Gar magazines.
Train to use the safety only as a decocker. Disengage the safety
by sweeping down and forward with the thumb knuckle. This method is much faster than trying to flick it up with the end of the thumb. You shouldn’t have an issue with it as long as you have medium sized hands.
Learn to shoot DA by rolling the trigger back in one smooth continuous motion. Do not try and stage the trigger.
Dry practice DA pull with spent shell on top of the slide. Don’t let it fall off.
Keep practicing DA. see #5 and #6
Read this article: http://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?4212-General-Thoughts-on-DA-SA-Pistols
Also, I have no idea the age or round count of your 92, but I would replace the existing locking block with the newest gen block. They were redesigned some years ago for much longer life. Like the AR15, the M9 will be absolutely reliable as long as it has lube and good magazines.
Don’t fall for the internet hearsay that the 92 can’t be shot well. The current USPSA production champion shoots a 92. Other big names in the shooting industry like Dave Olhasso, Bill Wilson, and Dave Harrington did very well with the 92 as well.
My brother is joining the Marine Corps next year, so he’s been practicing with a Beretta 92, that my mom bought him. Here is what he told me to put in this thread.
Safety. Be careful as hell during malfunction clearances, because the safety can totally get re-engaged, and it doesn’t seem to be all that stiff or positive. (At least on his example.)
DA pull, there’s no tip anybody can give you other than just keep dry firing it until it smooths itself out, or you can get used to it.
Reset seems pretty weak. (On his example. For referance, he’s used to HK pistols, which don’t have the strongest reset either.)
Slide release can be hard as hell to actuate using your strong side hand, especially if you have smaller hands. Support hand is pretty much all that works (for him). And even using your support thumb on the magazine release seems to be smoother for him, then his strong hand thumb because of how badly he has to shift his grip.
Weight helps counter recoil, but does not help with draw times.
Accurate as hell.
I’ll also note that he doesn’t modify his gun at all, because you’re not allowed to modify the internal parts of the issued guns. So he’s staying all stock. He’s put around 1800 rounds through his. (Got it in February, he doesn’t get to shoot much.)
As a long-time Beretta 92 shooter, I can vouch for this advice. People are always surprised when I run my pizza pistol, they think it’s impossible to do well. They’re wrong. Just practice, practice, practice.
His hands must be like
Small palms, long fingers. So the slide will either lock back prematurely, or not at all. Or has to position his hands in a way where he can’t reach it in an efficient manner at all.
I have the same problem.
lots of good info on Ben Stoeger’s site.
The Beretta 92FS is a good pistol. The reason I sold mine was I wanted more accuracy for shooting PPC matches. I wanted 2" accuracy at 50 yards, which would require spending more on modifications than the cost of a new match pistol.
I had good luck with 124g & 147g rounds. The 115g rounds shot OK, but were not quite as accurate at 50 yards.
As previously stated, Mec-Gar and Beretta magazines are the way to go. I had a few Ram Line 18 round magazines that worked well, but I don’t think they are made anymore.
Dry fire, dry fire, dry fire and you will get the hang of the pistol.