Beretta Model 92 (M92)

Semi-Automatic Service Pistol

Italy | 1975

"The Italian Beretta Model 92 has seen its fair share of international success since its inception in 1975."

Image released to the public domain by United States Department of Defense.

Performance
Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the Beretta Model 92 (M92). Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

150 ft
45.7 m | 50.0 yds
Max.Eff.Range

1,250 ft/sec
381 m/sec
Muzzle Velocity

Physical
The physical qualities of the Beretta Model 92 (M92). Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

217 mm
8.54 in
O/A Length

125 mm
4.92 in
Barrel Length

2.09 lb
0.95 kg
Weight

Semi-Automatic
Action

9x19mm Parabellum; .40 S&W; 9x21mm IMI; 7.65mm Luger
Caliber(s)

8-, 10-, 11-, 12-, 13-, 15-, 17-, 18-, 20-, 30- or 32-round detachable box magazine
Feed

Iron Front and Rear; Optional Optics.
Sights

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the Beretta Model 92 (M92) Semi-Automatic Service Pistol family line.

Model 92 - Original production mark; base series designation

Model 92S - Improved safety functionality

Model 92SB (92S-1) - U.S. military trials version; dual safety catch feature; automatic firing pin lock; half-cock notch on hammer; grooved butt; increased operating weight.

Model 92SB-C - Compact version of Model 92SB

Model 92F - Revised triggerguard; extended magazine base; new grip plates added; lanyard ring; chrome-lined barrel assembly; Bruniton anti-corrosion finish.

Model 92FS - Based on Model 92SB with reshaped triggerguard, extended magazine base, lanyard ring added, and new grip plates; chrome-plated barrel assembly; Bruniton anti-corrosion exterior finish.

Model 92FS Compact - Compact form of the Model 92FS with features of the Model 92SB-C.

Model 92FC Compact, Type M - Based on Model 92FS Compact though with thinner grip section and eight-round magazine capacity.

Model 92G - French "Gendarmerie" variant; sans combo safety-catch/de-cocking lever; no manual safety.

Model 92D - Self-cocking; sans manual safety

Model 92DS - Self-cocking/Double-Action Only (DOA); based on Model 92F.

Model 92FC (Model 92F Compact) - Compact form of the Model 92F; 13-round magazine capacity.

Model 92FCM - More compact form of Model 92F; thinner grip area; single-column magazine with 8-round capacity.

Model 92A1 - Based on the Model 92FS with underslung accessories rail added.

Model 93R - Modernized Model 951R automatic machine pistol with attributes of the Model 92 pistol added; front grip; three-burst function.

Model 96A1 - Chambered for .40 S&W cartridge

Model 98 - Chambered for Israeli 9x21mm IMI cartridge

Model 99 - Chambered for 7.65mm Luger cartridge

Centurion (Series) - Compact forms with shorter slides and barrels utilizing basic-sized frame.

Inox (Series) - Stainless steel finishes

Brigadier - Heavier slide for improved accuracy in repeat fire actions; optional sights.

Elite (series) - Variations on the Brigadier model line

M9 - U.S. military designation of the Model 92F; succeeding the Colt M1911A1 as standard issue

Steel I - Special market nickel-plated carbon-steel form; Single-Action Only (SAO).

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 08/10/2023 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

The Beretta concern of Italy has been making firearms since it was founded in 1526, today existing as the oldest such producer in the world. Its more modern semi-automatic handgun types were in use throughout both World Wars and many conflicts in between, showcasing the mark as a standard for other competing handguns on the market. Its first prominent semi-automatic pistol arrived during 1915 through the Model 1915 and this approach was progressively evolved throughout the interwar years and the decades after World War 2 to produce the Beretta Model 1951. From this mark came the classic, world-renowned Beretta Model 92 introduced in 1975. The mark is still being produced today (2014) and has been accepted by a plethora of military, civilian, security, and law enforcement circles for its trusty service. From the basic design has come a rather large group of variants as well, some in various chamberings, making the Model 92 an undisputed global success in the small arms market.

Design of the gun is attributed to Carlo Beretta, Giuseppe Mazzetti, and Vittorio Valle.

The Model 92 became essentially a modernized form of the earlier Model 1951 and it therefore followed the same general form and function (including the Beretta staple cut-out slide). A Double-Action (DA) trigger unit was introduced with the Model 92 as was a higher-capacity magazine. On the whole, it remained largely the same Beretta pistol. Its primary chambering was the ubiquitous 9x19 Parabellum German pistol cartridge but forms followed chambered for the .40 Smith & Wesson, the 9x21mm IMI from Israeli, and the 7.65mm Luger cartridge. The basic Model 92 featured a weight of 950 grams with a length of 217mm and barrel measuring 125mm long. Muzzle velocity reached 1,250 feet per second with an effective range out to 160 feet. Due to the variable Model 92 designs and chamberings, the pistol ultimately accepted detachable box magazine counts anywhere from eight (compact models) to an impressive thirty-two rounds.

The original Model 92 actually saw a limited production run of about 5,000 pistols and this manufacture spanned from 1975 to 1976. Later additional production bumped this total beyond 50,000 units into 1983. The Model 92S was introduced to better support sales to law enforcement groups and improved safety measures on the gun with a combo safety catch/decocking lever system now fitted to the slide as opposed to the frame. Production ran into the mid-1980s and its adoption was seen with several military forces (including the Italian Army) and police groups worldwide.

Then followed the Beretta Model 92SB (originally known as the 92S-1) and this was a mark developed specifically for U.S. military trials as they sought to replace their aged stocks of the classic Colt M1911A1 .45 caliber semi-automatic pistols with a more modern offering. Its design followed the earlier Model 92S series and all its inherent changes but included the safety catch along both sides of the slide. A magazine catch was set behind the trigger ring for easier access and an automatic firing pin lock was added. The grip shape was ergonomically improved and the hammer revised slightly with a "half-cock" notch. The result was a pistol largely faithful to the original Model 92S but finalized as a slightly heavier overall form. A compact form was developed as the 92SB Compact and featured a shortened slide and barrel as well as a smaller 13-round magazine capacity.

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While coming out ahead in the U.S. military trials, some changes were required of the 92SB and this produced the definitive Model 92F. The mark featured a redesigned trigger ring to better serve a two-handed hold and a lanyard ring was added. The base of the magazine was extended for better reloading/general operation. The grip was also redesigned for the better and the barrel chrome-plated for improved wear-and-tear. The external surfaces of the gun were coated in a special substance for corrosion resistance. It was this Beretta mark that was adopted by the U.S. military as its standard sidearm through the "M9" designation (detailed elsewhere on this site).

The Model 92FS followed with a larger hammer pin and reshaped trigger guard for better two-hand operation. The former change was instituted to alleviate concerns of runaway slides from cracked frame rears revealed during the extensive U.S. military testing program. The Model 92A1 appeared in 2010 and was based largely on the 92FS but added an accessories rail under the forward frame of the gun for tactical flashlights and laser aimers. The Model 96A1 was the same gun though chambered for the .40 Smith & Wesson cartridge.

The Beretta was also advanced along other lines including target competition pistols, compact versions, special collector marks, and specialized forms. The Model 93R was an automatic machine pistol form also based on the Model 951R. The Model 92 has also been extensively adopted or copied (sometimes illegally) all over the world. Special forces unit also rely on the type, giving the product a tremendous market endorsement. Its reliability under any condition makes it an ideal one-model solution for military army, navy, air force, and military police units as the last line of defense. Even Vatican City guards are armed with this dependable Italian pistol.

Variations on the basic Model 92 frame have also included the Model 92D with no manual safety and a self-cocking function. The Model 92DS is Double-Action Only (DAO) and based on the Model 92F. The Model 92FC is the compact form and the Model 92FCM is an even smaller offering. "Inox" marks were completed in stainless steel. The Model 92G was taken on by French Gendarmerie units (hence the "G" in its designation) and lacked the combo decoking lever/safety catch functionality. Versions were manufactured locally in France under the PA-MAS-G1 designation. The Model 92SB-C was the compact form of the Model 92SB proper while the Model 99 carried the 7.65mm Luger chambering.

Despite its 1970s origination, the Beretta 92 line should continue in widespread use over the next many decades simply because of its base pedigree, proven history, and availability of the 9mm cartridge. It certainly forms a standard for other semi-automatics to follow and will fulfill the sidearm requirement for its many users for the near future.

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Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the Beretta Model 92 (M92). Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national small arms listing.

Contractor(s): Fabbrica d'Armi Pietro Beretta - Italy; Brazil; South Africa / State Factories - France; Egypt; Taiwan; Turkey

[ Albania; Algeria; Argentina; Bangladesh; Brazil; Chile; Colombia; France; India; Indonesia; Iran; Iraq; Italy; Jordan; Kuwait; Luxembourg; Malaysia; Malta; Mexico; Morocco; Nigeria; Pakistan; Peru; Philippines; Portugal; Russia; Slovenia; South Africa; South Korea; Sudan; Turkey; United States; Venezuela ]

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Going Further...
The Beretta Model 92 (M92) Semi-Automatic Service Pistol appears in the following collections:

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