Question about Beretta 92/96

[oldnoob]

What the difference between 92FS, M9, M9A1? I try Beretta USA website, not much help there. All I know are M9 is military and 92FS is civilian but civilian can buy M9 too even in Kalifornia.

[GlockWheeler]

I do not believe there is any real difference between the M-9 and the 92FS. The M-9 will be marked "M9" on the slide. The M9A1 is a basic M9 but it has the addition of the rail for mounting a tac light.

[solomansousana]

92FS and M9 are the same.

M9A1:

From the jungle heat of Panama to the sandstorms of Iraq, the men and women of the United States Armed Forces have counted on the Beretta M9 pistol for over two decades of distinguished service and reliability.
The Beretta M9A1 evolved from the base design of the battle tested and battle proven M9 pistol, with input from military and law enforcement agencies throughout the world. Developed to meet the demanding requirements of the United States Marine Corps the M9A1 incorporates the established reliability and performance of the M9 with added features needed for the ever-changing missions of peacekeeping forces

The frame of the M9A1 has a MIL-SPEC-1913 (Picatinny) rail for rapid attachment of tactical lights and laser aiming devices. The radical checkering of the front and back straps ensures a firm grip in both wet or dry shooting conditions. The magazine well has an aggressive bevel to facilitate fast tactical reloads in combat situation. The 3-dot sights allow for quick acquisition of the target. The non-reflective black matte of Beretta’s proprietary Bruniton finish provides superior corrosion resistance. The chrome lined barrel has a deeply recessed combat muzzle crown that protects the rifling.
The newest development for the M9A1 is the specially designed, sand resistant, PVD-coated magazine. The PVD coating reduces friction while the design of the tube reduces the damaging effect of sand allowing for excellent reliability and function of the M9A1 in desert or other extreme conditions.

Go to the link below for pictures and diagrams:

http://www.berettaweb.com/armi/M9A1/Beretta%20M9A1.htm

[hardballing]

The 92 carries the "idiot warning" stamped into it's frame, the M9 does not.

That was THE reason I chose the M9 over the 92 when I bought.

Just another thought if you are contemplating a somewhat immediate purchase. With US Military upgrading to M9A1's, the M9s are becoming something of a bargain imo. I got mine for $400 NIB, tax included at a recent Houston gunshow.

SUUUUUPPPPPER smooth shooting 9mm, big, but really smooth in operation.

Just a thought or two.

[Brass Nazi]

http://www.berettaforum.net/vb/faq.php?faq=bf_faq_bhandguns#faq_bf_faq_bh_diff

[Onmilo]

M9 has two dot sights and the M92F has three dot sights.
M9 was specified to have all metal parts and newer M92F pistols have quite a bit of nylon and plastic parts,i.e. the guide rod, trigger, magazine catch, etc.

[zackwatt]

I have always had a soft spot for the 92FS.

Olive Drab FTW!!!
http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/7753/img4523rc0.jpg

[Guyver]

Well, there are other things besides the markings....

Every stock NIB 92FS I've seen lately has a standard 3dot sights setup.... Every NIB M9 has had a bar dot configuration... That's just what I've seen though, about 10 92FS's and 3 M9's.

The finish looks to be a little different. Though I'm not 100% it is.

[solomansousana]

I have three Beretta M9's. Two blued models and one Italian made stainless with stainless controls and all have solid guide rods, not the plastic crap. Prob the best one of the lot is an old Chicago PD trade in, it looks like it's served in WWI, WWII, Korea, and Vietnam, but the sucker is more accurate than the other two. I've just sent it off to get an NP3 finish applied, mostly because the frame nearly looks stainless lol.

[brickboy240]

I have an old Beretta 96 police trade in that looks like crap but shoots great.

I love the 92/96/M9 platform - the long sight radius and weight make it a soft recoiling pistol. No, its not a CCW piece, but for HD or open carry and range shooting...its hard to beat these guns.

Good thing is that there are tons of police trade in 92s and 96s for cheap prices. They look like crap but chances are they were shot very little. Mags and holsters are everywhere and cheap for these guns, too.

- brickboy240

[NeverMore1701]

My favorite pistols, and my main CCW.