Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Beretta 92 SF owner/user opinions.

I've never shot or even handled the 92 SF but am giving some thought to buying one. The price, around $500 new doesn't seem bad for a quality, full size handgun. There are some conflicting opinions on it with the biggest negative being the safety, seems nobody likes where it's located and how it works with the decocker. Based on the videos I'd have to agree. Other than that how do you like it overall.

There are some other options on the safety, such as a decocker-only model 92.

It's an old design, and there are lots of better choices nowadays. If you want a traditional double action auto, look at the CZ-75 P-01 decocker-only version.

I think for most people, the biggest actual negative would be the size of the grip and/or the position of the trigger relative to where your finger lands when you grip the handle the way you want to. If neither of those bother you you'll probably like the gun. The safety itself is not very ergonomic compared to many other guns, but where it is and how it works is just one of those things some people love to get the vapors over.

I shot it because I had to. I shot it well. But I never loved it.

Not to be the grammar Nazi but I think you mean 92FS. Anyway, I liked mine when I bought it and still do, with the objective view that obviously not everybody does. Here is a post I made after my first shooting session with one almost six years ago.

Beretta 92FS review

The Beretta 92 series is an amalgam of the Walther P38 mechanicals, the high capacity magazine, and the reliability of a Beretta. As for the safety decocker placement why is Beretta bitched at about it but not Walther, Ruger, S&W, etc? My only personal complaint is it’s overall size.

This says it about as well as I could have..................If it fits your hand, you'll likely enjoy it, it's a soft shooting gun & reasonably accurate & easy to maintain.

I own 3 of them, all in slightly different versions, one of which is a Compact version & I like all 3 of them.

The compact carries just fine in an IWB, & actually the full size versions do OK as well, similar to a 1911 given a good holster.

It's a gun you can go to war with.

MM

Simply put, one of the best 9mm's ever made. I don't have one anymore because I think the world has moved on, but I do own single actions, so...Hard to say whether the 92 or the CZ was the best conventional high cap. Both just excellent guns. I've owned two or three over the years and probably shot them as much as any 9. As to the size, I do not have large hands and I never had any problems managing the 92. There are better choices nowadays if concealment is a factor and you subscribe to the simplicity theory of gunfighting.

Well said, Sir.
Bob

I’m one whose hand they fit. I like the feel of the gun, the ones I’ve been issued have been completely reliable, and accurate enough for me to qualify expert with on both the standard army qual course and the MP course. Those who have fired the courses know this isn’t a big deal, other than to demonstrate it’s service accurate. The bad, I hate the DA trigger, and the transition to the SA trigger is awkward for me. I dislike the safety, much preferring that on the Taurus guns. They are light and carry well for such a big gun. I’ve often thought about getting one but haven’t done so. If you want it, go for it.

Old70

The 92Sf is one of the best pistols period. The only issue is you need a really big hand.
MM879

I happen to like the safety/decocker. Mine has become my favorite handgun

A good functional pistol, like others it was one I was issued. Never warmed up to it. No idea why I just did not shoot one well. For those it works for it is a good pistol.

i first had a tuarus 92af and liked the gun but was offered way more then worth so i let it go bought the beretta 92 later i like gun shoots well very reliable

Thanks to all for the opinions, info and the review of the 92 FS.

Bought mine 30+ years ago. Never have had a malfunction. It fits my hand well and is a natural pointer for me. It is not what I use for concealed EDC. As someone else earlier remarked, "you can go to war with it".

I shot scores of M9s in military service, many thousands of rounds. I can’t remember a malfunction, even with an older and dirty gun I carried in combat.

I bought my issue gun when I retired, and it remains flawless and very accurate.

The gun is a little chunky, and not that great concealed unless you are bundled up.

The safety/decock lever has stirred controversy that I frankly have never understood. The gun was designed to be carried decocked with safety lever in fire position. This is no more dangerous than carrying a double action revolver which has no safety but is inherently and by design secure. This requirement in the guns military design traces to an Air Force requirement such that a downed Airman with a disabled arm (likely in high speed ejection) can use the gun without racking the slide.

While I’m not too shot with the terminal effectiveness of ball ammo, modern 9mm ammo with good expanding bullets has changed the game and rendered the 9mm quite effective in comparison with other calibers.

Love mine...And I have hands that are not huge...Safety has never been an issue...

There is one area only where the conventional 92 safety has been observed to be a potential serious problem, and that's the tendency for the safety to become activated unintentionally upon racking the slide. It's right there where most people grab the slide to rack it. Now you think you're carrying it with safety off, when it's actually on.

Of course, if you're used to the 1911 safety, it's operation in reverse could also be a problem all by itself.

They are excellent pistols.

The 'G' decocker variant solves the 92's safety quirks very nicely. In fact the only 9mm pistol I wish I'd kept (and I've had TWO of them!) was a 92G Centurion. I intend to replace it eventually with a 96 Centurion, upon which I will happily perform a G conversion if no G's are to be found when I'm ready to buy.