The police forces in the entire nation of Italy, several years ago, switched to a different handgun, so since then, the US has been the recipient of crate load after crate load of their police sidearms, the Beretta 92S, which is the model just before the 92FS, which is what the US military adopted (and recently dropped) under the designation M9.

They are going for pretty cheap, due to huge volume. I paid $300.00, plus $20 for "hand select" (which means, they say, that they look at ten out of a random crate, and send the one that's cosmetically the nicest), and they sent me this one.

Seems to be in nice condition for a police trade-in gun. I feared worse. Barrel looks like a replacement, since it's in very nice shape and bears a different serial number from the frame. Recoil spring seems a bit light, so it might need replacing. Over all, assuming there are no hidden issues, I'm pretty happy.

Sights are about like a USGI 1911. No great shakes, but serviceable for their intended purpose. Mag release is in a different location, but Beretta mags designated for a Model 92FS (as opposed to M9) still come with the cutouts to work in these. I bought two at the gun store, making three total. M9 marked mags won't work, since they only have the modern cutouts.

Also, there's no flare at the bottom of the front strap, like on the M9 and 92FS. That was a feature requested by the US Military before adoption, which they carried over to their civilian models, too, thereafter. These were purchased by the Italian police before that change was made.

Also, the front and back straps are smooth, whereas the US Military requested vertical grooves for both, which were added with the 92FS/M9.

PS I bet they didn't see a whole lot of rounds fired through them. I don't think typical Italian cops spend a lot of time at the range. I could be wrong, but I doubt it.

PPS I was pleasantly surprised that the grip screws were in such nice shape, seeming never to have been messed with. Grips are in pretty good shape, too, considering.

Nice Pistol. There's magic in using the genuine article.

Even more "genuine" than the USGI models, since 100% made in Italy.

Here's the MAC review of these Italian Police Trade Ins from Classic Firearms (which is where I got mine, too).

All told, after the $20.00 hand select fee, $25.00 shipping charge, $20.00 transfer charge at the FFL, $5.00 background check charge, it was $370.00 total out of pocket. If I saw that under glass in a used gun case of a gun shop, and if it were mechanically in good order (even if it's been refinished), and the Italian police had never sent any over here, I'd feel like I got an exceptionally good price on an older Beretta 92 at that price. Not a total steel, perhaps, and not a collectors piece (a shooter), but the price is a good bit better than I would have expected under normal circumstances for what I got.

Two things I'm planning to do to it are a replacement recoil spring (the one on it seems a little light) and a replacement "D" hammer spring, both from Brownell's. The "D" hammer spring significantly improves the double action pull weight, and brings down the single action break weight by about a pound. It's the hammer spring Beretta puts on the Beretta 92D (used by some US police departments), which is the Double Action Only model. Installed on the standard 92, it dramatically improves the double action pull. It's a very popular modification. It doesn't make it onto a DAO, but only improves the double action pull weight.

I like the look of the round trigger guard on those. How's the ergonomics of that safety lever feel compared to the later 92/M9 lever?

I like the old style trigger guard too. Who puts their finger on the trigger guard these day, anyway. That's from 1970s gun training.

The thumb safety is a little awkward to take off, but goes on very easy. Not a good combination, I know. Still, it can be gotten used to. The design of the safety lever isn't nearly as ergonomic as the modern ones, but is functional, and works fine once you're accustomed to it.

Been looking at famous scenes in movies where the Beretta is used. One that I cannot find on YouTube is where Ethan Hawke (as Officer Hoyt), in Training Day, is sitting at a kitchen table amongst a bunch of South of the Border type hoods who had, unbeknownst to him, been paid by Hoyt's supervisor, Alonzo Harris (AKA Denzel Washington), to execute him. In a friendly way, they ask to see his gun, which was a Beretta 92. He removes the mag and chambered round, then (figuring these are friends of his supervisor) tosses it to one of them. Things, as you can well imagine, go dramatically downhill from there.

You'd think that scene would be available on YouTube, but I cannot find it.

Nice gun. Being lefty, I gravitate toward toward ambi safety models. Here's ome of my M9's. Purchaed NIB ~ 2004-2007 for $425.

I have shot the living schit out of this gun and it has eaten anything and everything I've pushed through it.

I carried it a little yesterday, and was surprised that it carried just as comfortably, and just as well concealed (in my El Paso Saddlery C-Force IWB - built for the Sig P210, but it's what I routinely carry my Glock 17 in) as my Glock 17.

Odd that I so often hear from reviewers of the 92 that they wouldn't consider it a concealed carry gun, no matter how much they otherwise like it. But then, I hear that about my choice for daily concealed carry, too, i.e., the Glock 17.

I have no intention of switching, but if, for some reason, I were reduced to only owning the Beretta, I wouldn't feel at all disadvantaged vs the Glock 17 in terms of comfort of carry and concealment, and I certainly wouldn't feel ill-armed.

All the above is under the assumption that it proves functionally reliable, which I have no reason to doubt.

I like all the DA/SA Berettas.

In 2007 Century was importing Beretta 92s Italian police pistols made in 2004. I could get them to the FFL for $240 + $8 shipping.
I was getting them and told the guys at work, who were getting them.
Then Century ran out of the S magazines.
I kept buying the 92S pistols and tried to convert 92F magazines to 92S.
I found out that high speed steel would not cut the magazines.
I had to use carbide.
Later I found the American M12 holsters for them.

If you are into taking guns apart to see that is inside, the 92S pistols look like they are worth more like $500 or $600 on the inside.

As for magazines, current production Beretta magazines that are marked for the 92 (and not for the M9) have the necessary cutouts to operate in the 92S.

Interesting. I think the Rome cops may have missed on this for now. When I was there in March, there were nothing but Beretta 92s on their hips. Most of them had a lot of bluing rubbed off.

But glad you got a nice one for a good price.

Why would a barrel be replaced on a police trade in? I see where it might have happened during normal use and service,but is it an indication that these guns will all be non matching parts guns?

Good photos and review, thanks. Based on that review and a couple of others I've seen. Every reviewer that's bought one of these thinks they're well worth the money.

They might be switching gradually, one region after the other. Who knows. The story that's out there is that Italian police forces are switching to something other than the 92S, and that these are their trade in Berettas.

To All,

Numerous members of what my Darla calls "The OF's Group", i.e., Retired US Armed Forces member who meet biweekly for lunch, have bought the "old-school" Beretta 92S pistols, after one of our number bought one from classicfirearms.com & "showed it off" to us. = His was so "near new" internally & "lightly holster-worn" externally that several more guys bought one, too.
(So far, I've NOT bought a 92S, as I'm "saving my nickels & dimes" to buy an original 1863 Richmond Sharps RM.)

SOME members paid the "hand select fee": & some did not. = I've seen any number of the pistols that were received & ALL of them look about the same inside/outside. = 90% plus finish outside & essentially "as new" inside.

EVERYONE who bought a 92S likes what they received, though a FEW members stated that their 92S will only chamber/shoot FMJ or 115grain JHP. = The 92S was designed to feed/fire FMJ only, as the Italian civilian police (then) & their AF now do NOT use HP ammo.
(Fwiw, my treasured, EX-West German Police, Sig-Sauer P6 in 9mm, which is marked: 04/82, will also only "feed" FMJ & 115 grain HP ammo. = Buying 115 grain HP is NOT a handicap to me but that's just my opinion. = IF I'm wearing trousers, the P6 is in my belt holster; I've never felt "under-gunned" carrying it.)

yours, tex

Tex, so yours will feed hollow point ammo, only so long as it's 115 grain, but no heavier?? Is that a thing?

PS I'm waiting to shoot mine only after I receive from Brownell's a replacement recoil spring.

The_Real_Hawkeye,

YEP. My P6 has the "old-style feed ramp" that was designed for ONLY feeding FMJ but it feeds all sorts of 115 grain JHP (including the +P+ "LE ONLY" ammo) just fine, thanks.
(I've tried several brands of 124 JHP but wasn't "impressed" with the feeding of that ammo. 147 grain JHP won't feed at all.)

I could send the barrel to a PA gunsmith, with a USPS MO for 35.oo & get it back in a "guaranteed to feed 147 grain JHP" within 10 business days but haven't bothered to do so & likely will NOT.

yours, tex

Thanks Tex. I also have a Taurus PT92 (mechanically almost identical to the Beretta 92 series), and I have put the two chamber mouths up next to each other. They appear to be identical, and I know the PT92 will feed any commonly used design of JHP ammo. I had assumed, therefore, that this Beretta was already set up to feed JHP ammo of any commonly used design. I guess I'll find out.

PS I've asked others who've purchased these Italian police trade in Berettas, and have been told that they feed JHP ammo just fine.

Here they are side by side. The one on the left is the Beretta. Looks contoured for JHP to me.

PS, on reassembly, I accidentally switched barrels, and the Taurus barrel being in the Beretta slide wouldn't permit reassembling the Beretta, so there must be a slight difference in geometry somewhere.

PPS The Taurus recoil spring was about 50% longer than the Beretta one, which confirms my sense that the Beretta recoil spring is pretty well worn out. I switched recoil springs, so I can now try out the Beretta with a proper strength recoil spring in it, and don't have to wait for Brownell's to ship the new one. From what I've read, recoil springs on these two guns are interchangeable.

The_Real_Hawkeye,

SORRY for the possible confusion. = I do NOT own NOR do I shoot a Beretta 92S. = My EDC pistol (which is "priceless" to me) is a West German Police surplus Sig-Sauer P6, 9-shot, 9mm SA, that I've owned/carried nearly 15 years.

And YES it feed/shoots every sort of 115 JHP or FMJ ammo that I've tried in it. = It does NOT reliably feed any other HP ammo.,

yours, tex

No misunderstanding here.

The_Real_Hawkeye,

OK.

yours, tex

So where are these handguns being sold?

Classic Firearms.

Why would you even own a Taurus? That would taint your whole collection.

I’m betting they didn’t get much range time with the Italian cops. Looks like a pretty good deal TRR. I’m surprised it fit your Glock holster.

When it comes to the PT92, that's not actually the case. They are pretty solid guns.

It's because I use an El Paso Saddlery C-Force IWB built for a Sig P210. Fits my Glock 17 perfectly, and also fits the Beretta perfectly. They're not detail fit to guns, so lots of guns can fit into one, so long as it's roughly the same size.

The_Real_Hawkeye,

I salute your GOOD SENSE in buying EPS holsters & other leather goods.
(I have a River-style holster, Sam Browne, cuff cases, etc. that I bought from them in 1972, wore every day for all the days that I was uniformed & the set, which was NOT cheap to buy then, has lasted well & is still completely serviceable in 2018.)

Fwiw, ALL of my police leather for on/off duty & CCW use (since I retired) is by EPS, Tex Shoemaker or Don Hume.
(My oldest & still serviceable holster is a HEAVY-DUTY, basket-weave finish, Tex Shoemaker OWB holster from about 1965. = I bought it from a New Orleans city detective in 1976 for 5 bucks.)

yours, tex

Update: Finally got it to the range. 150 rounds of Winchester White Box, and 20 rounds of 124 grain Speer Gold Dot. Not a hitch. Function was flawless, even with the used mag it came with (MAC reported that the used mag his came with lacked the spring strength to hold the action open after the last round, but mine did that every time.)



Off hand ten yard group. That was a triangle, but the lower left orange dot got blown off by a round.

The double action is a bit heavy. The double action on my Taurus PT92 is MUCH nicer, lighter and smoother. I plan to address this, however, by installing a "D-Type" hammer spring, which I've already ordered from Brownell's.

Great pistol 'Hawk.

Enjoy it and keep it as original as possible. Today's freebies are tomorrow's collector's items.

Thanks. Very nice single action on it. Nice and crisp, light, and consistent. Super short reset.

Beretta's are great guns. I carried one concealed for a few years. Not my first choice but doable.

Then again so is the N Frame.

The_Real_Hawkeye,

NICE pistol & a GREAT GROUP, as well.

Fwiw, another of our members of "The EOF Group" (a retired US Army MSG) got his 92S from Classic Firearms/local FFL last Tuesday & his LOOKS unfired/unissued.
(I may order one of these yet.)

EVERY one of our crowd have gotten a NICE Beretta, though one member got one whose exterior LOOKED "tired" - He refinished his 92S with a can of semi-gloss black epoxy paint, that is made for refinishing kitchen appliances.
LOOKS FINE, too.

yours, tex

Yes, I think it's very doable. As an experiment, I switched it for my Glock 17 in my IWB El Paso Saddlery C-Force holster for several hours (yes, it fits perfectly), and could not tell the difference either in comfort or concealment.

Yes, if you look at the various YouTube videos of them opening up new crates as they come in, it's amazing how many of them look new or nearly new. It seems to go mostly by which crate, as some crates have a high concentration of them that look like beaters, and are of the earlier versions (with the half checkered stocks only), with lots of finish worn off, and some crates seem to be filled mostly or entirely with the newer 92S with the full checkered stocks that mostly contain guns that look nice.

I wonder why Mel only kept 13 rounds in his mags.

The_Real_Hawkeye,

Fwiw, ALL of our crowd, who ordered one or more Model 92S Berettas, bought them from Classic Firearms & I've since found out that only 4 of 15 of our members paid the fee for "hand select". - Having seen almost all of the 92S pistols at a meal/meeting, I cannot truthfully tell you WHICH member DID or DID NOT pay the extra 20 bucks from the appearance of all of the handguns.
(With my luck, I'll probably get one that has LOTS of wear to the exterior finish, IF I do order one.)

ALL of the members are PLEASED with the handguns that they received, as they all are "near mint" on the inside. Even the one with the "tired looking" exterior & was painted semi-gloss black, seemed to have been carried a LOT but seldom fired..

yours, tex

Yeah, I suspect Italian police don't spend lots of time at the range.

PS One reviewer on YouTube said he paid the hand select price of $20.00 and got one that was worn looking, so who knows whether they actually hand select any of them, even if you pay.

The_Real_Hawkeye,

I expect that you are 100% correct about the 92S being seldom fired off of the range by the Italian police/military users or MAYBE not much even then.


IF I order a 92S, I will NOT pay the extra 20 bucks. = ALL of the pistols that our group of EOF would suit me clear down to the ground.
(IF necessary, I can buy a can of appliance paint. About 10 years ago, I refinished a cheap .32ACP handgun with BBQ PIT paint from HD. = Tom's DIY refinishing LOOKS NICE to my eyes.)

yours, tex

Mel does the one handed mag drop, which can't be done with the 92S. His was a 92F or FS, with the American style mag release.

Lethal Weapon sucked but Die Hard is timeless.

Die Hard is the better of the two.

"I'M TOO OLD FOR THIS SH1T!" - Roger Murtaugh

The_Real_Hawkeye,

I suspect because the Holly-WEIRD people, who make the movies, didn't know how many rounds that a Beretta magazine holds.

LOTS of the crowd from out there know ZILCH about firearms, except that they go "Bang". = I once heard that Audie Murphy, who was obviously vary experienced about firearms, insisted that a scene in one of his "oaters" be rewritten when he noted that the script called for him to fire more than 25 shots from a Colt's Peacemaker W/O reloading.
(I'm told that he said to the director, I'm not playing this scene until it's rewritten, as I don't want to look stupid.")

yours, tex