Beretta 92/Clone options...

C

crazy_pete

New member
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I'm thinking about buying my first pistol... I've shot them before but never owned one... I've bounced a few options around but I like the Beretta 92... never fired one but always liked the look and they feel good in my hand. I kind of want to keep things around $600 or less, unless there is a good reason to spend more... was wondering if people with more experience can give me some pointers on the options and what vendors would be good to check out.

From my research so far we got...

1. Brand new Beretta made 92FS. The real deal and brand spanking new... but also more than I want to spend (around $900-$1000 from what I see).

2. Girsan Yavuz. Brand new and much cheaper than the Beretta, but not the real McCoy. Around $579 from what I can see.

3. Used Beretta 92FS. Again it's the real deal... but not brand new... they seem to sell for around $650 so a lot cheaper than the new Beretta, but more than the Yavuz. I'm not really experienced in what to look for as far as wear and tear on a used pistol.

4. Used Beretta 92S. Ex-Italian police pistols being sold by a few retailers. Seem to be the cheapest of all at around $499-529. Real Beretta. Downside seems to be the old style mag release at the bottom of grip, and the luck of the draw as far as wear and tear visible (although it sounds like they are all pretty decent).

I also know Taurus makes copies... haven't seen any for sale in Canada though.
 
Used beret ta 92FS is the first choice then the 92S ex police. Original Brett a pistols have lots of parts available
to keep them going for ever.
 
I would say go for a norc 1911 or sig 226 copy- the np 22 for 350 when on sale, get some extra mags etc and then have aa better idea of what platform you really want. Also another idea is getting a tt-33 for 200,
 
surplusshooter said:
I would say go for a norc 1911 or sig 226 copy- the np 22 for 350 when on sale, get some extra mags etc and then have aa better idea of what platform you really want. Also another idea is getting a tt-33 for 200,
Click to expand...

You are out of the subject: Beretta or clone options...
 
I will tell you right now, the differences between a girsan and beretta 92 fs are so small its not even worth paying the extra for the beretta. A buddy has a real Italian beretta 92fs and we shot them side by side. The 92fs has a bit nicer finish, bit lighter trigger, plastic guide rod. The girsan has a steel guide rod and finger grooves, and is a fraction of the price. At first I was disappointed I didn't spend the extra on a 92fs, now I'm even more in love with my girsan. Seriously, before the price increase these were the best deal. Only downside to the girsan is that 92fs grips for a girsan require a bit of dremel work to fit them.
 
If you can afford a new one and plan on keeping then buy it, otherwise a great condition used one would be my choice.

Buy the real deal you won't regret it, I love my M9
 
Girsan for the price. It's a great pistol imo and I have had zero problems with mine. I have shot the 92fs, it's nice and the difference with the Girsan appears pretty small. I have heard that the front sight on the s is very small and the target is hard to acquire. Maybe someone else can chime in on this if they have first hand experience. It also has the European mag release which some people find awkward, I have two pistols with this design and you certainly get used to them very quickly.
 
I got a used 92FS with a case and two magazines for $599. It's a great pistol, and iconic. Sure you can save a few bucks on a clone that functions just as well... but was it in all the action movies you watched as a kid? ;)

rgb491b.jpg
 
I would recommend the used 92FS option. They come up on the EE regularly between $600 and $750 depending on condition. Remember, the front sight is fixed permanently. Don't buy a new 92FS for $1000. After a box of ammo, it becomes a $800 gun. I've noticed that 92FS on the EE listed in the $800 range usually sit for a long time.
Don't bother with the S. It is at least 3 models older than the FS and the sights and heel release may annoy you after the honeymoon period.
The Girsan is a fantastic gun for the price....in some ways, better than the original for a better price. However, as you your self noted, it's not a Beretta. For your budget, a used FS is the best choice. Just be patient, watch the EE and one in your range will show up sooner than later.
Good luck. The 92 series is a nice gun. I personally am not a fan of slide mounted safeties but that's just me...and I have owned one for the last 30 years.

PS The Taurus versions are around. The good thing is they have a frame mounted safety like a 1911. The bad thing is they're still not a Beretta!
 
Last edited:
My Girsan Yavuz 16 has been a great range toy for about 500 rounds so far. Eats any ammo and fits my hand like a glove. Great trigger and the slide is oh so smooth. I have zero experience with the Berettas so I cannot compare however I would not hesitate to buy the Girsan if i was in the market for that type of gun.
 
My daughter shoots a Girsan and I shoot Beretta compact both with a couple thousand rounds thru them and zero issues. If I didn't specifically want a compact I would have another Girsan. I put some VZ grips on the Girsan and you only need to open up one screw hole by like a mm to clear the bushing, takes a few seconds with a small file. If budget is an issue buy a used Girsan and then get some nice grips, extra mags (not Promags) have never been reliable for me anyways, and do some mods with the money saved. Just my 2cents.
 
My local Cabela's had a 92FS and 92A1 (both used) for $650 each. It's kind of hard to justify buying a clone to save a couple of bucks personally. In hindsight I probably should have bought the 92A1.
 
Used Girsans go pretty cheap. $400-450, a $200ish saving buys a few mags, mods or ammo it might make a difference to some people. I think the Girsans have a good enough reputation that no one at the range will laugh at you, lol. Especially when they are just as accurate as a Beretta.
 
I've shot Beretta 92's, Wilson Combat 92's and the Girsan copies.......aside from the grip grove there is no noticeable difference between the Beretta & Girsan.....but that Wilson Combat is one pistol to truly spoil you.

Beretta brand magazines are STUPIDLY overpriced..........grab Mec-Gar for $40 instead of $70 area.

Girsans are Turkish built, but Beretta sold them the machinery to make them so parts are all interchangeable.

Non railed Girsans fit all standard Beretta 92 Holsters, but the Girsan 92A1 (16 Railed) variant has a slightly different trigger guard that may have some fitment issues with some holsters.

Girsan is squared off vs round like a standard Beretta.

This one is my Girsan 16 Railed with Sun Optics 250Lumen tac light/red laser combo.

WARNING THO, PRO-MAG brand Beretta magazines don't work for #### in the Girsans, the follower over protrudes in the magazine and locks up the action, an u gotta give it a hard smack on the follower to get it out.

Not a problem in Beretta brand pistols tho, Wanstalls was nice enough to go through the different pistols and see what works and what doesn't.

Gatehouse and I have thoroughly covered magazine interchangeability with these pistols. :)

https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/for...-Beretta-92-mags-in-a-Girsan?highlight=girsan

fI0YPjS.jpg

zrORejV.jpg



Hope the information posted can help ya choose what you want.
 
Can't comment on girsan, I stay away from Turkish....

Beretta are great, shot a 92fs compact and own a 92s. If budget is a issue I'd go with a 92s. The surplus Beretta is about the cost of a clone, the compact 92fs fit my hand like a glove but cost a fair bit more.

gMNq9WN.jpg


There's pros and cons to any of them really and just because I don't like middle eastern guns and gun manufactures I still wouldn't worry about people at the range laughing weather it's a clone or a 92s surplus or a brand new fs. If someone cares about your choice of gun that much they really aren't about the sport anyway and probably a "d-bag" anyhow.....I own 17c gen4, Sig 1911, cz75, Beretta 92s, Ruger gp match champion. If some one saw my surplus Beretta and was laughing because it's a surplus "budget" gun....I'd be laughing back but on the inside because they missed the point. It's what I like and that's why I bought it not to try and impress anybody, plus I own high end guns too lol but who cares.

Best thing to do is try and get your hands on them and see what fits, maybe shoot them if you get a chance.

Good luck in your search.
 
Last edited:
Its a fat gun...but its your first pistol so that wont be a problem.

Few of us has quite a pistol collection and going from a 1911 to beretta, it screws with your brain and muscle memory.

But like a lot of people have already said. Solid gun, you cant break it under normal heavy use, its built to last unless its the newer US spec with plastic bits. I loved mine and although its a little too big for me.

Btw. They shoot combat hold, so if you shoot it with dot on bulleyes/ 10 ring. Ita gonna hit 3 inches low, so dont be suprised and quickly think that ita something wrong with the gun or yourself
 
I have both Beretta and Girsan and they're both great guns. Can't go wrong with either. If you get the Girsan go with the compact model, it's still a full size gun just balanced better.
 
I have a used 92fs I bought on the EE and got a good deal on it, I'm personally happy that I spent a little more and went the Beretta route. These pistols are made to last and as long as they haven't been abused a used one should do you fine in the long run. I was originally looking for a Girsan but since the prices went up everyone is asking $500ish for used ones. If you can get a 92fs for $650 I think it's worth the extra money to have the real deal but If you find someone selling a Girsan for $400 I would jump on it for sure. I have shot both side by side and the Girsan is an excellent clone but it is still a clone, you can tell the difference that hundreds of years of gun crafting makes when you handle the Beretta.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom