Beretta 92FS or 92A1?

Beauvais98

Beauvais98

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What's a guy to do when he's waiting for the transfer of his recently purchased gun? That's right - start shopping for the next one...

I have my sights set on a Beretta 92. I'm torn between the 92FS and the 92A1. I understand the obvious differences between the two (captured recoil spring, rounded trigger guard, rail and dovetail front sight on the 92A1).

While the dovetail sight is a nice feature of the 92A1 compared to the fixed front sight of the 92FS, it's something I'm ready to live with. I don't have any trouble aiming with regular 3-dot sight systems and I don't plan on upgrading the sights (I am fully satisfied with the Glock fixed plastic sights).

On the other hand, I'm not crazy about the rail on the 92A1. I don't intend on putting anything on the rail and it sort of ruins the classic lines of the gun. Again, the rail is no deal breaker but i would rather not have one, if only for aesthetics.

The key difference between the two that gives me pause is the recoil buffer found only on the 92A1. Has anyone shot both guns and is there any perceived difference between the two? Will the recoil buffer offer any advantage, say in longevity, reliability or otherwise?

Intended use is simple plinking fun at the range. No competition.

Thanks all in advance.
 
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Have owned both over the years, no perceptible difference in my mind, seems a bit softer during rapid fire.

But... not meaning to complicate your purchase decision, I think the ultimate Beretta is a Wilson Combat one...
 
SteelFlint said:
But... not meaning to complicate your purchase decision, I think the ultimate Beretta is a Wilson Combat one...
Click to expand...

Thanks for your sharing your experience between the two.

Don't worry about making my decision more complicated. My bank account sort of makes it easy for me to rule out a Wilson Combat 92 for the time being. ;)
 
I went through the same dilemma a few years ago... What eventually decided me, was an accounting error... A local retailer had mis-priced a small shipment of 92FS's $100 low (I'd been humming and hawing on them for about 6months, when I saw the sticker price $100 lower than anyplace I'd seen in that time, online or in person).

And looking back, I'm glad I ended up with the FS. It's a cleaner looking design, with those classic curves. I've since shot the A1 a few times, swapping back and forth with other people at the range, and in terms of ergonomics, perceived recoil, and general handling... I simply couldn't tell a difference between the two. Also, like you, I view the cheese grater on the chin as a negative, not a positive.

The three-dot sights are intuitive and quick to pick up, and it's an easy gun to shoot well. I've never once thought "Gee, I'd like to swap these for something else."

As far as reliability... Well, realistically, for the casual plinker, it's going to outlive me.

The A1, for me, just doesn't have any compelling features that make me want it more than the FS. And that cheese grater on the snout, just isn't suited to the look of the gun (although it looks fine on the APX or the S&W M&P).
 
I derail the trade but ....

http://www.beretta.com/en-us/92g-elite-ltt/

dyal_92_lead2745.jpg
 
Langdons and Wilsons are nice, but a wee bit out of my price range. Maybe one day, when I have everything I want and have more disposable income, I'll look more closely at them.

Until then, I still prefer the 92 in its natural form, un-modified, the way Pietro Beretta's descendents intended them to be :)

Thanks for your input all. I'm starting to lean more towards the 92FS. Interestingly enough, the 92FS sells for a few dollars more than the 92A1...
 
Hello B, I've shot them both. For me it's really not a big deal on the handling of them. The recoil feel the same tbh, I mean it's really a matter of the lookings when you buying one of them. If you prefer the CLASSIC 80s looking, go get the 92FS, some people buy A1 just for the tacti-cool looking of it. (The grip covers on A1 is a lil bit thinner than the 92FS, which might be the thing to consider if u have small hands) peace
 
This is why you want the FS over the A1 lol... a bit of Asian cinema but I argue this to still be one of the best gangster movies ever made:

 
I had the same hesitation once. Then I bought the 92fs and am happy with it.

It looks slightly different than the M9 that you see in movies. The 92fs has a sloped dust cover (which is supposed to make holstering easier) and the M9 is straight. Most people don't notice the difference.

I don't miss the rail of the A1. I have other guns with rails and I don't really use them.
 
I regret selling my 92A1. Based on the ability to change the sights alone, that's a winner for me. The fact that you get a 1911 rail AND a frame buffer thrown into the mix as well just makes it a no-brainer for me. Especially because the 92A1 sometimes can be found for the same or less money than a 92FS despite having more features.
 
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