I must admit that while I’m more of a SIG or H&K guy I do have a soft spot for the Beretta 92. I liked the classic 1980s styling of my previous model and I enjoyed shooting it for sure, but it’s pretty large for my small hands, and I found its smaller (non-replaceable) sights tough to see with my post-cataract surgery eyes.
I was intrigued when the M9A3 was introduced a few years ago—the Vertec frame was especially tempting—but the price was always a little too high. However, I saw this all-black version for sale at $200 less than the more-common FDE version I went for it. Many of you are already familiar with the model, but if not, read on.
The most obvious external change is the Vertec frame (for those that want the classic feel a set of rubber grips (Hogues, I think?) are included to approximate the older grip frame shape. I’ve never owned a double-stack semi-auto with a straight backstrap so it feels different for sure, but it feels pretty good to me.
The new grips have a couple of different textures, a nice grippy pebbled texture as well as a more traditional checkering—they offer good purchase without feeling too snaggy. You can see the enlarged magazine release, too. I’ve got small hands and this is one of the few full-size autos that I can hit the mag release without changing my grip.
The front strap has sort of a cross-hatching pattern at the top, with grooves towards the bottom. It’s quite effective.
The backstrap has similar cross-hatching.
The slide-mounted safeties have been angled up a bit, to eliminate the potential of inadvertently activating the safety when racking the slide.
You can see the picatinny rail here, as well as the re-shaped triggerguard. There's no checkering and the top is flat and 90° to the rail...I'm thing to provide support for lights or other rail-mounted accessories.
The sights are a real improvement—here is the rear sight. It’s nice and tall, and is removable.
Here’s the front sight (also removable). I would have preferred a Trijicon HD-style sight, like SIG X-ray sights, with a brightly-coloured front sight and blacked-out rear, but these are certainly an improvement.
The muzzle end of the barrel is threaded to allow for suppressor use (although I don’t think sights are tall enough to see over the suppressor…although I won’t get a chance to try!). I kind of like the extended barrel—it reminds me a bit of the 93R! I do like the included o-ring to help prevent the muzzle protector from unscrewing at the range.
So—initial impressions are favorable. I’m taking it out to the range on Friday.
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