Beretta 92 FS Strength

Jesse · 10-14-2003, 10:57 AM

I found this on the internet...

"The Beretta 92FS," by Christopher Bartocci...
...published in Krause Publications' Handguns 2001(13th Edition), states the following information:

"With the gun's major criticisms in mind, I wanted to see how the M9/92FS would stand up to a 20,500 round torture test using mostly +P and +P+ ammunition. I purchased a stock 92FS from a local gun distributor and made some calls for some high-power ammunition. The ammunition used in this test is as follows: 9X19mm (NATO, Parabellum/Luger) manufactured by Winchester/Olin Corporation.

Beretta U.S.A. claims their pistol is serviceable to 35,000 rounds and that it will function under the most adverse conditions. Beretta U.S.A. claims 'the average reliability of all M9s tested at Beretta U.S.A. is 17,500 rounds without stoppage.' The ammunition I chose was the hottest ammunition available and I would not recommend anyone put high round counts of +P+ ammunition through any alloy-frame pistol regardless of manufacturer.

The first thing I did was fire for out-of-the-box accuracy, I used the 115-grain +P+ ammunition and at 15 yards the 15-shot group measured 1.5 inches. I had nine magazines loaded up and someone loading magazines as I emptied them and, within 20 minutes, I fired 500 rounds with no malfunctions of any type...

The next day I began firing 2,000 rounds of the 127-grain +P+SXT, by far the hottest 9mm ammunition I have ever fired. There were no malfunctions of any type using this ammunition. Over the next 3 days I fired 8,000 rounds of 9mm NATO, the standard M882 Ball ammunition issued to U.S. military personnel. The M882 ball cartridge is rated as a +P cartridge by SAAMI specifications.

The barrel was cleaned every 2,000 to 3,000 rounds. It would take us 45 to 50 minutes to fire 1,000 rounds and, at times, the pistol would become too hot to handle. I fired 1,000 rounds of Winchester USA 115-grain 9mm ball with no problems and the pistol, after 11,500 rounds, was still delivering groups in the 1.5-inch range.

At this point, the pistol was totally disassembled and cleaned. Then I fired an additional 6,000 rounds of the 115-grain FMJ with only one malfunction. There was one failure to extract due to an under-powered cartridge, not the pistol.

After about 15,000 rounds I began to notice some pitting on the right wing of the locking block. I recommend changing this part when pitting is noted, but this was a torture test and we wanted to see how long the gun will last.

As of now 17,500 rounds have been fired and I headed back to the range to fire the remaining 3,000 rounds. Finally at round count 19,498, I had a locking block failure. The left wing of the locking block broke and the pistol's slide locked up. By pushing down on the broken wing with a drift punch, the action was freed and the pistol subsequently disassembled, revealing some minimal frame damage - but nothing that would affect the operation of the pistol. I changed the locking block and within 10 minutes I was back in action and concluded the test with no other malfunctions. The last 15 rounds were fired for accuracy; the group measured about 1.75 inches at 15 yards. The accuracy had hardly changed at all.

The locking block survived 19,948 rounds, which included 2,500 rounds of +P+, 8,000 rounds of +P and 10,000 rounds of standard 9mm ball. One friend of mine put it best: 'You fired $4,000 worth of ammunition out of a $450 handgun and broke a $60 part after 19,498 rounds were fired, what more could you ask?'

I feel very few pistols will ever see this round count - except for a military pistol. For many years I have heard people claim the Beretta M9/92FS was a fragile gun because of those early, isolated incidents. Following this torture test, I know this gun is far from fragile! There is no question in my mind the pistol is serviceable to 35,000 rounds; I would not be surprised to see it last 50,000 rounds. The Beretta M9/92FS is, in my opinion, one of the most reliable firearms ever produced - and this test proved it."

guffster · 10-14-2003, 04:42 PM

I've got a model 92S with walnut grips, one of the earlier series right after they moved the safety to the slide, but the mag release is on the lower rear grip. I've only fired about 1000 rds. through it since 1981, but have had zero malfuntions.

Jesse · 10-14-2003, 08:12 PM

A great pickup Guffster, I saw one for sale recently. The 92S borders on collector status it is so rare. If you need any mags for that hard to find grip release, call CDNN. They just got in some Mec-Gar Taurus PT-92 mags and they have the lower grip release cut. They should work like a charm.

guffster · 10-16-2003, 04:32 PM

Thanks, I'll probably do that. I never use the original mag for it, I've got a couple of after markets that function fine, but the floor plates aren't good & rounded in front so they don't look that good.

Indy · 10-16-2003, 09:55 PM

I bought a 92FS a few years back. It has been a great pistol. The only time I have had a problem with it's functioning is due to light reloads. Otherwise it hasn't had any issues. There was a warning that suggested staying away from military surplus ammo manufactured for submachine guns. This ammo was loaded pretty hot in order to complete the ejection process in SMGs. The warning claimed the side rails on a 92 would break due to the extra force at recoil. In fact, Beretta created a new pistol that beefed up the side rails. I don't recall the model number. My Beretta only consumes new ammo or my reloads. My reloads tend to stay in the middle of the recommended load range or one click above the middle.
Indy

10-14-2003, 10:57 AM	#1
Jesse Administrator Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 1,945 Images: 2	Beretta 92 FS Strength I found this on the internet... "The Beretta 92FS," by Christopher Bartocci... ...published in Krause Publications' Handguns 2001(13th Edition), states the following information: "With the gun's major criticisms in mind, I wanted to see how the M9/92FS would stand up to a 20,500 round torture test using mostly +P and +P+ ammunition. I purchased a stock 92FS from a local gun distributor and made some calls for some high-power ammunition. The ammunition used in this test is as follows: 9X19mm (NATO, Parabellum/Luger) manufactured by Winchester/Olin Corporation. Beretta U.S.A. claims their pistol is serviceable to 35,000 rounds and that it will function under the most adverse conditions. Beretta U.S.A. claims 'the average reliability of all M9s tested at Beretta U.S.A. is 17,500 rounds without stoppage.' The ammunition I chose was the hottest ammunition available and I would not recommend anyone put high round counts of +P+ ammunition through any alloy-frame pistol regardless of manufacturer. The first thing I did was fire for out-of-the-box accuracy, I used the 115-grain +P+ ammunition and at 15 yards the 15-shot group measured 1.5 inches. I had nine magazines loaded up and someone loading magazines as I emptied them and, within 20 minutes, I fired 500 rounds with no malfunctions of any type... The next day I began firing 2,000 rounds of the 127-grain +P+SXT, by far the hottest 9mm ammunition I have ever fired. There were no malfunctions of any type using this ammunition. Over the next 3 days I fired 8,000 rounds of 9mm NATO, the standard M882 Ball ammunition issued to U.S. military personnel. The M882 ball cartridge is rated as a +P cartridge by SAAMI specifications. The barrel was cleaned every 2,000 to 3,000 rounds. It would take us 45 to 50 minutes to fire 1,000 rounds and, at times, the pistol would become too hot to handle. I fired 1,000 rounds of Winchester USA 115-grain 9mm ball with no problems and the pistol, after 11,500 rounds, was still delivering groups in the 1.5-inch range. At this point, the pistol was totally disassembled and cleaned. Then I fired an additional 6,000 rounds of the 115-grain FMJ with only one malfunction. There was one failure to extract due to an under-powered cartridge, not the pistol. After about 15,000 rounds I began to notice some pitting on the right wing of the locking block. I recommend changing this part when pitting is noted, but this was a torture test and we wanted to see how long the gun will last. As of now 17,500 rounds have been fired and I headed back to the range to fire the remaining 3,000 rounds. Finally at round count 19,498, I had a locking block failure. The left wing of the locking block broke and the pistol's slide locked up. By pushing down on the broken wing with a drift punch, the action was freed and the pistol subsequently disassembled, revealing some minimal frame damage - but nothing that would affect the operation of the pistol. I changed the locking block and within 10 minutes I was back in action and concluded the test with no other malfunctions. The last 15 rounds were fired for accuracy; the group measured about 1.75 inches at 15 yards. The accuracy had hardly changed at all. The locking block survived 19,948 rounds, which included 2,500 rounds of +P+, 8,000 rounds of +P and 10,000 rounds of standard 9mm ball. One friend of mine put it best: 'You fired $4,000 worth of ammunition out of a $450 handgun and broke a $60 part after 19,498 rounds were fired, what more could you ask?' I feel very few pistols will ever see this round count - except for a military pistol. For many years I have heard people claim the Beretta M9/92FS was a fragile gun because of those early, isolated incidents. Following this torture test, I know this gun is far from fragile! There is no question in my mind the pistol is serviceable to 35,000 rounds; I would not be surprised to see it last 50,000 rounds. The Beretta M9/92FS is, in my opinion, one of the most reliable firearms ever produced - and this test proved it." __________________ Jesse www.gunandgame.com

10-14-2003, 08:12 PM	#3
Jesse Administrator Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 1,945 Images: 2	A great pickup Guffster, I saw one for sale recently. The 92S borders on collector status it is so rare. If you need any mags for that hard to find grip release, call CDNN. They just got in some Mec-Gar Taurus PT-92 mags and they have the lower grip release cut. They should work like a charm. __________________ Jesse www.gunandgame.com

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10-14-2003, 04:42 PM	#2
guffster Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: MS, 20mi. outside Mphs.TN Posts: 277	I've got a model 92S with walnut grips, one of the earlier series right after they moved the safety to the slide, but the mag release is on the lower rear grip. I've only fired about 1000 rds. through it since 1981, but have had zero malfuntions.

10-16-2003, 04:32 PM	#4
guffster Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: MS, 20mi. outside Mphs.TN Posts: 277	Thanks, I'll probably do that. I never use the original mag for it, I've got a couple of after markets that function fine, but the floor plates aren't good & rounded in front so they don't look that good.

10-16-2003, 09:55 PM	#5
Indy Senior Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Indiana Posts: 331	I bought a 92FS a few years back. It has been a great pistol. The only time I have had a problem with it's functioning is due to light reloads. Otherwise it hasn't had any issues. There was a warning that suggested staying away from military surplus ammo manufactured for submachine guns. This ammo was loaded pretty hot in order to complete the ejection process in SMGs. The warning claimed the side rails on a 92 would break due to the extra force at recoil. In fact, Beretta created a new pistol that beefed up the side rails. I don't recall the model number. My Beretta only consumes new ammo or my reloads. My reloads tend to stay in the middle of the recommended load range or one click above the middle. Indy