By R.K. Campbell | Contributing Editor
Some time ago I grudgingly purchased a Beretta 92FS 9mm handgun.
I was getting quite a few police and military students who deployed the Beretta pistol. I had to be able to teach on a level playing field.
I was all about a good 1911 then but wished to be able to teach every action type well. After some acclimation I found an accurate, reliable, and useful handgun. I have never cataloged a malfunction related to the pistols design or manufacture. A few bad magazines a police trade-in with a worn recoil spring and the inevitable poor ammunition were the causes of malfunctions. Overall, the Beretta 92FS pistol is well made of good material. If you do not care for the double action first shot trigger Beretta has a pistol for you.
Based on the double action trigger of the Walther P 38 using a very similar external drawbar the 92’s trigger required practice to master. It can be done.
My son is a Major in the military. I have witnessed him draw and fire his original 92FS and make a hit on steel plates at 25 yards firing double action. This skill requires a great deal of practice. Likewise, the safety/decocker may be managed but requires acclimation.
The recently introduced 92XI features a single-action-only trigger and well-designed ambidextrous safety lever. The safety locks the slide when applied. SIG’s single-action-only (SAO) P 220 does not lock the slide when applied. The Beretta’s safety is ergonomic and well designed, and like any system, the SAO takes time to master.
With only one trigger action to master and a frame mounted safety that is intuitive to operate I felt the Beretta 92XI would be a good shooter. After a few weeks of evaluation, I found that the Beretta 92XI outshoots the original Model 92 in every way. I found that I need to move the safety to “off” on the draw due to my short thumbs, many may find operating in 1911 fashion as the pistol comes on target is better for them.
The 92XI SAO features the open top/ cut out slide of the original Model 92 pistol. The slide is optics ready, an option I did not explore. The flat faced trigger is nicely controllable, while the slide features forward cocking serrations. The slide on my pistol is natural stainless steel while others are finished with cerakote.
The pistol features a light rail in the aluminum frame. A Vertac, or more vertical style grip, makes for greater control. A semiautomatic pistol with a double action first shot requires that the trigger finger must sweep from above and down to operate the trigger. The Vertac grip is well suited to a straight to the rear single action trigger compression.
The trigger on my pistol breaks cleanly at 5.1 pounds.
Serrations cover the front and rear strap for a firm hold, and the factory grips are checkered hard plastic.
The Beretta’s 4.7-inch barrel allows for a full powder burn with most loads resulting in less muzzle signature and greater velocity. The sight radius is a generous 6.1 inches, and the rear sight is serrated on the rear face to eliminate glare, while the front sight features a red fiber optic insert. The pistol is supplied with two 17-round MecGar magazines.
I ordered a bundle of ammunition from Cheapertandirt.com. Most was full metal jacketed ammunition and I had on hand a good mix of hollow point ammunition as well. It is less expensive to purchase a few hundred rounds of 9mm Luger ammunition in bulk, but for testing purposes I mixed up the batch.
The Beretta 92XI is fast on target and fast to a first shot hit. I discovered the Vertac grip is an advantage. Beretta 92 semi-auto 9mm pistols exhibit modest muzzle flip during recoil and this pistol is no exception. Still, the Beretta offers excellent combat ability, ,and fast follow-up shots are easily handled. The trigger is manageable.
During the test program there were no failures to feed, chamber, fire or eject. I also fired number of five-shot groups at 25 yards with good results.
Here are some of my results:
Load 5 shot group, 25 yards
Tula 124 gr. FMJ Steel Case 3.0 in.
MagTech 115 gr. FMJ 2.5 in.
PMC Bronze 115 gr. 2.65 in.
Federal American Eagle 124 gr. FMJ 1.9 in.
Federal Hydra Shock 124 grain 2.1 in.
Buffalo Bore 124 grain JHP +P+ 2.0 in.
I should note the Buffalo Bore loading is among the strongest modern 9mm loads breaking 1,337 fps from the Beretta. Yet, in the full-size Beretta pistol, recoil was modest. Muzzle flash is muted. This load makes the most of the 9mm Luger cartridge.
I find the Beretta 92XI an excellent handgun well suited to concealed carry and home defense.
Beretta 92XI SAO Specs
Caliber: 9mm
Action: Single
Barrel Length: 4.7 inches
Firing Mechanism: Semi-automatic
Grip Width: 1.5 inches
Magazine: 18, 15, or 10
Overall Height: 5.4 inches
Width: 1.5 inches
Overall Length: 8.5 inches
Rail: Yes
Safety: Frame Mounted Safety
Sight Radius: 6.1 inches
Sights: Fiber Optic Front Sight + Full Serrated Black Rear Sight
Slide Finish: Cerakote (standard), Bruniton (Launch Edition)
Weight Unloaded: 33.3 ounces
MSRP: $949.00 (standard), $1,199.00 (Launch)
