Beretta 92FS 9mm
Model: JS92F300M
Beretta 92FS 9mm
Model: JS92F300M
Full Specifications
About This Firearm
The Beretta 92FS has an open-slide design that no other major full-size 9mm uses. The top of the barrel is exposed through a cutout in the slide, which virtually eliminates stovepipe malfunctions. The 4.9-inch barrel is the longest in the full-size 9mm class and produces measurably higher muzzle velocities than 4-inch and 4.25-inch competitors. The aluminum frame and steel slide bring the weight to 33.3 oz, heavier than polymer guns but lighter than the all-steel CZ 75 B at 34.3 oz.
The DA/SA trigger runs a heavy double-action first pull followed by lighter single-action shots. The ambidextrous safety/decocker works for left-handed shooters and lets you lower the hammer without engaging a manual safety. The 6.1-inch sight radius aids precision shooting. At 15 rounds, the 92FS holds 2 fewer rounds than the S&W M&P 2.0 Full Size and 3 fewer than the CZ 75 SP-01. The 1.5-inch width makes it the widest full-size 9mm measured, a direct consequence of the open-slide architecture. No accessory rail on the standard model requires a clamp-on adapter for weapon lights.
The U.S. military adopted the 92FS as the M9 service pistol in 1985 and issued it for over 30 years before transitioning to the Sig M17. During that time, millions of military personnel trained on and carried the platform. The design has been in continuous production since 1976, making it one of the longest-running semi-automatic pistol designs still manufactured without major revision.
Best For
Strengths & Limitations
- The 4.9-inch barrel delivers roughly 50 fps more muzzle velocity with defensive loads than 4-inch competitors, which helps hollow points reach their designed expansion thresholds
- The open-slide design is nearly immune to stovepipe malfunctions. Spent casings eject through the large port without contacting the slide face
- The ambidextrous safety/decocker gives left-handed shooters full controls without aftermarket parts, which most striker-fired guns cannot match
- Fifteen-round capacity trails the S&W M&P 2.0 Full Size (17 rounds) and the CZ 75 SP-01 (18 rounds) by meaningful margins
- No accessory rail on the standard model. Mounting a weapon light requires a trigger-guard clamp adapter that adds bulk and may shift under recoil
Category Rankings
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the locking block on the Beretta 92FS and when should I replace it?
The locking block is the part that locks the barrel to the slide during firing. It is the primary wear component on the 92FS. Beretta recommends inspecting it every 5,000 rounds and replacing it when you see a crack forming on the left wing. Most owners get 10,000-15,000 rounds before replacement. The part costs under $30 and takes about 10 minutes to swap without special tools.
What is the difference between the Beretta 92FS and the M9A4?
The M9A4 is the modernized version. It adds an optic-ready slide, threaded barrel, Picatinny rail, and 18-round magazines. The M9A4 also has an improved trigger and Vertec-style thin grip. The 92FS has none of those features but uses the classic wider grip and 15-round magazines. If you want a modern duty gun, the M9A4 addresses every shortcoming of the 92FS. If you want the classic military configuration as issued from 1985 to 2017, the 92FS is that gun.
Does the Beretta 92FS work reliably with all 9mm ammunition?
Yes. The open-slide design feeds a wider variety of bullet profiles than most enclosed-slide pistols. Flat-nose, hollow-point, and round-nose all cycle reliably. The 92FS was tested with NATO-spec 124gr ball during military trials and has decades of documented reliability with both ball and defensive ammunition. Steel-case ammo runs fine but dirties the chamber faster. Owners report zero issues with common defensive loads from Federal HST, Speer Gold Dot, and Hornady Critical Duty.