These compact versions had shortened grips, slides, and barrels Compact Type M versions also featured single-stack magazines with appropriately thinned grips. Beretta also produced several compact versions of their basic, full-size Model 92 variations. This resulted in the appearance of the Beretta Model 96 Brigadier pistols, and, later on, the same modification was applied to 9mm pistols, available as Beretta Model 92 Brigadier. Recognizing these weak points, the US INS (Immigration and Naturalization Service) requested Beretta to make their model 96 (.40 S&W caliber version of Model 92) with reinforced slides. This happened several times during the earlier years of Model 92F service in the US military, apparently because of metallurgical problems, combined with the “built-in” weak points in the slide where the locking block cuts are made. The purpose of this safety is to prevent the rear of the slide from flying back into the firer’s face in the case of the sliding failure.
With the introduction of the Model 92FS in the late 1980s, another unusual safety feature was fitted in the form of an enlarged head to the hammer pin.
Sights on service models are of fixed type, with a dovetailed rear blade, usually with high-contrast inserts. Magazines are a double stack, with the magazine release button located at the base of the trigger-guard on all 92-series pistols made since 1981. All pistols of current production are fitted with an automatic firing pin block safety.
Beretta m9 magazine manual#
Some other models, such as the Model 92D, are double-action-only pistols with no manual safety or decocking. On some pistols, such as the Model 92G adopted in France, the levers do not lock themselves in the lowered position but return to the “fire” position once released – their function is limited only to safe decocking of the hammer.