The Beretta 92 is among the most combat proven pistols in the world. The only malfunctions I have witnessed — in more than 40 years with the Beretta 92 — are related to magazines or poor quality ammunition. The pistol is among the most reliable firearms ever designed and manufactured.
The Beretta Model 92 was introduced more than 45 years ago. Based on the double-action trigger of the Walther P38 — using a very similar external drawbar and oscillating wedge lockup — Beretta redesigned the Walther slide and designed a recoil system using one recoil spring, rather than the dual springs of the P38.
The Beretta 92 is a double-action first-shot type. The original used a slide lock safety. Requests from Italian police and military resulted in the Model 92 being introduced with a decocker-type safety. Detail changes in the magazine release, and a redesigned locking block continued. The U.S. Military has used the Beretta 92 since 1981. While there are more modern versions, the Model 92/M9 remains in use worldwide.
Beretta 92XI Features
In recent years, one of the most interesting developments has been the Model 92XI SAO (Single Action Only) pistol. This is a single-action-only version of the Beretta 92. The 92XI SAO features the open-top slide of the original pistol but adds optics ready compatibility.
The single-action pistol uses a modern, flat-faced trigger. The ambidextrous safety is a speed type. This safety firmly locks up with a positive ident. The slide features well-designed, forward cocking serrations. Some versions feature a Cerakote slide. My version is cut from natural stainless steel. The pistol features a light rail in the aluminum frame.
Beretta introduced the Vertec frame some years ago. The Vertec is a straight backstrap grip, similar to the 1911 pistol. This makes for a good fit for the 92XI SAO. The Vertec grip frame is more similar to the 1911 than the original model 92 in feel when firing.
The pistol features a deftly machined “S curve” on the front strap. Both front and rear grip strap are nicely serrated. The grip panels are black hard plastic. The barrel is 4.7 inches long. The barrel length offers excellent velocity, due to the full powder burn in the relatively long Beretta barrel.
The sight radius is a generous 6.1 inches. The rear sight is serrated. The red, fiber-optic front sight offers rapid target acquisition. The pistol is supplied with two 18-round magazines. Older magazines lock in and function. The restricted 10-round magazines work. I also tested Beretta’s extended 20-round magazine.
I collected a good supply of 9mm Luger ammunition for the initial range work. I lubricated the Beretta on the long, bearing surfaces and barrel locking wedge. Loading the magazines was easy enough, although as is usually the course, loading the final rounds requires considerable effort.
The 20-round magazine I had on hand was difficult to load from about the round 15 on. While it functioned fine, I don’t feel an extra two rounds is worth the considerably increased effort to load this magazine.
When loading the magazine, I loaded three or four rounds, tapped the back of the magazine, repeated the process until the magazine was full, then slapped the magazine home and dropped the slide. This is the proper drill for reliable function.
The safety was positive in operation and locked the slide in place when applied. The primary ammunition used in all drills was Federal’s American Eagle FMJ ammunition.
Beretta 92XI SAO Specifications
Caliber: 9mm
Action: Single
Barrel length: 4.7 inches
Firing mechanism: Semi-automatic
Grip width: 1.5 inches
Magazine: 18-, 15-, or 10-rounds
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
Range Testing
I deployed the pistol from a simple Galco belt slide. Drawing required some adjustment, compared to my usual carry gun. The grip fit my hands well. The safety is well designed, but not as easily operated as the 1911.
I clicked the safety off, during the draw, rather than waiting until I was on target which was an adjustment for this handgun. Combat shooting results were excellent. The pistol stayed on target. As a result of light recoil and limited muzzle flip, transitions between targets were rapid.
The Beretta 92XI SAO’s trigger responded well to a trained shooter. I fired 100 rounds in rapid fire at 7, 10, and 15 yards. Results were excellent. Moving to firing for accuracy, I settled into a solid benchrest firing position.
I used the Speer 124-grain Gold Dot and Federal 147-grain HST loading. Five rounds were fired for each group, taking care to fire slowly with the sights properly aligned. At a long 25 yards, the Beretta put five Gold Dots into 2.1 inches. The 147-grain HST was at 1.9 inches.
The pistol is reliable, accurate, and exhibits Beretta craftsmanship. This is a fine handgun with good qualities. If you like the Beretta 92, but don’t wish to work your way through a double-action trigger and desire a pistol with one easy-to-use trigger action, this is the Beretta 92 for you.
Of course, we all love the 1911, but what other single-action-only guns make your favorites list? How does the Beretta 92XI SAO 9mm compare? Share your answers in the Comment section.