What is the best EDC complement to the Beretta 92FS?

[A.G.]

Long time lurker, first time poster. So I have settled on the Beretta 92FS as my USPSA/IDPA gun, having abandoned my Glock 34. Given that I would like a slightly smaller gun for EDC, what is the best analogue to the G17/G19 relationship? As a follow on question, how important is it really to have the same type of action for an EDC as a competition gun?

Possibilities I have considered are below. Any thoughts on what else I might consider?

PX Storm series, but I don't like the rotating barrel or the slide mounted safety.
92FS compact: A possibility but I don't love the slide mounted safety for an EDC or the non-replaceable front sight.
Sig P229: Currently my best pick: Same grip angle, same action, similar manual of arms, only simpler. Expensive.
FNX-9: Not wild about the lack of aftermarket support, and the large grip.

Thanks in advance for the help.

[Nephrology]

If you don't love the slide mounted safety for EDC, why shoot a beretta in IDPA/USPSA...?

If you really dislike them, I would pick up a P226 and a P229/P228 and call it a day. or just 2 P229s

Otherwise I would get a 92FS compact.

[A.G.]

The big advantage of the 92FS vs. the P226 is that I already own it. If I were to be starting from scratch it might be a different story. I have not had a bad experience with the 92FS safety in competition.

[Nephrology]

The big advantage of the 92FS vs. the P226 is that I already own it. If I were to be starting from scratch it might be a different story. I have not had a bad experience with the 92FS safety in competition.

Right, but then you may as well be consistent and stick with the 92FS manual of arms if it isn't an issue for you.

If you really dislike it, however, I would consider trading in your 92FS now, before you further invest yourself in the platform.

[Chuck Haggard]

Same manual of arms?

S&W 3913 or 6906.

Yes, seriously. Really good carry guns. And they operate exactly the same as your Beretta.

[Wendell]

What is the best EDC complement to the Beretta 92FS?

Have you considered a Shaggy (http://shop.customcarryconcepts.com/Shaggy-AIWB-SHG.htm) for your 92FS?

[GJM]

As you listed as an option, the 92 Compact, or a PX4. 92 Compact uses 92 mags as a reload, where the PX4 mags are different. PX4 gives you Trijicon HD sights as an option. The Sig is a great pistol, well supported with accessories, but in my hands, a step back in shootability compared to the Beretta.

Harder to source, but a 92G Centurion, is my favorite size and configuration of all the 92 variants for the compromise of shooting/carrying. CT grips are available, unlike for the 92 Compact and PX4.

A 92G Centurion with dovetailed sights, able to take the HD sights from the 92A1, and the lower frame treatment of the Elite or M9A1, would be my dream Beretta.

[A.G.]

Same manual of arms?

S&W 3913 or 6906.

Yes, seriously. Really good carry guns. And they operate exactly the same as your Beretta.

Thanks! I will check them out.

[A.G.]

Have you considered a Shaggy (http://shop.customcarryconcepts.com/Shaggy-AIWB-SHG.htm) for your 92FS?

I had a Shaggy for a HK P30L and it printed badlyl. I have carried the 92FS comfortably in an MTAC holster and an OWB but when I try AIWB the beavertail causes me a lot of discomfort.

[A.G.]

As you listed as an option, the 92 Compact, or a PX4. 92 Compact uses 92 mags as a reload, where the PX4 mags are different. PX4 gives you Trijicon HD sights as an option. The Sig is a great pistol, well supported with accessories, but in my hands, a step back in shootability compared to the Beretta.

Harder to source, but a 92G Centurion, is my favorite size and configuration of all the 92 variants for the compromise of shooting/carrying. CT grips are available, unlike for the 92 Compact and PX4.

Ahh, that is an option I had not considered. Thanks! I also like the Beretta more than some Sig I have shot but I do not have enough trigger time behind them to really know for sure.

[fixer]

Long time lurker, first time poster. So I have settled on the Beretta 92FS as my USPSA/IDPA gun, having abandoned my Glock 34. Given that I would like a slightly smaller gun for EDC, what is the best analogue to the G17/G19 relationship? As a follow on question, how important is it really to have the same type of action for an EDC as a competition gun?

Possibilities I have considered are below. Any thoughts on what else I might consider?

PX Storm series, but I don't like the rotating barrel or the slide mounted safety.
92FS compact: A possibility but I don't love the slide mounted safety for an EDC or the non-replaceable front sight.
Sig P229: Currently my best pick: Same grip angle, same action, similar manual of arms, only simpler. Expensive.
FNX-9: Not wild about the lack of aftermarket support, and the large grip.

Thanks in advance for the help.

To get the same or nearly the same manual of arms, the 92 compact or PX4 is your best bet when comparing to the 92. I don't see the 226 in this equation as the decocking system is substantially different.

The slide mounted safety can be dealt with via good holster (for comfort) and practice (which should be baked in no matter what platform you go with).

The rotating barrel on the PX4 is not the leviathan/boogie man you might think it is.

Unless you are in frequent Non-Permissive Environments, carrying the 92fs isn't the 800 lb gorilla a lot of people think it is either.

[GJM]

I find the 92 sized Beretta models carry more like a 228/229, as the 92 butt, which is what you are concealing, is shorter than a 226.

[A.G.]

I find the 92 sized Beretta models carry more like a 228/229, as the 92 butt, which is what you are concealing, is shorter than a 226.

I did not realize that. I assumed that since they take the same magazine tube (with differently placed retention slots) that they had the same length. It is definitely shorter than my G34.

[GJM]

These pics, comparing a CZ and Sig, tell the story as to why with Sig, Beretta and CZ mags being nearly identical in size, the 226 is longer in the butt dimension.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg251/GJMandes/IMG_2278_zps4614c684.jpg (http://s250.photobucket.com/user/GJMandes/media/IMG_2278_zps4614c684.jpg.html)

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg251/GJMandes/IMG_2275_zps3c1e84ad.jpg (http://s250.photobucket.com/user/GJMandes/media/IMG_2275_zps3c1e84ad.jpg.html)

[A.G.]

These pics, comparing a CZ and Sig, tell the story as to why with Sig, Beretta and CZ mags being nearly identical in size, the 226 is longer in the butt dimension.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg251/GJMandes/IMG_2278_zps4614c684.jpg (http://s250.photobucket.com/user/GJMandes/media/IMG_2278_zps4614c684.jpg.html)

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg251/GJMandes/IMG_2275_zps3c1e84ad.jpg (http://s250.photobucket.com/user/GJMandes/media/IMG_2275_zps3c1e84ad.jpg.html)

Thanks, GJM. Your dog has some claws.

[GJM]

My wife does spa treatment on her -- brushes Astro's teeth three times a week, clips her nails weekly, and cleans her ears weekly. Astro has proportionately big feet allowing her to race around in the snow, like on snowshoes, much to the consternation of rabbits!

[Tamara]

At the risk of derail, the grip on that P-226 is dead sexy. What is it?

[GJM]

Hogue G10, think it is called 'Chain-link.' Works great!

[JonInWA]

I've had no problems in carrying my 92D for years-and I'm 5'8" 190 lbs. I primarily use a Kramer IWB (#2, I think).

Best, Jon

[GardoneVT]

If all you'd ever read were gun forums, you'd think the 92FS was bigger then the Ahnould Edition Desert Eagle .50.

Le sigh.

[YVK]

I carry a 92 Elite II, with its flat slide and all, in a JM Custom appendix rig 99.9% of the time, and in a Dale Fricke OWB the rest of it. Unless I am fanny packing...
Big gun, but no problemo really.

[YVK]

Fat slide, that is. Typo above. Would've let it go, but it changes the whole meaning. Strangely, I can't edit my own post.

[JV_]

Strangely, I can't edit my own post.You only get 30min to edit a post.

[A.G.]

Fat slide, that is. Typo above. Would've let it go, but it changes the whole meaning. Strangely, I can't edit my own post.

I can carry it in relative comfort at the 4 o'clock except while driving. Do most AIWB holsters work for you? I tried to carry a P30L in a Shaggy and could not get away with it.

[A.G.]

To clarify, my real question is not whether one can conceal the 92FS, but what is the most similar smaller gun to it (most carry over from the gamer fun) other than the Compact, which I have not seen yet in the wild.

[ToddG]

The Compact is as small/short as the slide can be produced and still function properly. That's why there was never a shorter 92-series pistols.

The 92G Compact was one of the best carry guns I ever owned.

[A.G.]

The Compact is as small/short as the slide can be produced and still function properly. That's why there was never a shorter 92-series pistols.

The 92G Compact was one of the best carry guns I ever owned.
Thanks,Todd. That is pretty strong praise. I will see if I can get my hands on one.

[YVK]

I can carry it in relative comfort at the 4 o'clock except while driving. Do most AIWB holsters work for you? I tried to carry a P30L in a Shaggy and could not get away with it.

I can conceal just about anything in a Shaggy, including P30 and P30L.

TLG is right, a Compact 92G is nearly a holy grail of ccw to me, with two caveats:
- try finding one,
- I can't stand the damn fixed front sight.

[LHS]

I also EDC a full-size 92 variant, either 2:30 IWB or in a fanny pack if clothing won't permit IWB. Never had an issue, with the right gear.

[A.G.]

I can conceal just about anything in a Shaggy, including P30 and P30L.

TLG is right, a Compact 92G is nearly a holy grail of ccw to me, with two caveats:
- try finding one,
- I can't stand the damn fixed front sight.
The fixed sight is IMO the most aggravating feature of the 92FS as well. Hard to believe it took them so long to make a mainstream model with a dovetail.

[LHS]

The fixed sight is IMO the most aggravating feature of the 92FS as well. Hard to believe it took them so long to make a mainstream model with a dovetail.

It boggles my mind why they didn't switch whole-hog to the Vertec slide for all the normal models.

[deejai]

If they switched to only producing vertecs, I'd almost be in heaven

[Rich]

Same manual of arms?

S&W 3913 or 6906.

Yes, seriously. Really good carry guns. And they operate exactly the same as your Beretta.

I carried the 5906 and the easier 6906. I like them better than the M&P 9mm.

[Chuck Haggard]

I'm starting to wish I had kept my 3913s and 6906s

[john556]

The mim trigger on both my 6906 and 3913 produces a much smoother pull than the forged parts on my 4506. No idea if that is true of all 3rd gen autos.