M9A1 versus 92A1

[SteveK]

I've been planning on picking up a Beretta and revisiting the platform (even before the big announcement) and have already solicited a few friends on their thoughts. Just wanting to get an opinion or two from the members here in the know about what their preferences are as to the 90 series. The M9A1 series seems to be popular but I also see the Wilson guns are 92A1s. Like I said, I'm just wanting to get a few opinions as to what works for everyone and what doesn't. Discuss.

[GJM]

I prefer the 92A1 upper, because of the sight options with the front dovetail. I prefer the M9A1 lower as it is flared and checkered. The two don't interchange as the 92A1 dust cover is different.

[LHS]

I prefer the 92A1 upper, because of the sight options with the front dovetail. I prefer the M9A1 lower as it is flared and checkered. The two don't interchange as the 92A1 dust cover is different.

That pretty much sums it up. I would go with the M9A1 just because the slide is interchangeable with other 92-series slides, while the 92A1's is not.

[SteveK]

I don't get too caught up in the whole "interchangability" thing, don't see the need to be switching slides and frames. The 92A1 sight options is a plus, but also the compacts are built on the M9A1 frame. The ability to use different rigs (and availability) would be a bigger issue in my opinion. I would like to know the Wilson contingent's thoughts on which frame/slide combo might be more appealing.

[rd62]

I just went through thus same process and picked up a 92A1 on the suggestion of Josh from AGW. I had contacted him regarding turning the pistol into a modern Elite and asked which he thought would make a better base gun. This coupled with Wilson's use of the 92A1 may bear consideration.

[GJM]

The issue is if you checker and flare the 92A1, to make it equivalent to the M9A1 lower, you may make it illegal for SSP and Production, besides adding extra cost.

That is why the M9A1 factory lower, which is checkered and flared, combined with a dovetailed front sight upper, like the 92A1, would be the desirable configuration. Alternatively, buy an Elite II or 92G-SD, which has all of that, but with the heavier Brigadier slide.

[Magic_Salad0892]

Isn't there enough meat on the slide to machine a dovetail cut for a front sight on the M9A1?

For a dedicated full size gun*, I'd prefer the 92A1.

*I would only buy the M9A1 Compact. Even if I had to get an Inox gun and have it IonBond DLC coated. I don't like full size guns.

[LangdonTactical]

So it really comes down to if you are going to send it to Wilson for custom work? If you are, the 92A1 is a good bet. Get the Mag well beveled and the frame checkered and you end up with what the M9A1 should have been. Plus I hear that the G conversion up an running very soon at a great price.

The only down side is the holster selection. Some will fit both guns but a few will not fit the 92A1. From a holster stand point the M9A1 is a better way to go.

I am cheating as I have a couple of G Vertec slides that go on top of my M9A1 frames :)

[SteveK]

The 92A1 may be the way to go. With the base gun, custom carry package and G conversion, looks like you can get into a nice custom gun for under $1600. Not a bad deal no matter how you look at it.

[Jared]

I went 92A1 a long time ago (shortly after they came out). Trijicon makes a couple of night sight options for SD guns, Dawson Precision and now Wilson Combat have fiber optic front sights for folks that want fiber.

Holster selection for the 92A1 is a pain. Blade-Tech has some options, and I am sure there a couple others. I wound up getting a 92A1 blue gun from BerettaUSA and having Dark Star Gear make me some custom holsters for carry. They turned out excellent.

My experience is that a holster that takes the 92A1 will take the M9A1, but not vice versa, as the 92A1 has a wider dust cover on the slide where the recoil spring guide rod passes through.

In the end, I wound up with an M9A1 too, but if it was one or the other, I'd keep the 92A1 and drop the M9A1. The frame checkering doesn't make enough of a difference for me to notice, and the mag well bevel isn't a huge difference maker for me. I wish the 92A1 had them, but when it comes to choosing between those features or interchangeable front sights, I'd personally rather have the sights. YMMV

[Trajan]

I thought the M9A1 had a dovetail front?

Getting a Beretta and matching DSG AIWB for training is in my future.

[Jared]

I thought the M9A1 had a dovetail front?

Getting a Beretta and matching DSG AIWB for training is in my future.

Sorry, but no, it's the 92A1. The slide on the M9A1 is just like the slide on a regular 92FS. The M9A1 enhancements are all in the frame.

The DSG AIWB is a great holster.

[JAD]

And for those of us who would prefer a non-railed gun, is our only current factory option the 92fs?

[SteveK]

I have decided to go with the 92A1. Since its going to wind up at Wilson Combat, the front dovetail is the kicker. I'm not too worried about the holster issue since I am not replacing my carry gun with it. If down the road I want to switch to carrying a Beretta, I figure I'll just pick up a M9A1 compact. For now, I'm happy and comfortable with my 3rd gen S&W's.

[GJM]

Memo to Beretta -- figure out how to offer a dovetailed front sight on all your 92 production models, not just the 92A1.

[Up1911Fan]

Memo to Beretta -- figure out how to offer a dovetailed front sight on all your 92 production models, not just the 92A1.

This.

[JAD]

Maybe they'll let the guy at beretta who listens to customers out of his gimp suit someday, and he'll find your note.

[SteveK]

Hard to understand why they don't streamline the 92 series and address the front sight issue. You would think the research department would identify drawbacks in their product line. Maybe now with Wilson Combat on board the head honchos in product development will listen to what the end users are asking for.

[Up1911Fan]

Hard to understand why they don't streamline the 92 series and address the front sight issue. You would think the research department would identify drawbacks in their product line. Maybe now with Wilson Combat on board the head honchos in product development will listen to what the end users are asking for.

Doubt it. Uncle Sam hasn't shown they need a replaceable front sight, that's where a majority of their pistols go. And it keeps costs down for them.

[SteveK]

Doubt it. Uncle Sam hasn't shown they need a replaceable front sight, that's where a majority of their pistols go. And it keeps costs down for them.

Good point.

[GardoneVT]

Hard to understand why they don't streamline the 92 series and address the front sight issue. You would think the research department would identify drawbacks in their product line. Maybe now with Wilson Combat on board the head honchos in product development will listen to what the end users are asking for.

If I recall my Beretta trivia right, the problem is that the original 92FS slide isn't wide enough to support a dovetailed front sight. That's why all the models with that feature have wider slides then the standard gun, including the 92A1 which is a 90-Two in 92FS clothing.

[Jared]

If I recall my Beretta trivia right, the problem is that the original 92FS slide isn't wide enough to support a dovetailed front sight. That's why all the models with that feature have wider slides then the standard gun, including the 92A1 which is a 90-Two in 92FS clothing.

Except that the only place a 92A1 slide is wider than a standard FS slide, according to my calipers, is the area under the barrel where the recoil spring guide rod passes through. It's certainly not a Brigadier slide, nor is it really an in-betweener, as measured at the cocking serrations, locking block area, or the area immediately behind where the slide tapers in front to meet the muzzle.

All the measurements I have taken from my 92 slides sure indicate to me the somehow, Beretta did find a way to machine a dovetail in there. Again though, that's just me checking things with calipers in a spare room, not someone with an intricate measuring layout in a real machine shop.

ETA: I did a quick check of the area where the front sight sits on one of my FS's and one of my 92A1's. The A1 is about .015" thicker top to bottom here than the FS. So I guess that's how they were able to add the dovetail and replaceable front sight.