Beretta advice please: mod 92A1 or go LTT?

[ASH556]

I know this may seem like moving really fast, but sometimes good things go that way (I proposed to my wife after 3 months and we were married 6 months after that. 12 years and 3 kids later and I wouldn't change a thing!)

Anyway, I got my first Beretta and first real deviation from Glocks other than a 2 year M&P venture last Friday. It's a 92A1 that already had G kit, D spring, and WC Super Slim Grips. I'm enjoying it and learning but already want to change sights, trigger, and guide rod. I actually ordered all of this from WC last night and then cancelled the order immediately once I realized I was about to have LTT money in a 92A1.

It seems like the LTT is really the way to go, but I have a few questions:

1. Buying one from Ernest's site vs buying one off Gunbroker? Looks like I can save about $80 on the base model on GB.
2. Base model vs upgrades. What's worth it?
3. Sights: It wasn't until reading today that I realized I inadvertently ordered the Les Pepperoni rear from WC. I was going to pair it with their Tritium front for the 92A1. If going with the LTT, it looks like a lot have done the same thing in order to get a "tops of blades = POI" at 25yds.
4. Trigger job is trigger job whether you add it to 92A1 or to LTT.

So, I guess the question is, what's the better path forward (mod 92A1 or sell and start with LTT) and why? What's in the base model LTT vs the 92A1 I already have (and have less money in).

Thanks again P-F!

[wmu12071]

I know this may seem like moving really fast, but sometimes good things go that way (I proposed to my wife after 3 months and we were married 6 months after that. 12 years and 3 kids later and I wouldn't change a thing!)

Anyway, I got my first Beretta and first real deviation from Glocks other than a 2 year M&P venture last Friday. It's a 92A1 that already had G kit, D spring, and WC Super Slim Grips. I'm enjoying it and learning but already want to change sights, trigger, and guide rod. I actually ordered all of this from WC last night and then cancelled the order immediately once I realized I was about to have LTT money in a 92A1.

It seems like the LTT is really the way to go, but I have a few questions:

1. Buying one from Ernest's site vs buying one off Gunbroker? Looks like I can save about $80 on the base model on GB.
2. Base model vs upgrades. What's worth it?
3. Sights: It wasn't until reading today that I realized I inadvertently ordered the Les Pepperoni rear from WC. I was going to pair it with their Tritium front for the 92A1. If going with the LTT, it looks like a lot have done the same thing in order to get a "tops of blades = POI" at 25yds.
4. Trigger job is trigger job whether you add it to 92A1 or to LTT.

So, I guess the question is, what's the better path forward (mod 92A1 or sell and start with LTT) and why? What's in the base model LTT vs the 92A1 I already have (and have less money in).

Thanks again P-F!

I don't have any answers for you but I can say if (more likely when) I want another Beretta I will pay a few dollars more to make sure Ernest is getting his cut for the work he has done. My previous transaction with them was very smooth and I am very pleased with the product (PX4CC).

[Vista461]

I also bought a 92A1 recently and I’ve purchased the few upgrade parts I’ve done to it, from LTT.

If I was buying an LTT, I’d buy it from Ernest. I like supporting the little guy and it was his efforts that brought it to fruition.

I would’ve bought the LTTif I would’ve have the $999 to spare at the time. I like the features, but I saved almost $400, (more like $300 after I paid for the upgrades), buying the 92A1 and since I’m using it as a duty gun I’ll care less about it getting beat up than I would an LTT :D. I hope to eventually get an LTT in the future though.

[Steven T]

I don't have a 92a1 but I have a M9a1. I find the frame on the LTT to be a fantastic upgrade. The radius and dehorning on the front strap and trigger guard make a huge difference. I bought my LTT with the trigger job so nothing else needs to be done. I added a trigger job in a bag to my M9a1 and while it made a huge difference it's not quite as good as my LTT. My LTT has one of the best DA triggers I have ever used. Only a 686 carry comp built by Smith and Wesson Performance Center has been close. I buy my Beretta accessories from Langdon and have nothing but praise for them.

[ASH556]

So, after I posted this thread I did a bunch more reading of older threads here and on the LTT site.

I didn't understand that the trigger work was an upgrade of $165. I thought it was included in the $999 base gun.

With that knowledge and what I have into this 92A1, and what it already has done to it, it seems like an easy decision to just stick with it and upgrade sights now, and maybe trigger later.

Remaining questions:

1. What sight combo will give me tops of blades at 25yds POA=POI? Will the WC Tritium (.173 high) paired with the Les Pep .305 rear do it?
2. Upgrading to steel guide rod seems like a good idea. WC fluted?
3. How much does the WC short reach trigger shorten the pull? Good upgrade over the factory polymer unit?

I think that's it. The frame melt, barrel length, and lanyard loop don't matter to me at this point.

ETA: I didn't/don't mean to take anything away from Mr. Langdon and all the work he's done to bring Beretta greatness to the masses. I assumed buying from a dealer on GB would net him the same $$ since the gun still has his name on it.

[BobRockefeller]

The trigger job is a $165 add to the base pistol and very much worth it.

I have an M9A1 DYI frankengun with a bunch of Wilson Combat upgrade parts on it and I probably have 92 Elite LTT money in it. I also have the 92 Elite LTT with the trigger job.

I like LTT’s better all around.

Now, if you are into DYI gun work, my frankengun is probabaly 90% as good. And you learn stuff and pick and choose among the available parts.

Most of the parts I’ve ordered came from LTT unless they don’t carry them. My experience with LTT has been first class all they way. Fast shipping, fast response to questions, and nice people.

[fpnunes]

Sounds like the choice you make works great for you at this point in your life. If you are like the rest of us when you go on to purchase your next 92 I'd highly recommend the LTT. EL really worked with Beretta to come up with a great feature set for the pistol. I couldn't be happier with mine.

[CraigS]

Is an Elite LTT absolutely 100% legal in IDPA SSP division?

[Oukaapie]

If you sell a used LTT you won’t completely lose your shirt. If you sell a heavily fiddled with 92A1 you probably will.

[BobRockefeller]

Is an Elite LTT absolutely 100% legal in IDPA SSP division?

Yes. I asked that question and got an affirmative answer from this area's coordinator.

[Uncle_Jed]

Buy the LTT 92 Elite and don't look back.

In case you haven't seen it here's Earnest's explanation of what goes into the LTT. 92 Elite: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUp6gOEOCCI

The radiused trigger guard and the Vertec slide with the dovetail front sight and the front cocking serrations make the LTT more than just a collection of custom parts. You could spend a lot of money adding parts to an ordinary 92, and you still won't have an LTT. I made that mistake trying to "trick out" my full sized PX4. By the time I was done, I could have bought a PX4 Carry from Langdon Tactical with a trigger job and had some money left over. And you can't beat Langdon Tactical's customer service. Aimee Landgon is the best.

Unlce Jed

[JSGlock34]

I think the LTT92 frame radius is a big deal, the sights are excellent, and Ernest's trigger job is magical.

I'm sure you can get the 92A1 within striking distance of the LTT92 by upgrading parts, but by the time you're done you'll be wishing you just bought the LTT92 to begin with.

Pizza guns are addictive.

[SeriousStudent]

Another recommendation for the trigger that Ernest does. I took my Beretta with a Langdon Level 2 trigger job to the range Sunday. I was shooting with Jackdog and another friend.

I had a Smith Model 27 no-dash 5" to play with. A glorious N-frame .357 that had been tuned by the S&W custom shop folks about 20 years ago. And the gun everyone kept coming back to was the Langdon-tuned Vertec.

Police refer to things like that as "clues". :cool:

Give Ernest your money. I honestly think you will not regret it.

[Bigghoss]

One of these days I'm going to scrape together the dough and spring for a fully loaded LTT Elite with all the bells and whistles.

[JimLob65]

Another thumbs up for Langdon Tactical and the LTT, from someone who also owns both a WC Brig Tac and a Cen Tac, both with the action tune.

[Inkwell 41]

LTT, no question.

[SW CQB 45]

these days, my gun fund does not flow like it used to.

I have to be cautious with something I have never held in my hands.

I bought an M9A1 a few years back...the frame cut me, so I sold it.

I have always wanted a Beretta 92 variant and decided to pull the plug on a LTT with a trigger job.

I wanted the full boat but the $ were not there. I am completely satisfied with this package. Also, with the minor blending....I did not get cut by the frame as from the M9A1.

A+ on LTT and Beretta.

https://i.imgur.com/iRhLKJA.jpg

[Dorsai]

I will add a vote for the LTT. Something no one else has mentioned are the differences between the 92A1 and the M9A1/Vertec. The 92A1 has different parts won't fit in many holsters made for the M9A1. So your aftermarket support is limited.

I'll add something else from my personal experience. I have an LTT with a trigger job and a 92fs with a lot of work in it. I've done a lot to the 92, but I got the gun for a very good price so I'm still pretty good on the price. I've done the trigger job in a bag, Wilson mag release, etc., and even found a Vertec slide and 4.7" barrel. I do not have the skills to smooth the gun and bring it to LTT standards. I'm probably 80% or a little more, but it still isn't LTT quality. Way better than stock, but not LTT. My point is this. Unless you have the knowledge and skills to do the polishing and fitting necessary to equal the LTT, you won't be able to do it. And you'll spend a lot. Unless you WANT to play with the 92A1 and see how much you can do and stretch your skills, I think the LTT will look like a bargain at the end of the day.

[Jared]

So, after I posted this thread I did a bunch more reading of older threads here and on the LTT site.

I didn't understand that the trigger work was an upgrade of $165. I thought it was included in the $999 base gun.

With that knowledge and what I have into this 92A1, and what it already has done to it, it seems like an easy decision to just stick with it and upgrade sights now, and maybe trigger later.

Remaining questions:

1. What sight combo will give me tops of blades at 25yds POA=POI? Will the WC Tritium (.173 high) paired with the Les Pep .305 rear do it?
2. Upgrading to steel guide rod seems like a good idea. WC fluted?
3. How much does the WC short reach trigger shorten the pull? Good upgrade over the factory polymer unit?

I think that's it. The frame melt, barrel length, and lanyard loop don't matter to me at this point.

ETA: I didn't/don't mean to take anything away from Mr. Langdon and all the work he's done to bring Beretta greatness to the masses. I assumed buying from a dealer on GB would net him the same $$ since the gun still has his name on it.

I'm borrowing this from Tamara blog, specifically something she wrote in reference to her Ruger P89 test. Here it is, "the best mod you can make is two cases of ammo."

That'll tell you a lot about what you like and don't like about the 92. I love my LTT. I really do. I've also got other 92's that have been modded pretty similar to what you already have, including a 92A1 that is almost identical to the one you have. I still shoot those guns plenty. The LTT package is awesome. A carefully done job on a good base gun is awesome too.

So I'd leave it as is for now, shoot two cases of ammo through it, and then think about what you want to do. I'd leave the trigger with just the D spring for now, honestly. If you really want to upgrade it at a reduced cost, the Wilson 14# spring gives good results for a very reasonable cost. I like the pepperoni sights. Dawson makes good fiber fronts that I like a little better than the Wilson fronts. You can make those upgrades for less than $100.

Holsters are a little bit of trouble for the 92A1, but Keepers Concealment and JM Custom Kydex make 92A1 holsters.

Now if after that two cases of ammo you really like the 92, go ahead and grab that LTT and have the 92A1 for a backup/trainer. It'll still be a good gun even with the LTT in the safe beside it.

[Sal Picante]

Sights...

I think I had a dimensions regarding the sights here:
https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?21132-Beretta-Sights-Some-Combos-and-pictures&p=463442&viewfull=1#post463442


I'm sorry the pictures disappeared... I'll see if I can't do something with that later...

[beenalongtime]

I wondered about the 92A1 as well, after ordering an LTT. What I didn't realize was how it didn't work (swapable) with other 92's (I have an Inox 92 that I am thinking of TJIAB). After learning it is a 96 sized gun, that is 9mm, my thoughts were then why would I not just get a 96A1 (isn't it going to take different holsters, etc).

I did buy a LTT and am considering selling my all Inox 92 and just recoating a LTT instead, if I want something that looks stainless like. The frame is that much better around the trigger for a range gun to me.
Now the PX4, still feels like a better carry gun to me (weight, shape/roundness, grip, etc)

[Jared]

I wondered about the 92A1 as well, after ordering an LTT. What I didn't realize was how it didn't work (swapable) with other 92's (I have an Inox 92 that I am thinking of TJIAB). After learning it is a 96 sized gun, that is 9mm, my thoughts were then why would I not just get a 96A1 (isn't it going to take different holsters, etc).

I did buy a LTT and am considering selling my all Inox 92 and just recoating a LTT instead, if I want something that looks stainless like. The frame is that much better around the trigger for a range gun to me.
Now the PX4, still feels like a better carry gun to me (weight, shape/roundness, grip, etc)

The trigger parts in the 92A1 are the same as all other 92's. So are most of the parts in it actually. The slide won't go on a frame that isn't a 92A1.

It also isn't a "96 sized gun." It has the same external dimensions as all other 92's, except one part of the slide. That part is the part of the slide where the recoil spring guide rod passes through. That area is larger on the 92A1 than other 92's. That is also what causes holster fit issues, as well as making it where the 92A1 slide won't go on a non 92A1 frame.

[usmc_k9_vet]

What leather holsters are you guys rocking for these Elite LTTs? I believe Milt Sparks has a VM2 for the Brigadier Tactical. Will that work for an Elite LTT as well? Any other good options?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[JSGlock34]

What leather holsters are you guys rocking for these Elite LTTs? I believe Milt Sparks has a VM2 for the Brigadier Tactical. Will that work for an Elite LTT as well? Any other good options?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I have the VM2 for the BrigTac, but haven't bought leather for the LTT (the LTT is not a good fit for the BrigTac VM2). Langdon Tactical has some Milt Sparks leather for the LTT in-stock. (https://www.langdontactical.com/milt-sparks-owb-leather-holster-vertec/)

https://cdn7.bigcommerce.com/s-gwq330i093/images/stencil/1280x1280/products/193/524/FullSizeRender-10__08160.1543266969.jpg?c=2&imbypass=on
https://cdn7.bigcommerce.com/s-gwq330i093/images/stencil/1280x1280/products/193/525/FullSizeRender-8__35261.1543266975.jpg?c=2&imbypass=on

[JimLob65]

WC offers a few leather holsters for Beretta 92s, including this one:

https://shopwilsoncombat.com/Lo-Profile-Holster-Beretta-92_96-Right-Hand-15-Belt-Black-Leather/productinfo/LP4BLR15/

I have the Low Profile II, a bit fancier, and it is very nice.

[usmc_k9_vet]

Thanks guys. I actually used to have a VM2 for the Brig Tac and am carrying one now for the 92G CC. I like it for this compact, but since the Brig Tac is a bigger gun and the VM2 sits a little high, it didn't work out.

Question - what dimensions are different between the Brig Tac and Elite LTT? I see the "bulge" on both sides of the Brig Tac slide, but is it also literally thicker than a standard Beretta slide? I never understood this. I guess I need to go put my Brig Tac side-by-side with my compact. Where will I be able to see the difference (obviously length of barrel and slide, but I mean as far as seeing where the Brig Tac slide is beefier)?

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

[DoubleD]

I have 2 LTT’s. I wholeheartedly agree with the others that suggest purchasing from Langdon Tech. You get Ernest’s expertise with the pistol & Aimee’s talent for dealing with the customer. During my first purchase after paying I found out that I needed to be hospitalized for a serious operation. I contacted Langdon Tech & Aimee held the pistol, shipped it after I left the hospital all with the warmth & care of an individual that cared about her customer service & her business reputation. In addition both pistols are excellent examples of what they should be.

[Casey]

2. Upgrading to steel guide rod seems like a good idea. WC fluted?
I dropped one of those into a commercial M9 as a replacement for the stock polymer guide rod. I am not in tune with the gun enough to notice any significant difference in the added weight affecting how the gun handles.



3. How much does the WC short reach trigger shorten the pull? Good upgrade over the factory polymer unit?
I prefer the feel of a steel trigger to a the polymer unit, but I strongly dislike the short reach trigger. I wear size large gloves. The reduced trigger reach in DA was nice, but I felt as though the trigger reach in SA became too short. I think this one is very dependent on hand size, with it being a benefit for those who wear medium or smaller gloves.

[TX_Southpaw]

OP

On Black Friday LTT did free trigger jobs for new LTT Elite purchases, but for $165 to have Ernest work on your pistol, that's a big value already.