JJ Racaza joins Team Beretta [Archive]

JSGlock34

07-04-2019, 08:44 AM

We are extremely proud to welcome @jjracaza in the #Beretta family. He signed a 6 years contract with Beretta. According to our General Manager Mr Carlo Ferlito, “@jjracaza is not only a terrific shooter - he’s a three times winner of Speed Shooting WCH, 5 times National Champion (#IPSC and #USPSA combined), and silver winner at the 2011, 2014 and 2017 IPSC #Handgun World Shoot, twice Open and once in the Production division - but also a great fan of the 92X and we look forward to cooperate with him in future developments to keep offering shooters from all over the world the best experience on the range.” @jjracaza’s impressions on the #92XPerformance: “Before I shot it, I was already blown away with how the trigger felt and the weight of the gun. Once I shot it, it confirmed and exceeded my expectations. There is no other stock gun that can be compared to the Beretta #92XPerformance. [...] Joining the Beretta Team is awesome. It’s very much of an honour to be part of a company that has been around for 500 years. This is something I have always dreamt of but I never had the audacity to think it could become real. 25 years of work are all combined to this moment”.

https://scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com/vp/8c2bac5b871fd0c9499e42faac43cd47/5DBA1E34/t51.2885-15/sh0.08/e35/s640x640/65497142_461256541328198_301008959392717273_n.jpg? _nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com
https://scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com/vp/fae5b026147e1c8c9fb5dbf14742e52f/5DA68BD1/t51.2885-15/sh0.08/e35/s640x640/65389580_1712069475766862_5138194933660491041_n.jp g?_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com
https://scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com/vp/f827d071791586df7a29d358371c79ee/5DBCB9E9/t51.2885-15/sh0.08/e35/s640x640/64518087_2054752961496282_7450073635754276878_n.jp g?_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com

Cory

07-04-2019, 09:41 AM

Beretta is making some real moves now that the M9 is set to sunset. The Elite LTT was the first sign, the 92X another.
Now, seeing them add a serious competitive shooter to the fold solidifies this even more.

It's awesome. I hope they continue to press the market not only for competitve shooters but for LEO and concealed carry. Perhaps they're hoping the APX and Px4 cover those bases.

-Cory

YVK

07-04-2019, 09:59 AM

JJ shoots one Production match a year and this thing doesn't come in .40. I guess we'll see how Beretta slides hold up to 9 mm major soon enough.

Suvorov

07-04-2019, 10:07 AM

Wow!!!

This is something Beretta should have done 10 years ago. Who knows - the retirement of the M9 may actually be good for Beretta as it is forcing them to be more responsive to the market.

Trooper224

07-04-2019, 10:44 AM

Wow!!!

This is something Beretta should have done 10 years ago. Who knows - the retirement of the M9 may actually be good for Beretta as it is forcing them to be more responsive to the market.

Retiring from military service was the best thing that ever happened to the 1911. Once that happens the nostalgia factor really kicks in and that's a good thing for any product. Perhaps we're seeing that with the 92. In a way, the military contracts hamstrung the development of the 92. Big government bought the design and wasn't really interested in any changes and upgrades were few and far between over the last 35 years. Now that Beretta doesn't have to devote the production line to so much military and LE output, they seem to be making an effort to get the attention of the commercial market.

I'm not a competitor anymore, but I want one of those for my "ain't it cool" shelf.

ranger

07-04-2019, 11:30 AM

JJ shoots one Production match a year and this thing doesn't come in .40. I guess we'll see how Beretta slides hold up to 9 mm major soon enough.

Been done before in the days of 175 PF and before the S_I were available. CZs and Berettas were some of the original hi-cap "Open" pistols in 9x21 loaded to Major.

Jim Watson

07-04-2019, 12:46 PM

Did Tanfoglio and Armscor get outbid?

Suvorov

07-04-2019, 02:13 PM

Doesn’t JJ live in Kalifornia?

I don’t think the 92X is on the roster?🤨

YVK

07-04-2019, 03:46 PM

Vegas.

I don't think he shot Tanfo more than once a year. Doubt they were too aggressive in keeping him.

perlslacker

07-04-2019, 04:13 PM

Retiring from military service was the best thing that ever happened to the 1911. Once that happens the nostalgia factor really kicks in and that's a good thing for any product. Perhaps we're seeing that with the 92. In a way, the military contracts hamstrung the development of the 92. Big government bought the design and wasn't really interested in any changes and upgrades were few and far between over the last 35 years. Now that Beretta doesn't have to devote the production line to so much military and LE output, they seem to be making an effort to get the attention of the commercial market.

I'm not a competitor anymore, but I want one of those for my "ain't it cool" shelf.

My impression has been that Beretta is actively trying to guide the 92 down the same path as the 1911, namely "the high-priced customizable experts' gun."

I'm not gonna lie, the marketing worked on me.

Trooper224

07-04-2019, 04:16 PM

My impression has been that Beretta is actively trying to guide the 92 down the same path as the 1911, namely "the high-priced customizable experts' gun."

I'm not gonna lie, the marketing worked on me.

I jumped on the 92 bandwagon a bit before this whole Beretta renaissance thing happened. After I set up a few pistols just the way I liked them, folks like Wilson and Langdon start coming our with their products and Beretta starts jazzing up the old pizza blaster. My thought was, "Why couldn't you have done that a year ago and saved me the trouble?"

spinmove_

07-04-2019, 04:39 PM

Bucky

07-04-2019, 05:47 PM

JJ shoots one Production match a year and this thing doesn't come in .40. I guess we'll see how Beretta slides hold up to 9 mm major soon enough.

The Brig slide will hold up just fine. My buddy had a Steel 1 Open gun several years back.

Trooper224

07-04-2019, 05:58 PM

Very cool to see Beretta signing someone like JJ.

As for the 92 becoming the next 1911, it COULD happen, but the problem I foresee is finding a way to mount a red dot to it. Like, you know, for carry purposes, not Open Division. 1911/2011? No problem. 92? I hear Ernest is still working on that.

I’d like to see it happen, but I’m not holding my breath.

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I don't think it will reach the level of the 1911. I didn't mention that as a direct comparison, more as an example of what drives certain interests. But, the nostalgia thing undoubtedly helps. Beretta finally updating the design certainly helps more.

Cory

07-04-2019, 06:11 PM

I don't think it will reach the level of the 1911. I didn't mention that as a direct comparison, more as an example of what drives certain interests. But, the nostalgia thing undoubtedly helps. Beretta finally updating the design certainly helps more.

I agree that it won't fair as well as the 1911. The 1911 was made under contract by several different companies. Nothing stops any company from making a 1911 tomorrow.

Only one company can make the M9. And so any innivation built upon it relies on Beretta. And to an extent on their quality level.

-Cory

Bucky

07-04-2019, 06:13 PM

I

Only one company can make the M9....

Taurus? :p

Cory

07-04-2019, 06:29 PM

Taurus? :p

https://media1.tenor.com/images/49ba8ad5992f7eaccbcd2f3cdf6db45d/tenor.gif?itemid=5060392

Suvorov

07-04-2019, 06:31 PM

https://media1.tenor.com/images/49ba8ad5992f7eaccbcd2f3cdf6db45d/tenor.gif?itemid=5060392

Some factory in Turkey? 😀

Trooper224

07-04-2019, 07:55 PM

Taurus? :p

Shit like that will get you banned! Save it for PFestivus. :)

perlslacker

07-04-2019, 10:38 PM

I agree that it won't fair as well as the 1911. The 1911 was made under contract by several different companies. Nothing stops any company from making a 1911 tomorrow.

Only one company can make the M9. And so any innivation built upon it relies on Beretta. And to an extent on their quality level.

-Cory

for a long time, all custom 1911s were built on Colts. If you read Brian Enos' book, he still calls them the Colt Government Model.

So it's not that different tbh.

HopetonBrown

07-05-2019, 04:46 AM

From JJs Facebook. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190705/d5fe6df9939daabbbf8107b5638c201a.jpg

BigT

07-05-2019, 03:27 PM

Did Tanfoglio and Armscor get outbid?

Tanfo have been doing a spectacular job of trashing their competion presence all on their own lately

Cory

07-05-2019, 03:44 PM

for a long time, all custom 1911s were built on Colts. If you read Brian Enos' book, he still calls them the Colt Government Model.

So it's not that different tbh.

It really is that different. Multiple companies made the 1911 for the military. A single company made 92s for the military. One. The point I'm trying to get across is that the M9 is reliant upon a single company (Beretta) to reach a similar progression as the 1911.

Name 4 reputable companies making a 1911 pattern pistol. Wilson Combat, Les Baer, Ed Brown, Dan Wesson. That's just the semi-custom market. You could name 4 high end gun smiths, and 4 production grade companies on top of that without much effort.
Name 4 reputable companies making a 92.

Not the same is it? And while there might be a few companies making 92 series knock offs, everyone recognizes them for what they are: knockoffs. They don't have the support, after market, interchangeability, reliability, quality, track record... They're just not equals to the Beretta 92 in any way. Most of them are a joke. Taurus is the closest to a real 92, but it lacks the serious testing of Beretta.

Because the M9 wasn't made by several different companies, no company other than Beretta has any clout or lineage with the 92 series. And even if there were others who were willing to give the 92 a go without having made one in the past, my bet is Beretta would have them in court in very short order. There isn't a plethora of companies who have the ability to produce 92s and actually market them in the US, like the 1911. The 92 might become a similar aficionado gun, but it's never going to be like the 1911.

-Cory

perlslacker

07-05-2019, 06:17 PM

JSGlock34

07-05-2019, 07:37 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RknacHHgVHM

Cory

07-05-2019, 08:16 PM

Could you point out any innovations by companies (other than Colt) that made 1911s for the military? I'm not sure that analogy holds.

And at what point did people start making 1911s that weren't modifications to Colt guns? I don't have a good historical perspective (I'm not old enough), but it was at least the 1980s, right?

There are differences between the situations of the 1911 and M9, not the least of which is that there never was a glut of surplus M9s for people to modify, but I don't think you're accurately identifying what they are.

There are no other companies making 92s. Period. Unless I'm wrong, no other compabies can begin making 92s.

My point is that the 92 will always be reliant on Beretta, the 1911 is no longer reliant on Colt.

Im seriously interested in your point of view, but we should start another thread I think. I like thinking about the 92s future post M9, and it's compariaon to the 1911 in that regard. I don't want to derail this too much more though.

-Cory

Sigfan26

07-05-2019, 08:22 PM

There are no other companies making 92s. Period. Unless I'm wrong, no other compabies can begin making 92s.

My point is that the 92 will always be reliant on Beretta, the 1911 is no longer reliant on Colt.

Im seriously interested in your point of view, but we should start another thread I think. I like thinking about the 92s future post M9, and it's compariaon to the 1911 in that regard. I don't want to derail this too much more though.

-Cory

The Turks make several 92 clones. And, they could probably flood the market if they wanted. They seem to choose not to.

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perlslacker

07-05-2019, 09:07 PM

There are no other companies making 92s. Period. Unless I'm wrong, no other compabies can begin making 92s.

My point is that the 92 will always be reliant on Beretta, the 1911 is no longer reliant on Colt.

Im seriously interested in your point of view, but we should start another thread I think. I like thinking about the 92s future post M9, and it's compariaon to the 1911 in that regard. I don't want to derail this too much more though.

-Cory

My point is that all the non-Colt 1911s (that weren't just contract-manufactured copies) hit the market after so long that you can't really compare the two yet.

MGW

07-06-2019, 01:19 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RknacHHgVHM

He almost looks human without an optic and with what I assume is major power factor ammo.

GJM

07-06-2019, 06:41 AM

He almost looks human without an optic and with what I assume is major power factor ammo.

JJ wins through accuracy, transitions and movement, not splits.

bofe954

07-06-2019, 06:51 AM

He almost looks human without an optic and with what I assume is major power factor ammo.

Lowers the hammer manually every time. No decocker?

spinmove_

07-06-2019, 07:21 AM

Lowers the hammer manually every time. No decocker?

Correct. The 92X does not have a decocker.

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HopetonBrown

07-06-2019, 11:03 AM

From JJs Facebook. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190706/08bf41e6d1c319220abafad6b2ecff40.jpg

BigD

07-06-2019, 08:02 PM

That open gun is ugly as sin.

(The production 92x looks nice though.)

Sigfan26

07-06-2019, 09:07 PM

From JJs Facebook. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190706/08bf41e6d1c319220abafad6b2ecff40.jpg

*Insert Jimmy Carr Laugh*

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GJM

07-06-2019, 09:20 PM

I love JJ, but I sure hope he is making major coin, because that Open gun is seriously ugly. Looks like circa 1990 technology with some gold plating.

JAD

07-06-2019, 09:27 PM

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190707/b5879fce3b2e941e33468f1bc4e795c4.jpg
Looks pretty good to this Shakespeare fan.

Trooper224

07-06-2019, 10:13 PM

I love JJ, but I sure hope he is making major coin, because that Open gun is seriously ugly. Looks like circa 1990 technology with some gold plating.

I've never seen an open gun that didn't look like a polished turd. that really isn't the point.

Balisong

07-06-2019, 10:25 PM

Correct. The 92X does not have a decocker.

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How come he's shooting double action first shot instead of cocked and locked? Does it have something to do with the rules of his division?

perlslacker

07-06-2019, 11:06 PM

How come he's shooting double action first shot instead of cocked and locked? Does it have something to do with the rules of his division?

Yup. DA/SA guns start hammer-down in Production.

GJM

07-07-2019, 10:36 AM

*Insert Jimmy Carr Laugh*

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YVK and I concluded on the phone this morning, that this is a very high dollar contract, as Beretta could only afford a Burris red dot for his pistol.

JSGlock34

07-07-2019, 10:47 AM

I hope JJ's feedback is incorporated into future refinements and parts for the 92X.

Balisong

07-07-2019, 04:11 PM

Yup. DA/SA guns start hammer-down in Production.

Gotcha.
Prior to this video I dont know if I even realized it was a DA gun. With the placement of the safety I was just ASSuming SAO.

It's a fascinating gun to me, but I'd only be interested in it running it SAO....

JSGlock34

07-07-2019, 05:00 PM

Apparently Beretta will offer a SAO conversion kit for the 92X (as they did for the Steel I). I'm not quite sure what benefit losing the DA mode gets you, but if you want true SAO, it's an option.

45dotACP

07-07-2019, 09:52 PM

I love JJ, but I sure hope he is making major coin, because that Open gun is seriously ugly. Looks like circa 1990 technology with some gold plating.Possibly we have different definitions of cool [emoji41]

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jbrimlow

07-08-2019, 08:17 AM

I love JJ, but I sure hope he is making major coin, because that Open gun is seriously ugly. Looks like circa 1990 technology with some gold plating.

That's my read as well, fwiw. Doesn't look like a super efficient comp.

e_stern

07-08-2019, 10:37 AM

YVK and I concluded on the phone this morning, that this is a very high dollar contract, as Beretta could only afford a Burris red dot for his pistol.

Beretta Holding Group owns Burris.

Slalom.45

07-08-2019, 01:25 PM

Nothing about watching this makes me regret having my first Stock 2 at the gunsmith as we speak. As a Glock guy dipping his production toe in the metal gun world the CZ style guns just felt much better in hand. (Obviously the Tanfo variety)

Slalom.45

07-08-2019, 02:38 PM

A quick question for anybody who knows. Was he shooting at 2011 or a Tanfo in Limited at last years Nats??

YVK

07-08-2019, 06:47 PM

2011.

Cory

07-08-2019, 09:04 PM

Apparently Beretta will offer a SAO conversion kit for the 92X (as they did for the Steel I). I'm not quite sure what benefit losing the DA mode gets you, but if you want true SAO, it's an option.

I hope that actually gets produced and marketed. I think it would help more people fall for the 92. I'm not sure the 92X is really for me. But the gun owner (as oppose to shooter) in me wants one just to have.

Beretta has a bit of a history with accessories and conversions that were suppose to be available but never come to fruition. Hope that doesn't happen here.

-Cory

JSGlock34

07-08-2019, 09:13 PM

I hope that actually gets produced and marketed. I think it would help more people fall for the 92. I'm not sure the 92X is really for me. But the gun owner (as oppose to shooter) in me wants one just to have.

Beretta has a bit of a history with accessories and conversions that were suppose to be available but never come to fruition. Hope that doesn't happen here.

-Cory

Considering these kits existed for the Steel I (which the 92X appears to be an updated version of) I expect they'll actually appear.

I'm still not sure exactly what the benefit of the SAO kit is though.

e_stern

07-09-2019, 04:05 PM

We will be offering an SAO kit. That is guaranteed. Timeframe however will be a while.

Zincwarrior

07-09-2019, 04:38 PM

Considering these kits existed for the Steel I (which the 92X appears to be an updated version of) I expect they'll actually appear.

I'm still not sure exactly what the benefit of the SAO kit is though.
A lot of people hate DA / SA.

perlslacker

07-09-2019, 05:19 PM

I'm still not sure exactly what the benefit of the SAO kit is though.

Open builds. Limited too if they offer a .40 chambering.

I'm operating on the assumption that removing the DA capability simplifies the trigger mechanism and allows for a better trigger.

e: Or some non-gamer purpose, idk. Every time something is marketed as a competition model I tend to assume that only gamers will buy it, which is obviously not the case.

JSGlock34

07-09-2019, 07:37 PM

I'm operating on the assumption that removing the DA capability simplifies the trigger mechanism and allows for a better trigger.

Agreed, that is probably the most likely benefit. Of course, looking at the rarity of 92 pistols with the frame mounted safety (between the 92/96 Stock, Combat, Steel and Billennium models there are reportedly less than 2000 imported pistols total, with more than half Billennium models), it is almost impossible to find comparative reviews of the SAO vs. DA/SA triggers.

Balisong

07-11-2019, 12:49 AM

spinmove_

07-11-2019, 06:41 AM

I'm cool with it being capable of DA, as long as it can be safely carried cocked and locked. That should also give it second strike capability like a P30 safety model or LEM if I'm understanding correctly.

The point of the 92X is that it’s a pure sport shooting gun. Not something you’d necessarily carry concealed or on duty. If I were carrying some variation of 92, it’d be a 92G.

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vcdgrips

07-11-2019, 10:59 AM

To clarify: does Beretta presently sell a 92 based gun that is DA/SA that can be carried "cocked and locked" with a 1911 style frame mounted safety?

I must say, if the 92x is as as described above and had night sights, I think many would be most intrigued with a 92Tac:

1. 3.5 lb SA trigger
2. sub 1300 pricing
3. plentiful mags
4. excellent reliability
5. presumably very soft shooting
6. night sights

what say you Beretta?

JSGlock34

07-11-2019, 06:34 PM

To clarify: does Beretta presently sell a 92 based gun that is DA/SA that can be carried "cocked and locked" with a 1911 style frame mounted safety?

No. Very few were imported between the 92 Combat, Stock, Steel I, and Billenium models. I don't believe a frame mounted safety model has been offered in over a decade. These are rare pistols. For that reason alone I am interested in acquiring a 92X.

I must say, if the 92x is as as described above and had night sights, I think many would be most intrigued with a 92Tac:

1. 3.5 lb SA trigger
2. sub 1300 pricing
3. plentiful mags
4. excellent reliability
5. presumably very soft shooting
6. night sights

what say you Beretta?

The 92X appears most closely related to the Steel I, which had a steel Vertec style frame. Arguably the 92 Stock (which was produced with a standard aluminum frame) would be the better base gun for a "92Tac" (probably sans the barrel bushing).

I think much like how the Wilson Combat Brigadier Tactical 92G demonstrated to Beretta that there was a market for updated 92 configurations, Beretta will watch 92X sales to see if additional frame mounted safety models are merited.