Allegheny Gun Works' 92FS -> 92G conversion?

[LHS]

Anyone done business with Allegheny Gun Works before? I saw some buzz on the Beretta forum that the 'smith there developed a way to mill out 92FS slides to use 92G parts. As a fan of the G configuration, I'm tempted to send off an older 92F for the treatment, but I wanted to gather as much info on them as possible.

[shootist26]

just from doing some cursory research on the guy and his input on Berettaforum, it looks like he does know his stuff regarding the 92. The modification is highly promising, but I am going to wait for a bit before doing this. Need more time to see if the guys on BF.net run into any issues or not.

[LHS]

just from doing some cursory research on the guy and his input on Berettaforum, it looks like he does know his stuff regarding the 92. The modification is highly promising, but I am going to wait for a bit before doing this. Need more time to see if the guys on BF.net run into any issues or not.

That was kind of my thought. The guys on BF tend to have some specialized knowledge on the platform, but they also tend towards fanboyism. I was hoping to get some objective reviews before I send a blaster in and drop $200 on the conversion.

[Sal Picante]

I guess it could be more promising than Beretta bringing back the Elite's...

[Up1911Fan]

Can someone explain the difference between the 92FS and 92G to me? Thanks.

[shootist26]

Can someone explain the difference between the 92FS and 92G to me? Thanks.

FS has a safety/decocker. It stays down (safety on) when you decock and you have to manually flick it back up to take it off safe.

G has a decocker only. When you push it down to decock, it will automatically flick back up. It is therefore impossible to accidently put the gun on safe. These guns were limited production runs for police departments. All of the 'G' variant 92s are highly sought after.

[Up1911Fan]

Thanks. I've done a bit of shooting with the 92FS, just wasn't sure what the "G" model was. Sound's like a good idea.

[Suvorov]

Has anyone heard of these guys (http://alleghenygunworks.com/index.php/services-packages)? :confused:

Came across them on a thread on M4.net and it sparked my interested. Given how most of the Beretta threads end up in lamentations over the fact that some of the best 92s never saw mass production, it seems like the packages offered by AGW could correct that?

I have a 92 or two that I would be more than interested in turning into Vertec "G" models :cool:

Prices ain't cheep, but they are cheeper than buying a new gun that is off roster here in Kalifornia.

[LHS]

I've no personal experience, but the folks at the Beretta forum seem rather enamored of them. I've been tempted to send off a couple of my Berettas, but I want more objective reviews of their work first.

[orionz06]

Never heard of them other than from someone who wanted me to acquire a Beretta from them for a holster and then send it back.



I am not willing to write them off but I would like to believe if they were any good I might have heard just a little bit more.

[SecondsCount]

There was another thread on the subject a while back:
http://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?5018-Allegheny-Gun-Works-92FS-gt-92G-conversion&highlight=allegheny

[LittleLebowski]

There was another thread on the subject a while back:
http://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?5018-Allegheny-Gun-Works-92FS-gt-92G-conversion&highlight=allegheny

Threads merged.

[Suvorov]

Threads merged.

:o

3 Demerits for me not using the search function.
3 more for it being a thread that I should have caught when it came out.

[David B.]

Josh at AGW (Allegheny Gun Works) makes custom parts for Berettas; he also does all kinds of machining work, and is an overall excellent gunsmith.

If it weren't for Josh's custom low profile decock levers, I wouldn't be carrying a Beretta right now since G versions aren't readily available. The AGW custom low profile decock lever mitigates the concern I have of accidentally engaging the safety (which happens to me quite regularly with the standard lever).

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a183/Apostolos/ccr912_zps8fc49dc5.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a183/Apostolos/ccr911_zps507604dc.jpg

Also, his speed-bump triggers are great. There hasn't been anything like it since the Langdon days. He stocks all kinds of Beretta parts and can do complex machining work, e.g., FS to G configuration, removing a rail on a dust cover, making a standard grip a vertec grip, etc.

I'll be sending him a couple frames soon for mag well flares and front and back-strap checkering.

Josh has developed quite a good reputation, and after talking with him on the phone, buying parts, getting work done, I would enthusiastically encourage anyone with Beretta needs to give him a call.

God Bless,
David

[JDM]

David, That's an awesome gun. How do you carry it?

[David B.]

David, That's an awesome gun. How do you carry it?

I'm currently carrying it in a Blade-Tech Razor IWB holster @ 3:30 - 4 o'clock position.

I don't care too much for the Razor, but that's the only holster I can find for the A1. I'm working on another option though. I purchased a 92A1 blue gun from Beretta and I've been in contact with some holster makers to see what they can do.

God Bless,
David

[JodyH]

Beretta 92G compact (or Centurion) is one of my "buy on sight" pistols.

[David B.]

I received this barrel back from Josh a few days ago. It's a simple cut and re-crown. It's the second one he's done for me.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a183/Apostolos/sb_zpscf12c36b.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a183/Apostolos/sb2_zps1a976cfc.jpg

I also stripped a slide and mailed both the slide and barrel today to CCR for another CPII plating.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a183/Apostolos/ssb_zps30e7bdb5.jpg

In the next month or so I'll also be sending a frame to Josh for front and back-strap checkering and a flared mag well. The frame will need to be striped and re-anodized.

Then the gun will be exactly the way I want it. If only Beretta would build one to this spec from the factory... oh wait, they did, it was called the Elite II. :rolleyes:

God bless,
David

[Suvorov]

Josh at AGW (Allegheny Gun Works) makes custom parts for Berettas; he also does all kinds of machining work, and is an overall excellent gunsmith.

If it weren't for Josh's custom low profile decock levers, I wouldn't be carrying a Beretta right now since G versions aren't readily available. The AGW custom low profile decock lever mitigates the concern I have of accidentally engaging the safety (which happens to me quite regularly with the standard lever).

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a183/Apostolos/ccr912_zps8fc49dc5.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a183/Apostolos/ccr911_zps507604dc.jpg

Also, his speed-bump triggers are great. There hasn't been anything like it since the Langdon days. He stocks all kinds of Beretta parts and can do complex machining work, e.g., FS to G configuration, removing a rail on a dust cover, making a standard grip a vertec grip, etc.

I'll be sending him a couple frames soon for mag well flares and front and back-strap checkering.

Josh has developed quite a good reputation, and after talking with him on the phone, buying parts, getting work done, I would enthusiastically encourage anyone with Beretta needs to give him a call.

God Bless,
David

Thanks for the info! My mind is awash with ideas.

[LHS]

Mine too. I'm thinking my 92G compact may need a speed bump trigger, spurless hammer and a bevel on the mag well...

[Sal Picante]

I found a shop around my place that had 92 FS Compacts in stock and I picked one up with the thought that CCW is coming, in some shape or form, to Illinois in the near future...

As soon as I got home, I threw in a E2 hammer and D spring, but decided that I'd try Josh out.

Phoned him up and we agreed that I'd settle for a "send away" trigger job: send him the guts and he'll make that trigger nicer... (Sure it isn't as nice of a job as sending the whole frame, but he can make things much better... And you save on the shipping)

After stripping the gun, I thought "'kitten' it"... Might as well send the slide and ask him to convert it to a decocker-only and also put one of his low-profile safeties in.

We'll see what happens - I'll post pictures and reports in here as it merits.

BTW - GAT Guns in Dundee, IL still has a bunch of the 92 FS C's if any one wants one - these are the non-railed Black finished ones. No night sights (I'm planning on sending it out to Tooltech soon enough...)

[Slavex]

very nice stuff David, the G conversion is something that has been a long time coming.

[Sal Picante]

Spoke to Josh for a bit today - he received my slide and FCG...

I asked him about the G-conversion process and he said he plugs the F-safety hole with a pin, then machines that smooth. The G-conversion hole is actually EDM'd out.

He uses stock Beretta G-pin and G-spring, but since G-levers are all dried up, he has a shop that is in the process of ramping up production for some custom lo-profile G'levers (and not-so-low profile G-levers). I won't have time to wait for that run, since I'm planning in beating the kitten out the gun in a Mike Pannone class in early July - I'm supplying my own G-lever for now.

I asked him what those new one's will look like. Boom! (His personal G-Centurion)

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/731798/beretta/IMG_5851.jpg
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/731798/beretta/IMG_5852.jpg
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/731798/beretta/IMG_5853.jpg

[MD7305]

I really like the "D" style hammer he offers for DA/SA guns. I want another Beretta now.

[shootist26]

Spoke to Josh for a bit today - he received my slide and FCG...

I asked him about the G-conversion process and he said he plugs the F-safety hole with a pin, then machines that smooth. The G-conversion hole is actually EDM'd out.

He uses stock Beretta G-pin and G-spring, but since G-levers are all dried up, he has a shop that is in the process of ramping up production for some custom lo-profile G'levers (and not-so-low profile G-levers). I won't have time to wait for that run, since I'm planning in beating the kitten out the gun in a Mike Pannone class in early July - I'm supplying my own G-lever for now.

I asked him what those new one's will look like. Boom! (His personal G-Centurion)

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/731798/beretta/IMG_5851.jpg
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/731798/beretta/IMG_5852.jpg
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/731798/beretta/IMG_5853.jpg

I like that hammer a lot. But isn't it going to be much more difficult to decock one-handed? On a related note, I'm not sure what the advantage of the low-profile 'G' lever would be for, as the force required to accidentally decock a 92G is far more than a 92F.

I can see a low profile 'F' lever being useful as it would reduce the risk of accidentally decocking/safe-ing the gun.

[ToddG]

My LTT 92G has a bobbed hammer and they look even better in person. It literally looks like the gun was always supposed to be that way.

[orionz06]

I wonder if this guy does tours and fondling...

[LHS]

My LTT 92G has a bobbed hammer and they look even better in person. It literally looks like the gun was always supposed to be that way.

Yup. I have one as well, and it is sweeter than sin.

[Sal Picante]

I like that hammer a lot. But isn't it going to be much more difficult to decock one-handed? On a related note, I'm not sure what the advantage of the low-profile 'G' lever would be for, as the force required to accidentally decock a 92G is far more than a 92F.

I can see a low profile 'F' lever being useful as it would reduce the risk of accidentally decocking/safe-ing the gun.

Do you mean by holding the hammer or by manipulating the lever with one hand? I've got
Monster hands, btw...

I've never found the lever to get in the way, but I've got $ to burn!
'Merica!! Capitalism!! W00t!

[shootist26]

Do you mean by holding the hammer or by manipulating the lever with one hand? I've got
Monster hands, btw...

I've never found the lever to get in the way, but I've got $ to burn!
'Merica!! Capitalism!! W00t!

I definitely wouldn't be able to decock that low-profile lever with only my left hand. I don't have an issue decocking the regular lever with my left hand thumb though

[Sal Picante]

I definitely wouldn't be able to decock that low-profile lever with only my left hand. I don't have an issue decocking the regular lever with my left hand thumb though

I'll let you know how tough it is when I get one - I can then legitimately say to my wife that I'm playing with my decocking lever... :o

[DGI]

Josh at AGW is a class act and a great gunsmith. His knowledge of the 92 platform ranks him at the top of a very short list of 92 Smiths. Both of mine will eventually be paying him a visit when the need arises.

FWIW: http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=338118295

No Affiliation with the sale. The last 92 Vertec model that sold on GB was a FS model and went for low $700s. I think this 92G Vertec is priced way right but Im not a fan of the G setup.

[Rappahannock]

While we're on the subject of AGW, here is another photo of what I thought was a pretty elegant low-profile solution that Josh provides to eliminate what for some is an unnecessary safety lever on the right side of the 92. You may have noticed this on a two-tone pistol earlier in this thread. The part was well made, nicely finished and easy to install. For my purposes, it was just what the doctor ordered. YMMV.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/Guevera/file_zpse223c3f4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/Guevera/file_zps32134290.jpg

[Sal Picante]

Nice!

[Sal Picante]

Finally got the G conversion back - nice trigger job and the lever works as advertised (springs back up! :D as it should!)

I've yet to put sight on it, but have a range trip tonight and will take some pictures.

Going to hammer the snot out of the gun at Mike Pannone's upcoming carry class...

[Suvorov]

For those of you who have had the frame re-contoured (like the backstrap reduction to Vertec standard), are the frames re-anodized or are they painted? :confused:

[Sal Picante]

For those of you who have had the frame re-contoured (like the backstrap reduction to Vertec standard), are the frames re-anodized or are they painted? :confused:

I dunno for sure, but I know Josh does re-anodization...

[Sal Picante]

Pictures still pending - didn't have a rear sight to fit it (novak) so I'm waiting on that...

[Sal Picante]

Finally some pictures of AGW Josh's (http://alleghenygunworks.com) work:

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/731798/beretta/IMG_4193.jpg

Had a new 92FS Compact converted to "G" with some nice perks put in:
Running Novak sights, reduced power recoil spring, extended magazine release, and Hogue grips (for now...) with hex screws.
The G-lever works as advertised

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/731798/beretta/IMG_4199.jpg

Contoured DAO-style hammer (still has the single action notch) - weight is the same as an E2 hammer.
Astute viewers will notice the slotted G-lever. Still waiting on Josh's reduced profile lever.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/731798/beretta/IMG_4203.jpg

Speed bump trigger with a D-spring and a trigger job and extended E2-style magazine release.


Big thumbs up to Josh for making this all work; a real class act - I wish Beretta would listen as well as he does!

[Shipwreck]

They have a great reputation over at the Beretta Forum.

[Sal Picante]

They have a great reputation over at the Beretta Forum.

Well deserved, from my experience.

[Suvorov]

Finally some pictures of AGW Josh's (http://alleghenygunworks.com) work:

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/731798/beretta/IMG_4193.jpg

Had a new 92FS Compact converted to "G" with some nice perks put in:
Running Novak sights, reduced power recoil spring, extended magazine release, and Hogue grips (for now...) with hex screws.
The G-lever works as advertised

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/731798/beretta/IMG_4199.jpg

Contoured DAO-style hammer (still has the single action notch) - weight is the same as an E2 hammer.
Astute viewers will notice the slotted G-lever. Still waiting on Josh's reduced profile lever.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/731798/beretta/IMG_4203.jpg

Speed bump trigger with a D-spring and a trigger job and extended E2-style magazine release.


Big thumbs up to Josh for making this all work; a real class act - I wish Beretta would listen as well as he does!

That does it, bobbed hammer has been added to my next "Montezuma Care Package."