{"id":419263,"date":"2024-03-28T11:00:23","date_gmt":"2024-03-28T16:00:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/?p=419263"},"modified":"2026-01-12T09:58:28","modified_gmt":"2026-01-12T15:58:28","slug":"beretta-92fs-vs-sig-p226-old-school-metal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/beretta-92fs-vs-sig-p226-old-school-metal\/","title":{"rendered":"Beretta 92FS vs. Sig P226: Old School Metal"},"content":{"rendered":"

While we\u2019re here to dive deep into a head-to-head between two aluminum-framed 9mms, I\u2019d like to start with a bit of a note about the elephant in the room. Metal is making a comeback. The current 2011 craze, alone, speaks to this\u2014but I\u2019m slowly gravitating toward the aftermarket frames for guns that were once proud of their plastics. And there has to be a logical reason for this. As both the Beretta 92FS and Sig Sauer P226 illustrate, metal works.<\/p>\n

Why Aluminum Frames?<\/h2>\n

Before we get into the contrasting design elements, I\u2019ll pay homage to the weight, balance, and tactile sophistication that comes from steel-framed and aluminum-framed guns. But steel is heavy.<\/p>\n

The use of aluminum in the Beretta and Sig was a reaction to the steel of its predecessors. While neither of these were reacting to the 1911 (both designs are European) most of the guns of this era were made of steel. Aluminum crept in just before Glock, H&K, and others began working with plastics. Back in the 1960s, aluminum was a space age. So now, in an era when spent rocket boosters land themselves, is the new aluminum trend cutting edge or retro?<\/p>\n

The simple fact remains. Aluminum makes sense. It is light, easy to machine, strong, and readily available.<\/p>\n

\"A
A Beretta 92 Inox. The aluminum and stainless combination makes for a flashy version of the fighting classic.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Beretta 92FS<\/h2>\n

The 92 line is notorious for its open slide design. The sweeping lines end on sharp curves\u2014all very artistic. In terms of aesthetic pleasure, the Beretta will top many lists.<\/p>\n

Yet the use of aluminum cuts down on some weight, which is balanced by the cut-out slide. The grip is wide for a 9mm. The double-stack mags fit inside the frame, which is capped by screw-on grip panels. Grip panels made sense on a 1911, as they rounded out the grip some, but the 92FS\u2019s grips just add width in my opinion.<\/p>\n

The sight radius is long, owing to the 5-inch barrel. There are still many aftermarket options for sights, should you not like the rather humble sights. Nonetheless, the three-dot sights are fast enough for rapid sight acquisition and accuracy isn\u2019t a struggle.<\/p>\n

The safety on the Beretta 92FS line is very un-American (which may seem logical for an Italian gun). The lever moves down into the safe position, and it is mounted on the slide itself. The 92G is a model with a decocker. The nicest handgun I have ever owned was a 92FS that I had converted by Wilson Combat into a 92G. It is on my list of guns that I really want back, that I shouldn\u2019t have let go, but I did.<\/p>\n

\"The
The 92FS is incredibly easy to control. Accuracy is solid, and the low recoil makes follow-up shots faster and more accurate.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The double-action trigger is smooth, though the pull is long and a touch on the heavy side. After the first shot, the gun runs as a single action, though the safety will drop the hammer. For those who grew up on striker-fired guns with no external safeties, guns like the 92FS might seem antiquated. Beretta thinks otherwise, though, and continues to sink investment into changing up the product line.<\/p>\n

There are shorter versions, distinct configurations (like the G) that function differently, new grip angles, Cerakote colors, rails, and even optics. Hard to imagine a duty gun that had no rail, but this pistol predates reliable lights. Not anymore, though. And solid 92FS magazines<\/a> are readily available.<\/p>\n

The first pistol I bought myself was a Beretta 92FS. The second pistol I bought, too, was another 92FS. I carried both IWB, OWB, and some improvised off-body holsters. I loved those guns, and the 92 I eventually took to Wilson\u2014but the Sig P226 felt like a revelation.<\/p>\n

\"Sig's
Sig’s P226 design is large. This Tacops version came stock with some of the improvements I would have wanted, like the flared mag-well grips.<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\n\t
\n
\n

Shop This Article<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n
\n