About the Beretta 92 Pistol
First designed in 1975, the Beretta® 92 is an iconic service pistol, built around a unique open-slide, SA/DA design. Regarded as one of the most reliable, and longest-serving double-stack semi-auto pistols in the world, the Beretta 92 is the civilian model of the famed M9 service pistol, used by military personnel (prior to being replaced by the Sig Sauer® M17/M18) and law enforcement agencies worldwide. Since its inception, the Beretta 92 has undergone multiple iterations and improvements, starting with the 92S (added a thumb safety) in 1978, and continuing through today with the 92X, which was released in 2019. Today, the Beretta 92 series remains a favorite among collectors, competitive shooters, home defense shooters, law enforcement agencies, informal target shooters, and even some military forces around the globe.
What Does “SA/DA” Mean and Why Does It Matter?
Single-action/Double-action pistols, like the Beretta 92, allow shooters to fire the pistol by either pulling the hammer back with their thumb or racking the slide before pulling the trigger (single-action), or by simply pulling the trigger and forcing the hammer to pull itself back prior to striking the firing pin (double-action).
In simple terms, Single-action means pulling the trigger does one action: releasing the hammer on the firing pin; and the double-action system does two actions: pulls the hammer back and releases the hammer on the firing pin. The single-action stage requires the hammer to be cocked (manually or mechanically) before firing, and offers a light, crisp pull, ensuring accurate shot placement and improved handling. A double-action pull, on the other hand, is much heavier and requires an intentional pull. With single-action/double-action pistols, the first trigger pull will be a double-action pull and much heavier. As the slide travels rearward, it will automatically cock the hammer, allowing you to fire with a light and crisp single-action pull with every shot thereafter, making the single-action/double-action system one of the most reliable and safest hammer-fired pistol designs in the world.
How Many Rounds Can the Beretta 92 Hold?
The standard capacity of Beretta 92 magazines is 15 rounds, though there are California-compliant 10-round mags available as well.
Are There Any “High Capacity” Mags Available for the Beretta 92?
With the fame and widespread ownership of Beretta 92 pistols, there is a ton of aftermarket support available, including so-called “high-capacity” magazines available from reputable manufacturers such as ProMag®, Mec-Gar®, and more. Shop our huge selection of factory and aftermarket magazines and accessories for the Beretta 92 today!