Beretta 92FS vs Beretta PX4: two legends locked in a battle of Italian proportions. It’s like watching a pizza duel between two masters: Margherita vs. Quattro Formaggi. But instead of topping preferences, we’re talking handguns here.
So, which one should you choose? Well, the short answer is: it depends. But fear not, dear reader!
Stick around, and we’ll dive into the nitty-gritty details to help you make an informed decision.
Comparing the Dimensions and Visual Design
| Beretta 92FS | Beretta PX4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Length: 8.5 inches (215 mm) Height: 5.4 inches (137 mm) Width: 1.5 inches (38 mm) | Length: 7.6 inches (193 mm) Height: 5.5 inches (140 mm) Width: 1.4 inches (36 mm) |
| Weight (Unloaded) | 33.3 ounces (945 grams) | 27.7 ounces (785 grams) |
| Frame Material | Aluminum alloy | Polymer |
| Slide Material | Steel | Steel |
| Grip | Textured plastic | Textured polymer |
| Finish | Blued or stainless steel | Matte black or FDE (Flat Dark Earth) |
| Sight | Fixed front and rear sights | Interchangeable front and rear sights |
| Barrel Length | 4.9 inches (125 mm) | 4 inches (102 mm) |
| Magazine Capacity | 15 rounds (standard) | 17 rounds (standard) |
| Overall Appearance | Classic design with a sleek profile and a curved trigger guard | Modern aesthetic with an ergonomic grip and a squared trigger guard |
A brief history of Beretta
The story of Beretta begins in the small Italian village of Gardone Val Trompia, where Bartolomeo Beretta opened his gunsmith shop in 1526. Over the centuries, the Beretta family continued to perfect their craft, producing some of the finest firearms in Europe. During World War II, Beretta supplied weapons to both sides of the conflict but was eventually forced to switch sides when Italy allied with Germany.
After the war, Beretta began focusing on civilian firearms and quickly became a leading manufacturer of pistols. Today, Beretta is known for its innovative designs and commitment to quality.
The company produces a wide range of firearms, including shotguns, rifles, handguns, and tactical weapons. Despite its long history, Beretta continues to push forward with new technologies and designs that make its guns more reliable and accurate than ever before.
Overview of Beretta 92FS and PX4
The Beretta 92FS is one of the company’s most popular handguns. It was first introduced in 1975 as a replacement for the aging M1911A1 pistol used by US military forces. The 92FS features a double/single action trigger system that allows fast follow-up shots while providing accurate first-round placement.
It also has an ambidextrous safety/decocker lever that allows left-handed shooters to operate the gun easily. The open slide design of the 92FS makes it highly reliable, even in adverse conditions.
The Beretta PX4 is a newer design that was introduced in 2004. It features a rotating barrel system that reduces recoil and improves accuracy.
The PX4 also has an ambidextrous slide stop lever and a modular backstrap system that allows shooters to customize the grip to their individual hand size and shape. Like the 92FS, the PX4 has a high-capacity magazine that allows for more rounds without having to reload.
The Beretta 92FS and PX4 are excellent handguns suitable for law enforcement, military use or civilian ownership. They each have unique features that make them well-suited for specific purposes, and selecting the right one depends on your individual needs and preferences.
Beretta 92FS
GunsCorner.com
Design and Features
The Beretta 92FS is a full-size, double/single-action semi-automatic pistol. The pistol has a steel frame and an open slide design that increases reliability and makes it easy to clear any malfunctions.
The pistol also features an ambidextrous safety/decocker lever, allowing both right- and left-handed shooters to use the gun comfortably. Additionally, the gun has a double/single action trigger system that provides shooters with flexibility by allowing them to choose between two different trigger pulls.
Performance and Accuracy
The Beretta 92FS is highly regarded for its excellent recoil management. The weight of the gun helps absorb recoil, making it easier for shooters to keep on target during follow-up shots. Another benefit of this gun’s design is its magazine capacity of up to 15 rounds, which provides plenty of firepower in high-stress situations.
Due to its fixed barrel design, this firearm has proven accuracy at different distances. This firearm is highly accurate at close range due in part to its large sights, which allow for quick target acquisition.
Additionally, with practice and appropriate training, it can be quite precise at longer distances as well. The Beretta 92FS has been a reliable choice for law enforcement agencies across the world since its introduction in 1976 due in part to its winning combination of ergonomics and performance features such as magazine capacity, reliability under stressful conditions, and solid long-range accuracy combined with short-range speed.
Beretta PX4
GunsCorner.com
The Beretta PX4 offers unique benefits with its design and features. One standout feature is the rotating barrel system that reduces recoil by spreading it across a larger area, resulting in a more comfortable shooting experience. Additionally, it has an ambidextrous slide stop lever for easy manipulation, enabling faster reloads and improved control. The PX4 also features a modular backstrap system, allowing for customizable grip options and ensuring a comfortable fit for different hand sizes, enhancing accuracy by minimizing slippage.
Performance and Accuracy
The Beretta PX4 offers a high magazine capacity (10 or 17 rounds) for extended shooting without reloading. It also delivers impressive accuracy due to reduced recoil and customizable grip options.
The trigger pull weight on the Beretta Px4 is around 6 pounds, making it lighter than the Beretta 92FS. This lighter trigger pull can help with accuracy and precision but also requires a bit more practice to get used to.
Comparison between Beretta 92FS vs PX4
Design differences
Beretta is known for their quality design and craftsmanship; the 92FS and PX4 are no exceptions. One significant design difference between these two handguns is the slide design. While both have open slides, the Beretta PX4 has a completely different slide than its predecessor.
The slide on the PX4 has more serrations for better grip and also has a unique wave-like shape that sets it apart from any other handgun on the market. Another notable design difference is the barrel type.
The Beretta 92FS features a traditional barrel, while the Beretta PX4 features a rotating barrel system which helps to reduce recoil significantly. This unique feature makes shooting the PX4 much more comfortable than shooting its predecessor.
There’s a significant difference in grip design between these two firearms. The Beretta 92FS features checkered wood grips, which provide a good grip but can also make your hand sweat after prolonged use. At the same time, the Beretta PX4 has an interchangeable backstrap system that allows you to customize your grip based on your hand size and comfort level.
Performance differences
When it comes to performance differences between these two handguns, there are also some notable variations. Recoil management is one of them: thanks to its rotating barrel system, shooting with the Beretta PX4 feels less like firing a gun and more like experiencing a mild pushback sensation from recoil.
Accuracy is another performance factor where these two guns differ significantly. Although both have good accuracy, we found that overall shooting with Beretta 92FS was slightly more accurate at longer ranges compared to shooting with its newer counterpart. Trigger pull weight – while not drastically different – felt smoother on the Beretta 92FS than on the PX4, giving it an edge in performance when it comes to triggering pull.
Key Notes to Takeaway
Gun Model: Beretta 92FS
- Design: Full-size, double/single-action semi-automatic pistol with an open slide design.
- Features: Ambidextrous safety/decocker lever, double/single action trigger system.
- Performance: Excellent recoil management, high-capacity magazine (up to 15 rounds), proven accuracy at different distances.
- Key Points: Reliability, magazine capacity, recoil management, solid accuracy, and long-range capabilities.
Gun Model: Beretta PX4
- Design: Semi-automatic pistol with a rotating barrel system.
- Features: Ambidextrous slide stop lever, modular backstrap system for grip customization.
- Performance: Reduced recoil, magazine capacity of 10 or 17 rounds, impressive accuracy at different distances.
- Key Points: Reduced recoil, ambidextrous features, customizable grip, ample magazine capacity, and good accuracy.
Comparison
- Design Differences: Slide design (PX4 has more serrations and a unique wave-like shape), barrel type (92FS has a traditional barrel, PX4 has a rotating barrel system), grip design (92FS has checkered wood grips, PX4 offers an interchangeable backstrap system).
- Performance Differences: Recoil management (PX4 offers reduced recoil), accuracy (92FS slightly more accurate at longer ranges), trigger pull weight (92FS has a smoother trigger pull).
Final Words
The Beretta PX4 is a solid choice for a handgun with reduced recoil and customizable grip options. Its modular backstrap system and ambidextrous slide stop lever make it an excellent choice for shooters with varying hand sizes or those who are left-handed. The magazine capacity is also impressive, giving shooters plenty of rounds before having to reload.
The Beretta PX4’s accuracy at different distances and rotating barrel system make it an excellent option for competitions and self-defense. And while its lighter trigger pulls weight can take some getting used to, it ultimately offers greater precision and control over the handgun.
Ultimately, choosing between these two firearms comes down to personal preference based on individual shooting styles and needs. Whether you are looking for a classic handgun with proven reliability or a newer model with innovative features such as reduced recoil, both handguns are great options from one of the most respected firearms manufacturers in the world.