Beretta 92FS slide?

[Deplorable Me]

Any idea what the design intent is of the open slide on a 92FS? Seems it would be more prone to debris collection but would also permit inspection and cleaning of that area as well without disassembly. Ying and yang.

 

[repete]

I think I read somewhere it was down for weight, but I'm sure that was on the net so...

 

[GOYABEAN]

Any idea what the design intent is of the open slide on a 92FS? Seems it would be more prone to debris collection but would also permit inspection and cleaning of that area as well without disassembly. Ying and yang.

In fact the opposite makes it work better less prone to failure

 

[Catskillkid]

In fact the opposite makes it work better less prone to failure

Never have had any problems with mine. Yipee kai yea...you know the rest.

 

[Edwardteach72]

Any idea what the design intent is of the open slide on a 92FS? Seems it would be more prone to debris collection but would also permit inspection and cleaning of that area as well without disassembly. Ying and yang.

Mostly for weight reduction, but eventually they claimed that it does the opposite of what you think and actual aids in reliability

 

[MoMan]

I read that the open top slide eliminates FTE, it gives a "full size" ejection port. idk
I do know that mine has NEVER given me any problems whatsoever.

AND, I think it looks sexy as hell!

 

[Retired Guy]

I have always wondered why other slides were mostly closed.

 

[Upstate43]

Any idea what the design intent is of the open slide on a 92FS? Seems it would be more prone to debris collection but would also permit inspection and cleaning of that area as well without disassembly. Ying and yang.

More of a problem in theory then it is in reality. Drop it in mud or sand with the slide forward, it should still function. Drop it mud or sand with the slide open, yeah you might have some problems....but the same can be said for most firearms.

The 92 was derived from a Walther design, as opposed to most other semi-auto pistols which were derived from a browning action. Each has its inherent pro's and con's. Beretta's open top slide design is known for being very reliable especially with regards to FTE's (or lack thereof). It doesn't really save any weight. The Beretta 92 weighs about as much as most other all metal semi-auto fullsized pistols.

 

[HEX]

I've experienced more ejection/extraction failures with Beretta 92 (multiple guns) then any other handgun.. including 1911s. That said, I don't actually blame the guns. The models I experienced these failures with were all in a particular situation where they were all extremely over used training guns, used by a lot of people and potentially with questionable long term use parts maintenance and such for what I imagine was an astronomical round count. So actually, to be fair, just the fact that they mostly worked was probably a testament to the high quality.
I still hate the slide mounted safety and always will though.

 

[oc shooter]

let's see I've 3 in my gun safe now 2 92's and 1 96 most reliable pistols I've ever owned they just work if I'm not mistaken and I could be didn't the military put some absurd amount of ammo through them with no failures. a bit too heavy and bulky for a 9mm but they do work. this coming from an avowed 1911 guy

 

[Podmonkey]

Ostensibly it's to eliminate stovepipe jams.
In actuality it's just a visual trademark of Berretta pistols going all the way back to the model of 1915.
It is Italian after all, a design feature may not need any reason beyond "It looka nice" to exist.

Despite it's open nature the 92 does have a good reputation for reliability in desert conditions.
Once the magazines were improved.
Keep in mind that in the desert the magazine is the most susceptible component. Many cases of reliability issues in desert conditions for many firearms has been subsequently traced back to the magazine.

 

[Podmonkey]

.......... a bit too heavy and bulky for a 9mm but they do work. this coming from an avowed 1911 guy

If you think about it for an all steel gun @34oz its actually pretty light for such a large gun. And the 92 is large. Its lighter than a 1911 though. Its lighter than a Glock 20 too. Really it's not very heavy at all. That is certainly a side benefit of the open slide I'm sure.

I have gotten a strong desire to get a 92 myself after decades of ignoring them in favor of the P226. But all these semi custom versions have really drawn my eye lately. The Wilson Combat and Langdon Tactical factory specials are super appealing to me. Because I have the "why pay $400 when you can pay $1000" disease.

 

[oc shooter]

Pod the 92 has an aluminum frame they do make an all steel 92 but they no longer import it to the US just read that they have a new 92 called the 92X it's supposed to have an all steel frame and a frame mounted safety. if they bring it here and it's not too expensive I mean to own 1

 

[Upstate43]

Ostensibly it's to eliminate stovepipe jams.
In actuality it's just a visual trademark of Berretta pistols going all the way back to the model of 1915.
It is Italian after all, a design feature may not need any reason beyond "It looka nice" to exist.

Lol, that's a recurring theme with Italian, especially Beretta, firearms (see 8:24):

Despite it's open nature the 92 does have a good reputation for reliability in desert conditions.
Once the magazines were improved.
Keep in mind that in the desert the magazine is the most susceptible component. Many cases of reliability issues in desert conditions for many firearms has been subsequently traced back to the magazine.

Very true. US Govt was outsourcing magazine construction to a 3rd party (non OEM) manufacturer. A lot of the reliability issues with the M9 during the early phases of OIF and OEF were due to bad magazine quality. And in fact, that 3rd party manufacturer had told Uncle Sam ahead of time there would be problems with the requested design package, but Uncle Sam persisted with its demands; after the fact, Uncle Sam realize the fault with their specified design package and allowed the 3rd party to make the suggested changes for reliability.

Small Arms Solutions gives a good overview of the origins, evolution and some of the misconceptions surrounding the M9:
Another video by a former Army armorer gives a good explanation of why the military-issued Beretta's (at least the M9's issued by the Army) had a mediocre reputation for reliability (more to do with the Army's service/maintenance procedures than with any inherent design flaw):