Beretta 92SB
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The 92S, 92S-1, 92SB, and 98SB are semi-automatic pistols designed and manufactured by Beretta. The 98SB is simply a 92SB with a barrel chambered for either .30 Luger or 9x21mm ammunition.
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History
After many Italian state organisations refused to adopt the Beretta 92, Beretta modified the pistol and added features that were wanted by potential customers. The results were first the Beretta 92S and later the Beretta 92SB.
Specifications
Beretta modified the Beretta 92 by adding a slide mounted combined safety and decocking lever replacing the frame mounted manual thumb safety. This resulted in the Beretta 92S. Shortly afterweards, Beretta moved the magazine release button from the grip heel to the trigger guard for the Beretta 92S-1, as to speed up reloading. The Beretta 92SB pistol was fitted with a firing-pin block so that it would become impossible for the pistol to fire if dropped on a hard surface, and made the safety operable for left handed users, by duplicating it on the right side of the slide. Beretta now had a true double-action pistol, that could be carried in a safe manner and that was very safe to handle. In other respects both the Beretta 92S, Beretta 92S-1 and Beretta 92SB were near identical to the Beretta 92.
Intended market
In its new configuration the Beretta 92S was configured in a way that would please law enforcement agencies in Italy and was quickly adopted by its military and police units. The Beretta 92S would attract great interest by police agencies from the United States Southern states, where it would quickly get adopted by some local police units. Not much later, the US Air Force would show interest in a modern 9 mm Luger high capacity double-action pistol. The Beretta 92S had by then made itself a name as a high quality pistol and the Beretta 92S-1 was purpose designed for the tests performed by the US Air Force. The Beretta 92S-1 would turn out to be the clear winner of the US Air Force pistol selection competition. In an act of refusal the US Army with political help would block the purchase of the Beretta 92S-1 by the US Air Force and organize a pistol selection competition for all US armed forces. The Beretta 92 was now quickly becoming a military combat pistol, it was entering a domain for which it had not been initially designed. While the Beretta 92S-1 did not get purchased by the US Air Force, this test elevated the Beretta 92SB to instant fame and it would be selected my many more US law enforcement agencies to replace aging revolvers.
Design advantages
The Beretta 92SB with its slide mounted safety and decocking device is very easy to load and unload in a safe fashion. With the safety on, the slide can be manipulated without the risk that touching the trigger would fire the pistol, as the safety disconnects the trigger. The new magazine release button makes the re-loading of the pistol very swift. The safety is also accessible on both sides of the slide, a feature liked by left handed users. The magazine release button is reversible, another feature that allows left handed users to make the most out of the Beretta 92SB. The Beretta 92SB retained the reliable function from the Beretta 92, properly oiled, cleaned and maintained it would hardly never fail to function in a moderate climate. Collectors consider the Beretta 92SB as one of the best looking Beretta 92 pistols.
Limitations
The Beretta 92SB has the same limitations as the Beretta 92. It is not well suited for use in deserts, jungles and arctic areas. While it will perform quite well in harsh environments, any negligence in spring maintenance and cleaning will reduce its reliability. This maintenance intensive aspect would latter be a serious problem for the Beretta 92FS / M9.
Technical Data
- Type: Beretta 92S
- Trigger system: Single-action or double-action
- Caliber: 9 mm Luger
- Capacity: 15 rounds
- Frame material: Aluminium light alloy
- Slide and barrel material: Carbon steel
- Grip material: Plastic
- Barrel length: 125 mm
- Length: 217 mm
- Height: 137 mm
- Width: 39 mm
- Mass: 970 g
- Safeties: Slide mounted combined safety and decocking lever. Loaded chamber indicator.
- Magazine release: In lower grip heel
- Production years: 1976-1981
- Production location: Beretta Italy
- Type: Beretta 92S-1
- Magazine release: Lower trigger guard
- Production years: 1979-1980
- Type: Beretta 92SB
- Safeties: Slide mounted combined safety and decocking levers. Loaded chamber indicator. Firing-pin safety.
- Magazine release: Lower trigger guard, reversible.
- Production years: 1980-1991
- Type: Beretta 98SB
- Caliber: 7.65 mm Luger
See also
External links
- Details on the Beretta 92S (http://www.berettaweb.com/92%20Successo/92/Beretta%2092S%202a.htm)
- Details on the Beretta 92SB (http://www.berettaweb.com/92SB/Beretta%2092sb.htm)