Beretta 92FS & cast bullets?

[ChestnutLouie]

I found a Beretta 92fs in a local gun shop and I am planning to buy it.

is it ok to shoot cast bullets.


thanks
Francis

 

[CZ93X62]

I've had a couple of them, both shot very well with 92/6/2 alloy sized @ .357" and lubed with Alox 50/50. I ran the Lee 122 grain T/C to 1250 FPS with accuracy like that of Speer Lawman Gold Dot 124 +P.

 

[ChestnutLouie]

I've had a couple of them, both shot very well with 92/6/2 alloy sized @ .357" and lubed with Alox 50/50. I ran the Lee 122 grain T/C to 1250 FPS with accuracy like that of Speer Lawman Gold Dot 124 +P.

Wheel weight alloy ok?
I tend to load a bit milder then you do.

 

[JustJim]

I had one briefly about 5-10 years ago. It shot well with a ~124gr SWC cast of WWL at about 1,000 fps.

 

[Big Ben]

I've had good luck with my 92FS. It has the largest chamber of all of my 9mm's. I size my cast projectiles large at .358 with no problems.

 

[Petrol & Powder]

One, if you've found a good 92FS - BUY IT ! You will not regret that decision.

Two, yes cast will work fine in the 92 and I concur with the others that the 124gr, TC sized to .357" (maybe even .358" depending on the pistol) is the way to go.

 

[ChestnutLouie]

Looks like everyone is saying to start size if at .357”. I will look/buy a .357” die for my Lee APP press.
Hafer’s Gunsmithing in Hagerstown, MD and Atlantic Guns in Rockville MD have managed to have a decent selection of guns in stock.

 

[fiver]

I wouldn't hesitate to go straight to 358, then I could share the sizer with my 357.
oh,, uhh yeah I only got a 358 size die.

 

[glassparman]

I'm working on finding the right size for my Beretta PX4 Storm in 9. I'm sure the chamber is tighter than the 92 but the groove size as I've said on this site is .358.

Let us know how it works out but BUY THE GUN!

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

I am curious to read reason for the question. Meaning why would it "NOT" be a cast friendly design.


OP, Not meant as a demeaning critique honest question. Is it something you where told or just honest question.
CW

 

[ChestnutLouie]

Tomorrow I plan to buy the gun, BUT, if it has a Glock style polygonal rifling in the barrel then that gun is not for me. Jacketed projectiles cost more that bullets that I cast myself from wheel weight s (that’s if they were still available)
I cast and reload everything that I shoot and I am relatively new to guns so I want to learn first.
Some say that cast is doable for Glock but I don’t want to take that chance since I only have cast ammo (till my primers run out)

thanks
Francis

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

Powder coating is an encapsulating jacket making them very glock friendly.
CW

 

[Petrol & Powder]

The Beretta has standard rifling and the FS models should also have hard chrome lined bores.

 

[ChestnutLouie]

I powder coat bullets that I might push faster. The Ruger Redhawk in 44 mag shoots 200 grain powder coated bullet at 1200 FPS, recoil is firm so say the least but noticeably less than a full power load. Alox is so easy and it works.

thanks for the good advice

 

[Matt]

The feed angle of the Berreta 92 series is very “flat” because of the dropping block locking system so it feeds all bullet profiles well. They seem to be accurate with cast bullets too. They are remarkably non sensitive to ammunition and function well with low powered ammunition. They have had a problem with slide cracking with a steady diet of +P and +P+ 9mm ammunition. Since I only use +P+ in my nines enough to know it functions and to carry it in the gun I don’t worry about it in any 9x19 including Berreta. I’m guessing success will be easy and you’ll enjoy cast in your Berreta. Be sure and report back.

 

[Matt]

PS. Don’t worry about Glock bores and cast. I’ve been shooting cast in Glock for 30+ years without accuracy, function, or safety issues.
(Hint: a dry brush pushes everything out of the bore easily)

 

[ChestnutLouie]

I called the gun shop Wednesday and they said that they would hold the gun for me till Friday cob (today)
Heading there after breakfast to start paperwork and money. I’ll report back when I get it

 

[Petrol & Powder]

The feed angle of the Berreta 92 series is very “flat” because of the dropping block locking system so it feeds all bullet profiles well. They seem to be accurate with cast bullets too. They are remarkably non sensitive to ammunition and function well with low powered ammunition. .........

I concur. The 92 utilizes a tilting block to handle the barrel to slide locking; a system Beretta essentially stole from Walther. That system, combined with the open top slide, is remarkably reliable and remarkably tolerant of cartridge profiles.

Addressing the slide cracking issue - that issue requires some perspective.
Yes, there were some instances of slides cracking but there are a lot of factors and the issue is complicated.
Slide cracking on the 92 series pistols is rare. When it happens, it tends to occur near the cuts where the locking block mates with the slide. That is the thinnest section of the slide. The other related failure is cracking of the locking block. Both of those types of failures deserve some perspective.
When the U.S. military went in search of a 9mm pistol to replace the 1911, there was more than just a little institutional hostility to the change. In fact, there was some strong prejudice and maybe even some sabotage.
High round counts coupled with overpressure ammunition led to some early locking blocks and slides cracking. Because of the bias against the pistol, the lore grew out of proportion to the reality.
Beretta addressed the issue with an improved locking block and re-design of the slide and hammer pin to capture the rear of the slide if it should break. (that redesign includes an enlarged head on the hammer pin and a corresponding slot milled in the slide. It prevents the rear of the slide from leaving the frame if the slide should break) Now, to keep this in perspective, I've seen 92FS slides go tens of thousands of rounds with no problem, with NATO spec ammo and some +P+ ammo thrown in for good measure; so I don't think the slides are weak and prone to failure.

Outside of military use, the Beretta 92 was widely used by police and civilians alike. I think the LAPD may have been one of the largest police users of the 92.

 

[Petrol & Powder]

92FS barrel, note the generous feed ramp and conventional rifling.

Note the enlarged head of the hammer pin, it is the semi-circular piece seen above the grip.
and the corresponding slot in the slide rail (upper rail in photo). Note that slot ends just rear of the breach face. That slot aligns with the enlarged hammer pin and serves to capture the rear of the slide if the slide were to break forward of that point.

Note the cuts in the slide for the locking block to engage.

 

[ChestnutLouie]

View attachment 20261 92FS barrel, note the generous feed ramp and conventional rifling.

View attachment 20262Note the enlarged head of the hammer pin, it is the semi-circular piece seen above the grip.
View attachment 20263 and the corresponding slot in the slide rail (upper rail in photo). Note that slot ends just rear of the breach face. That slot aligns with the enlarged hammer pin and serves to capture the rear of the slide if the slide were to break forward of that point.

View attachment 20264 Note the cuts in the slide for the locking block to engage.

Now I just have to wait for the nix check and then the Maryland mandated 7 day pistol purchase hostage crisis