Petrol & Powder
Well-Known Member
Some mechanical designs appear and they are just about in their final form from day one. Other designs evolve almost continuously throughout their production life. There are lots of reasons for those different paths. Sometimes the device is so simple that when you land on the correct form, there's no need to change it.
As I write this, I'm looking at a paper clip and a Bic ballpoint pen. There is no need to change those designs. But I'm writing this on a computer that is vastly different than computers of only a few years ago. The more complex something is, the more likely the design will evolve.
One of those designs that evolved a lot, was the Beretta 92 series.
People seem to either love or hate the Beretta 92 and I'm not attempting to weigh in on that debate. However, there is some history to look at.
The 92 series wasn't revolutionary, it was the product of a lot of EVOLUTION.
The classic open top Beretta slide goes all the way back to the model 1915/19 model. (itself an update of the model 1915).
The models 1934 & 1935 (380 Auto & 32ACP) appear in the interwar years and were very successful designs.
Post WWII, the model 1951 appears and this is where a lot of the DNA of the later 92 series appears. It utilizes a locking system that is almost an exact copy of the Walter P-38 tilting wedge. The model 1951 was single action and had a single stack magazine; but the 9mm chambering, the open top slide and the tilting locking block features would continue to appear in future designs. While the Model 1951 lacked a high capacity magazine and double action trigger; it was a well respected service pistol in its day.
In 1976 we see the first big leap in decades, the model 92. This is where we see the double stack magazine, alloy frame and double action trigger appear in this line. (there were a few aluminum framed variants of the 1951 model)
The 92 then begins its long journey of near constant evolution.
The 92S, 92SB, 92F, 92G, 92FS and I've skipped a bunch in between. There's too many to list here.
By the time the first U.S. military trials came along, we were dealing with the basic format seen in the M9. It wasn't completely mature yet but the core was there. Aluminum alloy frame, slide mounted/hammer dropping safety, firing pin block, magazine release behind the trigger guard (reversible for left/right shooters) double stack 15 round mag, DA/SA trigger.
BUT - by the mid 1980's the Beretta 92 series was the culmination of lots of evolution. There was nothing new or cutting edge about the design. The pistol was rather "Old School". Lots of forged and finely machined parts, lots of little springs and detents, and an intricately machined aluminum frame. No one has ever called the 92 "sleek' or "thin" ! While the pistol is somewhat bulky and large for its class, it wasn't too far outside the norm for its day.
Essentially the design was old world and old school. The Beretta 92 was a complex design with proven technology but it was nearly at the end of its development cycle by the early 1990's.
The pistol went on to be adopted by the U.S. Military and many police agencies. It saw use in a LOT of wars, many in harsh sandbox conditions.
Love it or hate it, it is a part of our history and its own history should be recognized.
As I write this, I'm looking at a paper clip and a Bic ballpoint pen. There is no need to change those designs. But I'm writing this on a computer that is vastly different than computers of only a few years ago. The more complex something is, the more likely the design will evolve.
One of those designs that evolved a lot, was the Beretta 92 series.
People seem to either love or hate the Beretta 92 and I'm not attempting to weigh in on that debate. However, there is some history to look at.
The 92 series wasn't revolutionary, it was the product of a lot of EVOLUTION.
The classic open top Beretta slide goes all the way back to the model 1915/19 model. (itself an update of the model 1915).
The models 1934 & 1935 (380 Auto & 32ACP) appear in the interwar years and were very successful designs.
Post WWII, the model 1951 appears and this is where a lot of the DNA of the later 92 series appears. It utilizes a locking system that is almost an exact copy of the Walter P-38 tilting wedge. The model 1951 was single action and had a single stack magazine; but the 9mm chambering, the open top slide and the tilting locking block features would continue to appear in future designs. While the Model 1951 lacked a high capacity magazine and double action trigger; it was a well respected service pistol in its day.
In 1976 we see the first big leap in decades, the model 92. This is where we see the double stack magazine, alloy frame and double action trigger appear in this line. (there were a few aluminum framed variants of the 1951 model)
The 92 then begins its long journey of near constant evolution.
The 92S, 92SB, 92F, 92G, 92FS and I've skipped a bunch in between. There's too many to list here.
By the time the first U.S. military trials came along, we were dealing with the basic format seen in the M9. It wasn't completely mature yet but the core was there. Aluminum alloy frame, slide mounted/hammer dropping safety, firing pin block, magazine release behind the trigger guard (reversible for left/right shooters) double stack 15 round mag, DA/SA trigger.
BUT - by the mid 1980's the Beretta 92 series was the culmination of lots of evolution. There was nothing new or cutting edge about the design. The pistol was rather "Old School". Lots of forged and finely machined parts, lots of little springs and detents, and an intricately machined aluminum frame. No one has ever called the 92 "sleek' or "thin" ! While the pistol is somewhat bulky and large for its class, it wasn't too far outside the norm for its day.
Essentially the design was old world and old school. The Beretta 92 was a complex design with proven technology but it was nearly at the end of its development cycle by the early 1990's.
The pistol went on to be adopted by the U.S. Military and many police agencies. It saw use in a LOT of wars, many in harsh sandbox conditions.
Love it or hate it, it is a part of our history and its own history should be recognized.
Last edited: