Long on performance features, the Beretta 92X line gives a new twist to a tried-and-true design.

How The 92X Line Outperforms Older Models:

• Lighter D-Hammer spring helps maintain sight picture during trigger pull.
• Featherweight trigger that breaks at 6.5 pounds in double action and 3 pounds in single.
• Vertec-profile frame boasts familiar 1911 grip angle.
• Available in Full-Sized, Centurion (mid-sized) and compact models.

Most of us know it as the M9. With 30-years of service under its belt as the U.S. Military’s sidearm, it's difficult not to recognize the pistol by its service designation. And perhaps no single handgun has such a bright line between advocates and critics. At least for those who used it while in uniform, the DA/SA 9mm is a love-hate proposition.

That said, the Beretta 92 (from whence the M9 came) is among the most impactful 9mm pistols of the last half-century and still has plenty of life left in it even after being replaced as the military's handgun of choice. The Italian gunmaker recently expanded the line with enhanced models going by the handle 92X. The company kicked it all off a few months ago with the sporty Beretta 92X Performance and follows up with 92X Full-Size, Centurion (mid-size) and Compact models. This gives shooters three frame sizes to choose from, each with some dandy upgrades that might change some minds about the pistol.

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The Beretta 92X pistols all feature Vertec-profile frames, which have grip angles modeled after the 1911 and come with wraparound or flat stock panels. Furthermore, they are outfitted with D-Hammer Springs, a reduced-power type meant to improve accuracy by helping maintain the sight picture through the trigger-pull. Additionally, they boast Beretta’s new Extreme-S trigger, which decreases the reset by up to 40-percent and down to around 1mm. More importantly, especially for those who’ve pulled the trigger on older 92s, the Extreme-S reduces the break to around 6.5 pounds in double-action and just under 3 pounds in single.

Some of the other notables of the new Beretta 92X pistols include beveled magazine well for faster reloads, universal slide design which is convertible from safety-decocker (F) to decocker-only (G), oversized magazine release and accessory rail. The pistols also boast, combat sights, the front dovetailed on all three 92X models – a first according to the company. If that’s not enough, the hammer is skeletonized.

Overall, the Beretta 92X line is moderately priced, all three models are tagged with an $899 MSRP. While all this might not be enough to convert the diehard hater camp, it certainly might be enough to turn fence sitters' heads.

92X Full Sized
Action: Single/Double
Barrel length (in): 4.7
Caliber: 9×19 (PARA)
Firing Mechanism: Semiautomatic
Grip Width: 1.5″
Magazine: 17, 10
Overall height (in): 5.4
Overall length (in): 8.5
Overall width (in): 1.5
Rail: Yes
Safety: F/G
Sight radius (in): 6.1
Sights: High Visibility Orange/Black
Slide Finish: Bruniton
Weight unloaded (OZ): 33.3
MSRP: $899

92X Centurion
Action: Single/Double
Barrel length (in): 4.25
Caliber: 9×19 (PARA)
Firing Mechanism: Semiautomatic
Grip Width: 1.5″
Magazine: 17, 10
Overall height (in): 5.4
Overall length (in): 7.75
Overall width (in): 1.5
Rail: Yes
Safety: F/G
Sight radius (in): 5.75
Sights: High Visibility Orange/Black
Slide Finish: Bruniton
Weight unloaded (OZ): 28.5
MSRP: $899

92x Compact
Action: Single/Double
Barrel length (in): 4.25
Caliber: 9×19 (PARA)
Firing Mechanism: Semiautomatic
Grip Width: 1.5″
Magazine: 13, 10
Overall height (in): 5.25
Overall length (in): 7.75
Overall width (in): 1.5
Rail: Yes
Safety: F/G
Sight radius (in): 5.75
Sights: High Visibility Orange/Black
Slide Finish: Bruniton
Weight unloaded (OZ): 27.2
MSRP: $899

For more information on the Beretta 92X line, please visit www.beretta.com.

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