Though designed for competition, Beretta's SAO 92 variant is well-suited to deal with the proverbial bump in the night.
By Jon Trobaugh
I decided years ago that I would devote the bulk of my training to the single-action pistol for defensive and hunting uses. Downsides to this decision linger, the most annoying being that I miss out on regularly carrying and using striker-fired and DA/SA guns, especially classic designs like the Sig Sauer P series and the Beretta 92.
Recently, Beretta has thrown me and other single-action fanatics a bone with the Beretta 92xi full-size pistol line. Witty readers may notice that the Roman numerals here represent “eleven,” so this pistol is essentially named the 9211, a strong hint at its purpose and target market.
A 2011 in disguise
A double-stack 9mm with a single action trigger, the 92xi is essentially a 2011 minus all the things that make 2011s less-than-desirable. Less-than-desirable? What are you talking about, dude? Well, as Paul Howe points out, 2011s do have drawbacks. Series 70-type pistols with full-weight firing pins are not normally drop safe, and fumbles happen from time to time. Does that mean the weapon is unsafe to carry and shoot? No. I pack a 2011 or at least a pistol that would be classified as a double-stack 1911 in the appendix position most of the time, and I have no concerns. But some shooters might.
Few talk about this, but Howe is right again when he says that 2011 magazines can be problematic. 1911 and 2011 mags, in my experience, don’t survive the rigors of training and carrying as well their Beretta 92, Sig Sauer, or Glock counterparts.
Beretta 92 magazines can be problematic too of course, but as long as you aren’t fighting it out in the streets of Fallujah or jumping out of a helicopter, you are probably going to be just fine. On a more serious note, police officers armed with 92xis or 2011s might want to consider how the gun will perform if their duties involve frequent interactions with whirly birds; military personnel have reported that rotor wash can cake up single action guns if the exposed firing pin and hammer aren’t protected.
Tangent over. With the 92xi, CCW holders get the storied safety and ruggedness of the Beretta 92 platform with a nice single-action trigger. The 92-series is not only completely drop safe, but it also enjoys a reputation as one of the safest duty pistols of all time. And most of the safety features on the traditional 92 live on in this variant.
Beretta 92xi Price and Features
So safety is one thing, and reliability is another. For $900, you aren’t going to get a 2011 that works well enough to bet your life on, in my opinion. Outliers persist of course, but in general the same labor costs that drive up the price of 1911s affect 2011s for the same good reasons. The design requires skilled hands putting the darn things together. Nine-hundred bucks just isn’t going to buy you a 2011 at the level of the 92xi.
What I like about the Beretta 92xi 9mm:
A good single-action trigger.
A 1911-style grip angle.
What I love:
The new higher-capacity magazines allow me to carry 18-plus-1.
Proven reliability.
What I don’t like about the Beretta 92xi 9mm:
Two-tone color scheme.
Ambi-safety (personal preference).
The price could probably be a bit better.
I had to add some grip tape to the slide to help make sure I get a good purchase; those with big or fat hands like mine should do the same as the slide is thin.
What I hate:
The Beretta 92xi has a trigger I can use and sights I can see, but it cuts the @#$% out of me every time I train with it. The edges are so sharp. Mine will be headed out to Wilson Combat or Langdon for a melt job.
Parting Shots
If you’re a fan of single-action pistols but want the rugged reliability and safety of a duty-grade platform, the Beretta 92xi is hard to beat. It’s not perfect, but for those who prioritize performance and proven reliability, it’s a solid choice. With a bit of customization, like a melt job to smooth out those edges, it could very well become the ultimate defensive or home-defense pistol for single-action enthusiasts.
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