26-08-2006, 21:05
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חבר מתאריך: 17.07.05
הודעות: 266
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ברטה M9
מהאתר http://www.answers.com/topic/beretta-92f-fs
Early problems
Beretta now had two major contracts, about 500,000 units for the US Armed forces and around 230,000 units for the French armed forces. This with both clients wanting to receive their pistols as specified in the contracts. In the case of the Beretta 92G, the French would supply the slide steel to Italy, until GIAT would start licensed production. Somehow, at some point in time, Beretta decided to use 5,000 semi finished slides intended for the French to build pistols for the their US customer, this in order to meet deadlines. Not much later after the US Armed forces had accepted these pistols, a few slides of Beretta 92Fs (less than 10 total) and some older Beretta 92SBs started to crack and fly off. An investigation would later identify the lot that had been made with metallurgically inferior French steel slides as well as US manufactured 9 mm Luger ammunition that was extremely overpressured and not within specifications. Both parties were placing blame on each other without fully admitting their oversight. It was also discovered that the locking block required a design change to increase its service life. Military then has decided to exchange locking blocks after 5000 rounds giving a bad reputation to Beretta on the civilian market as a gun with a short life span. When a new version of a locking block appeared, it was a success. The locking block now is rated for 25,000 rounds, minimum. Yet, something had to be done to reduce the risk for the user of being struck by the rear half of the slide. The solution was the addition of a slide retention device in form of an enlarged hammer axis pin, the result was the Beretta 92FS. Since then, near all modern Beretta pistols are fitted with such a simple means of user protection. During this time, there were some tests being done with a closed slide (slide that lacks a cut which exposes a barrel), this did however somewhat reduce the reliability of the pistol. Beretta eventually designed a new slide, one that contained more steel in the area prone to breakage, basically, thickening the slide walls. Later this slide became known as the Brigadier type slide. And, although the causes of the initial slide breakages had already been remedied, the Brigadier is currently offered to consumers as a variant in addition to the original design. (Those who shop for a 96FS have every reason to purchase Brigadier model since .40S&W is a more pressurized round.) The Brigadier slide also offers an ability to adjust or replace front sights in the dove-tail groove. Previously, on non-Brigadier slide, it was impossible because the front sight was a part of the slide and prevented any manipulation. The Brigadier slide also makes a gun a few ounces heavier, some say it helps to reduce recoil for follow up shots.
Another weakness that was corrected has been a trigger spring. This spring is responsible for resetting a trigger to its original position after each trigger pull. Unfortunately, at times, the spring's leg would snap leaving a person with half functioning handgun; especially frightening if it would occur during a firefight or where no replacement spring is available. One would need use another hand to depress a trigger, losing accuracy and fire rate dramatically. To help the situation, Beretta since then uses a bit different spring where each leg is similar and, thus, allows to invert the spring till a new replacement can be obtained. Yet, such a solution is not 100% proof. Best practice still is to regularly change the trigger spring.
Limitations
Some amateur shooters believe the Beretta 92/96 series pistols have limitations, including not being well suited for use in deserts, jungles and arctic areas; the need for greater spring maintenance and cleaning over other designs; and the belief that the Bruniton® finish wears down quickly which leads to corrosion and more slide to frame play.
However, none of these claims have actually been proven conclusively, and the 92/96 series remains one of the most strenuously tested handgun designs ever created. After being put through testing by the U.S. military, it has remained the standard sidearm of the U.S. Armed Forces. The initial safety concerns were due to a notoriously weak slide in its early production runs in the late 1980s, which have since been fixed in the later models, including the F and FS series models. The typical talk in gun shops around the United States of the Berettas not being as reliable as other 9 mm models have been mainly due to these earlier malfunctions.
As mentioned above, the non-Brigadier slides lack ability of adjusting or replacing front sights; changing to night-sights or adjusting aim point is limited to rear sights only.
While the 11 round (.40) or 15 round (9 mm) double stack magazines are most common, higher capacities are available.
Only magazines from Beretta are considered reliable.
Special forces and civilians frequently add to their guns different attachments like small LED flashlights and aim lasers. Only "Vertec" and "SD" versions have the standard attachment rail. Regular versions can't accept any attachments. Some companies have created special products that affix on the forward trigger guard or lasers that are built into the grips.
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