Beretta 96A1 User Manual

I II

1211

III IV

NOTES

READ THIS MANUAL CAREFULLY BEFORE USING THE FIREARM.

ALWAYS KEEP THIS MANUAL WITH YOUR FIREARM. INCLUDE IT WITH THE PISTOL WHEN IT CHANGES OWNERSHIP OR WHEN IT IS LOANED OR PRESENTED TO ANOTHER PERSON.

NOTICE: The Manufacturer and/or its Local Official Distributors assume no responsibility for product malfunction or for physical injury or property damage resulting in whole or in part from criminal or negligent use of the product, improper or careless handling, unauthorized modifications, use of defective, improper, hand-loaded, reloaded or remanufactured ammunition*, customer abuse or neglect of the product, or other influences beyond manufacturer's direct and immediate control. * See paragraph “Ammunition”.

WARNING: Always ensure that the safety (FS models) is fully engaged until ready to fire. A safety is fully engaged only when the safety can move no further into the safe position. A safety which is not fully engaged will not prevent firearm discharge.

WARNING: ALL FIREARMS HAVE LETHAL POTENTIAL. READ THE BASIC SAFETY RULES CAREFULLY AND UNDERSTAND THEM FULLY BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO USE THIS FIREARM.

In addition to the Basic Safety Rules, there are other Safety Rules pertaining to the loading, unloading, disassembly, assembly and use of this firearm, located throughout this manual.

WARNING: READ THE ENTIRE MANUAL CAREFULLY BEFORE USING THIS FIREARM. MAKE SURE THAT ANY PERSON USING OR HAVING ACCESS TO THIS FIREARM READS AND UNDERSTANDS ALL OF THIS MANUAL PRIOR TO USE OR ACCESS.

ENGLISH

We recommend the use of original beretta spare parts and accessories. The use of other manufacturer’s spare parts and accessories could cause malfunctions and/or breakages that will not be covered by the beretta warranty.

Illustrations on pages 10, 11, I, II, III and IV

ITALIANO

page 45

Instruction Manual

Manuale di Istruzione

Fabbrica d'Armi Pietro Beretta S.p.A. Via Pietro Beretta, 18 - Casella Postale 160 25063 GARDONE V.T. (Brescia) Italia Tel. (030) 8341.1 www.beretta.com

The illustrations and descriptions given in this brochure are intended as a general guide only, and must not be taken as binding. The Company, therefore, reserves the right to make, at any moment and without prior notice, any changes it thinks necessary to improve its models or to meet any requirements of manufacturing or commercial nature.

Le illustrazioni e descrizioni di questo opuscolo si intendono fornite a titolo indicativo. La Casa si riserva pertanto il diritto di apportare ai suoi modelli, in qualsiasi momento e senza preavviso, quelle modifiche che ritenesse utili per migliorarli o per qualsiasi esigenza di carattere costruttivo e commerciale.

Printed in Italy

batan - Gardone V.T.

Beretta Pubblicità 05/2010 Cod. 62171

92 A1

READ THIS MANUAL CAREFULLY BEFORE USING THE FIREARM.

ALWAYS KEEP THIS MANUAL WITH YOUR FIREARM. INCLUDE IT WITH THE PISTOL WHEN IT CHANGES OWNERSHIP OR WHEN IT IS LOANED OR PRESENTED TO ANOTHER PERSON.

NOTICE: The Manufacturer and/or its Local Official Distributors assume no responsibility for product malfunction or for physical injury or property damage resulting in whole or in part from criminal or negligent use of the product, improper or careless handling, unauthorized modifications, use of defective, improper, handloaded, reloaded or remanufactured ammunition*, customer abuse or neglect of the product, or other influences beyond manufacturer's direct and immediate control. * See paragraph “Ammunition”.

WARNING: ALL FIREARMS HAVE LETHAL POTENTIAL. READ THE BASIC SAFETY RULES CAREFULLY AND UNDERSTAND THEM FULLY BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO USE THIS FIREARM.

In addition to the Basic Safety Rules, there are other Safety Rules pertaining to the loading, unloading, disassembly, assembly and use of this firearm, located throughout this manual.

WARNING: READ THE ENTIRE MANUAL CAREFULLY BEFORE USING THIS FIREARM. MAKE SURE THAT ANY PERSON USING OR HAVING ACCESS TO THIS FIREARM READS AND UNDERSTANDS ALL OF THIS MANUAL PRIOR TO USE OR ACCESS.

ENGLISH

Illustrations on pages 10, 11, I, II, III and IV

ITALIANO

page 45

CONTENTS

Page BASIC SAFETY RULES 4 NOMENCLATURE / MAIN PARTS 10 DESCRIPTION 12 SAFETY FEATURES 12 OPERATIONAL AND ERGONOMICAL FEATURES 16 SPECIFICATIONS 18 GENERAL OPERATION 19 LOAD CHECK 19 OBSTRUCTION CHECK 21 FIELD STRIPPING 21 REASSEMBLY 23 AMMUNITION 24

DRY FIRING / “DUMMY” ROUNDS 25

LOADING 26

LOADING THE MAGAZINE 27 LOADING THE PISTOL AND THE FIRING CHAMBER

UNLOADING THE PISTOL AND THE FIRING CHAMBER 30

UNLOADING THE MAGAZINE 31

FIRING 32 MAINTENANCE 37

CLEANING AND LUBRICATING 37

HOW TO REVERSE THE MAGAZINE RELEASE BUTTON 39 STORAGE 40 TROUBLESHOOTING 41 WARRANTY AND EXTENSION OF THE

WARRANTY REPAIR PERIOD 42 This instruction manual consists of 90 pages

BASIC SAFETY RULES

WARNING: PLEASE READ THIS MANUAL BEFORE HANDLING YOUR FIREARM.

WARNING: FIREARMS CAN BE DANGEROUS AND CAN POTENTIALLY CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY, DAMAGE TO PROPERTY OR DEATH, IF HANDLED IMPROPERLY. THE FOLLOWING SAFETY RULES ARE AN IMPORTANT REMINDER THAT FIREARM SAFETY IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY.

1. NEVER POINT A FIREARM AT SOMETHING THAT IS NOT SAFE TO SHOOT.

Never let the muzzle of a firearm point at any part of your body or at another person. This is especially important when loading or unloading the firearm. When you are shooting at a target, know what is behind it. Some bullets can travel over a mile. If you miss your target or if the bullet penetrates the target, it is your responsibility to ensure that the shot does not cause unintended injury or damage.

2. ALWAYS TREAT A FIREARM AS IF IT WERE LOADED.

Never assume that a firearm is unloaded. The only certain way to

ensure that a firearm has the chamber(s) empty is to open the chamber and visua lly and physically examine the inside to see if a round is pre sent.

Removing or unloading the magaz ine will not guarantee that a firearm is unloade d or cannot fire. Shotguns and rifles can be

checked by cycling or removing all rounds and by then opening and inspecting the chamber so that a visual inspection of the chamber for any remaining rounds can be made.

3. STORE YOUR FIREARM SO THAT CHILDREN CANNOT GAIN ACCESS TO IT.

It is your responsibility to ensure that children under the age of 18 or other unauthorized persons do not gain access to your firearm. To reduce the risk of a ccidents involving children,

unload your firearm, lock it and store the ammunition in a separate locked location. Please note that devices intended to

prevent accidents - for example, cable locks, chamber plugs, etc, - may not prevent use or misuse of your firearm by a determined person. Firearm storage in a steel gun safe may be more appropriate to reduce the likelihood of intentional misuse of a firearm by an unauthorized child or person.

4. NEVER SHOOT AT WATER OR AT A HARD SURFACE.

Shooting at the surface of water or at a rock or other hard surface increases the chance of ricochets or fragmentation of the bullet or shot, which can result in the projectile striking an unintended or peripheral target.

5. KNOW THE SAFETY FEATURES OF THE FIREARM YOU ARE USING, BUT REMEMBER: SAFETY DEVICES ARE NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR SAFE HANDLING PROCEDURES.

Never rely solely on a safety device to prevent an accident. It is imperative that you know and use the safety features of the particular firearm you are handling, but accidents can best be prevented by following the safe handling procedures described in these safety rules and elsewhere in the product manual. To further familiarize yourself with the proper use of this or other firearms, take a Firearms Safety Course taught by an expert in firearms use and safety procedures.

6. PROPERLY MAINTAIN YOUR FIREARM.

Store and carry your firearm so that dirt or lint does not accumulate in the working parts. Clean and oil your firearm, following the instructions provided in this manual, after each use to prevent corrosion, damage to the barrel or accumulation of impurities which can prevent use of the gun in an emergency. Always check the bore and chamber(s) prior to loading to ensure that they are clean and free from obstructions. Firing with an obstruction in the barrel or chamber can rupture the ba rrel and injure you or others nearby. In the event you hear an unusual noise when shooting, stop firing immediately, engage the manual safety and unload the firearm. Make sure the chamber and barrel are free from any

obstruction, like a bullet blocked inside the barrel due to defective or improper ammunition.

7. USE PROPER AMMUNITION.

Only use factory-loaded, new ammunition manufactured to industry specifications: CIP (Europe and elsewhere), SAAMI

(U.S.A.). Be certain that each round you use is in the proper caliber or gauge and type for the particular firearm. The caliber or gauge of the firearm is clearly marked on the barrels of shotguns and on the slide or barrel of pistols. The use of reloaded or remanufactured ammunition can increase the likelihood of excessive cartridge pressures, case-head ruptures or other defects in the ammunition that can cause damage to your firearm and injury to yourself or others nearby.

8. ALWAYS WEAR PROTECTIVE GLASSES AND EARPLUGS WHEN SHOOTING.

The chance that gas, gunpowder or metal fragments will blow back and injure a shooter who is firing a gun is rare, but the injury that can be sustained in such circumstances can be severe, including the possible loss of eyesight. A shooter must always wear impact resistant shooting glasses when firing any firearm. Earplugs or other highquality hearing protectors help reduce the chance of hearing damage from shooting.

9. NEVER CLIMB A TREE, FENCE OR OBSTRUCTION WITH A LOADED FIREARM.

Open and empty the chamber(s) of your firearm and engage the manual safety before climbing or descending a tree or before climbing a fence or jumping over a ditch or other obstruction.

Never pull or push a loaded firearm toward yourself or another person. Always unload a firearm, visually and physically check to see that the magazine, loading mechanism and chamber are unloaded, and action is open before handing it to another person. Never take a firearm from another person unless it is unloaded, visually and physically checked to confirm it is unloaded, and the action is open.

10. AVOID ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES OR JUDGMENT / REFLEX IMPAIRING MEDICATION WHEN SHOOTING.

Do not drink and shoot. If you take medication that can impair motor reactions or judgment, do not handle a firearm while you are under the influence of the medication.

11. NEVER TRANSPORT A LOADED FIREARM.

Unload a firearm before putting it in a vehicle (chamber empty, magazine empty). Hunters and target shooters should load their firearm only at their destination, and only when they are ready to shoot. If you carry a firearm for self-protection, leaving the chamber unloaded can reduce the chance of an unintentional discharge.

12. LEAD WARNING.

Discharging firearms in poorly ventilated areas, cleaning firearms, or handling ammunition may result in exposure to lead and other substances known to cause birth defects, reproductive harm, and other serious physical injury. Have adequate ventilation at all times. Wash hands thoroughly after exposure.

It is YOUR responsibility to know and abide by Federal, State and Local laws governing the sale, transportation and use of firearms in your area.

WARNING: This firearm has the capability of taking your life or the life of someone else! Always be extremely careful with your firearm. An accident is almost always the result of not following basic firearm safety rules.

NOMENCLATURE MAIN PARTS

Fig. 1

Fig. 2

A – safety lever -

decocking lever

B – trigger C – hammer D – slide catch/hold open E – magazine F – disassembly latch G – grip H – magazine release button

I – sights

(front sight & rear sight)

L – trigger guard M – accessory rail N – barrel O – slide P – frame Q – recoil spring/spring guide R – locking block

Mod. FS

Manual safety Decocking lever

Mod. G

Decocking lever only Return to the ready to fire position

Fig. 3

Fig. 4

Fig. 5

DESCRIPTION

Beretta Model 92 A1, 98 A1 and 96 A1 semi-automatic pistols (hereafter referred to as the “92 A1 series”) derive from the most tested and trusted personal defense weapon in history: the 92FS, which meets all military testing guidelines and has defined new standards for quality. The new Beretta 92 A1 series semiautomatic pistol incorporates new and unique benefits while maintaining all of the advanced performance and safety features of the 92 FS pistols. On the 91 A1 series pistol, a machined rail (Picatinny MIL STD

1913) integrated into the frame allows the mounting of light and

laser accessories. The recoil spring guide and recoil spring are now a solid assy to allow easy and quick removal The disassembly latch automatically returns to the locking position when the slide is retracted Inside the frame, near the disassembly latch, a metallic recoil buffer reduces the impact of the slide assembly against the frame during the shooting cycle. By redistributing the stresses, the recoil buffer increases the service life of the firearm. Rear and front sights can be removed for replacement with other types of sights of different height.

The 92 A1 series pistols described in this manual includes current versions of the Model 92 A1 in 9mmx19 NATO (also known as 9mm Luger or 9mm Parabellum) caliber, the Model 98 A1 in 9mmx21 IMI caliber and the Model 96 A1 in .40 S&W caliber.

SAFETY FEATURES

NOTICE: The figure numbers noted below refer to the photographs on pages 10, 11.

92 A1 series pistols have special features unique to the particular sub-model which are designed to meet the particular needs of the customer. Read carefully the special features for

the particular model of Beretta pistol you are using. Some of these features include important safety information.

Manual Safety/Decocking Lever (Fig. 1-A). The Model 92 FS A1, 98 FS A1 and 96 A1 (FS) pistols feature an external ambidextrous safety lever, easy accessible by the thumb of a right- or left- handed shooter (Fig. 2-A). When the manual safety is engaged (Fig. 6), the linkage between trigger and sear is disconnected and a separated portion of the firing pin is rotated downward, out of the reach of the firing pin. At the end of its downward rotation, this same safety lever decocks the hammer, causing it to drop onto the pistol’s slide without being able to strike the firing pin. The safety can be engaged by pushing the safety lever down, into the ON position (Red Warning Dot Covered) (Fig. 6a / 6b). This lever allows the user to both place the pistol on “safe” and to decock the hammer without requiring trigger pull or lowering of the hammer by hand. The manual safety can be engaged when the hammer is in cock (Fig. 7), half-cock or decock position (Fig. 6b) and with the slide open or closed.

WARNING: A user who decocks a pistol by pulling the trigger or who lowers a hammer by hand might discharge a round in the chamber. Use of the safety/decock lever is recommended in place of trigger pull/manual hammer lowering, which bypasses the automatic firing pin block and thus increases the chances of unintentional discharge.

Double/S ingle Action (Fig. 1-B) . 92 A1 series pistols fire double action on the first round and single action on subsequent rounds (as the hammer stays in the cocked position after the first round). The longer, heavier trigger pull of the double action makes inadvertent discharge less likely, while the lighter, shorter single action trigger pull allows faster, more accurate discharge of subsequent rounds. The double action trigger pull, also considered a safety feature during emergency use of a pistol, both cocks and drops the hammer in the same motion. This allows immediate firing of the weapon without requiring that the hammer be independently manipulated. Double action trigger pull is considered a safety feature because it allows the user to attempt to refire a non-firing cartridge simply by pulling the

trigger a second time, rather than having to unload the non-firing round before the pistol can be used again.

NOTICE: The first round of a 92 A1 series pistol may be fired using the lighter, shorter single action trigger pull if the hammer is manually cocked prior to pulling the trigger. Read instructions concerning Firing found in this manual.

External Hammer (Fig. 1/2-C). The external hammer (hammer spur) allows the user to visually and immediately determine that the hammer is cocked, half-cocked or lowered.

Half-cock N otch (on hamme r). The hammer features a half-cock notch that will catch on the sear, before striking the firing pin, should the hammer be released inadvertently by violently striking or dropping the pistol.

WARNING: It is not recommended to carry the hammer halfcocked. This device is intended as an accidental discharge preventive hammer drop catch.

Decocked hammer (Fig. 4-5). The hammer is in the fully lowered position. The pull on the trigger in the double action mode will first cock the hammer completely and then release it to strike the firing pin (double action).

Cocked hammer (Fig. 7). By pulling the hammer rearward completely you will feel and hear the hammer (click) into the fullcocked position. The hammer is now in the firing position. The pull on the trigger will release the hammer immediately to strike the firing pin (single action).

Hammer in the half-cocke d position. By pulling the hammer rearward for a few millimeters its half-cock notch will be caught on the sear. You will feel and hear the hammer “click” into the half-cocked position. The pull on the trigger in the double action mode will first cock the hammer completely and then release it to strike the firing pin (double action).

Automatic Firing Pin Block ( Fig. 8 ). All 92 A1 series pistols feature a blocking device that prevents forward movement of the firing pin unless the trigger is pulled.

Inertial Firing Pin. All 92 A1 series pistols have an internal spring

which holds the firing pin rearward until the force of the spring is overcome by the force of hammer fall.

Loaded Cha mber Indica tor (Fig. 9) . All 92 A1 series pistols feature a loaded chamber indicator: a small red tab (extractor) that protrudes more fully from the slide when a round is in the chamber. The tab is located on the right side of the pistol’s slide, near the chamber, and can be both seen and felt, allowing the user to check the chamber at night by feel or during the day by checking for the increased protrusion of the red tab. Please

note: The most certain way to check whether a pistol is loaded is to pull back on the slide a nd visually inspect the chamber for a round.

Loaded chamber indicators are designed primarily to allow noiseless inspection of the pistol to ensure that it is loaded in situations when it may be dangerous to operate the slide (the action of pulling back on the slide may make noise and will temporarily render the pistol inoperable) or when it is dark.

WARNING: In order to permit the use of the pistol in emergency situations, even in the case of involuntary dropping or loss of the magazine, 92 A1 series pistols are NOT provided with a magazine safety. They are therefore capable of firing, if a round is chambered, even if the magazine has not been inserted or if it has been removed or if it has been dislodged from its seat.

Slide Catch (slide stop) (Fig. 1-D). All 92 A1 series pistols boast a slide catch: a lever that holds the slide open and rearward after the last round is fired. This allows the user to immediately determine that the pistol does not have a round in the chamber or in the magazine.

G MODELS

G models differ from the FS versions exclusively for the manual lever on the slide with hammer decocking function only. G Model pistols have No Sa fety Lever; when the hammer decocking lever is employed, it automatically returns to the Fire mode (Fig. 5). The other characteristics are the same of the FS models.

OPERATIONAL AND ERGONOMICAL FEATURES

Semiautoma tic firing. 92 A1 series pistols will automatically reload after each round is fired, as long as there are cartridges in the pistol.

The Locked- Breech Locking S ystem with falling locking block and the barrel short recoil operation are a warranty of long-life and shooting accuracy.

Removable, High Capacity Magazines (Fig. 3-E). 92 A1 series pistols have a quickly removable, high capacity magazine which allows rapid reloading and extended use in emergency situations.

The type and capacity of magazine for current 92 A1 series pistols is as follows:

Model 92 A1 cal. 9mm x 19 NATO (9mm Luger, 9 mm Parabellum) - 17 round, double stack magazine. Model 98 A1 cal. 9mm x 21 IMI - 15 - round, double stack magazine. Model 96 A1 cal. .40 S&W - 12 - round, double stack magazine.

NOTICE: For some markets and in compliance to local legal restrictions, extended magazine bottoms can be applied to increase the magazine capacity.

CAUTION: Consult local authorities for magazine capacity restrictions that may apply in your locale.

WARNING: In order to permit the use of the pistol in emergency situations, even in the case of involuntary dropping or loss of the magazine, these models are NOT provided with a magazine disconnect safety. They are therefore capable of firing, when a round is chambered, even if the magazine has not been inserted or if it has been removed or if it has been dislodged from its seat.

Simple Field Stripping and Cleaning (Fig. 1/2-F).

The disassembly device is designed to allow an extremely quick and simple field stripping of the pistol and also to avoid casual or involuntary disassembly. The disassembly latch automatically locks when the slide passes beyond the rear section of the frame.

Easy Grip Frame (Fig. 1/2-G). The front and back of the grip are grooved and the grip frame is flared slightly at the base to enhance pointability and control.

Reversible Magazine Release Button (Fig. 1-H). The magazine release button can be reversed to allow easier access for lefthanded shooters.

NOTICE: Use a qualified gunsmith to reverse the button.

High visibility sights (Fig. 1/2 -I). Front and rear sights are

designed for swift target acquisition. To aid sighting under low light conditions, the sights are equipped with white dots. The front and rear sights can be removable.

Enlarged trigger Guard (Fig. 1/2-L). 92 series pistols have an enlarged trigger guard, which allows easier use of the pistol with gloved hands.

Picatinny rail on the frame. The pistol comes with a standard Picatinny rail (MIL STD 1913) under the barrel (Fig. 1-2/M) for convenient mounting of a laser device, flashlight or other type of accessory.

WARNING: Always ensure that the pistol is unloaded, including verifying that there is no round in the chamber, before installing or removing an accessory to/from the pistol rail. Never place your hand in front of the muzzle when installing or removing an accessory to/from the pistol rail.

SPECIFICATIONS

FS G

92 A1 92 A1

98 A1 98 A1

96 A1 96 A1

Overall Length (mm/in.) 217/8.5 217/8.5 Barrel Length (mm/in.) 125/4.9 125/4.9 Overall Width (mm/in.) 38/1.5 38/1.5 Overall Height (mm/in.) 143/5.6 143/5.6 Sight Radius (mm/in.) 155/6.1 155/6.1 Weight Unloaded

Without Magazine Approx. (gr./oz.)

970/34.2 970/34.2

92 A1 98 A1 96 A1

Ammunition/Caliber:

9mmx19 NATO

9mm Luger 9mmx21 IMI .40 S&W

9mm Parabellum

Rifling: Right Hand. 6 grooves

Pitch: 250 mm/9.8 in.

400 mm

15.7 in.

Front Sight: Blade, dovetailed to slide Rear Sight: Notched post, dovetailed to slide. Frame: Light aluminum alloy. Sandblasted and anodized black.

Picatinny rail integral to frame.

Slide: Steel, phosphatized and Bruniton coated, matte black. Barrel: Steel, matte black oxide (blued) finish. Chrome plated bore

and chamber.

GENERAL OPERATION

Beretta’s 92 A1 series semi-automatic pistols use a short recoil locked-breech system with falling block. When the pistol is fired, the pressure developed by combustion gas recoils the slide-barrel assembly. After a short run of slidebarrel assembly, the locking block falls and releases the slide letting it recoil while the barrel stops against frame. The slide, during its rearward movement, extracts and ejects the fired cartridge case, cocks the hammer and activates the recoil spring. Pushed by the recoil spring, the slide then moves forward feeding the next cartridge from the magazine into the chamber and causing barrel-slide locking. The slide is designed to stay open after the last cartridge has been fired and ejected.

LOAD CHECK

At various points in this manual you will be instructed to “visually check to be certain your 92 A1 series pistol is unloaded.” This should become second nature to you, as you should:

• Never assume that a firearm is unloaded.

• Never point or push a firearm toward yourself or another person.

• Always visually check to see that the chamber is unloaded.

• Remove the magazine and block the slide in the open position before handing the pistol to another person.

• Never take or pull this pistol from another person unless the magazine has been removed, the slide blocked in the open position and the chamber has been visually checked to confirm it is unloaded.

To visually check to be certain your pistol is unloaded carefully read the following steps.

WARNING: Keep your finger OFF THE TRIGGER and the barrel

pointed in a SAFE direction.

• Remove the magazine by pushing the magazine release button (Fig. 10).

• Retract the slide. Visually inspect the cartridge chamber to ensure that it is empty. The chamber is empty when no cartridge is visible when looking into the open chamber (Fig.

11). The firing chamber is the portion of the barrel into which the cartridge is fed.

Releasing the slide when a magazine is not in the pistol will automatically close the slide. Always keep your finger away from the ejection port. To keep the slide in the open position, without the magazine in the pistol, fully retract the slide and press the slide catch upward with your thumb (Fig. 12) and release the slide. The slide will be blocked in the open position. The slide will remain open when an empty magazine is inserted or when the slide catch is pressed upwards.

If the pistol is unloaded, proceed to the following step, otherwise refer to the procedure: UNLOADING THE PISTOL AND THE FIRING CHAMBER.

Gently move the slide to the closed position. If the slide is blocked in the open position by the slide catch or by an empty magazine inserted in the pistol, press the slide catch downward to close the slide.

WARNING: Always keep your finger away from the ejection port.

WARNING: The hammer remains in the cocked position (Fig. 7).

When you are certain that the firearm is unloaded, decock the hammer by pushing the manual safety/hammer decocking lever for FS models (the safety remains engaged) (Fig. 6a / 6b) and the hammer decocking lever for G version (the lever returns to the firing position) down all the way (Fig. 5).

OBSTRUCTION CHECK

Check the barrel to be sure there are no obstructions in the chamber and bore. The firing chamber is the portion of the barrel into which the cartridge is fed. To make the obstruction check disassemble pistol and look down barrel. Catastrophic failure can result if another cartridge is fired into an obstructed barrel:

• Follow the field stripping operations in the following paragraph and disassemble the pistol.

• After disassembly, look down the barrel from the muzzle (or front end) so that you can see completely through the barrel to make sure no obstruction exists.

• If an obstruction in the barrel is detected, a qualified gunsmith must remove the obstruction and inspect the pistol before it can be fired.

• Reassemble the pistol by following the procedures given in the appropriate section of this manual.

FIELD STRIPPING

WARNING: Make sure the pistol is unloaded. If not, unload it following the “UNLOADING THE PISTOL AND THE FIRING CHAMBER” procedure.

WARNING: Always point the firearm in a safe direction. Keep your finger away from the trigger.

NOTICE: It is advisable to carry out the field stripping and the assembly operations over a table to catch components should they drop.

• Remove the magazine by depressing the magazine release button (Fig. 10).

• Hold the pistol in the right hand and with left forefinger press the disassembly latch release button which protrudes from the right side of the pistol (Fig. 13). While it is held in, rotate the

disassembly latch on the left side of the frame with the thumb clockwise approx. 90° downward (Fig. 14).

• Pull the slide-barrel assembly with locking block, recoil spring and spring guide forwards until they slide free of the frame (Fig. 15).

• Slightly press recoil spring and spring guide (Fig.16).

• Lift spring guide and recoil spring unit and remove it from the barrel/slide group (Fig. 17).

• Depress the locking block plunger (Fig. 18).

• Remove the barrel’s locking assembly from the slide (Fig. 19).

CAUTION: No further disassembly is recommended unless done by a competent gunsmith.

REASSEMBLY

Assemble the pistol following the Field Strip procedure in reverse order. It is advisable to pay attention to the following points.

• Engage the manual safety (Model FS only) (Fig. 6a / 6b).

• When the barrel and locking block assembly are correctly inserted into the slide, they should rest securely inside the slide without movement. (The extractor must lie in its groove in the barrel).

• The locking block lugs should rest firmly in their seats in the slide (the locking block plunger should protrude from the barrel) (Fig. 20).

• Insert the recoil spring guide in its housing in the slide hole as shown in Fig. 21, 22 and 23.

• The recoil spring guide head (flat part) should lodge in the center of its groove in the locking block (Fig. 24).

• When the slide and barrel assembly are placed back on the frame, the slide/barrel assembly should be aligned with the frame or pushed beyond the rear of it (Fig. 25) to allow the disassembly latch to rotate and return to its original position (with the disassembly latch lever parallel to the slide). Please make sure that the disassembly latch lever is parallel to the slide. If not, by retracting the slide as indicated, manually rotate the disassembly latch to allow it to return to its original position.

• Retract the slide to check the correct assembly operation.

• Decock the hammer.

- by operating the manual safety/hammer decocking lever

(model FS)

- by operating the hammer decocking lever (model G). The

lever returns automatically to the ready to fire position.

AMMUNITION

AMMUNITION (CARTRIDGE) NOTICE: Beretta specifically disclaims responsibility for any damage or injury occurring with, or as the result of, the use of faulty, non-standard, “remanufactured,” hand-loaded or reloaded ammunition, or cartridges other than those for which the firearm was originally chambered. Serious damage or injury, even death, could result from the use of incorrect ammunition, from firing against bore obstructions and from propellant overloads. Use of improper ammunition, such as listed previously will void the manufacturer’s warranty. Use only high-quality, commercially-manufactured ammunition made in accordance with CIP (Europe and elsewhere) or SAAMI® (USA) standards. Be certain that the ammunition is the appropriate caliber and loading for the firearm and is clean, dry and in good condition.

WARNING: Carefully inspect each cartridge before it is loaded in the magazine. Be certain the cartridge cases are not split, deformed, and that the cartridges do not possess any other dents or defects. This warning even applies to factory ammunition.

Do not fire old ammunition. Primers, powder, cartridge cases, and bullets can deteriorate with time and cause damage to the firearm, or injury to the shooter or others.

CAUTION:

Lead bullets have a tendency to cause bore leading, which may dramatically increase the discharge pressure. Make sure to remove all chamber and bore lead accumulation after each use. DO NOT ever shoot cartridges with jacketed bullets through a barrel previously fired with lead bullets before the bore is thoroughly deleaded.

WARNING: The extended use of +P or +P+ ammunition may decrease component part service life expectancy. DO NOT use

sub-machine gun ammunition because the chamber pressure may reach or exceed proof load pressure.

DRY FIRING/”DUMMY” ROUNDS

Dry firing is defined as firing a firearm with no ammunition in the chamber. Long term dry firing your Beretta 92 A1 series pistol may result in damage to the firing pin. “Snap caps” (inert chamber inserts that allow a firearm to be dry-fired without damaging the action) are available at most gun stores for those who wish to practice firing without live ammunition.

CAUTION: If you want to practice shooting your pistol without using live ammunition (called “dry firing”), insert an appropriate “snap cap” into the chamber to cushion the fall of the firing pin and reduce the chance of firing pin breakage. “Snap cap” cartridges with spring loaded “primers” are ideal. The “Snap cap” cartridges with empty primer pockets are suitable for loading/unloading practice but DO NOT PROTECT the firing pin during dry firing.

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