92FS - current vs past models

[Ryan316]

My 92FS was stolen out of my car 2 weeks ago, I'd had it since '95. No jams ever, no problems at all. Being as it was stolen in New Orleans, I know it ain't coming back, so I'm looking at getting another one. I was at Academy & I find that the 92FS's they have in stock have this coating or whatever on it & I can't stand it. So I have a lead on an older model 92FS from about '91. It belonged to a friend's grandfather, never been fired (yeah, I've seen it & it's pristine). My question would be is a model that old as good as the ones today? I know from varous reports/gun mags/word on the street that the older models had problems with the slide or frames (I forget which) cracking. Were those more of the 80's model 92FS's or would this '91-ish 92FS be included in the "bad apple bunch?" Being that mine was a '95 & I never had any problems with it I figure this one'll be ok, I just thought I'd ask here as I know there are others who know a whole lot more than me.

Thanks in advance

 

[deafdave3]

No, that's a piece of junk. Gimme the friend's grandfather's number and I'll gladly dispose of it for him.

 

[lost]

Is it an FS, or an "F"?

I don't remember what year they made the change (I think around '90 or so), but the 92F (no S) had the small hammer pin that would allow the slide to fly off the back IF it broke. There were reports of people being injured from the broken slide hitting them in the face. Enlarged pin kept the slide from coming off if things went bad. I can't imagine it being that big an issue, personally.
Pin would be easy to change, but if you look at the underside of an FS slide, you will see the slot for the enlarged hammer pin. That would be harder to cut.

I say buy it and don't worry about it.

 

[ShipWreck]

I have eight 92s of different variants. If you can get an older model in that nice of a condition, I'd get it. You'll have all metal parts too - as Beretta changed a few parts to metal with polymer coatings.