Beretta 92S grips
Beretta 92S grips
The Beretta 92S (often called 92S) is the pivotal second-generation model in the legendary Beretta 92 series, introducing the iconic slide-mounted safety/decocker that defines most modern 92 variants
The original Beretta 92 was designed in 1975 by Carlo Beretta, Giuseppe Mazzetti, and Vittorio Valle, entering production in May 1976 with a frame-mounted manual safety (similar to the 1911), 15-round double-stack magazine, open-slide design, falling locking block (from the M1951), and DA/SA trigger—aimed at modernizing service pistols
Early adoption came from Italian military and police, but agencies (notably the Italian National Police in the mid-1970s) requested a slide-mounted combined safety/decocker for safer hammer lowering and carry—eliminating the frame safety for a cleaner profile
Beretta responded with the 92S in 1977–1978 (production ~1978–1982), relocating the non-ambidextrous safety to the slide (left side only) where it also decocks the hammer when swept down—retaining all core features: 4.9" chrome-lined barrel, aluminum frame, ~33–34 oz weight, and reliable 9mm Parabellum performance
The 92S was adopted by the Italian Carabinieri and state police, proving the design's versatility. It bridged to the 92SB (1981, ambidextrous safety, firing pin block) and 92F (1985, M9 for U.S. military). Only ~52,000 produced (early "step slide" ~7,000, later straight slide), the 92S remains a collector's gem for its transitional role in one of history's most successful pistols