New Beretta 92A1 accuracy issues (no pics, sorry)

[OldCannon]

Got a new 92A1 at Cabelas yesterday ($619 right now). Haven't shot one in about 20+ years since my military handgun training, I guess I couldn't resist the call of nostalgia when I saw they were on sale at Cabelas. The replaceable front sight was the final clincher for me, since the inability to do that (without some serious gunsmithing) was a non-starter for me.

Anyway, I put about 50 rounds down the pipe just to get used to the feel (familiar M9 controls, "check"). Then I rolled a new target out to 7 yards and put 10 rounds downrange. The grouping was about 4" low with about 6" grouping, even favorably assuming a 12 O'Clock hold. All shots were single action. I was a bit dismayed, as I _know_ I shoot more accurately than that. I had my Glock 34 with me as well, so I put 10 more rounds downrange. Center, 2" grouping. Curiouser and curiouser.

So, now I'm curious about two things from those of you that already own Berettas
1) Is there a "break in period" where I should expect this kind of inaccuracy? Personally, I'm expecting a much better grouping at even greater distances. While my shots were offhand, I had no reason to believe I was engaging in sloppy trigger pull or poor aim (although at my age, both front and rear sights look a little blurry now )
2) The sights seem to offer no elevation adjustment. So I don't seem to have an apparent way to drop the rear to compensate.

Of course, the next step is to get it on a bench rest and really take a close look at this, but I'm curious first if there's some break-in that needs to be done first.

BTW, I'm not one to rule out poor shooting stance/grip/pull. It was a new gun, so I might not have been as relaxed as I was when shooting my Glock.

[cougartex]

If possible find another 92A1 owner and compare his/her pistol's groups with yours, with both individuals shooting each pistol (of course, this is performed with a pistol that is know to have POA/POI where it should be occurring). Short of Ransom-resting, this may be the easiest trial method.

There was no break-in period with my new 92FS Vertec.

[McKnife]

Sounds like a something is wrong. My 92fs will keep Quarter-size groups at 7 yards, 2-hands, single-action only.

No break-in period. Make sure it's clean and wet with oil. Fire away!

My advice is to let a few others shoot it from 5-7 yards and see their groups. Make sure they are familiar with pistols and can hit what they're aiming at. If they're on target, then we know it's you, not the gun. If they experience the same bad accuracy, then you have a problem.

If the gun has accuracy problems, ask Cabelas if their gunsmith will look at it. Worst case scenario, you have to send to Beretta.

Good luck!

PS. Post pictures of your new Beretta!

[blackdog8200]

[Weg]

I had a similar thing happen to me when I first got my Taurus PT140. It would not shoot worth a darn. I did no think I was the issue because I could shoot excellent with my P89, Glock 21, Walther PPK, and other pistols. It turned out to be very ammo sensitive. Once I figured out what it would shoot well ( anything 180 grain) and what shoot horribly ( anything 165 grain), I was good to go. Ammo may be the issue.

[CaptWoodrow10]

A 6" grouping?

You could slug the barrel - just get a regular 9mm lead bullet and hammer it through the barrel with a brass rod and measure the diameter. Ideally it should be .355 or .356 - but it would have to be a total sewer-pipe to give groups of 6" at that short distance.

However - I'm leaning more toward the theory that the trigger-pull is just "wrong" for your hand right now (from an ergonomics perspective), seeing as you're now used to the pull of your Gl.. Gl.. I can't say it, but you know what I mean

The length-of-pull for each pistol is different - and as you pull the trigger back, the muzzle can easily move to the left/right/up/down just before the sear breaks.

My suggestion - do a lot of slow dry-firing and see how the muzzle moves during the trigger-pull.

I would suggest balancing a penny or other coin on top of the slide while you dry fire. Don't concentrate on the penny and just dry fire like you would be shooting at the range. The coin shouldn't move as you dry fire. If it moves or jumps, the problem may be with you. It's not a sure-fire method, but it can help give some indication as to whether or not it's you that's causing the problem.

[OldCannon]

I've got a Laserlyte LT-1. I just need to get some 9mm snap caps and I'll plonk away to see what is happening. I'm definitely thinking it's trigger mashing.

[lrb111]

It may not be locking the barrel into the same position each time.
Take it apart and really clean it. You might also check for rough edges on the internals. Especially on the areas & parts under the barrel. Don't touch any of the trigger parts, but you might try cleaning off the edges of the parts if they are rough with some 400 grit paper.

[RECIT]

Before you do anything to it, I say let someone else shoot it and practice your dry firing in no particular order.

[steinPFS]

I also had some problems initially with accuracy problems. Turns out all of the issues I was having were related to my grip, and my perception of the front sight. If your 92a1 is appears to be firing low, chances are that it is due to your gripping the handle too low. Try gripping higher. In fact press your hand upward into the lip on the back of the handle until it hurts. What is happening is your are squeezing too low on the trigger which at the moment of fire causing the muzzle to drop perhaps 1/16" or maybe even more. The result is consistently low shots. Also grip all of your fingers tightly on the handle keeping trigger finger relaxed. To see what I mean hold your hand in a firing position keep all fingers relaxed. Now squeeze your index finger. If you notice your middle finger and ring finger squeeze along with index finger. This will also cause you to pull the muzzle down ever so slightly when firing. These issues seem to be amplified by this particular gun. What also may help is to focus on the front sight of the gun not the target downrange. Not the rear sight. Just the front sight. Practice aiming at objects 10 - 25 yds away. Soon the front sight will seem as big as a baseball. Your groupings will improve tremendously. It's all very simple just not very easy.

[Chris]

I'd try a few different types of ammunition. The first thing I did when I got my 92FS was swap out the spring for a D model spring. The trigger is pretty heavy, and the D spring will lighten it up and make it much better. Out of the box, the pull is pretty heavy.

[VMI77]

Got a new 92A1 at Cabelas yesterday ($619 right now). Haven't shot one in about 20+ years since my military handgun training, I guess I couldn't resist the call of nostalgia when I saw they were on sale at Cabelas. The replaceable front sight was the final clincher for me, since the inability to do that (without some serious gunsmithing) was a non-starter for me.

Anyway, I put about 50 rounds down the pipe just to get used to the feel (familiar M9 controls, "check"). Then I rolled a new target out to 7 yards and put 10 rounds downrange. The grouping was about 4" low with about 6" grouping, even favorably assuming a 12 O'Clock hold. All shots were single action. I was a bit dismayed, as I _know_ I shoot more accurately than that. I had my Glock 34 with me as well, so I put 10 more rounds downrange. Center, 2" grouping. Curiouser and curiouser.

So, now I'm curious about two things from those of you that already own Berettas
1) Is there a "break in period" where I should expect this kind of inaccuracy? Personally, I'm expecting a much better grouping at even greater distances. While my shots were offhand, I had no reason to believe I was engaging in sloppy trigger pull or poor aim (although at my age, both front and rear sights look a little blurry now )
2) The sights seem to offer no elevation adjustment. So I don't seem to have an apparent way to drop the rear to compensate.

Of course, the next step is to get it on a bench rest and really take a close look at this, but I'm curious first if there's some break-in that needs to be done first.

BTW, I'm not one to rule out poor shooting stance/grip/pull. It was a new gun, so I might not have been as relaxed as I was when shooting my Glock.

Mine shoots low too and I was equally dismayed. What's interesting is that I put on Crimson Trace grips and when the laser is dead on, the front sight is significantly above the rear sight. I do have a tendency to shoot low but no other gun I own shoots as low as the Beretta. However, the grouping is as good or better than any other gun I own.....just low. When I shoot with the laser at 7 yds it produces quarter size groups.

[CC Italian]

Shot my in laws 92fs the other day and I had the same problem and so did he. It shot low even when lining up the dots. Then with the front sight a tiny tiny bit higher then the rear we where dead on perfect. I don't know if it is a recoil impulse or what but with the line of sight still touching and putting the front sight a little higher then the rear it made all the difference. Like VM177 said the grouping was perfect!