It's difficult to find the funds to test out all kinds of new and exciting firearms and related items, but we have some very exciting new articles coming up! Our next "First Look" article is going to be a quick review of a relatively new firearm, the new Smith & Wesson M&P 15 Sport. This is a newcomer to the Budget AR15 segment, and there is very little information about it out there.
We're also going to be doing our first ammunition review. I'm still working with the manufacturer to get my hands on a few more boxes, but we should be able to share some information about this local ammunition manufacturer's self defense ammunition.
As I've mentioned before, I pay full price for all the weapons we test here. They are not loaned to us by the manufacturer or the gun shop, they are purchased. Once I get home and get some time to really inspect the weapon, I start writing my impressions of the product, which is what you see. I do not make any money writing my reviews, I do this for my personal enjoyment, as well as to help others make informed decisions.
We will be running a segment soon, in which we will try to accomplish the impossible, and build a reliable, accurate AR-15 rifle for under $500 (we're going to push for the lowest price we can manage), and depending on the responses we get from you, our readers, we will attempt a similar feat with the most iconic pistol of the 20th Century, the 1911.
I simply wanted to update our readers, there is more to come, we are working to purchase some exciting new products to review, and as always, we are open to suggestions! If you'd like to see anything in particular, don't hesitate to send us a message or leave a comment here.
In other news, we have started our YouTube account, and we will soon be doing video reviews of the firearms we review here, in addition to the written reviews. Our ultimate goal is to capture video of the firearms in action, demonstrate the proper methods of disassembling and reassembling the weapons, as well as going over the basic features and our opinions of various firearms.
Thanks for following The Low Ready, and keep checking back for more updates and new reviews!
Friday, May 20, 2011
Monday, May 9, 2011
First Look: Beretta 92FS 9mm
First things first, this is one of the firearms I've wanted since I first saw it. When I was in Basic Training in the U.S. Army, this weapon was more than an issued sidearm, it represented progress. I was issued my first Beretta M9 during the first week of Military Police training. I learned to shoot with the M9, ate, drank, and slept with it, and qualified "Expert" with it every time. The Beretta M9 (92F) has been in service with the U.S. Armed Forces since 1985, when it replaced the M1911 45ACP sidearm.
Putting the past behind us, I will focus on the strengths and weaknesses of the 92FS, and in a little bit, I will mention the differences between the 92FS and the M9 that is issued to the U.S. Armed Forces.
The first thing one notices when handling the Beretta 92FS for the first time is it's weight. It's remarkably light for an all-metal weapon, weighing in at just over 2 pounds when unloaded. The weapon comes packaged with two 15-round magazines, two bore brushes (one brass, one nylon) and a cleaning rod, a gun lock, and what is called an "Anti-Crush Device" inside the blue plastic case. The case itself is very weak, and the "Anti-Crush Device" is a simple plastic cup that goes inside the case, that inspires a "What is this for?" response.
Once the initial "newness" of the 92FS wears off, and you start looking closely at it, a myriad of features become apparent. One of my personal favorites is related to the safety/decocking system. The decocking lever actually rotates the firing pin connector upwards into the slide. Also noticeable on the top of the slide is the "block", which prevents the hammer from connecting with the firing pin unless the trigger is pulled, and the locking block rises into position. This is a unique set of safety features when compared with the other pistols we have reviewed here, but I believe it is a strong design.
The trigger pull is rather heavy on this pistol. The initial "Double Action" trigger pull is around 14 pounds, and the subsequent "Single Action" trigger pull is about 6 pounds. When compared to the Sig Sauer P220 we reviewed earlier (See First Look: Sig P220 .45ACP), the Beretta's trigger pull is slightly heavier. The Sig's trigger pull was 12 pounds DA, 4.5 pounds SA.
The fit and finish of the 92FS is very impressive given the Beretta's $649 suggested price tag. There is little lateral play in the slide, the trigger pull is smooth despite it's resistance. The finish is flawless, and the warranty is decent. That said, I feel I should cover one thing that many people don't know about the Beretta warranty: It can be extended from the standard 1-year warranty to a 3-year warranty, simply by returning the registration card to an authorized Beretta dealer, or mailing it directly to Beretta, within 30 days of purchase. It's worth it to fill out the card and return it.
I know that a picture is worth a thousand words, but I didn't have time to take some pictures of the Beretta before it made it's way to it's new home for the night. When I write our next "Range Report" segment, I'll include pictures of the Beretta. I will also add some to this post at the same time.
There is more to come, so be sure to check in frequently for updates!
UPDATE: 3/3/2012
Photos added, pistol is exactly as it was during the original review, with the exception of the grips, which were replaced recently.
Putting the past behind us, I will focus on the strengths and weaknesses of the 92FS, and in a little bit, I will mention the differences between the 92FS and the M9 that is issued to the U.S. Armed Forces.
The first thing one notices when handling the Beretta 92FS for the first time is it's weight. It's remarkably light for an all-metal weapon, weighing in at just over 2 pounds when unloaded. The weapon comes packaged with two 15-round magazines, two bore brushes (one brass, one nylon) and a cleaning rod, a gun lock, and what is called an "Anti-Crush Device" inside the blue plastic case. The case itself is very weak, and the "Anti-Crush Device" is a simple plastic cup that goes inside the case, that inspires a "What is this for?" response.
Once the initial "newness" of the 92FS wears off, and you start looking closely at it, a myriad of features become apparent. One of my personal favorites is related to the safety/decocking system. The decocking lever actually rotates the firing pin connector upwards into the slide. Also noticeable on the top of the slide is the "block", which prevents the hammer from connecting with the firing pin unless the trigger is pulled, and the locking block rises into position. This is a unique set of safety features when compared with the other pistols we have reviewed here, but I believe it is a strong design.
The trigger pull is rather heavy on this pistol. The initial "Double Action" trigger pull is around 14 pounds, and the subsequent "Single Action" trigger pull is about 6 pounds. When compared to the Sig Sauer P220 we reviewed earlier (See First Look: Sig P220 .45ACP), the Beretta's trigger pull is slightly heavier. The Sig's trigger pull was 12 pounds DA, 4.5 pounds SA.
The fit and finish of the 92FS is very impressive given the Beretta's $649 suggested price tag. There is little lateral play in the slide, the trigger pull is smooth despite it's resistance. The finish is flawless, and the warranty is decent. That said, I feel I should cover one thing that many people don't know about the Beretta warranty: It can be extended from the standard 1-year warranty to a 3-year warranty, simply by returning the registration card to an authorized Beretta dealer, or mailing it directly to Beretta, within 30 days of purchase. It's worth it to fill out the card and return it.
I know that a picture is worth a thousand words, but I didn't have time to take some pictures of the Beretta before it made it's way to it's new home for the night. When I write our next "Range Report" segment, I'll include pictures of the Beretta. I will also add some to this post at the same time.
There is more to come, so be sure to check in frequently for updates!
UPDATE: 3/3/2012
Photos added, pistol is exactly as it was during the original review, with the exception of the grips, which were replaced recently.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Coming Next on The Low Ready
It's been a while since our last review, I know. It is difficult to continue reviewing firearms without any options for procuring them besides purchasing new weapons, trading in current weapons, or borrowing from others for the purposes of putting them through the paces. . .
That said, I decided to "pull the trigger" on a pistol I've wanted for a few years now, the Beretta 92FS. I found a great deal on a new 92FS at the local shop, and I couldn't resist. At first, this was just another of our usual "window shopping" trips, but the people I brought with me were perusing the Shotgun and Rifle aisle when I spotted the Beretta under the glass at the counter. I spoke with one of the employees about it, took a closer look at it, and within a few minutes, I was forking over the cash. My friends were surprised that I bought a pistol in the short amount of time they were away from me, but anyone who was spoken with me about firearms at length knows that the 92FS is one of my "dream guns". Sure, it's bulky, it's heavy, and it's only a 9mm, but I have a connection with this pistol.
I learned to shoot with an Army-issued M9 pistol. I carried that pistol through weeks of my military training, and it was my issued sidearm throughout my time in the Army. That's why I shelled out about $650 for the Beretta. A "First Look" article will be posted sometime next week, and we're going to try something new, a "Torture Test" with my current pistol, a Springfield XD45. Expect videos to be posted, I'm really hoping to have some fun with that.
I'm also entertaining the idea of buying a "plinker", but with all of the options available to me, I'm still not sure which to go with.
So, stay tuned for updates, a "First Look" and "Range Report" on the Beretta 92FS, and a "Torture Test"
That said, I decided to "pull the trigger" on a pistol I've wanted for a few years now, the Beretta 92FS. I found a great deal on a new 92FS at the local shop, and I couldn't resist. At first, this was just another of our usual "window shopping" trips, but the people I brought with me were perusing the Shotgun and Rifle aisle when I spotted the Beretta under the glass at the counter. I spoke with one of the employees about it, took a closer look at it, and within a few minutes, I was forking over the cash. My friends were surprised that I bought a pistol in the short amount of time they were away from me, but anyone who was spoken with me about firearms at length knows that the 92FS is one of my "dream guns". Sure, it's bulky, it's heavy, and it's only a 9mm, but I have a connection with this pistol.
I learned to shoot with an Army-issued M9 pistol. I carried that pistol through weeks of my military training, and it was my issued sidearm throughout my time in the Army. That's why I shelled out about $650 for the Beretta. A "First Look" article will be posted sometime next week, and we're going to try something new, a "Torture Test" with my current pistol, a Springfield XD45. Expect videos to be posted, I'm really hoping to have some fun with that.
I'm also entertaining the idea of buying a "plinker", but with all of the options available to me, I'm still not sure which to go with.
So, stay tuned for updates, a "First Look" and "Range Report" on the Beretta 92FS, and a "Torture Test"
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