Triggs' - Beretta M9 Guide
Mar 2, 2011 15:13:28 GMT -5
Post by triggs (SABR) on Mar 2, 2011 15:13:28 GMT -5
This is a VERY quick overview of the various types and brands of the numerous Beretta M9 variants available; I will be attempting to keep it up-to-date if possible.
There are a large number of M9 variants available so this is a basic breakdown of the available models:
M9FS = The standard M9 pistol used by the US Military
M9 Brigadier = Standard M9FS with a heavier “Brigadier” slide for better recoil control
M9 INOX = Standard M9FS with a polished or matte polished finish
M90 – TWO = An improved variant of the M9FS with a polymer lower
M93R = A 3rnd burst or full auto variant of the M9 family
PT92 = A modified version of the M9 developed by Taurus
Bell M9 Brigadier Gas Blow Back (GBB) = Tokyo Marui Clone
Price: $45 - $60
FPS: 280 - 300
Mags: Standard Tokyo Marui 24rd GBB midcap mag
Pros:
- Full metal internals and externals
- Cheap price for a Tokyo Marui clone
- Good weight and feel for a $50 clone
Cons:
- Cheap internals break easily
- Only railed frames available
- Only Brigadier style slides available
The Bell M9 is actually a clone of the HFC M9, why Bell chose to clone a clone is unknown. However the pistol is compatible with any TM standard M9 mag and is easy to repair.
Cybergun PT92 Gas Blow Back (GB) = Rebranded KJW
Price: $125 - $135
FPS: 280 - 330
Mags: Standard Tokyo Marui 24rd GBB midcap mag
Pros:
- Same as KJW
- Full Taurus trademarks
Cons:
- Same as KJW
Cybergun has a reputation for low quality products and high prices. The reason being, they hold the rights to most companies' trademarks so you as the customer pay a premium for engravings.
The KJW PT92 is a solid pistol, it's simply a matter if you want Cybergun trademarks and a higher price or not.
Firepower M92FS Spring = Rebranded UHC
Price: $15 - $30
FPS: 250 - 280
Mags: Proprietary UHC 15rd spring low cap mag
Pros:
- Same as UHC
Cons:
- Same as UHC
Firepower rebrands the UHC spring M92FS; these can be readily found at Wal-mart, Meijer, Dunhams, Gander Mountain, etc. They aren’t particularly made to last or be used for much besides backyard plinking.
HFC M9 Brigadier/M90-TWO Gas Blow Back (GBB) = Tokyo Marui Clone
Price: $70 - $135
FPS: 280 - 300
Mags: Standard Tokyo Marui 24rd GBB midcap mag
Pros:
-Full metal internals and externals
- The HFC HG160 is a vague representation of the new Beretta M90-TWO
- Both the M9 and M90-TWO have a full auto selector
Cons:
- Clone internals are not the best quality
- Only railed frames available on the M9FS
- Only Brigadier slides available for the M9FS
- The HG160 is not exactly a M90-TWO by any means
HFC, like Bell, is a clone company. Quality isn’t bad for a starter pistol, but they do break quickly, sometimes loosing the full auto function.
KJW M9FS/INOX/PT92/M93R Gas Blow Back (GBB) = Tokyo Marui Clone
Price: $90 - $115
FPS: 280 - 330
Mags: Standard Tokyo Marui 24rd GBB midcap mag
Pros:
- Full metal externals and internals
- Many variants including the M92FS, INOX, Delta, PT92, M93R (full auto), as well as a “Tacmaster” variant with Hogue style rubber grips for increased comfort
- Brigadier slide and railed or unrailed frames available
- Tokyo Marui compatible
Cons:
- Not more readily available
KJW makes a solid full metal M9 copy. It works very well and has good quality internals. For the price it’s an excellent starter GBB
KSC/KWA M9FS/M93R Gas Blow Back (GBB) = Original Design
Price: $150 - $175
FPS: 330 - 350
Mags: Proprietary KSC/KWA 26rd GBB midcap mag
Pros:
- Full metal externals and internals
- Railed and unrailed frames available
- PTP & NS2 blowback system is probably the most realistic in weight and recoil
- M93R variant features semi/3rd/full auto modes unlike the KJW full auto only
- KSC versions have full trademarks
- KWA feature a 45 day warranty
Cons:
- Some early production KWA M9 PTP’s had issues with the blowback unit failing and jamming the slide
- No aftermarket parts available
- No Brigadier slides available
KWA and KSC have become well known producers of quality GBB’s and AEG’s. Their NS2 and PTP blowback system (KSC markets the NS2 as System 7) is probably the best on the market and gives very good recoil, nearly comparable to a real Beretta M9. They are one of the most expensive full metal M9’s on the market but they are also probably the top ones readily available.
KWC M92FS/INOX Gas Blow Back (GBB) = Original Design
Price: $40 - $50
FPS: 230 - 250
Mags: Proprietary KWC 14rd GBB low cap mag
Pros:
- Cheap entry point into M9's
Cons:
- Cheap plastic externals with limited metal internals
- Low quality control
- Not compatible with TM aftermarket parts
KWC is not to be confused with KSC or KWA, KWC is a completely separate company. They offer a low starting point into GBB's, the quality is low and it's basically unrepairable after it breaks.
SOCOM Gear M92FS Gas Blow Back (GBB) = Rebranded WETTI (WE)
Price: $155 - $165
FPS: 300 - 330
Mags: Proprietary WETTI 26rd GBB midcap mag
Pros:
- Same as WETTI
Cons:
- Same as WETTI
Like all of SOCOM Gear’s products the M9A1 “SOF” is a standard M9FS. SOCOM Gear offers them in a number of colors, but includes a threaded outer barrel and silencer. They are virtually the same as WETTI M9’s.
Tokyo Marui M92FS/INOX Spring and Gas Blow Back (GBB) and Automatic Electric Pistol (AEP) = Original Design
Price: $30 - $180
FPS: 270 - 300
Mags: Standard Tokyo Marui 24rd GBB midcap mag
Pros:
- Tokyo Marui quality and reliability
- Many aftermarket upgrades and parts available
- Special “Biohazard/Resident Evil” version released
- “Tacmaster” variant with Hogue style grips also available
- Tokyo Marui also manufactures a quality spring version
- Electric and gas powered variants available
Cons:
- Not a full metal replica out of the box, but there are many aftermarket kits
- Does not handle Green Gas/Propane well due to the ABS plastic slide
Tokyo Marui is probably the most highly regarded company in airsoft. The TM M9 is a solid performing replica on HFC134a, but requires upgrades such as a metal body to handle green gas effectively. Their electric line is very similar to their GBB lineup as a reliable but accurate backup.
UHC M92FS Spring = Original Design
Price: $15 - $30
FPS: 250 - 280
Mags: Proprietary UHC 15rd spring low cap mag
Pros:
- Cheap
Cons:
- Cheap plastic externals and internals
UHC is a low quality spring company. Their M92 is a basic Wal-Mart, Gander Mountain, Dunhams, level plinking pistol.
Western Arms M92FS/INOX Gas Blow Back (GBB) = Original Design
Price: $200 - $420
FPS: 240 - 300
Mags: Proprietary WA 25rd GBB midcap mag
Pros:
- WA quality externals
- Variants include the INOX and M92FS
- Railed and unrailed frames available
Cons:
- Internals are prone to failure
- Not the same quality as WA 1911’s
Western Arms is highly regarded as one of the best 1911 manufactures, unfortunately their M9’s are not to the same quality. They have a large range in prices, but aftermarket parts are slim in comparison to the TM.
WETTI M92FS/INOX Gas Blow Back (GBB) = Original Design
Price: $105 - $165
FPS: 300 - 330
Mags: Proprietary WETTI 26rd GBB midcap mag
Pros:
- Full metal externals and internals
- Many variants available including the INOX, M92FS, “MEU” with 1911 MEU inspired grips, 1” longer barrel and frame, and the SOCOM Gear style SOF
Cons:
- Weak WE pot metal internals
- Not compatible with TM aftermarket parts and upgrades
Like most WETTI (WE) products the M9 is a fairly low quality starter pistol. The M9 series is fairly new so long term durability is questionable. It is cool to see different variations, including the rare extended M9 (the barrel and frame are 1” longer than the standard M92FS).
© Copyright triggs 2010
There are a large number of M9 variants available so this is a basic breakdown of the available models:
M9FS = The standard M9 pistol used by the US Military
M9 Brigadier = Standard M9FS with a heavier “Brigadier” slide for better recoil control
M9 INOX = Standard M9FS with a polished or matte polished finish
M90 – TWO = An improved variant of the M9FS with a polymer lower
M93R = A 3rnd burst or full auto variant of the M9 family
PT92 = A modified version of the M9 developed by Taurus
Bell M9 Brigadier Gas Blow Back (GBB) = Tokyo Marui Clone
Price: $45 - $60
FPS: 280 - 300
Mags: Standard Tokyo Marui 24rd GBB midcap mag
Pros:
- Full metal internals and externals
- Cheap price for a Tokyo Marui clone
- Good weight and feel for a $50 clone
Cons:
- Cheap internals break easily
- Only railed frames available
- Only Brigadier style slides available
The Bell M9 is actually a clone of the HFC M9, why Bell chose to clone a clone is unknown. However the pistol is compatible with any TM standard M9 mag and is easy to repair.
Cybergun PT92 Gas Blow Back (GB) = Rebranded KJW
Price: $125 - $135
FPS: 280 - 330
Mags: Standard Tokyo Marui 24rd GBB midcap mag
Pros:
- Same as KJW
- Full Taurus trademarks
Cons:
- Same as KJW
Cybergun has a reputation for low quality products and high prices. The reason being, they hold the rights to most companies' trademarks so you as the customer pay a premium for engravings.
The KJW PT92 is a solid pistol, it's simply a matter if you want Cybergun trademarks and a higher price or not.
Firepower M92FS Spring = Rebranded UHC
Price: $15 - $30
FPS: 250 - 280
Mags: Proprietary UHC 15rd spring low cap mag
Pros:
- Same as UHC
Cons:
- Same as UHC
Firepower rebrands the UHC spring M92FS; these can be readily found at Wal-mart, Meijer, Dunhams, Gander Mountain, etc. They aren’t particularly made to last or be used for much besides backyard plinking.
HFC M9 Brigadier/M90-TWO Gas Blow Back (GBB) = Tokyo Marui Clone
Price: $70 - $135
FPS: 280 - 300
Mags: Standard Tokyo Marui 24rd GBB midcap mag
Pros:
-Full metal internals and externals
- The HFC HG160 is a vague representation of the new Beretta M90-TWO
- Both the M9 and M90-TWO have a full auto selector
Cons:
- Clone internals are not the best quality
- Only railed frames available on the M9FS
- Only Brigadier slides available for the M9FS
- The HG160 is not exactly a M90-TWO by any means
HFC, like Bell, is a clone company. Quality isn’t bad for a starter pistol, but they do break quickly, sometimes loosing the full auto function.
KJW M9FS/INOX/PT92/M93R Gas Blow Back (GBB) = Tokyo Marui Clone
Price: $90 - $115
FPS: 280 - 330
Mags: Standard Tokyo Marui 24rd GBB midcap mag
Pros:
- Full metal externals and internals
- Many variants including the M92FS, INOX, Delta, PT92, M93R (full auto), as well as a “Tacmaster” variant with Hogue style rubber grips for increased comfort
- Brigadier slide and railed or unrailed frames available
- Tokyo Marui compatible
Cons:
- Not more readily available
KJW makes a solid full metal M9 copy. It works very well and has good quality internals. For the price it’s an excellent starter GBB
KSC/KWA M9FS/M93R Gas Blow Back (GBB) = Original Design
Price: $150 - $175
FPS: 330 - 350
Mags: Proprietary KSC/KWA 26rd GBB midcap mag
Pros:
- Full metal externals and internals
- Railed and unrailed frames available
- PTP & NS2 blowback system is probably the most realistic in weight and recoil
- M93R variant features semi/3rd/full auto modes unlike the KJW full auto only
- KSC versions have full trademarks
- KWA feature a 45 day warranty
Cons:
- Some early production KWA M9 PTP’s had issues with the blowback unit failing and jamming the slide
- No aftermarket parts available
- No Brigadier slides available
KWA and KSC have become well known producers of quality GBB’s and AEG’s. Their NS2 and PTP blowback system (KSC markets the NS2 as System 7) is probably the best on the market and gives very good recoil, nearly comparable to a real Beretta M9. They are one of the most expensive full metal M9’s on the market but they are also probably the top ones readily available.
KWC M92FS/INOX Gas Blow Back (GBB) = Original Design
Price: $40 - $50
FPS: 230 - 250
Mags: Proprietary KWC 14rd GBB low cap mag
Pros:
- Cheap entry point into M9's
Cons:
- Cheap plastic externals with limited metal internals
- Low quality control
- Not compatible with TM aftermarket parts
KWC is not to be confused with KSC or KWA, KWC is a completely separate company. They offer a low starting point into GBB's, the quality is low and it's basically unrepairable after it breaks.
SOCOM Gear M92FS Gas Blow Back (GBB) = Rebranded WETTI (WE)
Price: $155 - $165
FPS: 300 - 330
Mags: Proprietary WETTI 26rd GBB midcap mag
Pros:
- Same as WETTI
Cons:
- Same as WETTI
Like all of SOCOM Gear’s products the M9A1 “SOF” is a standard M9FS. SOCOM Gear offers them in a number of colors, but includes a threaded outer barrel and silencer. They are virtually the same as WETTI M9’s.
Tokyo Marui M92FS/INOX Spring and Gas Blow Back (GBB) and Automatic Electric Pistol (AEP) = Original Design
Price: $30 - $180
FPS: 270 - 300
Mags: Standard Tokyo Marui 24rd GBB midcap mag
Pros:
- Tokyo Marui quality and reliability
- Many aftermarket upgrades and parts available
- Special “Biohazard/Resident Evil” version released
- “Tacmaster” variant with Hogue style grips also available
- Tokyo Marui also manufactures a quality spring version
- Electric and gas powered variants available
Cons:
- Not a full metal replica out of the box, but there are many aftermarket kits
- Does not handle Green Gas/Propane well due to the ABS plastic slide
Tokyo Marui is probably the most highly regarded company in airsoft. The TM M9 is a solid performing replica on HFC134a, but requires upgrades such as a metal body to handle green gas effectively. Their electric line is very similar to their GBB lineup as a reliable but accurate backup.
UHC M92FS Spring = Original Design
Price: $15 - $30
FPS: 250 - 280
Mags: Proprietary UHC 15rd spring low cap mag
Pros:
- Cheap
Cons:
- Cheap plastic externals and internals
UHC is a low quality spring company. Their M92 is a basic Wal-Mart, Gander Mountain, Dunhams, level plinking pistol.
Western Arms M92FS/INOX Gas Blow Back (GBB) = Original Design
Price: $200 - $420
FPS: 240 - 300
Mags: Proprietary WA 25rd GBB midcap mag
Pros:
- WA quality externals
- Variants include the INOX and M92FS
- Railed and unrailed frames available
Cons:
- Internals are prone to failure
- Not the same quality as WA 1911’s
Western Arms is highly regarded as one of the best 1911 manufactures, unfortunately their M9’s are not to the same quality. They have a large range in prices, but aftermarket parts are slim in comparison to the TM.
WETTI M92FS/INOX Gas Blow Back (GBB) = Original Design
Price: $105 - $165
FPS: 300 - 330
Mags: Proprietary WETTI 26rd GBB midcap mag
Pros:
- Full metal externals and internals
- Many variants available including the INOX, M92FS, “MEU” with 1911 MEU inspired grips, 1” longer barrel and frame, and the SOCOM Gear style SOF
Cons:
- Weak WE pot metal internals
- Not compatible with TM aftermarket parts and upgrades
Like most WETTI (WE) products the M9 is a fairly low quality starter pistol. The M9 series is fairly new so long term durability is questionable. It is cool to see different variations, including the rare extended M9 (the barrel and frame are 1” longer than the standard M92FS).
© Copyright triggs 2010