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So as not to hijack another thread, and thanks in advance to GordonC for offering up some pointers...

Well I've begun shooting the Beretta 92FS in IDPA, really enjoying this pistol but have noticed I have a nasty flaw somewhere.

(Gordon C - I was shooting revolvers before making the switch.)

Several times in two matches so far, I have somehow activated the safety/decocker lever on the Beretta. I am a right handed shooter, using a a firm thumbs forward grip. My support hand rides as high as possible with the thumb pointing forward and in contact with the frame, forward of the takedown lever. My strong hand is typical I suppose, but instead of my thumb pointing straight forward (call it 12:00), I have to angle it to the left slightly...to around "11:00". I have to do this to keep my stong hand thumb away from the slide lock lever so that it will lock open after the last round. No one home to take a photo at the moment, I'll post one if that changes.

The only thing I can think might be happening is I'm getting lazy with my strong hand thumb at times, and maybe it's coming up off my support hand and activating the safety/decocker during recoil. Not sure of this, but can't find another explanation.

And thoughts, ideas or comments?

JLaw

The 92FS has a slide mounted safety/decocker I can't see any way that you are activating it during recoil. Have you considered the possibility of a mechanical problem with the pistol?

Are you flipping the safety on when you come up from a low ready. I practice intentionally flipping the safty off every time comming from a low ready, because I have knocked it on a few times

I don't think it's a mechanical problem, the safety feels pretty firm to engage and disengage. But no one else has shot the weapon to confirm this.

I do not practice flipping the safety off when I draw this weapon, only with my S&W 908. Same safety configuration, but the Beretta's lever is a little higher up and farther back. The safety is never engaged on the first shot, it's always been in the middle of a string of fire. I dunno?

JLaw

JLaw wrote:I don't think it's a mechanical problem, the safety feels pretty firm to engage and disengage. But no one else has shot the weapon to confirm this.

I do not practice flipping the safety off when I draw this weapon, only with my S&W 908. Same safety configuration, but the Beretta's lever is a little higher up and farther back. The safety is never engaged on the first shot, it's always been in the middle of a string of fire. I dunno?

JLaw

Contact Beretta. There is no way that I can see how the safety would just flip on while shooting. The safety lever is back farther than your thumbs should be and go even farther back upon discharge of the weapon. I don't see any way that the lever would be accidentally hit. How old is the firearm and how many rounds have been though it.

Also in IDPA match's if the firearm has a safety feature it is suppose to be on when in a match. The fact that you leave it off to shoot IDPA might be considered cheating.

Wildscar wrote:

JLaw wrote:I don't think it's a mechanical problem, the safety feels pretty firm to engage and disengage. But no one else has shot the weapon to confirm this.

I do not practice flipping the safety off when I draw this weapon, only with my S&W 908. Same safety configuration, but the Beretta's lever is a little higher up and farther back. The safety is never engaged on the first shot, it's always been in the middle of a string of fire. I dunno?

JLaw

Contact Beretta. There is no way that I can see how the safety would just flip on while shooting. The safety lever is back farther than your thumbs should be and go even farther back upon discharge of the weapon. I don't see any way that the lever would be accidentally hit. How old is the firearm and how many rounds have been though it.

Also in IDPA match's if the firearm has a safety feature it is suppose to be on when in a match. The fact that you leave it off to shoot IDPA might be considered cheating.

Hmmm, okay. You are correct, the safety is awfully far back to be accidentally bumped on. I suppose it could be a mechanical problem, MoJo already suggested this and I didn't think it would be a problem. But I suppose it is a possibility.

The weapon is pretty new, bought earlier this year. Total round count is low, maybe 800 rounds, definitely under 1K.

I didn't know about the IDPA safety rule, sounds like I need to sit down and read the book and see what else I'm doing wrong! Then I'll get out and practice flipping off the safety during the draw.

JLaw

Wildscar wrote:Also in IDPA match's if the firearm has a safety feature it is suppose to be on when in a match. The fact that you leave it off to shoot IDPA might be considered cheating.

Um, no; not quite correct.

The rules specifically note that DA, DAO, and Safe Action pistols play in SSP. JLaw's Beretta qualifies in SSP. On his pistol--and many others--the device is not a safety, it's a decocker. His Beretta is designed to be carried with the mechanism decocked and in "double-action" mode for the first round. Subsequent rounds are single-action. And that's legal in IDPA.

Single-action-only pistols in ESP and CDP (i.e., Browning models like the 1911), should be readied cocked-and-locked at the "Load and make ready" command.

Jlaw, Only way to really determine what is happening is to have someone watch you while your shooting. If you have time this week, let me know and maybe we can get together.

Regarding the safety, Skiprr is absolutely correct. You do not need to start a double action pistol with the decocker in the on "on" position. Use it to decock the gun, return it to the "up" position an put it in the holster. No argument on this, it is clearly specified in the rules.

Steve

SRVA wrote:Jlaw, Only way to really determine what is happening is to have someone watch you while your shooting. If you have time this week, let me know and maybe we can get together.

Regarding the safety, Skiprr is absolutely correct. You do not need to start a double action pistol with the decocker in the on "on" position. Use it to decock the gun, return it to the "up" position an put it in the holster. No argument on this, it is clearly specified in the rules.

Steve

I'm afraid you might be right. I do hope if Jlaw figures it out that he will let us know whats going on.

And no better person to watch what's goin' on than SRVA!

+1

Or maybe CompVest.

SRVA wrote:Jlaw, Only way to really determine what is happening is to have someone watch you while your shooting. If you have time this week, let me know and maybe we can get together.

Steve

Sounds great, I'll take you up on that sometime, not sure about this weeks evenings yet. BTW, is Thunder Tactical shooting tommorrow evening?

JLaw

We are shooting tomorrow and also this Saturday.