From the M1923 comes the open slide design, while the alloy frame and the hinged locking block, originally from Walther P38, were first used in the M1951.

The grip angle and the front sight integrated with the slide were also common to earlier Beretta pistols.

These pistols have tellurium in the slide, making the French made steel brittle, and as such only have a service life of approximately 6,000 rounds.

The French military fitted new Italian made steel slides to its PAMAS G1 pistols before they reached that round count.

The main purpose is to stop the slide from flying off the frame to the rear if it cracks, potentially injuring the user.

In reality, the guns were cracking and being blown apart due to improperly made ammunition, which was far more powerful than NATO specifications.

The 92FS also came as a 92FS Centurion model which featured the shorter barrel and slide of the 92 Compact on a full-size 92FS frame.

The Beretta 92's open slide design ensures smooth feeding and ejection of ammunition and allows easy clearing of obstructions.

The falling locking block design provides good accuracy and operability with suppressors due to the in-line travel of the barrel.

Polymer coated metal parts include the left side safety lever, trigger, and magazine release button.

It also has a longer ported barrel, heavier slide, fitting for a shoulder stock, a folding forward grip, and an extended magazine.

[9]: 12–13 The Beretta 92 was designed for sports and law enforcement use and, due to its reliability, was accepted by military users in countries all over the world.