Beretta 92 FS Compact Inox Operating Instructions - Page 8

GENERAL FUNCTIONAL PRINCIPLE All Beretta pistols of the 92 Series are semi-automatic, functioning on the delayed blowback, short barrel recoil stroke principle, utilizing a unique falling locking block system. Considering the pistol magazine and chamber loaded, the hammer fully lowered and the safety OFF, the pistol is ready for discharge by the doubleaction trigger pull mode. Upon trigger pull discharge of the chambered round the powder gas pressure recoils the locked together barrel locking block/slide unit, compressing the recoil spring. After a short run the locking block, via its plunger, smoothly disengages the locking system. As the barrel recoil stops, the disconnected slide completes its recoil stroke, during which the hammer is rotated into cocking motion, the spent cartridge case extracted and ejected and the next cartridge in the magazine lifted up in front of the slide breech ready for chambering. At the moment the slide recoil is halted, the compressed recoil spring pushes the slide forward chambering the next cartridge. As the slide leaves the hammer the sear retains it fully-cocked, ready for single action trigger pull mode. Upon chambering, the slide breech pushes the barrel unit forward, and as the locking block slides up the frame's lifting support cam, the slide closing stroke is completed. The shooter must allow the trigger to go forward and reingage to fire the next round. After the last round is fired and the slide breech recoils past the magazine well, the spring activated magazine follower lifts the slide catch, which upon the slide's closing stroke locks the slide open, signaling the pistol is empty. LOADING AND FIRING Caution: Always keep finger off the trigger until ready to fire. Make sure the chamber is not already loaded by inspecting the extractor's chamber-loaded indicator (Fig. 4-D3). LOADING THE MAGAZINE: To load the magazine, remove it from the pistol by depressing the magazine release button (Fig 7). Hold the magazine in the left hand. With your right hand place a cartridge on the follower in front of the lips, press down and slide the cartridge completely back under the lips (Fig. 8). For ease of continued loading place the head of the next cartridge to be loaded on the front of the case, not bullet, of the 7