The Beretta 92XI SAO Sabbia isn’t just another variant in the 90 Series—it’s a redefinition of what this classic platform can be when optimized for performance. Drawing on the proven combat DNA of the original 92, the new Sabbia, chambered in 9 mm Luger, shifts to a single-action-only (SAO) trigger system and adds a series of upgrades that move it into serious competition gun territory.
Swapping the traditional double-action/single-action operation for a competition-tuned SAO trigger transforms the shooting experience. The X-treme S flat-face trigger has a clean, crisp break with a short reset. The trigger blade itself has a subtle bend at the midpoint—enough to create a natural index point for your finger—and includes front serrations for extra traction. A skeletonized hammer with a serrated edge, paired with a 92X Performance hammer spring and DLC-mounted internals also help smooth out the action.
The frame-mounted thumb safety lever is easier than I thought I would be to manipulate. Overall, the Sabbia’s controls feel tailored rather than generic.
The Sabbia’s Vertec-style frame, finished in flat dark earth (FDE) anodizing, shifts the grip angle to a more vertical presentation. This improves pointability and recovery during fast strings of fire. LOK Grips’ Veloce G10 panels feature a mix of textures running in multiple directions, offering confident purchase without being overly abrasive. The frontstrap features vertical lines at the top and bottom with crosshatching in between, while the backstrap is only crosshatched.
Under the hood, the 4.7-inch threaded barrel is suppressor- and compensator-ready out of the box and finished in matte black. The FDE anodized steel slide features vertical serrations at both the front and rear, giving shooters reliable purchase for slide racking or disassembly. A three-lug Picatinny rail on the dustcover provides ample real estate for mounting something like a light. In addition, the oversized trigger guard gives plenty of space, even for gloved hands.
A flared magazine well from Toni System—removable with a single screw—makes reloads fast and intuitive. As for the extended magazine release button, it sports a tactile surface and sticks out enough to be easy to use without being too long.
Iron sights include a dovetailed, serrated black rear notch and a bright red fiber-optic front sight, also dovetailed and easy to pick up quickly and effective in bright lighting. Like many of Beretta’s newest handguns, the 92XI SAO Sabbia’s slide is cut for mounting an optic. Adding a red dot is refreshingly simple: remove the factory cover plate using a 2 mm Allen wrench, install the appropriate mounting plate with a 2.5 mm wrench, torque the screws to 15 inch-pounds and secure your optic. Installation is straightforward even for shooters new to red dots. There’s no need for custom gunsmithing or aftermarket slide work—just the appropriate plate and tools. The optic sits at a height that still allows for co-witnessing with suppressor-height irons if desired. (Note: Mounting plates sold separately.)
For those putting in serious range time—whether in action-shooting competition or defensive training—the 92XI SAO Sabbia offers a platform that rewards discipline. With its hefty steel frame, this is the kind of pistol that reveals weaknesses in your game, but also helps correct them.
Notably, the Sabbia is made at the Beretta USA facility in Gallatin, Tennessee—an increasingly important hub for the company’s U.S. manufacturing efforts. The pistol ships with three 18-round Mec-Gar magazines, each outfitted with +4 aluminum base pads from Toni System, giving you a 22-round capacity. These Italian-made magazines come with a slick Teflon coating for smooth feeding and reloading, and three standard base pads are also included for those who prefer a flush-fit setup.
Although Beretta USA supplied a mounting plate with the Trijicon RMR-pattern footprint, I opted to complete this evaluation using the factory iron sights, which offered excellent target acquisition in both indoor and outdoor conditions.
RANGE TIME
On a sweltering mid-June afternoon, the 92XI SAO Sabbia and I headed to a local outdoor range for live-fire testing. I started with Federal’s Syntech Action Pistol 150-grain load and ran a mix of drills on cardboard targets and a steel plate rack. From the first press, the Sabbia’s tuned trigger and well-balanced frame proved it wasn’t just designed to go fast—it demands it.
The pistol ran flat and steady. At 35.28 ounces unloaded, its all-steel construction softens recoil and helps maintain a stable sight picture through rapid fire. The weight doesn’t bog the pistol down; instead, it anchors it. Adding a compensator will likely make it shoot even flatter. Also, this gun is just begging for a suppressor, although, the additional weight is something to consider before taking the plunge.
Reloads were quick and drama-free. The extended magazine release was easily accessible without shifting my grip, and I especially liked its textured surface. The flared magazine well funneled the smooth-loading Mec-Gar magazines into place without hesitation. The whole setup felt tuned for speed. In addition, even under sweat and summer heat, the grip panels offered consistent control without becoming abrasive.
After burning through several mags of the Syntech 150s, I moved indoors to the NRA Media test range for accuracy and chronograph testing. Along with the Federal 150-grain load, I fed the 92XI SAO Sabbia a steady diet of Federal Syntech Range 115-grain and Nosler ASP 115-grain rounds. The gun didn’t blink, with no failures to feed, fire or eject during the evaluation.
The best group of the day—1.29 inches—came from the Syntech Action Pistol 150-grain load. However, the other loads weren’t far behind, with Federal and Nosler’s 115-grain both printing some tight groups.
After shooting more than 600 rounds across two sessions, the 92XI SAO Sabbia continued to run clean and fast. There were no mechanical hiccups and the fit remained tight. The steel frame absorbed recoil like a champ, and the trigger was consistent across extended shooting sessions.
ACCURACY TABLE
FINAL THOUGHTS
“Sabbia” means sand in Italian, and the name isn’t just poetic—it’s visual. The FDE anodized frame and Cerakoted steel slide reflect a desert-inspired, rugged aesthetic. It’s bold without being gaudy, classic without being dated.
Beretta is capping production of the 92XI SAO Sabbia to only 400 units. This exclusivity does come at a price—MSRP is $1,329—but you’re not just buying an ordinary handgun. You’re getting an optics-ready and suppressor-ready pistol from one of the most historic firearm makers in the world.
In a market increasingly dominated by polymer striker-fired pistols, the 92XI SAO Sabbia is a confident return to metal-framed, hammer-fired precision. It’s a pistol that marries old-world craftsmanship with new-school features, namely optic and suppressor compatibility. And with Beretta approaching its 500th anniversary in 2026, the Sabbia stands as a fitting example of a company that isn’t just holding onto its legacy—it’s still pushing it forward.
SPECIFICATIONS
Learn more at beretta.com.
