“Squalo” means shark in Italian, and the oceanic predator served as an inspiration to Beretta’s design team while developing the company’s new 92XI Squalo single-action 9 mm pistol. (Watch the video above or at YouTube.)
Building on the base 92X series, the optics-ready 92XI Squalo is tricked out to race straight from the factory, sporting a Vertec-style aluminum frame, 4.7-inch barrel and 22-round capacity. It also includes a flat-faced trigger and performance DLC-coated trigger components, a lightweight skeletonized hammer, Toni System flared magazine well and a red fiber-optic front sight. In addition, since it is a single-action-only handgun, the Beretta 92XI Squalo can be carried cocked and locked.
A highly textured grip designed for Beretta by Hogue provides enhanced control, along with an extended takedown lever, ambidextrous frame-mounted safety and adjustable magazine release round out the 92XI Squalo 9 mm pistol and allow for customizing it to your own preferences.
Regarding the extended takedown lever, it’s like a small shelf for your thumb (“gas pedal”), which helps to mitigate recoil, as well as drive your support hand into the gun.
Beretta’s MDRS (Mini Red-Dot Sight) system allows you to mount your choice of several popular models of red-dot optics. If you decide to stick with the iron sights, the 92XI Squalo has a generous sight radius measuring 6.1 inches long.
Three Mec-Gar 18+4 round magazines are included with the Beretta 92XI Squalo pistol. The magazines are equipped with Toni System extended base pads.
The aforementioned flared magazine well from Italian company Toni System makes it easy to insert a magazine in the 92XI Squalo. Since the magwell is attached to the frame by a single screw, it can be removed.
The Beretta 92XI Squalo is legal for USPSA competition straight from the factory in Limited Optics division.
MSRP for the Beretta 92XI Squalo starts at $1,329. Go to beretta.com.
