First Shots: Beretta 92XI Squalo

A competition-focused version of the 92XI.

by
posted on January 23, 2024

Beretta released the single-action-only 92XI pistol at SHOT Show in 2023. Now Beretta has unveiled the 92XI Squalo, another 9mm pistol based on the 92XI, which itself is based on the hugely successful double-action/single action Beretta 92 series. 

The new Squalo, which means “shark” in Italian, is designed with performance in mind and is optics ready right out of the box. There is a Toni Systems extended magazine well for faster reloads, and the pistol ships with magazines that have Toni Systems basepads and extenders. This combination gives each magazine a capacity of 22 rounds, making for few reloads during extended engagements. True to its name, the new Beretta 92XI Squalo has Hogue G10 textured grips that are reminiscent of shark skin. While this new handgun has Beretta’s optics-ready mounting system, it also includes a competition-style, iron-sight set consisting of a fiber-optic front sight with a plain-back rear sight.

Like the majority of current-production 9mm Beretta 92s, the 92XI Squalo is built on the Vertec frame, which includes a railed dust cover and has a slimmer grip. This pistol also has some peripherals first seen on Beretta’s 92X Performance series such as the X-Treme S trigger, an extended magazine takedown lever and DLC coating throughout internal parts. As it includes both a magazine well and and a single-action-only trigger mechanism, this new pistol is legal for USPSA competition right from the factory for either under the Limited Minor or Limited Optics divisions.

Beretta 92XI Squalo Specifications:  

  • Caliber: 9mm
  • Action: Hammer-fired, single-action-only semi-automatic
  • Barrel Length: 4.7 inches
  • Overall Length: 8.5 inches
  • Grip Width: 1.3 inches
  • Height: 5.4 inches
  • Magazine Capacity: 22 rounds.
  • Magazines Included: Three competition-style magazines with extended Toni Systems baseplates
  • Optics Ready: Yes
  • Sights: Fiber optic front sight, plain black rear sight
  • Safety: Frame mounted ambidextrous thumb safeties 

The new Beretta 92XI Squalo 9mm pistol has a starting retail price $1,299. To learn more about this new single action performance pistol or other products from Beretta, please visit beretta.com.

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