Beretta 92FS/M9 Safety Deactivation: An Easier Way

Here’s an easier way to disengage the Beretta 92FS safety, thanks to Ernest Langdon. I’ve been doing it a much harder way all these years.

A couple months ago, I attended Ernest Langdon’s Advanced Tactical Pistol Skills class. It was a good reminder that this thing called “practice” is required to maintain the proficiency at which I have become accustomed to performing. Suffice it to say, I had an eye opener. Last week, Ernest came back to do another class and I was one of the first in line to attend. Among the many little nuggets of information I picked up over the past two classes, one that particularly stood out was the safety manipulation on the Beretta 92FS. While I haven’t had a ton of time on the pistol, I had shot it a little since it is the standard issue pistol at work. I had always deactivated the safety (should it be inadvertently engaged or during de-cock process) by flicking it in an upward arc motion with my thumb. Of course, this compromised my grip and was not a particularly efficient or comfortable movement. During class, Ernest mentioned the proper way to deactivate the safety, which is simply to swipe the lever in a downward arcing movement with the strong thumb and the lever will snap up into fire position. Maybe I had been living in a cave for all these years, but this was new to me, so I am sharing it with all of you.

In the meantime, consider training with Ernest at any of his upcoming courses. You’ll have a great time and learn a ton.

SOURCE: Langdon Tactical

This entry was posted in Modern Service Pistols, Training by Tim Lau. Bookmark the permalink.

About Tim Lau

Tim Lau has over a decade of experience as an end user, armorer and instructor. He has worked for several well known firearms training organizations, and holds multiple firearms instructor certifications. He owns and operates 10-8 Consulting, LLC, which provides industry consulting services as well as marksmanship and specialized firearms training to qualified civilian, law enforcement and military personnel.

8 thoughts on “Beretta 92FS/M9 Safety Deactivation: An Easier Way

  1. Good info. I recently discovered the 92 and how easy they are to shoot well. A class from Langdon is high on my list.

  2. Thanks for the tip.. Have shot the 92FS since beginning my department (since switched to M&P). Still like shooting it and will add this to my practice.

  3. This is why the 92’s safety is just WRONG. Dumbest location for a safety.

  4. Long ago that was our duty gun and before that Smiths. I always shot you thumb straight out to do it. Downward certainly looks interesting. Oh, and we had to carry it with the safety on.

    • This was exactly what I did when carrying the SW5906, punch it straight out. People thought I was nuts but I could seamlessly transition between work with the 5906 and play with the 1911. Everyone was hung up on how they were “opposites” but the reality for me was they were exactly the same motion, punching straight out.

  5. I didn’t get it; had to get mine out to see.

    For those like me who were unclear, it’s a matter of pushing the back of the lever forward.

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