Beretta Steel-I Instruction Manual

55
Fig. 1
O
Fig. 2
decocked hammer-safety disengaged decocked hammer-safety engaged
Fig. 3 Fig. 4
O 

56
Series
cocked hammer-safety engaged
Fig. 5
half-cocked hammer
safety disengaged
single/double action mod. onlyhalf-cocked hammer
safety engaged
single/double action mod. only
Fig. 8 Fig. 9Fig. 7
Fig. 6
A
MF
E
N
cocked hammer-safety disengaged 

57
SAFETY FEATURES
NOTICE: The figure numbers noted below refer to the
photographs on pages 2, 55, 56, 173.
Frame mounted safety (Fig. 1-5/A). All 92/98/96 Steel I
pistols feature an ambidextrous  manual safety on the frame that
locks the sear and the slide in the closed position. The manual
safety can be engaged when the hammer is in decocked or
cocked position (Fig. 4 and 7). On the single/double action
versions the safety can be also engaged with the hammer in half-
cocked position (Fig. 9). The...

58
Series
Automatic Firing Pin Block (Fig. 1/B). The 92/98/96 Steel I
pistols have a blocking device that prevents for ward movement
of the firing pin unless the trigger is pulled. This feature is
intended to prevent discharge if the pistol is dropped or if the
hammer is unintentionally dropped without pulling the trigger.
Loaded chamber indicator (Fig. 2). The loaded chamber
indicator is a small red tab (extractor) that protrudes fur ther from
the slide when a round is in the chamber. The tab is located...

59
Half-cock notch (on hammer) – single/double action versions
only (Fig. 8 and 9). The hammer of the 92/98/96 Steel I
single/double action pistol features  a half-cock notch that will
catch on the sear, before striking the firing pin, should the
hammer be released inadver tently by violently striking or
dropping the pistol.
OPERATIONAL AND
ANATOMICAL FEATURES
Semi-automatic firing.Model 92/98/96 Steel I pistols will
automatically reload after each round is fired, as long as there
are car tridges in the...

60
Series
Conversion of mode of operation (single/double to single
action only or single action only to single/double action). The
Beretta 92/98/96 Steel I pistols are predisposed for conversion
of their mode of operation from single/double to single action
only and viceversa (only where allowed by local laws).  The
conversion requires the replacement of several pistol
components.
WARNING:This operation must be carried out by a competent
gunsmith.
Micrometric adjustment of the trigger (92/98/96 Steel I...

61
Recoil reducing slide (Fig. 1/H). The slide has been widened
near the slide rails. The reconfigured front profile also allows for
a removable dovetailed front sight. Front and rear slide
serrations enable easier racking during manual operation.
Ambidextrous safety lever (Fig. 1-5/A).Frame mounted,
ambidextrous for easier thumb access. Extended length and
width.
Sights (Fig. 1/I). Front and rear sights are dovetailed into the
slide for possible replacement. 3-dot sight system  is designed
for quick...

62
Series
SPECIFICATIONS
VersionsSingle action only and single/double action
Model92 Steel I 98 Steel I 96 Steel I
Caliber9mmx19
(Parabellum or Luger) 9mmx21 IMI 40 S&W
Magazine capacity
(rounds)*10, 15 15 10, 11
Rifling twist (mm/in)250/9.84 250/9.84 400/15.7
RiflingR.H., 6 grooves.
OperationSemiautomatic, shor t recoil of the barrel
Locking systemLocked-breech, falling block
ActionSingle action only or single/double action versions
SightsFront and rear sights dovetailed into the slide.
Removable....

63
GENERAL OPERATION
Beretta’s 92/98/96 Steel I semi-automatic pistols use a shor t
recoil locked-breech system with falling block. 
When the pistol is fired, the pressure developed by combustion
gas recoils the slide-barrel assembly. After a shor t run of slide-
barrel assembly, the locking block falls and releases the slide
letting it recoil while the barrel stops against frame. The slide,
during its rear ward movement, extracts and ejects the fired
car tridge case, cocks the hammer and activates the...

64
Series
•Remove the magazine by depressing the magazine release
button. (Fig. 10)
•Retract the slide. Visually inspect the car tridge chamber to
ensure that it is empty. The chamber is empty when no
car tridge is visible when looking into the open chamber.
(Fig. 11)
Releasing the slide when a magazine is not in the pistol will
automatically close the slide. Always keep your finger away from
the ejection por t. To keep the slide in the open position, without
the magazine in the pistol, fully retract the...