Need To Replace Beretta Slide 92 SB-F Help?

[pre64hunter]

My brother's 92, after many thousands of rounds without issue is beginning to malfunction. It's failing to feed using the same ammo he used for years. The slide is not closing, not fully chambering on every round, sticking open about 1/4". The agency he worked with used these 92SB-F extensively and the warp slide became an issue after many thousands of rounds. We checked the slide, laid on a straight edge it will rock about .009", with drag wear marks in the center. (it's banana shaped with bottom center low). You can feel the slide dragging when racking it by hand, something never felt before.
He returned it to Beretta and they basically test fired and returned as "acceptable".

He just wants to replace the slide, through extensive experience with early Beretta 92's he's convinced it's the slide and eventually it will fail. What is the best option? Should he seek a good Beretta pistol smith, is there a good Beretta gunsmith? Is there after market slides for the older 92, does it need custom fitted or drop in? Thanks.

 

[GregSB]

Check the locking block for a crack. If that's the issue it would be an easy and inexpensive fix.

 

[Nanook]

But otherwise yes, Brownell and other folks online have slides if it does indeed need it. Even better one of our IPs, like Scott's Gunsmithing in Glen Burnie, may be able to take a look if the Manufacturer's sign off isn't a warm fuzzy enough.

Take a look at the spring. Several thousand rounds may have beat it up. A new one is relatively inexpensive.

 

[Busa]

Any full size 92 SB, F, FS or M9 slide will fit and should be a drop in but headspace should be checked. I also suggest replacing the locking block and recoil spring. Slides can be found online just by searching for them.