Fabbrica · Pistol
Beretta 98FS
Short recoil (semi-automatic) · 9x21mm IMI · introduced 1990
Also known as Beretta 98, Beretta 98 FS
About the Beretta 98FS
The Beretta 98FS is a full-size semi-automatic pistol from Beretta's 90-series, mechanically identical to the 92FS but chambered in 9x21mm IMI. The 9x21mm cartridge was developed so that civilian sport shooters in countries such as Italy could own a service-style pistol despite bans on military-caliber 9x19mm Parabellum ammunition. It retains the 92FS's open-slide short-recoil action, alloy frame, double-action/single-action trigger, and ambidextrous slide-mounted safety/decocker, with a 15-round double-stack magazine.
The 9x21mm IMI cartridge exists almost entirely because of European firearms law: several countries reserve military-caliber 9x19mm Parabellum for the armed forces, so Israel Military Industries lengthened the case to 21mm to create a legally distinct but ballistically similar sporting round, which Beretta chambered in the 98 series.
Beretta 98FS specifications
General
- Type
- Pistol
- Action
- Short recoil (semi-automatic)
- Firing mechanism
- Hammer-fired
- Trigger
- Double action
- Calibres
- 9x21mm IMI
- Magazine capacity
- 15 rounds
- Magazine
- Detachable box magazine
Dimensions
- Barrel length
- 125 mm (4.9 in)
- Overall length
- 217 mm (8.5 in)
- Height
- 140 mm (5.5 in)
- Width
- 37 mm (1.5 in)
- Weight (empty)
- 0.97 kg (2.15 lb)
- Sight radius
- 155 mm (6.1 in)
Barrel
- Rifling twist
- 1:10 in (250 mm)
- Rifling
- Right hand
- Grooves
- 6
Materials
- Barrel
- Steel
- Receiver / frame
- Aluminum alloy
- Slide
- Steel
- Finish
- bruniton
Performance
- Muzzle velocity (typical)
- 390 m/s (1280 fps)
- Muzzle energy (typical)
- 600 J (443 ft·lb)
- Effective range
- 50 m
History
- Introduced
- 1990
- Production status
- In production
- Country of origin
- IT
- Designer
- Beretta
Features
- Ambidextrous safety
- Open slide design
- Reversible mag release
- Combat trigger guard
Safety
- Manual safety
- Decocker
- Firing pin block
The 98 series is the 9x21mm IMI counterpart to the 92 (9x19mm) and 96 (.40 S&W) series. Some 98-series models were also offered in 7.65mm Luger. Later designations include the 98A1 alongside the 92A1 update.
This is a variant of the Beretta 92FS.
Similar models
Beretta 1934
Short recoil (semi-automatic) · .380 ACP
Beretta 1935 (M935)
Short recoil (semi-automatic) · .32 ACP
Beretta 1951 (M951 Brigadier)
Short recoil (semi-automatic) · 9x19mm Parabellum
Beretta 20
Short recoil (semi-automatic) · .25 ACP
Beretta 20X Bobcat
Short recoil (semi-automatic) · .22 Long Rifle
Beretta 21 Bobcat
Short recoil (semi-automatic) · .22 Long Rifle
Beretta 21 Bobcat Inox
Short recoil (semi-automatic) · .22 Long Rifle
Beretta 21A
Short recoil (semi-automatic) · .22 Long Rifle