The Beretta Fusion Black is a 92/98 pistol, but it must not be confused with the standard 92/98 model.
Although the action and mechanics are almost identical, the attention to detail on this gun make it more similar to top-of-the-range fine guns than to a standard model from stock production. Starting with the case, we see it is refined and flashy enough to be immediately recognizable, but still does not cross the line into being gaudy.
The hard Carbon fiber case is emblazoned with the Pietro Beretta badge and inside it is lined in black leather. This was the kind of case that was used for a pair of matching pistols and called a “French Fit” case.
The internal stitching is done by hand using a thread in a contrasting color.
The case also contains the pistol, a second magazine, a special screwdriver for the grip screws made of Carbon fiber, and the cleaning kit with a brush. The handle is also made of Carbon fiber. The tools fit well into the case and there’s also a metal plaque with congratulations for the purchase of the Beretta Special Edition model.
The steel plaque is photoengraved with the serial number of the pistol and it also bears the autograph of Franco Gussalli Beretta, the president of Fabbrica d’Armi Pietro Beretta SpA. The case has a combination lock and the handle has a premium quality walnut insert, which at first glance looks too lovely to be the left overs of a walnut block of a rifle. It instead appears to have been especially selected.
This Special Edition pistol is all black, but various shades of black have been used as well to create a very special look.
These tones range from Carbon fiber to the deep black of the polished parts, the matte black of the satin-finish parts and the dense pattern of the ebony element in the grips. The Beretta emblem has been engraved using a hammer & chisel technique.
The screws that hold the grips on the frame are in two different tones, gloss and matte and a special screwdriver had to be made for them. It is black too, as it is made of Carbon fiber.
All together the weapon displays the meticulous attention to detail that balances a combination of technology and innovation, including both technological precision and fine finishes applied by hand that have been made famous both among fine Italian shotguns as well as luxury shotguns in general.
These two worlds are not always easy to combine and hence the name Fusion: the complete unification of the various elements of design.
The Beretta Black Fusion Edition has been produced in a limited series of 120 guns, of which 80 will be exported, chambered in the universal 9 mm Parabellum caliber (9x19), while the 40 models produced for the Italian market are chambered in 9x21 IMI.
The 9 mm Parabellum magazine is designed for the American market in particular, proving that it’s a small world after all, since it has its capacity limited to 10 shots.
A side effect of the Italian laws is, that it allows for 9mm pistols only the specific version 9x21 IMI, which will naturally be produced in smaller numbers than those to be exported. Due to the reduced size of the Italian market - compared to the global markets - the rarity of these Italian models makes them become a much sought-after collector’s items.
This is especially true in the case of the Beretta Fusion, which was designed with the collector in mind (or maybe the rare shooter who does not mind getting a few scratches on the impeccable finish) as the Italian caliber version has only been produced in a limited edition of 40 guns. Different serial number codes distinguish the two calibers, from FUSB01N to FUSB80N for the international version and from FUSB01F to FUSB40F for the IMI version.
As mentioned above, the design of the Fusion Black is almost identical to that of the 92/98 and there are just a few differences. The Fusion has a full steel frame and it is slightly larger around the barrel to make room for the handmade carbon fiber insert.
The barrel, screws, pins and even the magazine release have all been polished by hand. The release, like the slide and the front part of the trigger guard, is characterized by exclusive chequering the tips of which have also been polished to a mirror finish.
The mechanisms are the time-tested short recoil–operated mechanism, with a oscillating wedge locking system. The difference is in the trigger which is only single action to improve the shooting experience.
This Fusion Black pistol, with its selected barrels and a hand-tuned trigger is extremely accurate and produces a pattern that is half the size of what you would expect from a military standard pattern (when adding the results of the two dimensions).
Every pistol of the Limited Edition has been tested by Beretta experts. After purchasing it, the owners can register their new pistol at a special website fusion.beretta.com and receive their own digitalized target.
Visit the manufacturer’s website for more information about the Beretta Fusion Black
