Langdon Tactical Technology’s 92G Elite Compact is advertised as the ultimate double-action carry gun. Many shooters prefer the safety and control of a double action/single action trigger system and the Elite Compact delivers Beretta’s classic of double action with the smooth action of a custom handgun. Built in the USA, and customized by hand, the Elite Compact is the better Beretta for EDC.
There are people who carry guns and people who shoot guns. People who carry guns like small guns that are comfortable to wear. The LTT 92G Elite Compact is a shooter’s gun that you can carry. The Elite Compact is shorter and lighter than the other Beretta 92’s with all the shooter features you expect from LTT. It’s a better Beretta for carrying.
The Beretta 92 Elite LTT Compact is built by Beretta, but the key details were designed by Ernest Langdon of Langdon Tactical. The distinctive open slide design cuts weight and allows for easy clearing of debris. Inspired by the P38, the falling locking block provides good accuracy and the in-line travel of the barrel allows the rounds to get straight into the chamber enhancing reliability.
As a soldier, I carried the M-9 and I taught other soldiers to shoot it. When maintained, it was adequate, but I never fell in love with the Beretta. The Compact Elite is similar to the 92 but different in every important way. Ernest Langdon has made the Beretta a shooter’s carry gun.
92 Elite LTT Compact Features:
SLIDE:
- Shortened 92G Vertec Slide
- Front Cocking Serration
- G-Model Decock only
- Dovetailed Fiber Optic Front Sight (.110 inch wide serrated)
- Square Notch Serrated Rear Sight
- Stainless 4.25 inch Barrel with Target Crown
- Solid Steel Guide Rod
- Beveled Rear Slide
FRAME:
- M9A1 Frame
- Exclusive Radiused Trigger Guard
- Stainless Steel Trigger
- Checkering on the front and back strap
- Spurless Hammer
- Ultra Thin VZ/LTT G10 Grips
- Stainless Steel Hex Head Grip Screws
- Beveled Magazine Well
- D Model Hammer Spring
- Flush Main Spring Cap (No Lanyard Loop)
- Oversized Magazine Release Button
SPECIFICATIONS:
- Action: Single/Double
- Barrel length (in): 4.25
- Caliber: 9×19 (PARA)
- Grip Width: 1.3″
- Magazine Capacity: 10–15 rds
- Overall height (in): 5.25”
- Overall length (in): 7.75”
- Overall width (in): 1.5″
- Sight radius (in): 5.75”
- Weight unloaded (OZ): 28.5 oz
“I think this is the most shootable platform to date. We took the favored M9A1 frame, the Vertec slide, adding front cocking serrations, and an exclusive radiused trigger guard to create the flattest and softest shooting full-size 92 package.” Ernest Langdon of Langdon Tactical
Shooting the Compact Elite
One of the toughest things about shooting a traditional double/single action is the transition between different weights on the trigger pull for the first and second shots. The Elite trigger is smooth in double action and the transition to single action is seamless. The silky quality of the trigger avoids the jarring switch to single action I was accustomed to in the M-9.
The “G” model decocker eliminated my worst problem with the M-9, unintentional activation of the safety during manipulation. This is a big deal when clearing a malfunction or reloading can lead to a gun that won’t shoot. The controls all worked as they should and I could reach the extended magazine release without changing my grip.
I took the full-sized LTT Elite to Langdon’s 3-Day Advanced Tactical Pistol Skills class. There are some real advantages to the double/single action trigger with a de-cocker. I highly recommend the class. The LTT trigger work makes the initial double action press glassy smooth.
Langdon teaches you how to squeeze all the juice from the Beretta. The long first trigger pull insures that the shooter has made a conscious decision to shoot. The LTT Elite compact does all the tricks her full-sized sister does in a fun-size package.
The Compact Elite has the same great feel as the full size with no compromises. The finger extension on the magazine fits the hand without the pinkie finger hanging off the end of some guns. The Compact Elite has a snag-free bobbed hammer and other radiused corners to smoothly draw from concealment.
The two essential factors in shooting are trigger manipulation and grip. The trigger is the shooter’s interface with the gun. LTT makes triggers smooth and light so shooters don’t move the sights as they press. The smooth double-action trigger pull is just over 7 pounds with a single-action pull of 3.25 pounds.
The undercut trigger guard, checkered front and back strap, and textured grip panels feel great while they keep your hands where they are supposed to be through recoil. Dovetailed fiber optic sights grab your attention and make a good sight picture intuitive.
The size of a gun impacts your grip. There are several features that mitigate the thickness of the gun. The super thin VZ/LTT G10 grips are significant. The short trigger pull and reset reduces the length of the trigger pull making it fit more hands.
Magazines are important. The gun ships with three 15-round magazines with finger extensions. The magazines that came with my gun have a beautiful ANTI-FRICTION finish and all worked perfectly. I like to have training magazines I abuse and carry magazines I baby. Magazines are $24.
The Elite Compact also runs on the plentiful surplus M-9 magazines, but they do protrude below the grip. KCI USA makes a reliable Beretta 9mm 30-Round Magazine which runs in the Elite if you need that.
Renewed interest in the Beretta has enabled Langdon Tactical to produce their version of the carry-friendly 92 Compact. I have described Langdon Tactical’s 92 Elite LTT, as a better Beretta. LTT brought all of the best modifications for the 92 together to make the ultimate Beretta.
The baseline LTT Elite Compact sells on the website for $1253. You get a hand-worked custom gun that runs well and shoots well every time.
About Langdon Tactical Technology:
Langdon Tactical Technology is a source for advanced education and equipment needs specializing in the Beretta 92/96, PX4, and 1301 platforms as well as the Springfield Armory XD-E.
All photos by Mark Miller
Visit Langdon Tactical Technology or learn more by clicking HERE.
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Retire the old subpar gun. The 80’s are long gone.
So Krz, what is your new favorite handgun that out-performs the old 80’s guns like the Beretta and the Glock? The LTT is nothing like my 1980s M-9.
It’s great to see Ernie Langdon is still around. I first met Ernie at the Smith and Wesson Winter nationals in 1998 or 1999. He was a Beretta and Crimson Trace (or was it surefire??) rep and was one of the best shooters at the event.
He was shooting, of course, a Beretta 92.
It’s funny how some things stay the same. 24 years and he’s still a Beretta guy.
Mark, perhaps this image will explain what I see: Look at the image with the hammer back. The frame and slide look completely off.
Unlike my Wilson Compact, that pistol appears not to be very well fitted.
I don’t think you have a good gasp of the LTT’s fit from my pictures. Have you ever touched one? Wilson makes fine guns; I am sure your gun has great fit. LTT quality is comparable to other premium handguns.
Please explain how the new pistol achieves a 40% recoil reduction with respect to Glock.
Thanks
Joe
Not sure where that figure comes from, did I say that? Let me start with, perceived recoil is highly subjective. 40% of a perception is hard to explain. The Beretta is heavier than a Glock and the slide is cut out to lighten the moving parts. The LTT Elite compact has undercut trigger guard, checkered front and back strap, and textured grip panels (grips feel great while they keep your hands where they are supposed to be through recoil). I wouldn’t say 40% lighter, but I can shoot an LTT faster than a Glock. Your milage may vary.