Great video series - you rarely see these type of iterative videos on TH-cam. Often just one and done firearm reviews. For the grips, Beretta uses lock washers to prevent the screws from loosening. I believe loctiting them is not recommended because it could damage the grip bushing. As a side note, I actually purchased some ACT Mags recently, so I will definitely keep an eye on the followers to see if the lock open tab breaks. I have an OEM Beretta magazine with an aluminum follower and that flat surface gets peened, so it must have a fair bit of stress at that area.
Thank you for watching and commenting, I really appreciate it. These videos have taken me quite a bit of time in editing. The melik does not have bushings like a beretta 92. It has raised areas where the grip bushing would be, but it's all just cnc aluminum. I actually tried to add the lock washers you mentioned but they are un compatible with the stock grips on the melik. I used blue loctite as mentioned and added some tiny o rings under the screw head to hopefully provide some minor resistance. Without grip bushings, you need to be very careful not to over tighten, and strip these screw holes. If you do strip the frame you would need drill and tapp it to take grip bushings. As for the ACT magazines. I also bought 4 @ 15 rounds. I can't say for certain, but the issue i experience MAY be caused from the 10 round version having a modded follower to be able to slip past the dimples? I might try to take it apart and see. Or maybe I'm dead wrong and it can't be disassembled because it's a 10 round variant.
@@flyinfr33domfreedom2 Oh wow, I stand corrected then! I didn't expect them to integrate the threads for the grip like that. I had to put o-rings on my 1911 for the same reason, hah. I'm definitely considering replacing my ACT Mag follower and springs with GI/Beretta ones now. The mag body is very nice quality, but the polymer is what I'm hesitant about. The spring geometry is also different with wider coils, only tapering towards the top of the follower. The Beretta spring is a smaller diameter throughout. I think the ACT Mag spring is tapered at just the right length to where the wider coils cannot clear the dimples, while maintaining the same follower as the uncapped magazines. Just my theory, though! Looking forwards to the next video 👍
@@flyinfr33domfreedom2 Oops, I meant either Beretta or USGI internals, not the magazine themselves. As far as I know, Checkmate were contracted by the US military to manufacture Beretta 92 magazines. However, they were required early on to phosphate the entire magazine, inside included. This lead to too much friction and poor reputation for reliability. It seems like they have been phosphated on only the exterior for many years now, though. Of course I would stick to either OEM or MecGar, yet I still purchased the cheaper ACT Mags lol.
Good stuff, I'm holding off on this purchase till your later review. I will be checking the casing fit and get a extractor. Be interesting to see how and if the wear points are the same in a Beretta.
Sadly my Melik has not made it past 300 rounds. Damn barrel is cracked and the slide is stuck with a brass casing inside. Suspecting bad ammunition from Ammo inc.
I think you need to purchase a Girsan 92 clone and do a review. I have several and really like them, especially their Centurion version with the frame mounted safety.
@bretak74 The finger groves on the frame and a huge eww factor for me. What is the low end price point for these? All I seem to see in my area is the bling versions and they often run $550-$650 around here
@@flyinfr33domfreedom2 This version was about $300 when I got mine, but they seem to be no longer available. I'm glad I got mine when I did. BTW, I like the finger groves.
@@flyinfr33domfreedom2I own the Girsan Regard MC Sport Gen 4 and have nearly 3,500 rounds through it. I don’t notice the finger grooves but the idea of them is annoying I agree. I got mine for $475 or so. But a standard Regard should be like $400, maybe cheaper online.
I shot 1000 rounds through my CZPO one and one sitting in zero malfunctions I oiled it up again now at the 600 rounds mark this gun doesn’t want to quit
I am curious, and I am not saying to do something illegal. If you are allowed to have more than a 10 Round magazine. Can you dissemble the 10 round mag, drill out the Dimples and re assemble allowing more than 10 rounds to fit that factory mag?
@kwixx Hey. Thanks for watching and commenting. I believe you are correct. I also think this is the reason some 10 round magazines are segmented to prevent any possibility of conversion With that said, I might look into doing this. I was wondering if this magazine has a different follower to allow it to work with the dimples, if this is the case it may explain that the follower was weakened by lack of material and that Is the reason it broke. I MIGHT convert this mag since, as you mentioned, it's totally legal in my area.
@DougMeserole yes! In this video I'm using a Blackhawk serpa made for the beretta 92. Although this maybe isn't the best holster, this pistol should for any beretta 92 holster that is designed for no rail
A simple Blackhawk duty belt with plastic buckle. I use 4 old school belt keepers to attach to my edc belt. BLACKHAWK Molded Cordura Reinforced 2-Inch Web Duty Belt with Loop Inner - Large
I just ordered one for $249 after discount for email submission. I’ve followed all of these and commend the detailed and technical summary, particularly the extractor issue. I’m willing to tinker on this low buck but handsome gun. How pleased were you on accuracy?
Hey, thank you for watching and your kind words, I really appreciate it. I'm glad you decided to take the plunge while being well informed. I ultimately would recommend replacing the extractor to a Beretta one, I think the quality of that vital component is higher and makes it worth the swap.
@adareone there is a save $20 pop up window promotion at grab a guns website. Pair that with the 10 round melok variant and you will be at that mentioned price.
Great video series - you rarely see these type of iterative videos on TH-cam. Often just one and done firearm reviews.
For the grips, Beretta uses lock washers to prevent the screws from loosening. I believe loctiting them is not recommended because it could damage the grip bushing.
As a side note, I actually purchased some ACT Mags recently, so I will definitely keep an eye on the followers to see if the lock open tab breaks. I have an OEM Beretta magazine with an aluminum follower and that flat surface gets peened, so it must have a fair bit of stress at that area.
I don't think blue or purple Loctite or Permatex will hurt anything.
Thank you for watching and commenting, I really appreciate it.
These videos have taken me quite a bit of time in editing.
The melik does not have bushings like a beretta 92. It has raised areas where the grip bushing would be, but it's all just cnc aluminum. I actually tried to add the lock washers you mentioned but they are un compatible with the stock grips on the melik.
I used blue loctite as mentioned and added some tiny o rings under the screw head to hopefully provide some minor resistance.
Without grip bushings, you need to be very careful not to over tighten, and strip these screw holes. If you do strip the frame you would need drill and tapp it to take grip bushings.
As for the ACT magazines. I also bought 4 @ 15 rounds.
I can't say for certain, but the issue i experience MAY be caused from the 10 round version having a modded follower to be able to slip past the dimples?
I might try to take it apart and see. Or maybe I'm dead wrong and it can't be disassembled because it's a 10 round variant.
@@flyinfr33domfreedom2 Oh wow, I stand corrected then! I didn't expect them to integrate the threads for the grip like that. I had to put o-rings on my 1911 for the same reason, hah.
I'm definitely considering replacing my ACT Mag follower and springs with GI/Beretta ones now. The mag body is very nice quality, but the polymer is what I'm hesitant about. The spring geometry is also different with wider coils, only tapering towards the top of the follower. The Beretta spring is a smaller diameter throughout.
I think the ACT Mag spring is tapered at just the right length to where the wider coils cannot clear the dimples, while maintaining the same follower as the uncapped magazines. Just my theory, though!
Looking forwards to the next video 👍
@DogeMcLovin when it comes to gi magazines;
Are beretta and Gi synonyms?
I thought GI magazines were generally garbage? Am I misinformed on this?
@@flyinfr33domfreedom2 Oops, I meant either Beretta or USGI internals, not the magazine themselves.
As far as I know, Checkmate were contracted by the US military to manufacture Beretta 92 magazines. However, they were required early on to phosphate the entire magazine, inside included. This lead to too much friction and poor reputation for reliability. It seems like they have been phosphated on only the exterior for many years now, though.
Of course I would stick to either OEM or MecGar, yet I still purchased the cheaper ACT Mags lol.
Good stuff, I'm holding off on this purchase till your later review. I will be checking the casing fit and get a extractor. Be interesting to see how and if the wear points are the same in a Beretta.
@@adareone thank you so much for watching. More to come!
Sadly my Melik has not made it past 300 rounds. Damn barrel is cracked and the slide is stuck with a brass casing inside. Suspecting bad ammunition from Ammo inc.
@@lexmaximaguy8788 will you be getting a new one?
@@flyinfr33domfreedom2 waiting for RIA too respond.
This does sound like over preassured round.
I think you need to purchase a Girsan 92 clone and do a review. I have several and really like them, especially their Centurion version with the frame mounted safety.
@bretak74 The finger groves on the frame and a huge eww factor for me. What is the low end price point for these?
All I seem to see in my area is the bling versions and they often run $550-$650 around here
@@flyinfr33domfreedom2 This version was about $300 when I got mine, but they seem to be no longer available. I'm glad I got mine when I did. BTW, I like the finger groves.
@@flyinfr33domfreedom2I own the Girsan Regard MC Sport Gen 4 and have nearly 3,500 rounds through it. I don’t notice the finger grooves but the idea of them is annoying I agree. I got mine for $475 or so. But a standard Regard should be like $400, maybe cheaper online.
I shot 1000 rounds through my CZPO one and one sitting in zero malfunctions I oiled it up again now at the 600 rounds mark this gun doesn’t want to quit
@@christianneedham3876 I'm sorry I don't really understand what you are saying
I am curious, and I am not saying to do something illegal. If you are allowed to have more than a 10 Round magazine. Can you dissemble the 10 round mag, drill out the Dimples and re assemble allowing more than 10 rounds to fit that factory mag?
@kwixx Hey. Thanks for watching and commenting.
I believe you are correct. I also think this is the reason some 10 round magazines are segmented to prevent any possibility of conversion
With that said, I might look into doing this. I was wondering if this magazine has a different follower to allow it to work with the dimples, if this is the case it may explain that the follower was weakened by lack of material and that Is the reason it broke.
I MIGHT convert this mag since, as you mentioned, it's totally legal in my area.
Does a Berreta holster work for this pistol?
@DougMeserole yes! In this video I'm using a Blackhawk serpa made for the beretta 92. Although this maybe isn't the best holster, this pistol should for any beretta 92 holster that is designed for no rail
What belt are you using in the video?
A simple Blackhawk duty belt with plastic buckle.
I use 4 old school belt keepers to attach to my edc belt.
BLACKHAWK Molded Cordura Reinforced 2-Inch Web Duty Belt with Loop Inner - Large
@flyinfr33domfreedom2 thanks, I'm probably gonna pick one up for myself
I just ordered one for $249 after discount for email submission. I’ve followed all of these and commend the detailed and technical summary, particularly the extractor issue. I’m willing to tinker on this low buck but handsome gun. How pleased were you on accuracy?
Hey, thank you for watching and your kind words, I really appreciate it. I'm glad you decided to take the plunge while being well informed. I ultimately would recommend replacing the extractor to a Beretta one, I think the quality of that vital component is higher and makes it worth the swap.
@benspeeder, how did you get this deal?
@adareone there is a save $20 pop up window promotion at grab a guns website.
Pair that with the 10 round melok variant and you will be at that mentioned price.