41 U.S. M9 Beretta 9mm Pistol with this fix. Since 1989, civilian Model 92FS pistols have this improved feature also. Manufacture of the M9 was then switched from Italy to Beretta U.S.A., in Accokeek Maryland. No failures of slides made in the U.S. have been reported. In 1987 and 1988, some frame cracks developed during the testing of M9 production pistols. These were only cosmetic in nature, but violated the terms of the M9 contract, resulting in a large lot rejection. Re-designed frames apparently resolved that issue, and 24,000 rejected pistols were fitted with the new frames. Next came more controversy. The military decided to issue a magazine contract to a new vendor (Beretta and Mec-Gar magazines had been used heretofore). These new magazines were extremely sensitive to sand and dirt, and reports of failures in the “sand boxes” of Iraq and Afghanistan came pouring in. Soldiers began writ- ing home asking friends and relatives to send origi- nal magazines. This is an issue not yet resolved. And complaints began coming in (predictably) of failure of the 9mm cartridge to stop an opponent. Civilians can use more effective expanding bullets for protection, but the military is committed to using full-metal-jacket “hardball” ammo. Cries went up from some units for the old 1911A1 .45 ACP pistols, and the Marine Corps is now using specially built 1911A1s to a large extent. Also, many troops complained that the bulky grip of the double-stack M9 was too much for small hands, making for awkward han- dling. Further, as a side note, I have per- sonally witnessed one mishap with a Beretta 92F. It was a chambering failure traced to lack of lubrication. This hap- pened on a civilian range, but in combat that could have made the difference between life and death. After more than 20 years of service, the Beretta M9 has given generally good service, with the exceptions noted. Thankfully, these problems have not been plentiful, and no pistol is perfect. However, there is considerable pressure within the Department of Defense to obtain a new standard service pistol in .45 ACP. In fact, DoD specifications for a new Joint Combat Pistol (postponed in 2006) have called for a .45. Our Special Operations Command requested, and got, an H&K Mk 23 “offensive pistol” so cham- bered. I’m not aware of any complaints regarding stopping power with it, and the Marines are quite happy with their .45s. Beretta 92FS pistols are readi- ly available on the civilian market, and these are near dupli- cates of the M9 pistol, differing mostly in markings. Genuine M9s are harder to get. The pistol illustrated is a true M9. It was briefly available in 1998 as a special issue on the civilian market, and carries full military markings albeit with a distinguish- ing serial number prefixed “M9.” These are cer- tainly modern classic handguns, currently serving around the world to protect our service men and women in combat. Editor’s Note: Beretta U.S.A. Corporation recently announced receipt of a U.S. Army contract to provide up to 450,000 Beretta Model 92FS pistols. The total value of the contract, if all pistol quantities and associated spare parts are ordered, is $220 million. 85 the U.S. nnounced entry was to M9 pistol. D P June 09 Blue Press Section 2 4/14/09 12:02 PM Page 41

The U.S. M9 Beretta 9mm Pistol 41 - Dillon Precision · The U.S. M9 Beretta 9mm Pistol 41 wer adopted he 92 by giv-e slide (like on the left his was the 92SB-F, safety and a al passive

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Page 1: The U.S. M9 Beretta 9mm Pistol 41 - Dillon Precision · The U.S. M9 Beretta 9mm Pistol 41 wer adopted he 92 by giv-e slide (like on the left his was the 92SB-F, safety and a al passive

41The UU..SS.. MM99 BBeerreettttaa 99mmmm PPiissttoollwer adoptedhe 92 by giv-e slide (like

on the lefthis was the92SB-F,safety and a

al passive fir-he slightly

Warfare

ut rumored suggestedue to the useThere werenged the M9he brokenix” was a

hat wouldar.retrofitted

with this fix. Since 1989, civilian Model 92FS pis-tols have this improved feature also. Manufactureof the M9 was then switched from Italy to BerettaU.S.A., in Accokeek Maryland. No failures ofslides made in the U.S. have been reported. In1987 and 1988, some frame cracks developedduring the testing of M9 production pistols. Thesewere only cosmetic in nature, but violated theterms of the M9 contract, resulting in a large lot

rejection. Re-designed frames apparently resolvedthat issue, and 24,000 rejected pistols were fittedwith the new frames.

Next came more controversy. The militarydecided to issue a magazine contract to a newvendor (Beretta and Mec-Gar magazines had beenused heretofore). These new magazines wereextremely sensitive to sand and dirt, and reports offailures in the “sand boxes” of Iraq andAfghanistan came pouring in. Soldiers began writ-

ing home asking friends and relatives to send origi-nal magazines. This is an issue not yet resolved.And complaints began coming in (predictably) offailure of the 9mm cartridge to stop an opponent.Civilians can use more effective expanding bulletsfor protection, but the military is committed tousing full-metal-jacket “hardball” ammo. Crieswent up from some units for the old 1911A1 .45ACP pistols, and the Marine Corps is now usingspecially built 1911A1s to a large extent. Also,

many troops complained that the bulky gripof the double-stack M9 was too much forsmall hands, making for awkward han-dling. Further, as a side note, I have per-sonally witnessed one mishap with aBeretta 92F. It was a chambering failuretraced to lack of lubrication. This hap-pened on a civilian range, but in combat

that could have made the differencebetween life and death.

After more than 20 years ofservice, the Beretta M9 hasgiven generally good service,

with the exceptions noted.Thankfully, these problems have not been

plentiful, and no pistol is perfect. However,there is considerable pressure within theDepartment of Defense to obtain a newstandard service pistol in .45 ACP. In fact,DoD specifications for a new JointCombat Pistol (postponed in 2006) havecalled for a .45. Our Special OperationsCommand requested, and got, an H&KMk 23 “offensive pistol” so cham-bered. I’m not aware of any com-plaints regarding stopping powerwith it, and the Marines are quitehappy with their .45s.

Beretta 92FS pistols are readi-ly available on the civilian mar-ket, and these are near dupli-cates of the M9 pistol, differingmostly in markings. GenuineM9s are harder to get. The pis-tol illustrated is a true M9. Itwas briefly available in 1998 asa special issue on the civilian

market, and carries full militarymarkings albeit with a distinguish-

ing serial number prefixed “M9.” These are cer-tainly modern classic handguns, currently servingaround the world to protect our service men andwomen in combat.

Editor’s Note: Beretta U.S.A. Corporationrecently announced receipt of a U.S. Army con-tract to provide up to 450,000 Beretta Model92FS pistols. The total value of the contract, if allpistol quantities and associated spare parts areordered, is $220 million.

y 4, 198855 tthhee UU..SS..ally annnnoouunncceeddretta eennttrryy wwaass ttoo U.S. MM99 ppiissttooll..

June 09 Blue Press Section 2 4/14/09 12:02 PM Page 41