M9 Beretta 9mm Pistol in the Gulf War
The M9 Beretta was carried by most of the troops in the Persian Gulf War, but not without controversy. The Army investigated reports of slide failures and frame cracks that led to an unofficial return to the M1911A1, especially by Special Forces and other units who could choose their sidearm. In Iraq and Afghanistan there have been reports of other problems, such as inferior magazines produced by vendors other than Beretta. While redesign and better quality controls have solved most of the M9 reliability problems, there is one lingering issue with no clear answer: is the Beretta 9mm handgun as effective a weapon as the M1911A1 .45 ACP?
In August 2005, the DoD issued specifications for the Military Forces Joint Combat Pistol (JCP), a possible replacement for the M9 Pistol. The specification requires the JCP to be chambered for .45 ACP ammunition. The JCP procurement was postponed in 2006, but it seemed clear that the days of the M9 9mm pistol were coming to an end.
Equipment Data Description for the M9 9mm Pistol
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| Caliber | 9mm NATO |
| System of Operation | Short recoil, semiautomatic |
| Locking System | Oscillating block |
| Length | 217 mm (8.54 inches) |
| Width | 38 mm (1.5 inches) |
| Height | 140 mm (5.51 inches) |
| Magazine Capacity | 15 rounds. The magazine-release button can be reversed for left-handed shooters. |
| Basic Load | 45 rounds. |
| Weight with Empty Magazine | 960 grams (2.1 pounds) |
| Weight with 15-Round Magazine | 1,145 grams (2.6 pounds) |
| Barrel Length | 125 mm (4.92 inches) |
| Rifling | Right-hand, six-groove (pitch 250 mm [about 10 inches]) |
| Muzzle Velocity | 375 meters per second (1,230.3 feet per second) |
| Muzzle Energy | 569.5 Newton meters (430 foot pounds) |
| Maximum Range | 1,800 meters (1,962.2 yards) |
| Maximum Effective Range | 50 meters (54.7 yards) |
| Front Sight | Blade, integral with slide |
| Rear Sight | Notched bar, dovetailed to slide |
| Sighting Radius | 158 mm (6.22 inches) |
| Safety Features | Decocking/safety lever, firing pin block. When the ambidextrous safety lever is moved to the safe position, the striker is rotated out of alignment, the hammer is decocked, and the trigger bar is disconnected from the hammer/sear mechanism. |
| Hammer (half-cocked notch) | Prevents accidental discharge |
| Slide | Opens for nearly the entire length of the barrel, facilitating shell ejection and allowing easier access to the chamber to clear a jam or for directly feeding a round into the chamber. |
| Trigger Pull | Single-action: 5.50 pounds, Double-action: 12.33 pounds |
| Trigger Action | Double-action/single action. The first round is fired double-action, requiring more pressure on the trigger than the following shots. Each subsequent round is fired single-action, requiring less trigger pressure and allowing more-rapid firing. |
| Finish | Exterior surfaces have a non-glare, corrosion-resistant, black-matte finish. |
| Grips Construction | Black plastic checkered grip grooved front and back for better control. |
| Frame/slide Material | Light aluminum-alloy frame, sand-blasted and anodized black; steel slide. |
| Number manufactured | Approximately 400,000. |
Holsters for the M9 Beretta Pistol
M-7 leather shoulder holster. The M7 holster was initially designed during World War II for the .45 ACP M1911-A1 pistol. After the 1957 USMC color change, this holster switched from brown to black. Should be worn over outer garments, not intended for use as a concealed-carry holster. The holster has a tie down strap, which should be snapped around the trouser web belt to prevent snagging when weapon is drawn. Designed for right-handed shooters only.
M-12 olive drab nylon hip holster. The M12 holster consists of the holster, removable holster flap, and metal retaining clip. To check for proper placement of the holster, allow the right arm to hang freely. The holster should be slightly in front of the arm to permit easy access to the pistol upon presentation from the holster. The holster is issued with the holster flap installed for a righthanded user. To convert the holster for a left-handed user, remove the metal retaining clip and install the clip on the opposite side of the holster.
The M-12 was designed by Bianchi as standard issue for all branches of the military using the M9 Beretta 92 series pistol. Accessories such as the M-13 or UM84H, allows the M-12 to be worn in 14 different positions. There is a cleaning rod in snap pocket on side of holster.
Recommended Book about Beretta
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