M9 pistol

Infobox Weapon
name=Pistol, Semiautomatic, 9mm, M9


caption= The M9 pistol
origin=flagcountry|Italy
type= Semi-automatic pistol
is_ranged=yes
is_bladed=
is_explosive=
is_artillery=
is_vehicle=
service=1990-present
used_by=USA
wars=
designer=
design_date=
manufacturer=Fabbrica d'Armi Pietro Beretta
production_date=
number=
variants=
weight=

• 952 g (33.6 oz)
• 1162 g (41.0 oz) Loaded
  length= 217 mm (8.5 in)

part_length= 125 mm (4.9 in)
crew=
cartridge= 9x19mm Parabellum
caliber=
action=Short recoil
rate=
velocity=353.568 m/s or 1160 ft/s
range=50 m
max_range=
feed=15 round detachable box magazine
sights= Iron sights

The M9 handgun, formally Pistol, Semiautomatic, 9mm, M9, is a 9x19mm Parabellum pistol of the U.S. military adopted in the 1980s. It is essentially a military specification Beretta 92F, later the 92FS.

It won a competition in the 1980s to replace the M1911A1 as the primary handgun of the U.S. armed forces, beating out many other contenders. Some other models have been adopted to a lesser extent (namely the M11 Pistol), and older, or different, models remain in use in certain niches. It officially entered Army service in 1990 according to the official Army website. [ [http://www.army.mil/factfiles/equipment/individual/m9.html U.S. Army Fact Files] ] It was scheduled to be replaced under an Army program, the "Future Handgun System" (FHS), which was merged with the "SOF Combat Pistol" program to create the "Joint Combat Pistol" (JCP). In early 2006, the JCP was renamed "Combat Pistol" (CP), and the number of pistols to be bought was drastically cut back.

The M9 has been modified as the M9A1, adding, among other things, a Picatinny rail for the attachment of lights, lasers, and other accessories to the weapon. The U.S. Marines have ordered large numbers of M9A1 pistols in 2006. [ [http://www.berettausa.com/media/download.cfm?d_id=139 U.S. Marines Add to M9A1 Inventory.] ] Additionally, a contract for 70,000 M9 pistols was signed in 2006 by the U.S. military.

Technical description

A short recoil, semi-automatic, single-action / double-action pistol, the M9 uses a 15-round staggered magazine with a reversible magazine release button that can be positioned for either right- or left-handed shooters.

Specifications:
*Caliber: FMJ 9x19mm NATO
*Length: 8.54" (217 mm)
*Barrel length: 4.92" (125 mm)
*Weight: 2.1 lb (unloaded); 2.56 lb (1.145 kg) (with loaded magazine)
*Capacity: 15
*Feed device: 15 round detachable box magazine (larger capacities available)
*Modes of Fire: DA/SA
*Muzzle velocity: 1160 ft/s (354 m/s)
*Safeties: Ambidextrous manual safety/decocker, rising firing pin block, half-cock notch
*Sights: Blade front w/ notch rear (dovetailed to slide)
*Maximum Effective Range: 50 m

The M9 is used with the M12 Holster (Part of the Beretta UM84 Holster System), though other holsters are often used.

Adoption: JSSAP, XM9, and XM10 trials

Under the Joint Service Small Arms Program which was run by the U.S. Air Force, a number of 9 mm pistol designs were trialed in the late 1970s to find a replacement for the M1911. The 9 mm round was selected for compliance with NATO standardization. In 1980, the Beretta 92S-1 design was chosen over entries from Colt, Smith & Wesson, the Star M28, and various Fabrique Nationale and Heckler & Koch models. The result, however, was challenged by the Army and new tests were to be done, this time run by the Army rather than the Air Force. In 1984, the trials started again with updated entries from Smith & Wesson, Beretta, SIG Sauer, Heckler & Koch, Walther, Steyr, and Fabrique Nationale. Beretta won this competition but there was a new trial, the XM10 competition, in 1988. This resulted in two different trials that were more limited, but resulted in the Beretta design being kept, with an update to it happening during the same time frame.

Controversy

Prior to its widespread adoption by the U.S. military, questions were raised in a General Accounting Office report after an incident where a slide failure on a Beretta 92SB caused injuries to Naval Special Warfare personnel [ [http://www.sightm1911.com/lib/history/true_story_m9.htm The True Story of the Beretta M9 Pistol] ] and more failures were later observed in additional testing. These failures included both military and civilian Beretta models with very high round counts and after investigation they were deemed the result of ammunition supplied by the U.S. Army which exceeded the recommended pressures specified by NATO and by Beretta, but nonetheless provoked a modification in the M9 design to prevent slide failure from causing injuries.

*63% reported confidence in the M9.
*Soldiers had problems with the magazine springs becoming too slack.
*50% reported rust and corrosion problems, especially with the barrel.

The U.S. military has been criticized for not purchasing magazines from Beretta. In 2006, the military awarded a contract to Airtronic USA due to the previous manufacturer, Check-Mate Industries, charging too much per magazine [ [http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/airtronic-takes-over-contract-for-14-million-m9-pistol-magazines-offers-sand-solutions-01707/ Airtronic Takes Over Contract for 14 million M9 Pistol Magazines, Offers Sand Solutions] ] , though Check-Mate magazines are still sometimes issued. Check-Mate magazines have been shown to have severe problems with reliability. Prior to Check-Mate magazines being purchased, the military purchased magazines from Mec-Gar. Because Mec-Gar magazines had the least problems, some troops issued the M9 buy their own Mec-Gar magazines.

In 2003-2004 there were reported failures with the government contracted 9 mm magazines. After extensive testing and actual testimony given by the troops it was concluded that the failures were due to the heavy phosphate finish called for in the government contract, combined with the unique environmental conditions in Iraq. After corrections to the government required specifications for the magazine finish, almost two million new magazines have been distributed without any further malfunctions.

In the competition to find a new vendor, three finalists were chosen; these three were Airtronic Services, Inc. classified as a "Moderate Risk", PHT Supply (partnered with Triple K Mfg.) also classified as a "Moderate Risk" and Check-Mate Industries, Inc. classified as a "Very Low Risk". Of the three Airtronic Services, Inc was chosen due to their low bid of "$22,471,600" (Source: GAO). Airtronic Services delivered the first 900,000 magazines with zero failures, while costing less than the previous supplier Check-Mate Industries (source GAO and US Court of Federal Small Claims).

The Marine Corps Times reported plans in July 2007 to transition all officers below the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and all NCOs from being issued the M9. Instead, they will be issued the M4 Carbine to better meet the needs of modern warfare. The new assignment policy will still assign M9 pistols to Marine Colonels and above and Navy Petty Officer First Class and above only. [ [http://www.usmc.mil/maradmins/maradmin2000.nsf/9ad58548f0ddc1e58525697a0070ebf9/cbb7191e3979de2b85257302004fdc11 New Assignment Rationale For Individual Weapons ] ]

The United States Coast Guard has transitioned to the Sig Sauer P229 .40 Caliber as its sole personal defense weapon. The Beretta M9 is also the sole personal sidearm used by the Air Force Security Forces.

ee also

*M9 Bayonet A U.S. bayonet for the M16 rifle introduced in the same period
*M9 Armored Combat Earthmover A U.S. armored bulldozer
*Beretta 92

References

* [http://www.army.mil/factfiles/equipment/individual/m9.html Army Factfile on the M9 Pistol]
* [http://archive.gao.gov/d15t6/137930.pdf GAO Report NSIAD-89-59]
* [http://archive.gao.gov/d16t6/136824.pdf GAO Report NSIAD-88-213]
* [http://www.gao.gov/decisions/bidpro/297313.pdf GAO Decision]
* [http://www.uscfc.uscourts.gov/Opinions/Bush/06/BUSH.PHTSupplyCorp.pdf Court of Federal Claims]

External links

* [http://www.beretta.com/index.aspx?m=74&idc=2&ids=27 Official Beretta 92 series page]
* [http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/m9.htm FAS article on M9]