Gang I recently got a Beretta M9 new in it's small blue box. Great! But it wasn't like the M9s at my unit armory. The new M9s have plastic and plastic-coated metal parts including the guide rod, safety lever, trigger, and magazine release. They also come with hex head screws for the grips, a plastic lanyard loop, and slightly different grip panels over the older models, the old models being all metal with no plastic (save the grip panels) and slotted grip screws.
I should say first, even though I bought a "commercial" M9, all of these plastic parts and others changes are not just for the civilian market. M9s delivered to the U.S. military in recent years have these changes as well. The ONLY difference between a current "military" M9 and a current "civillian" M9 are subtle differences in the slide roll marks.
But like I said, I wanted my M9 to be like the old ones as I just like them better. So I took my stock factory M9 and installed a Beretta steel parts kit replacing all plastic parts in the gun and also an aluminum lanyard loop. Next, I changed the grips over to an older "glossier" set of surplus grips I got off eBay, and changed the grip screws to the older slotted variety. Now it looks and feels just like a classic M9!
To complete my "military M9" build, I got a web belt, M12 flap holster, lanyard, magazine pouches, and a few magazines, all of these items being 100% authentic USGI. Some Winchester 9mm NATO ammo rounded it out. Here it is!
How cool!! It's an old school 1990's rig, or something you'd find some backwards Air Force dork carrying at a FOB even today.
Oh, and it SHOOTS great, too! Was shooting it the other day and put all 15 rounds from the magazine into a 1.5" group at 8 yards. I know you all could do better, but for me this was excellent shooting. I know the big Beretta isn't for everyone, but I love it's hand-filling grip and super controllable recoil. The dot-and-post sights are really nice as well.
I think it's a great gun and while I don't wish to offend anyone, I think the newly adopted M17 (SIG P320) was not the right choice and instead the Beretta M9A3 should have been adopted, especially since that gun would be compatible with all the holsters, magazines, and most parts currently in inventory. Any serous problems the U.S. military had with the M9 was a result of either poor maintenance procedures, lackluster training, or low-quality/improperly specced parts, something bound to happen with the new M17 if they don't learn from their past mistakes.
I believe the American taxpayer was done a disservice with the disgustingly drawn out, multi-million dollar MHS (Modular Handgun System) trials. This is coming from an active-duty USAF guy. For some excellent information on this google Chris Bartocci and his video on the MHS trials. Very enlightening.
Okay sorry for that rant! I'm glad to have an M9 in my collection. I am also working on an M1911A1 rig and hope to post it soon. Thanks so much all, happy shooting!!
-Jay
I should say first, even though I bought a "commercial" M9, all of these plastic parts and others changes are not just for the civilian market. M9s delivered to the U.S. military in recent years have these changes as well. The ONLY difference between a current "military" M9 and a current "civillian" M9 are subtle differences in the slide roll marks.
But like I said, I wanted my M9 to be like the old ones as I just like them better. So I took my stock factory M9 and installed a Beretta steel parts kit replacing all plastic parts in the gun and also an aluminum lanyard loop. Next, I changed the grips over to an older "glossier" set of surplus grips I got off eBay, and changed the grip screws to the older slotted variety. Now it looks and feels just like a classic M9!
To complete my "military M9" build, I got a web belt, M12 flap holster, lanyard, magazine pouches, and a few magazines, all of these items being 100% authentic USGI. Some Winchester 9mm NATO ammo rounded it out. Here it is!
How cool!! It's an old school 1990's rig, or something you'd find some backwards Air Force dork carrying at a FOB even today.
Oh, and it SHOOTS great, too! Was shooting it the other day and put all 15 rounds from the magazine into a 1.5" group at 8 yards. I know you all could do better, but for me this was excellent shooting. I know the big Beretta isn't for everyone, but I love it's hand-filling grip and super controllable recoil. The dot-and-post sights are really nice as well.
I think it's a great gun and while I don't wish to offend anyone, I think the newly adopted M17 (SIG P320) was not the right choice and instead the Beretta M9A3 should have been adopted, especially since that gun would be compatible with all the holsters, magazines, and most parts currently in inventory. Any serous problems the U.S. military had with the M9 was a result of either poor maintenance procedures, lackluster training, or low-quality/improperly specced parts, something bound to happen with the new M17 if they don't learn from their past mistakes.
I believe the American taxpayer was done a disservice with the disgustingly drawn out, multi-million dollar MHS (Modular Handgun System) trials. This is coming from an active-duty USAF guy. For some excellent information on this google Chris Bartocci and his video on the MHS trials. Very enlightening.
Okay sorry for that rant! I'm glad to have an M9 in my collection. I am also working on an M1911A1 rig and hope to post it soon. Thanks so much all, happy shooting!!
-Jay
