The Beretta M9

[Equus]

I'm glad to get the reason mags were $10. I haven't had any problems with them although I prefer the MecGar 18 rounders. Joe

I got about 30 that I got for a song. They work fine in normal places. That Iraq sand was more like talcum powder.

 

[Rocketmedic40]

When a local gun dealer, who was at every gunshot decided to retire, that Sunday, he gave me the option to buy all his mags at way below cost. I did. Had cases of military contract mags for the m9, tons of 1911 mags, cases of oem BHP mags, glock mags but most prizes of all? Case upon case of oem S&W 3rd gen factory mags. I'd say, to this day, I've only touched maybe 0.89 percent of the mags. Not one issue with those phosphate mags, but again, I'm not using them in desert conditions. I myself prefer the mec gar 18s, but I've also found the act work 100%

They're ok in non-dusty places, work better with some graphite lube. Also helps to blow the accumulated dirt out and not do Soldier things to them

 

[halfmoonclip]

That "powder coat" mag finish was heavy phosphating that caused malfunctions in feeding in Iraq. Beretta warned the Army to not do that, but……..

That's the story I heard from some sandbox vets. Yeah, 'Big Army' (maybe some 'Nam vets) outsmarted themselves. In a clean environment, the mags shouldn't be a problem.
Moon

 

[S&W Fan]

Beretta came out with "sand cut" mags later on. During my son's first Iraq deployment; '06-'08 as a combat medic, I reached out to Beretta to get him a few more mags. The guy I spoke to was a former Marine, hooked me up at reduced prices sent a little care package to my son's APO. He never had an issue on those few times he used his pistol.

 

[halfmoonclip]

Many of the current generation of shooters have the mistaken impression that handguns should be run dry. that works with many polymer framed pistols, but all metal and in particular alloy framed pistols need to be run wet.

Glock's admonition to simply have an oil bottle in the same zip code as their pistols has made youngsters twitchy about over lubing. Wars keep getting fought in totally different environments; do I recall M1 Carbines having issues in the Korean cold?
Do recall that the M4 was tested in the cold, at least for accuracy; wasn't the 1:7 twist partially for cold weather accuracy?
Moon

 

[Mister Coffee]

My only complaint with the M9: desert moon dust could seize the slide. Absolutely agree that proper field maintenance is a must in austere environments. But it is easily accomplished with attention to detail -- like maintaining the slide rails.

Agree. I think.

This is where I stick my not-very-knowledgeable nose in and say: I have handled Beretta 92s. One was a piece of crap, and seemed to be about as ergonomic as a railroad tie. Another was a beautifully finished, top-drawer pistol that was comfortable in the hand. The first felt like a double stack and the second felt like a single stack. But, to my point, I was always bothered by the open slide. I'll just never get it in my head that an open slide a good solution to any problem.

Sorry. I'm an old dog. (But I never liked that open slide when I was a young dog either. ).

 

[oberon]

I like mine.
They have a unique 'mechanicalness' that is very pleasant under recoil. It is one of the few pistols I have handled that has that intrinsic sweetness. (the Taurus 92s & 99s have it as well) All the others are a little more abrupt in their kinetics.
Browning High Power is still my all-time top 9mm choice, tho'.

 

[Phenix]

Here is mine:

View attachment 786258

Truly one of the most divisive military handguns of all time. Some call it an obsolete, unreliable boat anchor with a grip only fit for a giant, with a poorly positioned safety decocker and dubious stopping power.

Me?

I think it's a sweet shooter. Light recoil, decent sights, and when well maintained (unlike many military issued examples) and when using quality magazines (again, the military failed here) it's a dependable weapon.

What are your thoughts on the Beretta M9?

Too big.
The Taurus version with the thumb safety like a 1911 is better because the thumb safety is like a 1911.

 

[Glenn R. McMannly]

Too big.
The Taurus version with the thumb safety like a 1911 is better because of the thumb safety like a 1911.

Sadly it's also a Taurus.

 

[Phenix]

Sadly it's also a Taurus.

I don't know, two friends of mine have had the Taurus versions and fired them thousands of times each, with no issues. No cracked slides either.

 

[S-W4EVER]

I bought a Taurus PT92 a few years ago out of curiosity. I didn't need it as I have several Berettas but I just wanted to see the difference. Some of the parts, like the hammer are MIM but it's a good pistol. I just wish it took M9 mags (& I'm not interested in modifying any pistol mags, I've got Mec-Gars for it).

 

[willt]

FYI, Beretta has a rebate going on a number of pistols now, including the M9. I bought one the other day and as I was registering for warranty I saw this:

https://www.beretta.com/en-us/rebates

Sweet! Nothing like buying a new pistol and suddenly realizing you bought it for $75 less than you were planning.