The Beretta M9, the official service pistol of the U.S. Army, is known as the “World Defender”. Read on and find out how this pistol rightfully earned that nickname!
Beretta M9: The Ultimate World Defender
The Beretta M9 is an iconic pistol that has proven to be accurate, durable, and dependable. This tactical combat pistol endured the toughest and most extreme weather conditions in the world when it became the primary sidearm of the U.S. Armed Forces.
In my opinion, it has an aesthetic advantage over its counterparts, making it one of the most attractive sidearms on the market. Some call the Beretta M9 the ultimate pistol because of the characteristics it holds. And it wouldn't have been in service since 1985 if it didn't have what it takes to be a military sidearm.
Gun Specs
The Beretta M9 is a semi-automatic pistol with awesome safety features that can prevent accidental discharges. It can be used in single or double-action mode and can be unloaded without initiating the trigger while the safety is in the “on” position.
The front sight has a white dot while the rear has a white post. It also has a locked breech which is a unique design exclusively used by Beretta in contemporary pistols.
But unlike any other modern handgun, the M9 uses a single, non-captive recoil spring. To find out more about the M9, below are the specs of this handgun.
- Barrel: 4.9”
- Overall Length: 8.5″
- Overall Height: 5.4″
- Caliber: 9mm
- Magazine Capacity: 15 rounds
- Action: Double-action/single-action
- Finish: Bruniton
- Grips: Polymer, Technopolymer
- Sights: White-dot and post sights
- Sight radius: 6.1″
- Weight: 33.3 oz
Ease of Use and Performance
The Beretta M9 is a traditional double-action pistol which means the trigger pull is long and heavy. It measured 12 pounds on the trigger pull gauge.
As soon as the first round is fired, the hammer is cocked by the retraction of the slide during recoil. The second and following rounds are fired in the single action mode.
One of the noticeable characteristics of the M9 that plays a major role is its overall heft. Although it may be heavy, the muzzle rise is manageable because of its locked breech operation and weight. This is also the reason why most novice shooters approved the M9.
Pros and Cons
The first thing I don't like in the M9 is the size. It is a large, heavy, and fairly wide handgun. It is a double action so the trigger pull is long, very heavy and not exactly a smooth trigger but with constant practice and shooting it will grow on you.
The next thing I don't fancy in this pistol is the safety and the decocking mechanism is not in the natural position for me.
Any shooter who is a fan of 1911 can have the exact feel where the safety is right above the thumb while in an M9 you have to almost change the grip. And that for me is by no means comfortable and natural.
But the thing I like about this handgun is its accuracy given the shooter has the proper skills. Somehow its weight eliminates the concern that its recoil will affect your accuracy.
When it comes to ammunition, I would definitely suggest you use the Speer 124 grain +P Gold Dot Hollow Point.
Overall Verdict and Price
The Beretta M9 is a reliable, attractive, and accurate handgun that has a respectable record not only with military users but also for civilians. Although it may be hefty for concealed carry this legendary handgun will give you an awesome performance.
You just need to properly maintain the pistol and use quality magazines so it can reach its utmost potential. Now, will I recommend this gun? Definitely, yes. You can get one these handguns for $649 or less.
Watch this video and find out more about the Beretta M9 pistol!
The Beretta M9 is an exceptionally designed pistol. It is a solid service handgun that didn't let me experience even a single failure. This Italian pistol conquered the holsters of American gun enthusiasts for over three decades. But everything has an end and in the case of the M9, it will be replaced by the Sig Sauer P320 handgun as the official service pistol of the U.S. Army. New pistols may arrive along with its technological advancements but the M9 will remain legendary.
Do you own a Beretta M9? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
Looking for more handguns? Check out this list of the top handguns in 9mm for less than $750!
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Editor’s Note – This post was originally published in June 2015 and has been updated for quality and relevancy.
