“Last week marked an end of an era for Beretta USA,” the company posted on Sept. 7. “The Beretta USA team in Gallatin, TN, packed and shipped the last Beretta M9 pistol for the U.S. Armed Forces contract. Thank you to every Beretta USA team member who, over the last 36 years, has proudly manufactured the M9, and especially to all our brave servicewomen and men who have carried the M9 in their service to the United States of America.”

I have a great love for the M9. It was the first centerfire handgun I shot when I joined the Marines. I still trust the big Beretta for home protection, although in the 92A1 flavor. It has always been reliable for me, accurate, and easy to shoot. I currently own four, a commercial M9, a 92A1, a 92G, and a beautiful 1981 92SB.

It's the end of an era, but the Beretta will be remembered fondly.



https://www.shootingillustrate...-m9-to-u-s-military/

https://www.guns.com/news/2021...retta-leaves-factory

Just like you, the M9 was the first semi-automatic centerfire pistol I ever shot, and also courtesy of the USMC. It was the second pistol I ever bought myself and the first 9mm.

I bought a M17 shortly after the announcement was made that Sig won the new contract and it’s cool (and in many ways more practical) but I still enjoy the old 92fs.

From the same announcement you can see the M9A4 is the optics ready version.

quote:

Originally posted by Chowser:
From the same announcement you can see the M9A4 is the optics ready version.

Well shit, I was planning on picking up a 92x soon but I might have to look for one of these instead!

I trust they'll be held in depot for contigencies. Just wondering; which unit will receive the last one? Pulled my M9A1 out for a little wipe down.

Berettas are nice pistols.

I bought one in 1986 on the economy while stationed in San Vito dei Normanni (Brindisi was the big closest city), albeit not in 9mm due to Italian laws.

Was stolen from my household goods shipment while transferring state-side and though I was reimbursed for the loss, to this day have never replaced it. Need to reconcile that I think.

quote:

Originally posted by rat2306:
I trust they'll be held in depot for contigencies. Just wondering; which unit will receive the last one? Pulled my M9A1 out for a little wipe down.

M9s will be in use for several years. The M9 was adopted in 1986 and did not fully replace the previous mix of 1911s and .38 revolvers until the mid 1990s.

Once the transition is complete, those M9s that are worth rebuilding will be rebuilt and become reserve weapons. The good news is that should free up more 1911s from the reserves for CMP sales.

No one really seemed all that enamored of the Beretta when it was adopted. A 36 year run is pretty damned impressive.

^^^ Well that reaction was predictable considering the JMB icon the M9 was replacing. But the Beretta served the nation well despite the shadow of .45ACP and the M1911, though I do have a couple of ex-Marine friends who hated theirs (they do admit that theirs were very worn by the time they got them, and they also confessed that they've liked shooting my 92s).

quote:

Originally posted by Chowser:
...the optics ready version.

Oh, that's just wrong

Get ready for the CMP surplus sale... in 2086.

quote:

Originally posted by HCM:

quote:

Originally posted by rat2306:
I trust they'll be held in depot for contigencies. Just wondering; which unit will receive the last one? Pulled my M9A1 out for a little wipe down.

M9s will be in use for several years. The M9 was adopted in 1986 and did not fully replace the previous mix of 1911s and .38 revolvers until the mid 1990s.

Once the transition is complete, those M9s that are worth rebuilding will be rebuilt and become reserve weapons. The good news is that should free up more 1911s from the reserves for CMP sales.

Exactly, HCM. I was in the Reserves until '98. It was late '94 before my unit received M9s. The Guard units may have received the M9 even later.

I joined my guard unit in early 2000. They got their M9’s in the 1996-1998 timeframe. Sorry the M9 is no longer the primary sidearm.

very nice pistols no doubt.

IMO the P226 / P228 would have been better.

in the end -- times have changed with the advent of the polymer framed striker fired pistol.

----------------------------

The last M9 Uncle ever let me borrow.

I understand the nostalgia for the 1911. I had a few great uncles and grand dads that sang it's praises. The M9 is my pistol. From the first one I ever got issued to the last one it never failed me. A few decades from now I expect the kids to say the same thing about the M18.

That's a nice memento!

Into the dust bins of U.S. military issued pistols eh?

I was issued the S&W M&P 38 when I joined the USAF. Could not hit the broad side of a barn with it. I only had it a few months before we swapped over to the Beretta's. Huge improvement and we all got to be like Martin Riggs !

quote:

Originally posted by Warhorse:
Into the dust bins of U.S. military issued pistols eh?

Not so sure about "dust bins". I was issued a U.S. Navy Victory model .38 in Vietnam. An Air Cavalry unit. I wasn't pleased.

I remember my issued one fondly, brand new at the time during the roll out.

I love 1911s the most, but my duty one was a janky rattle trap. It was a nice change.