M9
Unofficial
names/slang: n/a
Function:
Semi-automatic pistol side arm
Date
deployed: unavailable
Contractor:
Beretta / Beretta USA
Unit cost:
$263
Length:
8.54"
Height:
5.51"
Weight:
2.55 lbs. (loaded)
Rate of Fire:
Semi-automatic
Ammo type:
9mm (15 round magazine)
Guidance:
Visual
Range:
approx. 50 m |
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Features:
The M9 is a light weight, semiautomatic pistol
manufactured by Beretta and designed to replace the
M1911A1 .45 caliber pistol and .38 caliber
revolvers. The M9 has redundant automatic safety
features to help prevent unintentional discharges.
It can be fired in either double or single action
mode and can be unloaded without activating the
trigger while the safety is in the "on"
position. The M9 pistol has a 15-round magazine, and
may be fired without a magazine inserted. This
weapon can have the hammer lowered from the cocked,
"ready to fire," position to the uncocked
position without activating the trigger by placing
the thumb safety on the "on" position.
Background: The 9mm Pistol Program was
a Congressionally-directed Non-Developmental
Initiative to standardize DoD with NATO and field
one handgun for all United States armed services.
Beretta of Italy was awarded a multi-year contract
for delivery of over 500,000 pistols. The contract
award stipulated that production of the weapon must
transition from Italian to US production after two
years. The US Army is the lead service in this
program.
Operation:
The M9 pistol has a short recoil system using a
falling locking block. The pressure developed by the
expanding gasses of a fired round recoils the slide
and barrel assembly. After a short distance, the
locking block is disengaged from the slide, the
barrel stops against the frame, and the slide
continues its rearward movement. The slide then
extracts and ejects the fired cartridge case, cocks
the hammer, and compresses the recoil spring. The
slide moves forward, stripping the next cartirdge
from the magazine and feeds it into the chamber.
After the last cartridge has been fired and ejected,
the slide and barrel assembly will remain open by
the magazine follower pressing up on the slide stop
lever.
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