Experience with the M9 standard issue sidearm

Will Beararms · October 14, 1999, 09:27 PM

Recently, while getting the deer lease ready for the gun hunt, I had the opportunity to take a break on the target range. I was able to run about 100 rounds through a good friend's brand-new Beretta 92FS 9mm. Using the El Cheapo Winchester 115 grain ball ammo, I was able to put four, three-shot groups in the bull's eye area of a 10-ring at fifteen yards! The amazing thing was that the first shot of all four successful groups was in the double action mode! The double-action pull was not nearly as smooth as the usual fluid motion of the Sig Sauer but for some reason, I had no problem transitioning to the single action configuration and stayig on target at the same time. I have heard several unsavory stories about the M 9 but the more I am around them, the more I like them.

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"When guns are outlawed;I will be an outlaw."

Joey · October 15, 1999, 11:03 AM

I've been shooting the M9 since 85-86 when the base I was at transistioned over to them from the M15. They are excelent pistols and for all the abuse and misuse have very very few malfunctions or parts breakage. I purchased one back in 93 and the wife has taken it over for her carry pistol.

ghostsix · November 6, 1999, 12:05 AM

The M-9 is easy to shoot well.It is not a 1911.

461 · November 6, 1999, 12:38 AM

The Beretta is a fine pistol and after much experience with it in poor conditions, I'm quite impressed. There are only two drawbacks I've found. One, the grip can be too large for some folks which is meaningless if it fits you which it does me. Second, the pistol is overly large for the caliber which could also be seen as a positive.
So I guess in my opinion, this is a great pistol and even the negatives are meaningless.

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TJS

George Hill · November 6, 1999, 01:59 AM

The M9 is a good pistol - but as its bigger than the 1911 - there was the Sig option fo rthose who would be issued it. So now you have two pistols - instead of just the one.
I was issued the Old .45 and when I was given the option - stayed with the .45 until I was discharged.

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"A fear of weapons is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity." - Sigmund Freud
RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE

cdf · November 6, 1999, 11:28 AM

The M9 is a reliable sidearm with much potential. Early reports of exessive breakage after the initial batch was issued were due to an alloy mixing mistake at the foundry. The design is a good one, evolved over many decades.

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E4

STLRN · November 6, 1999, 05:08 PM

I have been issued five M-9 in my short time in the in the military. The first one was issues at The Basic School, It was almost worn out, when it was shaken, it rattled badly, and was not all that accurate, it did not group well , so as the range started to increase it got hard to hit the center of the target. The second when I arrived in the fleet, a so so weapon, It was a little better than my previous issue, but again, the finish was almost completely worn off the weapon. My third, I never had the chance to fire it had a crack locking block so I never had the chance to see how accurate it was. My fourth and fifth were both amazingly accurate, It was no problem keeping the rounds center mass at 25m. One big problem was always the magazines, they seem to always be the weak part of the system, anything other than new ones never wanted to work well. One thing I have noticed whenever a M9 was at the range it was drenched in CLP. The armorers do that to ensure they function, even with that you do see allot of stovepipes (probably from the magazines) I have been told by the armores if you did not drench the weapons with lube there would be about twice as many malfunctions.

James Montes · November 7, 1999, 09:51 AM

The M9 is not a bad weapon...

Its open slide design makes it a reliable feeder and its fixed barrel helps with accuracy...

It's no 1911 however!

I would trade it for a 1911 .45ACP any day of the week as a military sidearm.

The trigger is not that of a SIG obviously, but owning SIGs and being issued the M9 I can say that going between the two, though disheartning, is not a problem.

The SIG P228 & P226 (both 9mm's) are both issued in some circles of the military. The P228 is designated as the M11... The P226 in 9mm is the standard issue of the US NAVY SEAL teams.

Believe it or not the 1911 .45ACP and S&W .38spl. revolver are still seen in certain circles of the military as well!!!

In short the M9 is a good weapon like lots out there...

But I would not spend money on one...

Heck that money could go towards another SIG, or better yet another 1911 custom!!!

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SURE SHOT

[This message has been edited by James Montes (edited November 07, 1999).]

cdf · November 7, 1999, 12:08 PM

STLRN, Never trust an armorer. They're a sneeky lot. I liked the M9. The one I played with behaved well. But no, the M9 isn't my first choice for a standard issue sidearm. I'd sign a contract with ParaOrdinance for the P18. If given the budget, I'd go straight to the best and contract with HK for the USP...Probably in .357Sig.

George Hill · November 19, 1999, 09:17 AM

cdf,
If changing calibers from Nato Nine - Why not change to a bigger bullet?
.40 is a proven caliber with a lot of potential. The 135 grain load from CorBon is down right devistating.
.45 is a US Military STANDARD for YEARS. Why not go back to that?

The idea of a USP is a good one. Even in Nato Nine...

------------------
"A fear of weapons is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity." - Sigmund Freud
RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE

Will Beararms · November 19, 1999, 06:06 PM

Word on the street is the Army will no longer order anymore M 11's (Sig 228 9mm) in favor of a Beretta M-9 variant. Any confirmation on this?

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"When guns are outlawed;I will be an outlaw."

George Hill · November 20, 1999, 04:18 AM

Nope... But makes since in a way. Which is surprising.
The reason they got the Sig - was that the M-9 was too big for many shooters... Now Beretta makes the Couger which is easier for smaller handed troops to handle.

------------------
"A fear of weapons is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity." - Sigmund Freud
RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE

October 14, 1999, 09:27 PM	#1
Will Beararms Senior Member Join Date: October 12, 1999 Location: North Texas Posts: 2,834	Recently, while getting the deer lease ready for the gun hunt, I had the opportunity to take a break on the target range. I was able to run about 100 rounds through a good friend's brand-new Beretta 92FS 9mm. Using the El Cheapo Winchester 115 grain ball ammo, I was able to put four, three-shot groups in the bull's eye area of a 10-ring at fifteen yards! The amazing thing was that the first shot of all four successful groups was in the double action mode! The double-action pull was not nearly as smooth as the usual fluid motion of the Sig Sauer but for some reason, I had no problem transitioning to the single action configuration and stayig on target at the same time. I have heard several unsavory stories about the M 9 but the more I am around them, the more I like them. ------------------ "When guns are outlawed;I will be an outlaw."

October 15, 1999, 11:03 AM	#2
Joey Senior Member Join Date: June 28, 1999 Posts: 437	I've been shooting the M9 since 85-86 when the base I was at transistioned over to them from the M15. They are excelent pistols and for all the abuse and misuse have very very few malfunctions or parts breakage. I purchased one back in 93 and the wife has taken it over for her carry pistol.

November 6, 1999, 12:05 AM	#3
ghostsix Member Join Date: November 3, 1999 Location: u.s. Posts: 45	The M-9 is easy to shoot well.It is not a 1911.

November 6, 1999, 12:38 AM	#4
461 Senior Member Join Date: January 13, 1999 Location: Omaha Posts: 250	The Beretta is a fine pistol and after much experience with it in poor conditions, I'm quite impressed. There are only two drawbacks I've found. One, the grip can be too large for some folks which is meaningless if it fits you which it does me. Second, the pistol is overly large for the caliber which could also be seen as a positive. So I guess in my opinion, this is a great pistol and even the negatives are meaningless. ------------------ TJS

November 6, 1999, 01:59 AM	#5
George Hill Staff Alumnus Join Date: October 14, 1998 Location: North Carolina Posts: 11,546	The M9 is a good pistol - but as its bigger than the 1911 - there was the Sig option fo rthose who would be issued it. So now you have two pistols - instead of just the one. I was issued the Old .45 and when I was given the option - stayed with the .45 until I was discharged. ------------------ "A fear of weapons is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity." - Sigmund Freud RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE

November 6, 1999, 11:28 AM	#6
cdf Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 1999 Location: richmond, virginia Posts: 137	The M9 is a reliable sidearm with much potential. Early reports of exessive breakage after the initial batch was issued were due to an alloy mixing mistake at the foundry. The design is a good one, evolved over many decades. ------------------ E4

November 6, 1999, 05:08 PM	#7
STLRN Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 1999 Location: USA Posts: 1,163	I have been issued five M-9 in my short time in the in the military. The first one was issues at The Basic School, It was almost worn out, when it was shaken, it rattled badly, and was not all that accurate, it did not group well , so as the range started to increase it got hard to hit the center of the target. The second when I arrived in the fleet, a so so weapon, It was a little better than my previous issue, but again, the finish was almost completely worn off the weapon. My third, I never had the chance to fire it had a crack locking block so I never had the chance to see how accurate it was. My fourth and fifth were both amazingly accurate, It was no problem keeping the rounds center mass at 25m. One big problem was always the magazines, they seem to always be the weak part of the system, anything other than new ones never wanted to work well. One thing I have noticed whenever a M9 was at the range it was drenched in CLP. The armorers do that to ensure they function, even with that you do see allot of stovepipes (probably from the magazines) I have been told by the armores if you did not drench the weapons with lube there would be about twice as many malfunctions.

November 7, 1999, 09:51 AM	#8
James Montes Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 1999 Location: Lake Hills, TX USA Posts: 263	The M9 is not a bad weapon... Its open slide design makes it a reliable feeder and its fixed barrel helps with accuracy... It's no 1911 however! I would trade it for a 1911 .45ACP any day of the week as a military sidearm. The trigger is not that of a SIG obviously, but owning SIGs and being issued the M9 I can say that going between the two, though disheartning, is not a problem. The SIG P228 & P226 (both 9mm's) are both issued in some circles of the military. The P228 is designated as the M11... The P226 in 9mm is the standard issue of the US NAVY SEAL teams. Believe it or not the 1911 .45ACP and S&W .38spl. revolver are still seen in certain circles of the military as well!!! In short the M9 is a good weapon like lots out there... But I would not spend money on one... Heck that money could go towards another SIG, or better yet another 1911 custom!!! ------------------ SURE SHOT [This message has been edited by James Montes (edited November 07, 1999).]

November 7, 1999, 12:08 PM	#9
cdf Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 1999 Location: richmond, virginia Posts: 137	STLRN, Never trust an armorer. They're a sneeky lot. I liked the M9. The one I played with behaved well. But no, the M9 isn't my first choice for a standard issue sidearm. I'd sign a contract with ParaOrdinance for the P18. If given the budget, I'd go straight to the best and contract with HK for the USP...Probably in .357Sig.

November 19, 1999, 09:17 AM	#10
George Hill Staff Alumnus Join Date: October 14, 1998 Location: North Carolina Posts: 11,546	cdf, If changing calibers from Nato Nine - Why not change to a bigger bullet? .40 is a proven caliber with a lot of potential. The 135 grain load from CorBon is down right devistating. .45 is a US Military STANDARD for YEARS. Why not go back to that? The idea of a USP is a good one. Even in Nato Nine... ------------------ "A fear of weapons is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity." - Sigmund Freud RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE

November 19, 1999, 06:06 PM	#11
Will Beararms Senior Member Join Date: October 12, 1999 Location: North Texas Posts: 2,834	Word on the street is the Army will no longer order anymore M 11's (Sig 228 9mm) in favor of a Beretta M-9 variant. Any confirmation on this? ------------------ "When guns are outlawed;I will be an outlaw."

November 20, 1999, 04:18 AM	#12
George Hill Staff Alumnus Join Date: October 14, 1998 Location: North Carolina Posts: 11,546	Nope... But makes since in a way. Which is surprising. The reason they got the Sig - was that the M-9 was too big for many shooters... Now Beretta makes the Couger which is easier for smaller handed troops to handle. ------------------ "A fear of weapons is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity." - Sigmund Freud RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE