M9 Pistol

The M9 is a light weight, semiautomatic pistol manufactured by Beretta. It was designed to replace the M1911A1 .45 caliber pistol and .38 caliber revolvers. The M9 can be fired in either double or single action mode. It has a 15-round magazine. A semiautomatic, double-action pistol, the M9 is more lethal, lighter, and safer than its predecessors. The M9 is carried by crew-served weapon crewmen, law enforcement personnel and aviators for personal defense.

The 9mm Pistol Program was a Congressionally-directed Non-Developmental Initiative to standardize the US Department of Defense 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.

Manufacturers: Beretta and Beretta USA

Length: 8.54 inches (21.69 cm)

Width: 1.50 inches (3.81 cm)

Height: 5.51 inches (14 cm)

Barrel length: 4.92 inches (12.5 cm)

Weight fully loaded: 2.55 pounds (1.16 kg)

Bore diameter: 9mm (approximately .355 inches)

Maximum effective range: 152.5 feet (50 m)

Magazine capacity: 15 rounds

Muzzle velocity: 1200 feet/second (365 meters/second)