Beretta M9A4 Review: An Old Dog With New Tricks?
The Beretta M9A4 is the modern version of the M9 service pistol. Does it still have the juice? Here's my 500-round review for that answer.
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The Beretta 92 has been used globally by military and law enforcement since the 80s, but does the updated version of the platform, the Beretta M9A4, still hold up?
Honestly, I can say this pistol still has enough accuracy, reliability, and shootability to remain competitive in the duty gun category.
Keep reading to see the results and listen to my thoughts after 500 rounds of hands-on testing with the M9A4.
Table of Contents
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By the Numbers
Reliability: 10/10
The M9A4 ate up every type of ammo, both suppressed and unsuppressed, without issue or cleaning.
Accuracy: 9/10
I was able to get sub-2-inch groups at 25 yards and 3/4-inch groups at 7 yards. The only thing really holding this gun back is the trigger reach.
Ergonomics: 7/10
Beretta gave shooters the option between the newer Vertec grip and the older-style grip to help here, but the ergonomics are still very much Beretta 92, which is to say they are okay.
Customization: 8/10
An optics-ready slide, accessory rail, and a threaded barrel allow for a fair amount of customization. Outside of that, the 92/M9 series has a relatively long-standing aftermarket.
Value: 7/10
Beretta offers some other 92 models for considerably less money that have the same performance and many of the same features. The M9A4 really gets its value from the threaded barrel and the neat FDE finish.
Overall: 8/10
Pros
- Great accuracy, even at distance
- Runs very well suppressed
- Xtreme-S short-reset trigger allows for very fast follow-up shots
- Excellent reliability
Cons
- Trigger breaks deeply rearward, requiring adjustment on the shooter’s part
- Visible tooling marks
- OEM optics plate has the red dot sitting very high
Beretta M9A4 Specs & Features
Specs
- Caliber: 9mm
- Action: DA/SA, Hammer-fired
- Capacity: 18+1
- Barrel Length: 5.1”
- Overall Length: 8.7"
- Width: 1.5"
- Height: 5.4"
- Weight: 33.4 oz
- Country of Origin: USA
- Comes With: Ammo can carry case, 3 magazines, extra grips and grip screws, spare barrel O-rings, cable lock, manual
Features
- Optics-ready slide
- "G" model decocker-only slide-mounted controls
- Xtreme-S Trigger bar
- Threaded barrel
- Aluminum frame
How I Tested the Beretta M9A4
To see if the Beretta M9A4 holds up as one of Beretta's upper-tier options, I ran it over the course of two days using various types of ammunition to evaluate it for accuracy, ergonomic feel, and reliability, both suppressed and unsuppressed.
Round Count & Reliability Testing
I ran 500 rounds of 9mm ammo through it over the course of two days using the following types of ammunition:
- AAC 115gr FMJ
- Magtech 115gr FMJ
- Speer Lawman 124gr TMJ
- Speer Gold Dot 124gr +P JHP
- Winchester Defender 147gr JHP (subsonic)
In addition to the included magazines, I also ran four additional 18-round Mec-Gar-branded magazines and three Beretta 15-round DLC magazines from a different gun.
The gun was run both suppressed and unsuppressed with supersonic and subsonic ammo to check for total functionality. Any stoppages or issues were noted.
Accuracy Testing
I first fired 5-shot groups at 7 yards freehand, using four different types of ammunition to assess median accuracy and point-of-impact shift across ammo types. Further testing was conducted by shooting a 5-shot group at 25 yards off a pistol rest.
Recoil control and practical combat accuracy were tested by conducting various drills at 7 yards, including Bill Drills, double-taps, triple-taps, and failure-to-stop drills.
Accessories
All groups were shot using a Vortex Defender-ST 3 MOA red dot mounted using an OEM Beretta optics plate.
The suppressor used during testing was a Dead Air Mojave 45, used exclusively in the long configuration with a booster.
A Streamlight TLR-1 HL was mounted for the last 200 rounds to assess recoil reduction and rail mounting retention.
Shooting the Beretta M9A4: Accuracy & Reliability Analysis
The 92/M9 pistols feature a unique open-top slide with a 180-degree ejection port and a falling locking block barrel rather than a traditional tilting barrel.
These design features helped give the Beretta 92 a reputation for both reliability and accuracy.
Accuracy
I have always experienced great accuracy with the 92 series, and the M9A4 was no exception.
Before testing, I mounted a Vortex Defender-ST 3 MOA red dot using an OEM Beretta optics plate and zeroed it to be 1 inch low at 7 yards.
I started off by shooting freehand 5-shot groups at 7 yards with four different types of ammo. At this distance, everything was grouping 0.65 to 0.75 inches.
Pushing things out further to 25 yards really showed how accurate this gun can be. A five-shot group fired from a rest produced a 1.31-inch group. My very last shot was the slight flyer to the left; my first four shots were all well under an inch.
The soft recoil impulse these guns are known for is definitely real. I was able to tear a fist-sized hole in the target at 7 and 10 yards with rapid double- and triple-taps, and failure-to-stop drills were similarly easy.
The last thing to check on accuracy was to mount a suppressor and check for point-of-impact shift. I am happy to report that, even with a larger .45-caliber Dead Air Mojave 45, the POI shift was extremely minimal at 10 yards. You can see a full mag 18-round group using the Mojave below.
Reliability
Over 500 rounds and five different types of ammo, I experienced absolutely zero malfunctions. Everything worked as expected, and I suffered no lockback issues.
To check reliability while suppressed, I used a Dead Air Mojave 45 in the long configuration. I was worried that the weight of a full-size .45-caliber might not run well without changing the recoil spring, but my concerns were unfounded.
It ran flawlessly suppressed with both subsonic and supersonic ammo. Even without changing to the 9mm endcap, the gun was still absurdly quiet with subsonic ammo when suppressed. I had to stop myself from shooting the whole time suppressed; it was that much fun.
The gun did come drenched in factory lube that smelled kind of bad. I wiped down the exterior surface and shot it. I didn’t clean it at all during testing.
Ergonomics: Fit & Feel
The M9A4 certainly performs like a $1,000 gun, but does it really feel like one? For me, the answer is yes and no.
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Grip
Beretta employs their Vertec grip on the M9A4. The Vertec grip uses a straight backstrap that reduces the overall front-to-back length of the grip. It is meant to mimic the 1911 grip angle and feel.
If you look online, the Vertec grip is pretty divisive. Some absolutely love it, and some hate it. I sort of fall in the latter camp. While I love the 1911 grip angle, it just doesn’t work for me on this gun.
The trigger breaks really far to the rear, and the reduced reach from the Vertec grip makes it feel like I have to cramp my medium-sized hand to pull the trigger.
Luckily, Beretta includes a second set of grips that wrap around the rear of the gun, giving it a bit of a hump that makes it feel more like a standard M9. I ran the gun with these grips for most of the testing, and it felt much better to me, although that is just a personal choice.
The texturing on the grip panels themselves is medium-aggressive and feels pretty good. While the front and rear strap checkering is nice, it is a little too rounded and not aggressive enough for my liking.
Trigger
Beretta includes their Xtreme-S short-reset trigger system in the M9A4, which is a welcome upgrade.
The double-action pull clocked in at an average of 8.4 lbs, which is really good for a duty gun. It stacks a little in the middle of the pull, but eases up at the end. Overall, not bad at all.
Single-action is a bit interesting on this pistol. There is a bit of take-up to a well-defined wall, then once all of the necessary pressure is applied, there is another bit of movement before the trigger breaks. A 5-pull average shows the trigger breaks right at 5 lbs even — a bit heavy for my liking.
The Xtreme-S trigger bar definitely lives up to its name, and the reset is very short, at around 1.5 to 2mm. It is an audible reset, but not particularly tactile. Still very easy to shoot fast.
But due to the reduced reset geometry, this trigger does break very far back in the trigger guard. Even though the trigger isn’t bad by any means, I find that it takes some grip adjustment and extra mental focus to make sure I don’t pull my shots because of how far back my trigger finger has to go. It feels a bit unnatural.
Controls
Love it or hate it, you get the standard slide-mounted Beretta controls. All M9A4s ship as “G” models, meaning they are decocker-only, no safety.
While I used to hate the slide safety/decocker, I’ve grown to appreciate it, and I use them as pseudo cocking wings to help me rack the gun, especially when an optic is mounted.
The magazine release is nothing to write home about; it works fine. While I can technically reach it without breaking my grip, I still have to shift my grip; otherwise, my hand will block the magazine release on the other side.
Beretta M9A4 Downsides
One of the first things I noticed when I pulled the M9A4 out of the box was a few cosmetic flaws.
You can see milling lines on the slide and tooling marks on the hammer. The inside of the gun looks okay, but the outside leaves something to be desired.
While this isn’t their flagship pistol, it is pretty close. For a gun this expensive, I’d like to see some extra care put into it, because it has a very cool look otherwise. These are made in the US plant in Gallatin, TN. Neither of my Italian-made Berettas look like this.
I’d also like to see a better optics mounting plate from Beretta.
The OEM plate is very thick, which puts the optic in a weird spot, and it took me a bit of practice to be able to acquire it quickly.
Additionally, the plate I received (which you have to buy separately) was absolutely riddled with tooling marks. It also didn’t seem to be flush with the optic when mounted. It did, however, manage to hold zero and work fine. That being said, I’d go with a low-profile aftermarket mount from somewhere like DLah.
The last thing I’d like to see is a slightly better single-action trigger. Beretta is definitely capable of this, because my 92X Performance trigger is great. That being said, it is perfectly acceptable for a duty trigger as-is.
Who Should Buy the Beretta M9A4
The M9A4 has all the modern accouterments and all of the performance to fill any serious role. While I’d probably carry something else for duty personally, I’d seriously consider the M9A4 for home defense.
It is also one of the best suppressor hosts on the market. The threaded barrel and unique operating system make it pretty much plug-and-play with any can and any ammo type.
They are also great range toys that will last forever, or just a neat gun for any M9 series fan.
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Upgrades & Accessories for the Beretta M9A4
ShellShock Premium Eyes & Ears Combo (Electronic)The M9A4 will likely have you shooting all day because it's so much fun. Snag a pair of ShellShock Premium Eyes & Ears Combo with active electronic hearing protection to protect your senses during those extended shooting sessions.
There are a ton of great red dots on the market, but the Vortex Defender-ST is my pick here. The dot is crisp, the warranty is unbeatable, and it comes in a dashing tan to match the M9A4.
The Streamlight TLR-1 HL is the absolute perfect size for the M9A4. It doesn’t stick out too far and looks amazing on the gun. The performance on these lights is great, and hey, these also come in tan.
The Dead Air Mojave 45 did an awesome job during testing while still offering the flexibility to use on various platforms. If you want to squeeze out even more decibel reduction while cutting down on size and weight, the Mojave 9 is an excellent option.
FAQs
Final Verdict on the Beretta M9A4
I enjoyed my time with the Beretta M9A4. I found it to be very accurate, reliable, and absurdly fun to shoot suppressed. While I had a few complaints here and there, nothing really affected the overall performance enough to keep me from recommending this gun to anyone interested in one.
What are your thoughts on the Beretta M9A4? Do you have any experience with the 92 platform? Let us know in the comments below! Interested in other similarly-sized guns? Then be sure to check out our article on the 5 Best Full-Size Pistols.
Meet the Experts
This review was authored by Pew Pew Tactical Editor and Senior Review Analyst, Wyatt Sloan. Wyatt is an NRA-certified and USCCA-certified instructor with previous experience as a competitive shooter and has 10 years of home-based FFL firearm sales. He also personally owns over 250 firearms, including over 150 handguns and various Beretta 92 and 92-series clones.
Editor-in-Chief Jacki Billings runs our experienced team of reviewers and edited this review. She is an NRA-certified Basic Pistol Instructor as well as a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, ACES: Society for Editing, and the Professional Outdoor Media Association. Jacki has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and has worked as a media professional for close to 20 years, specializing in gun media for almost 10 years. With 2,000+ articles to her name, she uses her professional journalism and editing experience to set testing protocols and editorial standards for Pew Pew Tactical.
