There are 26 models in Beretta’s 90-series pistol lineup. That family includes flashy race guns, suppressor hosts, and tactical guns slathered in camo patterns and modern features.
But for people with a law enforcement or military background, it’s all about the retro M9.
The newly relaunched Beretta M9A1 joins a handful of other commercially available variants like the original M9 and modern M9A4.
Let’s take a walk down memory lane and see if this pistol deserves a spot in your collection.
Beretta M9A1 Specs & Features
Specs
- Caliber: 9mm
- Action: Double action / single action
- Capacity: 15+1, 10+1
- Barrel Length: 4.9”
- Overall Length: 8.5”
- Weight: 34 oz
- Country of Origin: USA
- MSRP: $829
Features
- Ambidextrous, slide-mounted safety/decocker
- Shortened trigger reset
- Accessory rail
- Enhanced grip checkering
- Beveled magazine well
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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The M9 was a metal-framed 9mm pistol before metal-framed 9mm pistols were cool. It’s the handgun that dethroned the 1911 as the official sidearm of the U.S. military in 1985.
The M9A1 came along in 2006, when service members needed a more durable platform to fight in dry, sandy conditions in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Upgrades on this re-release include more aggressive checkering on the front and rear of the grip, a beveled magazine well, shortened trigger reset, and an accessory rail for a pistol light.
The slide-mounted safety doubles as a decocker for the double-action/single-action trigger.
As on the original, the slide is not cut for an optic. Time to kick it old school and embrace those three-dot iron sights.
Aside from being another option in the popular 90-series family of pistols, this is a fun way to relive an era of military history. Beretta already offers the M9 and M9A4, so it’s nice to see the Global War on Terror-era M9A1 get some love.
“The M9A1 has proven itself as a sidearm that can be relied upon in the most demanding environments,” Broxton Carlile, pistol product manager for Beretta USA, said. “We’re excited to make it available again to those who want a true piece of military history paired with the reliability of Beretta engineering.”
Beretta lists an MSRP of $829 for the M9A1.
What do you think of the Beretta M9A1? Let us know below. For more mil-spec fun, check out our guide to Civilian-Legal Versions of Military-Only Guns.
6 Leave a Reply
I carried this gun for many years of my military career. Even the worn out shaky versions some of the arms rooms issued were still accurate. After the Army I bought a M9A4 which has a decocker, not a safety. I’ve never really gotten used to it, even though it has great specs otherwise. I’m actually looking to sell the A4 and go to an A1 now that they are being reissued. Love the M9 overall - very solid performer in my opinion.
Sound like this is just what you need, Ben!
Honestly, it is a cool looking gun. I carried one in Iraq in 2007 when I was in the Marines. And no, I never fired it at anything other than a paper target. Despite the sand the M9 was reliable and accurate. I liked it so much I bought one. I don't carry it anymore. I rely on my karate skills now.
You should have posted the picture of Carl Weathers holding his Beretta M9 in a tuxedo on the cover of the movie, Action Jackson.
Semper fi, Rendell!
Is Donald Faison providing air cover? If so, he should look up.
Considering the movie (check out "Skyline" on Rotten Tomatoes), there's no telling, Ken. Thanks for the laugh!