The New Beretta M9A3 Proposal for the US Army

After delivering over 600,000 M9 pistols to the DOD and on the heels of being awarded a new contract for up to 100,000 M9s, Beretta USA announced today the presentation of the M9A3 to the US Army. The M9A3 introduces major improvements to the M9 that will increase the operational effectiveness and operational suitability of the weapon. The improvements include design and material enhancements resulting in increased modularity, reliability, durability, and ergonomics.  They are being submitted via an Engineering Change Proposal (ECP) in accordance with the terms of the current M9 contract.

Made in the U.S.A. by an American workforce since 1987, the M9 has been the sidearm of the U.S. Armed Forces for nearly 30 years; serving with U.S. service men and women in training and combat operations throughout the world. The M9A3 is designed for the next 30 years – delivering 21st century capability and features while increasing usability and reliability.

“The M9A3 represents the next generation military handgun utilizing the best of the legacy M9 combined with proven COTS modifications that increase performance and durability” stated Gabriele de Plano, Vice President of Military Marketing and Sales for Beretta USA. Mr. de Plano added, “After listening closely to the needs of U.S. Army and other Service small arms representatives, we determined the M9, much like its counterpart legacy weapon systems (M4, M16, M240, etc.), was capable of being upgraded through material and design changes. The resulting M9A3 we are offering to the DOD will likely cost less than the current M9 and answer almost all of the Services’ enhanced handgun requirements.”

The M9A3 features a thin grip with a removable, modular wrap-around grip, MIL-STD-1913 accessory rail, removable front and rear tritium sights, extended and threaded barrel for suppressor use, 17-round sand resistant magazine, and numerous improved small components to increase durability and ergonomics, all in an earth tone finish.

“Furthermore, the M9A3 benefits from having a law enforcement and commercial variant that will be launched at S.H.O.T. Show 2015 in Las Vegas, NV” stated Rafe Bennett, Vice President of Product Marketing for Beretta USA. Mr. Bennett added, “The M9A3 offered to the DOD is the exact gun that consumers will be able to purchase in the second quarter of 2015.”

CALIBER	9mm Luger (9x19mm Parabellum)
SYSTEM OF OPERATION	Short recoil, semiautomic, double/single action
MAGAZINE CAPACITY	17 rounds standard. Optional 15, 20 and 30 round magazines available
MAGAZINE	Sand-resistant magazine with PVD coating
FRONT SIGHT	Blade, dovetailed to slide, tritium dot
REAR SIGHT	Notched bar, dovetailed to slide, tritium 2-dot. Adjustable for windage
SAFETY FEATURES	Decocking/safety lever, automatic firing pin block, loaded chamber indicator, external hammer, half-cock notch, double action first trigger pull (Type F configuration)
LOCKING SYSTEM	Tilting locking block, "3rd Gen" design for increased service life
EXTERNAL HAMMER	Provides the energy to the firing pin, virtually elminating the possibility of misfires due to light primer strikes, even in adverse conditions. Also provides an immediate visual and tactile indicator as to the cocked/uncocked status of the pistol
FINISH	Flat Dark Earth. CerakoteTM, anodizing, Bruniton, black oxide, PVD. Advanced coatings provide high lubricity, corrosion resistance and excellent wear resistance. Reduced visual and IR signature. Chrome lined bore and chamber
ACCESSORY RAIL	3 slot MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rail
BARREL THREAD	1/2" X 28 standard thread on extended barrel, with thread protector
ACCESSORIES	Wrap-around backstrap grip unit for larger handed shooters
GRIP/FRAME	"Vertec" style smaller gripped frame with straight backstrap and thin plastic grips
ADDITIONAL FEATURES	"Universal" slide design to allow Armorer conversion to "G" decocker-only operation using Conversion Kit. "Over-center" safety lever to prevent inadvertent engagement of lever. Oversize beveled magazine well
OVERALL HEIGHT	5.4 in
OVERALL WIDTH	1.5 in (1.3 in at grips)
OVERALL LENGTH	8.7 in
BARREL LENGTH	5.1 in
SIGHT RADIUS	6.3 in
WEIGHT UNLOADED	33.3 oz