Beretta USA Presents M9A3 Pistol to U.S. Army

by
posted on December 18, 2014
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
m9a3pistol.jpg

In accordance with the terms of its current M9 contract, Beretta USA has presented the U.S. Army with a modified M9 pistol-the M9A3-with new features the company says will increase the firearm's operational effectiveness and operational suitability.

Improvements to the pistol are listed as design and material enhancements, including a removable, modular wrap-around grip panel, a Picatinny accessory rail, removable tritium night sights, and an extended and threaded barrel for suppressor compatibility. Beretta says it has also made minor improvements to many of the gun's small components with an eye toward providing modularity, increasing durability and improving ergonomics.

"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 like the M4, M16 and M240, was capable of being upgraded through material and design changes," said Gabriele de Plano, vice president of military marketing and sales for Beretta USA. "The resulting M9A3 we are offering to the Department of Defense will likely cost less than the current M9, and will answer almost all of the Services' enhanced handgun requirements."

Manufactured in Accokeek, Md., the M9 has been the standard issue sidearm of the U.S. Armed Forces since its adoption in 1985. In July 2014, Beretta announced that it will relocate all manufacturing to Gallatin, Tenn., in mid-2015. To date, Beretta has delivered 600,000 M9 pistols to the Department of Defense, and was recently awarded a new contract for up to 100,000 M9s. It is the goal of Beretta that the improvements incorporated into this new model will keep the M9 in the holsters of America's servicemen and women well into the future.

Beretta also announced that a law enforcement and commercial variant of the M9A3 is being produced and will be introduced at the 2015 SHOT Show in January. Current estimates are for this civilian version of the gun to hit shelves in the second quarter of 2015.

Latest

Kimber 2K11
Kimber 2K11

Review: Kimber 2K11

The 2011-style pistol was designed to address the capacity limitations of the single-stack M1911 platform, and Kimber's approach to the concept is its 2K11, a competition-ready offering with several notable features.

Favorite Firearms: A High-Flying Hi-Standard “A-D”

Manufactured in New Haven, Conn., in late 1940, this Hi-Standard pistol was shipped as a Model “A,” but a heavier Model “D” barrel was installed later to replace the original, light barrel, leading one American Rifleman reader to call it a Model “A-D.”

Ruger Helps Families In Need Through The Kids & Clays Foundation

In the effort to help tens of thousands of critically ill children and their families across the nation through local Ronald McDonald Houses, Ruger is among some of the industry’s foremost Platinum-level sponsors of The Kids & Clays Foundation.

Unlocking The Future: Smith & Wesson's "No Lock" Revolvers

The future is shaping up to be a good one for fans of Smith & Wesson revolvers. The iconic American company had released 14 new models thus far in 2025 at the time this was written mid-year. And, with one exception, they have all shared a common feature—no internal lock.

The Armed Citizen® Oct. 6, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

FEMA Notes Decline In Disaster Preparedness

A recent report from the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) noted a decline in local government preparedness for natural disasters, putting increased pressure on individuals to prepare themselves for emergencies.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.