Fear & Loading: Marines Retiring More Than Just M9s

by
posted on June 20, 2019
** 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. **
m18.jpg

The Marine Corps’ recently announced it was adopting the M18, the shorter, more concealable variant—3.9" barrel, versus the 4.7" version on the M17—of the SIG Sauer-produced Modular Handgun System (MHS) being issued to the Army and all other U.S. Armed Forces. When this branch fully phases in the pistol, however, it’s not just the long-serving Beretta-made M9s destined for retirement.

Some Glocks and Colts are also scheduled for replacement, according to the Navy’s 2019 and 2020 budget-estimate report. “The Modular Handgun System will be purchased to replace the legacy M9, M9A1, M45A1, and M007 pistols with a more affordable and efficient pistol for maintenance,” the 2019 version [PDF] published in February 2018 explains. “The MHS also provides modularity and greater shooter ergonomics over the current models which will allow for more accurate fire for military personnel of different sizes.”

M9s were in widespread use in 1985, but the 1911-based, .45 ACP-chambered .M45A1 was standard for some of the most elite combat forces in the branch. By 2016 it was already being replaced by Glock 19s in some units, though.  The M007, Glock 19M, is a relatively recent purchase and was issued to Marine Corps members assigned to presidential helicopter duties and criminal investigation officers, where concealed handguns are better suited to their respective assignments.

The decision by the marksmanship-emphasizing Marine Corps to go with a shorter barrel may be partly based on the results from military testing on the M18 earlier this year, in which three of the handguns digested 36,000 rounds without a single stoppage. Protocol calls for only 5,000 cartridges per firearm, and a dozen stoppages is considered within the acceptable range.

The Marines are scheduled to receive 35,000 M18s this year at a cost of $6 million, with more expected to arrive in 2020. Units will begin issuing the sidearm early next year if everything goes as planned.

Additional Reading:
U.S. Marine Corps to Adopt M18 as Official Duty Pistol  

 

Latest

Taurus Expedition Rifleman Review 1
Taurus Expedition Rifleman Review 1

Rifleman Review: Taurus Expedition

Taurus entered the bolt-action rifle market with its Expedition, a Remington 700-pattern design that's built to be versatile and affordable.

New For 2025: Charter Arms Pathfinder II

Charter Arms updated one of the oldest models in its lineup with the new Pathfinder II, which features a lightweight 7075 aluminum frame, making it more well-balanced and easier to carry.

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.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.