The video opens on the range with the Beretta M9 9mm service pistol. The host explains extensive familiarity with the platform after about ten years in the Marine Corps, where the M9 has been a standard sidearm for training and operations. The pistol is described as accurate, reliable, and capable of handling the abuse typical of military use, noting the worn condition of many armory guns that still function well. The host mentions serving in the reserves and not expecting to see newer pistols like the M17 anytime soon, but expresses a clear preference for the M9’s all‑metal frame and slide. The Beretta M9 is introduced as a pistol the host genuinely likes to shoot and trusts based on long-term service experience.
The Beretta M9 is described as an all‑metal, double‑action/single‑action 9mm pistol with synthetic grips and no polymer frame components. It was designed in the early 1980s and won the U.S. military contract to replace the 1911, beating the SIG P226 largely on cost. The pistol entered production around 1985 and has been in U.S. service since about 1990. Its weight helps make the 9mm cartridge easy to control. The slide‑mounted lever functions as both a safety and decocker. When the hammer is back in single action, it cannot be placed on safe; the pistol is either in fire with the hammer cocked or decocked with the safety engaged. The double‑action pull is noticeably heavier than the single‑action pull. The exposed barrel design is discussed, with the host noting that it actually helps debris fall away instead of getting trapped between the slide and barrel, and also simplifies cleaning.
On the range, the M9 is shown as an easy‑shooting pistol, including in offhand and left‑handed use. The added weight of the metal frame helps manage recoil and allows comfortable, controllable fire. The pistol features an ambidextrous safety/decocker located at the rear of the slide on both sides, positioned so it is easy to reach with the thumb while staying out of the way. The host demonstrates double‑action fire left‑handed and notes that the pistol is accurate, with rounds impacting where intended. The pistol in the video is new and being fired straight out of the box without additional lubrication, yet it functions reliably. It ships with three 15‑round steel magazines, which the host considers a practical configuration. The M9 also exhibits an automatic slide‑forward behavior when a fully loaded magazine is firmly seated with the slide locked back, though the host prefers to train to use the slide release or rack the slide rather than rely on this feature.
At the bench, the Beretta M9 is described as an iconic pistol with a long service life in the U.S. military since 1990 and frequent appearances in films and television. It has a roughly 5‑inch barrel and simple, easy‑to‑see sights: a rear sight with a white reference mark and a front sight with a white dot. The ambidextrous safety/decocker only functions as a safety when the hammer is forward; it will not stay on safe with the hammer cocked. Users can either fire the first shot in double action with the safety off or load, decock, and then fire from double action into subsequent single‑action shots. The host then provides historical context, explaining that in the late 1970s NATO developed a standardization agreement for sidearms. Before this, the U.S. primarily used the 1911 in .45 ACP, while the U.S. Air Force carried Colt .38 Special revolvers. NATO sought a common 9mm Parabellum sidearm platform that could be used across multiple branches and countries.
Following NATO’s move to 9mm Parabellum, manufacturers competed to supply a standardized service pistol. Beretta’s design ultimately won the U.S. contract over the SIG P226, with cost cited as a major factor. The host highlights the extensive testing the M9 underwent, including operation in extreme temperatures from about –40°F to over 140°F. The pistol was buried in sand, snow, mud, and dirt, then fired, and was also submerged in salt water. During mean rounds between failure testing, the M9 reportedly went approximately 35,000 rounds before experiencing a failure to fire. The host finds this believable based on personal experience with heavily used Marine Corps pistols that still function reliably and shoot accurately despite their worn appearance, some dating back to conflicts such as Desert Storm. The pistol’s continued ability to qualify shooters at expert level is presented as evidence of its durability and consistent performance over time.
The M9 package includes three 15‑round steel magazines, each with round count indicators on the back in 5‑round increments up to 15. The pistol has a last‑round slide hold‑open feature. When a fully loaded magazine is inserted forcefully with the slide locked back, the slide often runs forward automatically, which can speed reloads. However, the host cautions that wear on magazines or slide stop components can make this behavior inconsistent, so training to use the slide release or to rack the slide is recommended. The all‑metal construction helps mitigate 9mm recoil, allowing quick follow‑up shots. The grip angle is described as slightly steeper than some other pistols, which the host finds more natural and ergonomic. This grip shape contributes to comfortable shooting and effective recoil management. Overall handling characteristics, including balance and grip feel, are emphasized as strengths of the Beretta M9 platform.
In closing, the Beretta M9 is characterized as a widely recognized and historically significant service pistol. It has been carried by soldiers, Marines, airmen, and sailors across numerous deployments and theaters worldwide. The pistol’s presence in many Hollywood films and television shows is mentioned as part of its cultural footprint, but the focus remains on its real‑world military service since adoption around 1990. The host notes that the pistol comes in a hard case and reiterates appreciation for its reliability, accuracy, and long record of use. The M9 is presented as a proven sidearm that has seen extensive duty with U.S. armed forces. The video then transitions toward mentioning another 9mm pistol featured as a current giveaway, signaling the end of the detailed discussion of the Beretta M9 itself.
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