M9 9mm Semiautomatic Pistol
Gary's U.S. Infantry Weapons Reference Guide

TM 9-1005-317-10: M9
TECHNICAL DATA
Country of OriginItaly (Beretta Model 92F)
Date Of Introduction1990
Caliber0.35 in (9 mm)
Cartridge9x19mm NATO
System of OperationShort recoil, semi-automatic
Weight With Empty Magazine2.1 lb (0.95 kg)
Weight With Full Magazine2.6 lb (1.18 kg)
Length8.54 in (217 mm)
Barrel Length4.92 in (125 mm)
Barrel RiflingR.H., six grooves, pitch 1 in 9.8 inches (250 mm)
Safety FeaturesDecocking/safety lever, firing pin block, half-cock position
Trigger PullSingle-Action: 5.50 lb (2.5 kg)
Double-Action: 12.33 lb (5.6 kg)
Magazine Capacity15 rounds
Basic Load45 rounds
Unit Replacement Cost$263
Performance
Muzzle Velocity1,230.3 fps (375 mps)
Muzzle Energy430 foot-pounds (583 J)
Maximum Range1,968 yd (1,800 m)
Maximum Effective Range55 yd (50 m)
Sights
Front SightBlade, integral with slide
Rear SightNotched bar, dovetailed to slide
Sight Radius6.22 in (158 mm)

DESCRIPTION

The M9 pistol is a semi-automatic, magazine-fed, recoil-operated, double-action pistol, chambered for the 9mm cartridge. The magazine has a 15 cartridge capacity.

The M9 is carried by crew-served weapon crewmen and by others who have a personal defense requirement, such as law enforcement personnel and aviators. It replaces the M1911A1 .45 caliber pistol and the .38 caliber revolver.

OPERATION

STP 21-1-SMCT: One-hand grip
The M9 Pistol has a short recoil system utilizing a falling locking block.

Upon firing, the pressure developed by the combustion gases recoils the slide-barrel assembly. After a short run, the locking block will stop the rearward movement of the barrel and release the slidewhich will continue its rearward movement. The slide will then extract and eject the fired cartridge case, cock the hammer and compress the recoil spring. The slide moves forward feeding the next cartridge from the magazine into the chamber.

The slide and barrel assembly remains open after the last cartridge has been fired and ejected.

AMMUNITION

Ammunition for the M9 is issued in the form of a complete 9x19mm round. A complete round (cartridge) consists of all the components (cartridge case, bullet, propellant powder, and primer) necessary to fire the weapon once. Click here for more information.

M9 Photos - Click on image sample to see full size image.

U.S. Army TACOM-ARDEC SCWST
U.S. Army Photo
614x318, 107K, JPEG
U.S. Air Force Airman
U.S. Air Force Photo
2100x1366, 883K, JPEG
Defenselink website
U.S. DoD Photo by SSG Jim Downen Jr.
04-AUG-2005
1024x650, 189K, JPEG
Defenselink website
U.S. DoD Photo by Lou Rivera
23-OCT-1991
1024x659, 121K, JPEG

Last updated:  29-DEC-2006: Added more photos.
Copyright ©2004-2006 Gary W. Cooke
To the best of my knowledge all military data and images presented in these pages are UNCLASSIFIED, NON-SENSITIVE, and approved for public release.

Sources:
FM 23-35 Combat Training With Pistols & Revolvers.
STP 21-1-SMCT Soldier's Manual of Common Tasks.
TM 9-1005-317-10 M9 Operator's Manual.
U.S. Air Force "Airman: The Book" web edition, Winter 2006.
U.S. Army website Fact File - M9 Pistol.
U.S. Army TACOM-ARDEC Small Caliber Weapons Systems Team website.
U.S. Army TACOM-RI Small Arms Group website.
U.S. DoD Defenselink website.
U.S. Marine Corp website Fact File - M9 Pistol.