Question about the beretta M9

[psum240b]

Hi Everyone,
I just turned 21 and I am looking to purchase a handgun. I have used many types and I have been going to different stores recently and have been looking. I was looking at the berreta m9 and I was really thinking about picking one up sense I have used them in the coast guard and I like the way it is. as I was looking at one recently the person behind the counter at one of the stores told me the frames on the m9 crack after about 15000 rounds. I don't know what to believe about that, just because I find it hard to believe our government would except a pistol that would have a frame crack after 15000 rounds. Plus I have never heard anybody who has been in the military say the frames crack, I have heard we should use them as anchors, but thats a personal choice. The thing that makes me think thats not true is the beretta's that I used in boot camp were well worn,most likely got a thousand rounds a week going through them with all the recruits passing through until the guard changed to the p229 dak. I was wondering if anybody has heard about this but if thats true that kinda bums me out cuz I thought it was a pretty good weapon system despite its cartridge being a 9. any thoughts?
thanks calgunners,
Curt
USCG reserve

[Mr. Meeseeks]

Welcome to the forum. Stupid Me, we have the same join date.

You've probably got more experience with firearms than that guy behind the counter.

I don't have any experience with the 92f or M9 other than handling one owned by a friend, but I think what you have deduced from your experience with well worn M9s is correct.

I don't think a single owner just putting the gun through regular recreational shooting would have anything to worry about.

BTW anyone notice that there are many people who are posting that they're turning 21 soon? Someone should plan a party!

[What Just Happened?]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M9_pistol#Controversy

Pistols are a very subjective purchase. One person's hand might like a GLOCK whereas the next one will like a 1911 better. Range time with a pistol is your best bet.

[1911su16b870]

The best firearm is the one you have in your hand when you need one. I am very happy with my old Beretta 92FS. It feeds and shoots everything I have ever put through it! I own a few different platforms and know I can fight with the 92. During emergency reloads, as you rack, you will learn to rotate the decocker forward so that it doesn't stay down. The decocker is a nice feature if you are loading and unloading a sidearm daily. IMO the 92 feels good in my hand. The Sig 226 is also a very nice firearm. What ever you decide, spend the time shooting it, enjoy and no regrets.

[G60]

the M9 had problems in it's infancy with cracking slides.

and the government realized these failures and required Beretta to fix them.

beretta fixed the slides in the M9 in 1988, so unless you're purchasing a very old M9, you'll be fine.

see section "the problems arise":

http://www.defensereview.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=378

it's safe to say a cracking slide is something you don't have to worry about when you purchase an M9

[Stormfeather]

I was looking at one recently the person behind the counter at one of the stores told me the frames on the m9 crack after about 15000 rounds. I don't know what to believe about that, just because I find it hard to believe our government would except a pistol that would have a frame crack after 15000 rounds. Plus I have never heard anybody who has been in the military say the frames crack.

Chris, as a former/now current again military guy who joined inthe mid 80's, the rumor you heard in regards to m9's slides cracking was true. But this was about the time that you was born. So, you probally dont really have to worry about getting a bad one. Yes, they did crack back in the day, but those models have long since been repaired, or moved out of service. It is actually of no consequence to you since these particular variants are long gone. If you enjoy how they shoot, and you are comfortable with them, then by all means, buy one! Some folks swear by them, and some folks swear at them, its all in how you look at it!

[hntnnut]

If memmory serves me corectly, didn't part of the cracking problen stem from the pistols being fed a stedy diet of SMG ammo???

Richard

[Kruzr]

It isn't uncommon for the M9's to break one of the wings on the locking block within 30,000 rounds. We get about 20,000 between locking blocks on our rental M9. It was no different with the 92FS's before they changed the marking on the recent ones. We keep 2 spare locking blocks.

That being said, I've only seen one Beretta owned by one of our members that had a cracked locking block. Unless you shoot it a whole lot, there isn't much to worry about.

[Army]

Firing doesn't hurt the locking blocks nearly as much as letting the slide go forward dry. Steel on steel has a bad habit of busting itself all up.

The 92/M9 is a good Cop gun, good house gun, good fun plinking gun......it just ain't no combat gun.

[aplinker]

Firing doesn't hurt the locking blocks nearly as much as letting the slide go forward dry. Steel on steel has a bad habit of busting itself all up.

The 92/M9 is a good Cop gun, good house gun, good fun plinking gun......it just ain't no combat gun.

so what would you choose for a combat sidearm?

[jermzzzzzzz]

I carry the M9 on duty and the only issue i have is the DA pull is too long for me. Other then that I like it and my M9 has been through Panama, Desert Storm, Somalia, Afghanistan(with different oweners of course, except Afghanistan)

[Army]

so what would you choose for a combat sidearm?

The Grand 'Ol beastie that kept America's enemies at bay for 75 years, the M1911A1.

[hitman13]

ahhhh the m9........

i love that i hate it,
and i hate that i love it...


buy with confidence!!!!!!!!

and dont to get some hicap rebuild kits to rebuild all those hicaps you had back in the day!

[E. Fudd]

I've seen a few of my friend's high mileage 92FS (e.g. > 30k fired) have their locking blocks break. They now routinely replace the locking blocks (drop-in factory part) preemptively at around 20-25k and they are good to go for a couple more years...

Don't know if the current gen M9's have any improvements in that regard in the locking block...

If you like the M9, get it. Just keep the above in mind. To biggy to replace the part.

[StraightShooter]

I have a m9 and I even shoot it in action pistol competition. I havent had any problems with mine and it even eats my reloads flawlessly. The cracked slide/frame? issue should not be an issue. EFK firedragon makes a steel guide rod that keeps the slide from contacting the frame during recoil which is supposed to drastically reduce wear on the frame and at the same time reduce recoil. I dont have one on my gun but I have shot one with it and it does make a noticeable difference. If you dont like the hard DA pull then you can get a new spring from David Olhasso that drops it from around 7 pounds to 3-4 pounds. I love my m9 and I have done a few home made balistic tests with Federal Hydra shock ammo and I would not hesitate to use it in home defense.