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Beretta M9A3

beretta m9a3 pistol

The M9A3 is an updated version of Beretta’s M9A1, submitted to the US Military for consideration for their next service pistol. Beretta recognized that their current designs were not keeping up with the rest of the handgun world.

The M9A3 was the answer to this concern. This pistol brought many improved features that are now considered common for modern handguns, but were not standard on older styles of M9s. These included a more cost-efficient manufacturing method, better ergonomics, better capacity, and better modularity.

The M9A3 also allowed sights to be added far more easily than previous models. These many improvements make the M9A3 an excellent firearm for tactical use, competitions, home and personal defense, and duty.

Let's take a closer look at the M9A3’s features.

Beretta M9A3 Standard Features:

  • Double Action/Single Action
  • Decocker only (Type G), Decocker/Safety (Type F) models
  • Longer 5.1 inch barrel
  • Multiple finishes
  • 17 round standard magazine
  • Suppressor compatible barrel w/ thread protector
  • Universal slide design
  • 3-dot removable sights
  • Thinner grip and removable grip wrap
  • Three slot Picatinny rail

The M9A3 marks the largest change to the M9 design so far. While the M9A1 did feature slightly different modifications to the M9, it was essentially the same gun with the ability to mount a light or laser on it.

Starting with the grip, the M9A3 uses Vertec grips. These grips are thinner than the standard M9 grips and offer a straighter grip angle. A removable grip wrap allows you to get the grip style of the M9 without having to significantly modify the gun. This addition makes it similar to Glocks Modular Backstrap.

This is especially important since the M9A3 is suppressor compatible from the factory. This was achieved by making the barrel slightly longer and threading it in a standard suppressor thread pitch. This would allow for better hearing protection when using the gun with a suppressor in addition to allowing for muzzle breaks or compensators to be used with the factory barrel.

The under barrel Picatinny rail was updated to feature three slots instead of the M9A1’s single slot.

The next major change was a change to the slide. All M9A3 slides are compatible with Beretta’s decocker-only modification. The use of these universal slides allow you to switch between the options of decocker/safety (Type F models) and decocker-only (Type G models).

The M9A3 also included an increase in the base magazine capacity, changing the capacity from 15 to 17 rounds.

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Beretta M9A3 Specs

The M9A3 was an attempt by Beretta to compete with modern pistol designs. Most of the features that were added in 2015 had already been implemented by Glock pistols and Smith & Wesson’s M&P line.

The pistol’s modularity was vastly increased compared to the M9A1. Now you get a pistol ready for modification from the factory. The thinner grip provides better comfort and the swappable sights allow for better accuracy.

Being able to mount lights and compensators/muzzle devices means that you will be able to use the gun in a variety of lighting conditions and increase the controllability of the pistol.

All of this in a gun that only weighs a fraction of an ounce more than the original M9. As a concealed carry pistol this offers a lot of benefits but can still be problematic due to the weight of the gun.

The weight will help with recoil management but can be uncomfortable to carry for extended periods of time.

M9A3 Specs:

Attribute Spec
Action: Semi automatic, Double Action/Single Action
Caliber: 9x19 mm/9mm Luger
Capacity: 17 (standard), 15, 10, 20, 30, 32
Barrel length: 5.1 inches
Weight Unloaded: 33.4 ounces
Overall Length: 8.7 inches
Overall Width: 1.5 inches
Sight radius: 6.3 inches
Sights: 3-dot, removable sights (suppressor height, tritium, etc. compatible)

Browse: Beretta M9A3 pistols

Variants

M9A4

The M9A4 marks the most recent attempt to improve on the M9 design.

This model features the ability to mount a red dot without the need for special aftermarket milling. It also features base sight and ergonomic improvements.

M9A4 Specs:

Attribute Spec
Action: Semi automatic, Double Action/Single Action
Caliber: 9x19 mm/9mm Luger
Capacity: 10, 15, 18
Barrel length: 5.1 inches
Weight Unloaded: 33.4 ounces
Overall Length: 8.3 inches
Overall Width: 1.5 inches
Sight radius: 6.3 inches
Sights: Dovetailed Tritium Night sights, Red dot compatible

Browse: Beretta M9A4 pistols