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Key Points: The U.S. Army rejected the Beretta M9A3 pistol in its Modular Handgun System (MHS) program, favoring a more modern firearm.

-While the M9A3 offered enhancements like a threaded barrel, tritium sights, a Picatinny rail, and improved ergonomics, it retained the controversial long trigger pull and slide-mounted safety of the original M9, criticized for reliability and usability issues.

-Despite its 17-round magazine capacity and updates, the Army opted for Sig Sauer’s M17 and M18 pistols, citing the need for a contemporary, adaptable sidearm. Beretta protested the decision, but the Army remained committed to its choice, leaving the M9A3 largely overlooked.

Why Did the Army Reject the Berretta M9A3 Pistol?

When the United States Army held the competition for the service’s new Modular Handgun System program, they refused even to evaluate an updated Berretta M9 pistol, the M9A3. Army officials stated they were opting for a newer, more modern sidearm for the troops. 

Several weapons manufacturing companies participated when the Army began its search for MHS in 2013. But when Big Army lowered the boom on Berretta, it opened the door for the others to try to win the contract, which later was awarded to Sig Sauer for the full-sized M17 and the compact M18. 

The Berretta was in service from 1985 and replaced the iconic M1911A1. At first, the troops liked the pistol, but as time passed, the sidearm started to get a bad reputation, and eventually, troops grew to hate the weapon. Anyone who has read my handgun posts knows my feelings on the M9, so we won’t bother going over those. 

Beretta protested the decision and sent a letter to the Army “requesting reconsideration,” but that too was later rejected.

Was the M9A3 Not Modern Enough?

The Army grew tired of the M9 pistols mainly due to design flaws and reliability issues. Army officials cited soldiers who complained of problems with the M9’s slide-mounted safety. During malfunction drills, shooters often engage the lever-style safety by accident and then do not realize the weapon is in the safety setting, which could prove fatal in a combat situation.

The new design was quite different in many aspects of the pistol. The first change was cosmetic. Beretta used a three-tone black, coyote, and flat dark earth color scheme for the finish of the pistol instead of just the flat black tone of the original pistols.

Beretta M9A3. Image: Creative Commons.

The cosmetic design of the firearm fit nicely with the terrain and areas that Army troops were currently operating in with the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Additional changes included a flattened mainspring housing and grips, making it appear too much like the M1911A1.

The internal guts of the pistol remained the same. The M9A3 remained a double-action/single-action pistol with the awful first trigger pull longer than the state of Texas. The Army requested this to aid infrequent shooters. And I’ve always disagreed with that reasoning. Infrequent shooters are not usually confident shooters.

Beretta M9A3 9mm. Image Credit: Creative Commons.

Beretta M9A3 9mm. Image Credit: Creative Commons.

Is there a worse way to give shooters confidence than having an extra long trigger pull, taking away accuracy? But that is just my opinion.

The barrel was extended to five inches and threaded to incorporate suppressors. The A3 was given tritium sights for low-light/night shooting and a three-point Picatinny rail under the barrel for attaching lasers and lights. Many professional gun testers have tried out the new A3 model and had nothing but great things to say about it. But the Army is now married to Sig Sauer. That will continue, until it isn’t.

The magazine capacity was bumped to 17 rounds, making the grips a bit wide for shooters with smaller hands. But Beretta also made different-sized backstraps to fit a variety of shooter’s hands better.

Beretta M9A3 Specs:

Magazine Capacity 17 rounds

Action Single/Double

Length 8.66 inches

Sights System Superluminova

Weight Unloaded 34 ounces

Product  Tactical

Grip Type Sling ring

Caliber 9X19

Barrel Length 5 inches

Height 5 ¾ inches

Rail Picatinny

Slide Finish Black

Width 38 mm

Grip Finishing/Color Black

Barrel Finishing/Color Matte Black

Beretta M9A3

Image of the previous model, the Beretta M9A3.

Different models are available for those who like the Beretta and would like to purchase an A3 model. They come from the factory with three 17-round magazines unless you live in a state that doesn’t allow them. 

About the Author: 

Steve Balestrieri is a 19FortyFive National Security Columnist. He served as a US Army Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer. In addition to writing for 19FortyFive, he covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA). His work was regularly featured in other military publications.