Service Pistols

[Trevor]

The remarks of Vickers are on the mark.  Correct lubrication, recoil spring replacement, and proper magazines are vital to the successful use of the M9 in the same way these needs are to the 1911.  As for the locking block, it is considered a consumable too and should be replaced as needed.  Routine inspections by a trained person can advise when to do so.  That said, it is true Beretta has improved this part in recent runs of the pistol.  I like my Beretta 92 very much.  I follow the rules though, train or practice with it, and know it well.  I take nothing for granted when it comes to the reliability of a handgun. 

[Badgersmilk]

I dont think this article bashes the M9 (at least IMO), I think he's just pointing out things anyone should be aware according to his experience with the weapon.  

His comments on it place it in the same family as the AR (needing very particular care and cleaning), I also dont think the military intended to short change the troops by issueing the M9 & AR family's.  Low recoil, very fast / flat shooting, and small ammo that troops can carry a ton of.  These are the main priorities in the mind's of US governments upper crust who decide what the average GI will be equiped with.  They expect he'll maintain his pistol the same as he does his rifle.  Cleaning and oiling it at least daily even in the middle of a 120 degree sand storm, or ass deep in a jungle / swamp.  

When I was in the sand box we actually had a class on cleaning weapons while in chem. gear since we wore the crap for hours, and hours, and hours an given day.  How bad do you think we wanted to kill the guys that dropped the little pin from the bolt (firing pin retainer?)?!?!  We werent allowed to continue until we found them all.  If it werent training I think we would have just killed them and use their weapons for parts!  Try wrapping your entire body in rubber in 120 degree heat and patiently looking for a needle in a haystack.  This is how "friendly fire" happens.    STUPID AR'S!!!

Could have been a LOT worse.  I cant even imagin what our guys did when one of those tiny little parts dropped out of an AR in the jungle's of Vietnam!!!!  Wait till your buddies jams in a fire fight gets him killed, then take parts from it?
 

No problems with the pistol part of the training (M9's)!

[Jackel]

god, the NBC suits were the worst part of my G1.

one night we had 2 false alarms were we had to kit up in full suits and head down to the bunkers. the third time nobody bothered to move and only ruperts and high com went to try and set an example. every time SH set one of them scuds off anywhere in iraq, all coalition forces had to move into safety, with all this tech you think they could be more specific.

the heat was the worst, its like a big giant condom that all your sweat collects in the booties.