Accokeek, MD – Beretta Defense Technologies (BDT) is pleased to announce that the first five M9 Lot Acceptance Tests (LATs) conducted to date by Beretta U.S.A. under the Company’s current contract to supply the standard 9mm sidearm to the U.S. Armed Forces successfully passed, with the pistols then being delivered to the U.S. Army. “Fifty pistols from these 5 lots have successfully undergone 100% complete individual component interchangeability testing with no issues. These same 50 pistols then passed all of the same individual pistol tests after the Interchange Test, including Headspace Verification, Firing Pin Indent, Trigger Pull, Function, and Targeting & Accuracy. The 2,500 pistols (to which these 5 lot tests applied) also each passed the function and other individual pistol tests 100%”, stated Gabriele de Plano, Vice President of Military Marketing and Operations for Beretta Defense Technologies.“Of particular interest,” Mr. de Plano added, “is the fact that the Reliability Testing for the 5 lots resulted in an incredible 25,000 Mean Rounds Between Stoppages (MRBS) for the 75,000 rounds fired through the 15 pistols during the tests, proving once again the unprecedented reliability of the M9 platform.” By comparison, the M9 25,000 MRBS result is ten times the reliability sought by the U.S. Army in its ongoing Modular Handgun System (MHS) procurement.
The 5 lot tests also represent the final production of M9 pistols at Beretta U.S.A.’s Accokeek, Maryland factory. Manufactured in Accokeek since 1987, Beretta U.S.A. plans to manufacture and deliver all future M9 pistols from the Company’s new state-of-the-art facility in Gallatin, TN. The Company is also building the new and innovative M9A3 at the same Tennessee facility.
“The M9A3 is currently our best-selling pistol and we are dedicating all of our resources to keep up with the huge customer demand for this product” stated Rafe Bennett, Vice President of Product Marketing for Beretta U.S.A. “The M9A3 represents the next generation handgun utilizing the best attributes of the legacy M9 pistol combined with proven modifications that increase performance and durability” stated Bennett.
Added de Plano, “The U.S. Army or any military or law enforcement service using M9s can adopt this weapon today with minimal impact to existing training, in-service accessories (holsters, lights, etc.), integrated logistics support plan, and parts inventory.” The M9A3 maintains 100% commonality with major components of the M9 and 76% commonality of individual parts. It meets 84% of the requirements for the Army’s MHS requirement. The M9A3 features a thin grip with a removable, modular wrap-around grip, MIL- STD-1913 accessory rail, removable front and rear tritium sights, extended and threaded barrel for suppressor use, 17-round sand resistant magazine, and numerous improved small components to increase durability and ergonomics, all in an earth tone finish.
“Combined with the U.S. Army’s recent decision to accept new, improved ammunition (specifically jacketed hollow point) for military applications, the M9A3 becomes a more lethal, ready-to-use-now solution that is also a fiscally responsible option. Use of improved ammunition in the M9A3 will likely attain the desired lethality and penetration characteristics the U.S. Army is seeking today through its MHS program at a fraction of the cost of replacing an entire weapon system, conducting new training and qualification, and buying all new accessories,” stated Gabe Bailey, Military Business Development Manager for Beretta Defense T echnologies.
About Beretta
Beretta, established in 1526, is the oldest industrial dynasty in the world tracing its roots through 16 generations of continuous family ownership. Firearms bearing the Beretta name have been sold for almost 500 years. Beretta USA Corp. was founded in 1977 in Accokeek, MD and supplies the standard sidearm to the U.S. Armed Forces. Today, Beretta manufactures, distributes and markets a complete line of firearms, accessories, and apparel. Beretta also owns and operates six retail Beretta Gallery stores worldwide. Beretta-owned companies employ nearly 600 individuals within the United States with locations in California, Colorado, Maryland, New York, Texas, and Virginia. For additional information visit www.Beretta.com.
Beretta USA Corp., 17601 Beretta Drive, Accokeek, MD 20607 ###
