Figure 2-6.--9mm, M9 semiautomatic pistol.
Operation
9MM, M9 SEMIAUTOMATIC PISTOL
The M9 pistol has a short recoil system using a
The 9-mm, M9 pistol (fig. 2-6) is a single- or
double-action, short-recoil-operated, semiautomatic,
falling locking block. The pressure developed by the
magazine-fed, self-loading handgun with fixed sights.
expanding gases of a fired round recoils the slide and
The M9 is primarily designed as a personal defense
barrel assembly. After a short distance, the locking
sidearm for guards, sentries, and boarding and landing
block is disengaged from the slide, the barrel stops
parties.
against the frame, and the slide continues its rearward
The M9 is chambered for the 9-mm cartridge. The
movement. The slide then extracts and ejects the fired
magazine (fig. 2-7) has a capacity of 15 rounds, which is
cartridge case, cocks the hammer, and compresses the
more than double that of the traditional magazine of the
recoil spring. The slide moves forward, stripping the
same length. Empty, the pistol weighs approximately
next cartridge from the magazine, and feeds it into the
2.1 pounds. It has a maximum range of 1,962.2 yards
chamber. After the last cartridge has been fired and
(1,800 meters) and a maximum effective range of 54.7
ejected, the slide and barrel assembly will remain open
yards (50 meters).
by the magazine follower pressing up on the slide stop
lever.
Disassembly
Disassembly of the M9 is covered by current 3-M
Systems MRCs and is normally limited to the general
disassembly (field-stripping) level. The M9 is designed
for ease of field stripping under adverse conditions.
With practice, you should be able to field strip it in
seconds. Before you begin disassembling the pistol,
remove the magazine and be sure that the pistol is
unloaded. You can disassemble and assemble the pistol
with the safety in either the ON or OFF position. But for
safety purposes, and to prevent damage to the pistol,
always engage the safety (ON position, warning dots
covered, down position) before you begin disassembly.
Figure 2-7.--M9 magazine.
2-8
