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Real deal USGI M9 Beretta just sold on gunbroker

9K views 34 replies 25 participants last post by  herd118  
#1 ·
#7 · (Edited)
yeah, I wouldn't get too excited about it being "ganged" from some unit arms room or anywhere else in gov't storage. sometime back in 1999/2000 or so, those M9 were once sold as either a "special edition" that came in a green box with BIANCHI pistol belt, M12 holster and magazine pouch. they also made a run the "no frills" M9s that came in just a carboard box for a very short period of time, both sold by BERETTA and both were the same exact pistols that were issued to the troops, with all the stamping, inspectors stamps etc

whoever bought that got a good hard "pounding" with no lube and not even a courtesy of a reach

but as long as buyer who got the "pounding" was "satisfied" that is all that really matters
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#8 ·
yeah, I wouldn't get too excited about it being "ganged" from some unit arms room or anywhere else in gov't storage. sometime back in 1999/2000 or so, those M9 were once sold as either a "special edition" that came in a green box with BIANCHI pistol belt, M12 holster and magazine pouch. they also made a run the "no frills" M9s that came in just a carboard box for a vary short period of time, both sold by BERETTA and both were the same exact pistols that were issued to the troops, with all the stamping, inspectors stamps etc

whoever bought that got it hard with no lube and not even a courtesy of a reach

but as long as buyer got the "pounding" was "satisfied" that is all that really matters
Image
The M9 in the Gunbroker auction is not one of the special edition copies that Beretta made in circa 2000. The frame serial number on this one is in the USGI format and known US contract range.
Beretta Government vs Commercial M9 Identification
 
#9 ·
I cannot give or link any information about this, but I have always understood that very early on when the US Govt. started purchasing the M9 for the military, that a very small number of M9 marked pistols - identically marked as the military issue ones - made it out the door to civilian sales sources, more specifically sold to law enforcement in America. Had something to do with the manufacturing line and

No idea how many, and no idea which agencies got them, but that is what I have understood for at least a couple decades.

Like I said, I cannot provide any verification of that so obviously take it for what it’s worth. Just something I was told about many years ago.

And no, I am NOT referring to the much later publically available and sold M9 guns, I am referring to true M9s as made for the military.

Maybe someone else knows more, or can solidly refute what I noted, I am sure ok with that :)
 
#12 ·
I took a look at the other auctions and it seems they may have taken in the collection of a very dedicated US-issued handgun collector. No surplus M17s yet, but plenty of other oddities and one-offs.
On the M9; anyone here with just a bit of time can submit a FOIA request and find out essentially for free if curiosity prevailed.
 
#13 ·
IIRC certain officers were allowed to retain or purchase their M9 pistols upon retirement. A number of those guns with solid provenance have been sold over the years, usually by family members after the officer's death. It seems odd that one would be out there without stating the provenance of the officer to whom it was issued. That doesn't mean it is isn't one -- it just seems odd to me.
 
#14 ·
Peterbats - US general/flag officers are issued a general officer pistol (special leather belt and assec), but all are marked with a "GO" prefix, and a second set of grips with the appropriate number of stars are issued as well. These pistols are very well documented. All the other markings are the same as an issue M9. I have personally processed the transfer from the US gov paperwork to the GOs, and they may retain on retirement or turn in. Missed out on one as the retiring commander didn't want his, but his deputy BG beat me to it.

I have seen some military CAGE coded slides and barrels for sale, source unknown, but those would be either Beretta over-runs or stolen parts. Stealing a pistol is possible, but not likely to be successful, but parts may have been brought back from all the recent deployments where tracking is less restrictive. I have personally been involved in tying up an Active Guard/Reserve officer for stealing an M9, he was caught carrying it by a Mississippi State Policeman during a traffic stop, the officer who was also an Army Reserve soldier and immediately recognized the US property markings and that M9s are not available surplus.
 
#16 ·
What many of the people that replied to this thread don't seem to realize is that the serial number on the pistol in question is a military serial number. All the guns made for the civilian market have a different sequence along with a letter prefix. The military M9 serial numbers start at 1,000,000. There are indeed a few legal, military issue M9 pistols out there. Typically they show up via a retired General Officer's estate as they have the option of purchasing their sidearm upon retirement. Once it is officially released from government inventory, it can be sold on the civilian market. I would be interested in seeing a Freedom Of Information report on this one before I would spend that much money though.

I have seen a few genuine US issue M9's for sale from time to time. The last one I saw prior to this, sold for just under $4K. Those folks that aren't collectors do not, nor are they ever likely, to really understand the collector market and their opinion has zero effect on the market.

For example, when the Marine issued MARSOC M45A1's first hit the market and sold at $1500. I heard the usual comments about how that was too much money for a used gun. Now if you are able to find one for sale, they trade hands for around 6-8K. Same with the M17's that were traded in to Sig and then resold by them for $699. Today they are selling for around $2000. Makes me glad I got my surplus M17 when they first hit the market.

There is an extremely limited amount of legal, genuine US Property Beretta M9's in civilian hands and while I am not surprised that this one went for that much money, I am disappointed because it means that I am not likely to ever own one.

The closest I have been able to come is a civilian M9 that I bought new and then sourced and installed surplus military parts on. Except for the frame, which definitely has a civilian serial number, it is identical to the gun that sold on gunbroker. Maybe not quite the real deal, but as close as I am ever likely to come having one.
 
#17 ·
Crazy !! Must be someone with "Throw Away" money . "Loot, Stab & Beat" gets the prices . I remember when they were w a small store in SIMI with limited inventory. Somewhere along the line, the light bulb went on in their brain and they went on the internet. I would be surprised if the buyer pays .
 
#25 · (Edited)
It's not just you, there are a lot of non collectors out there. Usually those are the "if I can't shoot it, I don't want it" or the "I can buy the same thing for $300" crowd. Then there is always the "I have to have the latest and greatest, old guns don't interest me" people.

But there are a lot of us that like genuine US military used firearms and are willing to step up monetarily to acquire said guns.
 
#30 ·
That one I would like. He flew in Challenger it appears. Very cool pistol.

I held one in about 1990 or so. A high ranking USMC reservist got it somehow. I could not believe he was toting it around for show and tell. Maybe he was a G.O. by then but I doubt it. I was cheep and got a Taurus. I love the 1911s so they do not trip my trigger as a general rule.
 
#26 ·
There's another one on Gunbroker now . I personally have no interest in these but understand that others may. People look at my stuff as "Smelly old uniforms and helmets" . I don't care what they say , I like them and that's all that matters. That's the joy of collecting. You end up with something ,either inherited or given and start in researching it. Then you come across another similar and have to have it. From there you end end up like me, a new building with stuff now cascading onto the floor because the walls and shelves are full, and on into the house where my wife has to stake out areas for her stuff. Today I have money and the only thing holding me back is the thought, "Where will it go "??? I don't care. I remember a guy once said to me as he held money in one hand and a helmet in the other. He said, "This I can make !! [The cash]. This I can't. [The helmet" !! So now you know why people buy things they may not ever see again and sometimes pay dearly for them.
 
#27 ·
I carried/was issued the M-9 on and off from 1998 (Sgt) until I retired in 2013 (GySgt). Not a fan, gun felt oversized and was not comfortable in my hands. Plus I preferred my M-4 even though the M9 is nice for when you are on a FOB. Iraq in 2006 I stopped carrying it on my birthday as it was just dead weight. Hard enough to patrol all day with 70 lbs of Crap on my chest and shoulders, dont need more weight on my hip and leg (Safariland drop holster)

Now I do love my M&P9 fullsize, that gun feels like it was made for my hand. But the M9 was just a lead pig.
 
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