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cactusman
05-15-2005, 11:00
MILITARY - BERETTA AWARDED CONTRACT FOR 18,744 M9 PISTOLS TO US ARMY


http://www.berettausa.com/media/media_press_releases.htm


ACCOKEEK, MD — Beretta USA has been awarded a contract to supply 18,744 M9 (Model 92FS) semiautomatic pistols to the U.S. Air Force. Issued by the U.S. Army, which serves as Executive Purchasing Agent for the U.S. Armed Forces for the M9 pistol, the contract includes an option to purchase an additional 5,1090 pistols.

The Beretta M9 Model 92FS 9mm pistol will be produced at the Beretta USA headquarters in Accokeek, MD where it has been made for 20 years. “Beretta is pleased to again be awarded the distinction of supplying this premier firearm to the United States Armed Forces, particularly as we recognize the Twentieth Anniversary of the original purchase of the Beretta M9 by our Government,” Beretta USA General Manager Christopher Merritt said. In April 1985, the Beretta 9mm pistol was selected by the Army as the standard sidearm for the U.S. Armed Forces after finishing ahead of all contestants in a rigorous competition.

The Beretta M9 9mm pistol is the most reliable and highly tested personal defense weapon in history, exceeding all U.S. Military testing guidelines. The average reliability of all M9 pistols tested at Beretta U.S.A. is 17,500 rounds without a stoppage. During one test, twelve M9 pistols fired 168,000 rounds without a single malfunction. Two-thirds of all M9 pistols fired 5,000 rounds during routine endurance testing without a single malfunction or, at most, with only one malfunction. Army tests established the average durability of Beretta M9 slides at over 35,000 rounds, the point at which testing ceased (and over 7 times the contractually mandated service life for the pistol). The average durability of M9 frames is over 30,000 rounds and the average durability of M9 slides was a remarkable 75,000 rounds. Since being awarded the original contract in 1985, Beretta has supplied 500,000 pistols to the U.S. military.

Beretta is the oldest industrial dynasty in the world tracing its roots though 16 generations of continuous family ownership back to 1526. Firearms bearing the Beretta name have been sold for over 475 years. Beretta U.S.A. was founded in 1977 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 operates five retail Beretta Gallery stores worldwide.


Here's some more info, with an interesting side note on the Beretta "M9A1"...


http://www.eps.gov/spg/DON/USMC/M67854/DON-SNOTE-050510-001/Synopsis.html


General Information


Document Type: Special Notice
Solicitation Number: DON-SNOTE-050510-001
Posted Date: May 10, 2005
Original Response Date:
Current Response Date:
Original Archive Date: Jun 10, 2005
Current Archive Date: Jun 10, 2005

Contracting Office Address
M67854 Quantico, VA
Description
This is a notice of intent to award a sole source, firm fixed price contract to Beretta USA Corp., 17601 Beretta Drive, Accokeek, MD 20607 for the following items: 3,480 M9A1 Pistols; 6,960 PVD Nickel plated improved magazines; and, 3,480 M9A1 Pistol Holster systems. Classification Code is 10 -- Weapons. NAICS Code is 332995. This acquisition will be accomplished using commercial item procedures in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation Part 12 and in accordance with FAR 6.302-1(a)(2), for Other Than Full & Open Competition. This notice is not a request for offers and no solicitation will be issued. All information received by 11:00 AM, EST, June 9, 2005 will be considered by the Government. The intent of this Special Notice is for informational purposes only. A determination not to compete this proposed procurement based on response to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. The anticipated date of award is June 15th, 2005! . Written inquiries or comments regarding this announcement may be faxed to 703-432-3531, Attn: Alice Pladson. Please reference M67854-05-R-1064 on all inquiries and comments.

stiletto raggio
05-19-2005, 15:23
That is ridiculous. If they aren't upgrading to a blued Vertec, the government really missed the boat. the M9 is too fat for a lot of people to effectively shoot anything in DA, and it lacks night sights and a rail. As someone who has to shoot the dang things, I am seriously disappointed.

DonGlock26
05-21-2005, 09:41
Damn straight! I love my 92FS Vertec!^c

jlw_84
05-21-2005, 10:05
Originally posted by cactusman
.... Firearms bearing the Beretta name have been sold for over 475 years.....

I didn't know we have had firearms for over 475 years? ;g

Now I'm confused. ;9

sean o'farrell
05-21-2005, 10:53
Originally posted by jlw_84
I didn't know we have had firearms for over 475 years? ;g

Now I'm confused. ;9


Firearms date back to at least the 1300s, and cannons may go back as far as the 800s.

Medieval European history is worth studying.

spober
05-22-2005, 11:43
the vertec may be better for some but i prefere the good old 92FS

BrokenArrow
05-22-2005, 14:50
Beretta started out making cannon barrels before small arms.

So what's a M9A1 anyway? ;b

Kilroy
06-11-2005, 09:18
For such a contract, only the current specified pistol may be purchased. Nothing newer, nothing "improved."

BrokenArrow
06-11-2005, 10:29
The M9A1s the USMC bought are M9s w rails on the frame. ;b

Glockadict
06-20-2005, 18:39
The military does not like a lot of change, and they don't like to spend money. The M9's we have in our inventory are pretty old. We even have some M16's from vietnam. Being awarded a military contract does not always mean that it is the best product. It could be the lowest bidder, it is another companies time for the contract, or in a lot of cases political reasons. I'm not saying it is any of these things, just putting in my 2 cents.

RENEA
06-23-2005, 14:46
Originally posted by Glockadict
The military does not like a lot of change, and they don't like to spend money. The M9's we have in our inventory are pretty old. We even have some M16's from vietnam. Being awarded a military contract does not always mean that it is the best product. It could be the lowest bidder, it is another companies time for the contract, or in a lot of cases political reasons. I'm not saying it is any of these things, just putting in my 2 cents.

That's a real shame. I'd love to see the US Armed Forces adopt the HK USP 9F as a sidearm.

isuzu
07-18-2005, 18:44
I've read in Guns and Ammo magazine about two months ago that the US Armed Forces also purchased some Ruger pistols (I think the KP95D15), and are being used in Iraq. They've had a favorable performance so far.

SchlaffTablett
07-18-2005, 22:44
The Rugers were bought for Army gate gaurds. The contract was small and it's really pretty insignificant overall.
The M9A1 is going to be a 92FS with a light rail and the newer, radiused backstrap. They may or may not also come with night sights. This is all still up in the air as the contract hasn't officialy been awarded yet. The M9A1 is still pending approval and until then, it only lives as a few sample pieces in the hands of BUSA and the USMC. --ST

BrokenArrow
07-19-2005, 12:46
The Army contracts for the 5000 Rugers and 5000 sig pros specified shipment to Iraq. The Army also recently contracted w S&W for shipment of enhanced Sigmas to Afghanistan. ;b