Beretta Introduces New M9A4 Pistol: The Sig Sauer P320 was adopted by the United States Army as the M17/M18 following the military’s XM17 Modular Handgun System program to determine a new handgun to replace the aging Beretta M9 that was first introduced in 1985. The U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps have all been replacing the M9 with the M17 and M18.
However, Beretta had actually developed an updated version of that handgun – the M9A3, which was also considered during the Modular Handgun System testing. It was rejected, but Beretta still offered the pistol for commercial sale. That wasn’t the end of the line for the M9 line either, as last year Beretta released the M9A4, an optics-ready version that allowed operators to add the micro red-dot sight of their choice to the pistol’s slide.
Meet the M9A4 Centurion
New for 2022, Beretta has introduced M9A4 Centurion, which features the same proven design of the M9 series but with modern features include a red-dot optic ready slide, a beveled magazine well, and texturized 92X-style thin grips that were meant to provide a more natural fit for all shooters.
The Beretta M9A4, which in the USA was developed to be ideal for any tactical situation, including home and personal defense, tactical competitions, and duty carry in any condition. It features integral slide cuts and a built-in 3-slot Picantinny rail to allow for the mounting of optional optic plate styles, as well as aftermarket tactical lights, laser devices, and more accessories.
The Centurion also includes an enhanced short reset Xtreme Trigger System with DLC Coated fire control and a short reset trigger and a G decock-only slide, while the beveled magazine well will allow for quick magazine changes to be performed easily with one hand regardless of lighting conditions.
The M9A4 also features a removable front sight for tactical shooters who have a distinct preference in terms of sight picture, material, or construction. In addition, a variety of accessory options are possible thanks to the built-in 3-slot Picatinny rail located in front of the trigger guard, which enables the easy attachment of a variety of tactical lights, laser devices, and more.
The M9A4 comes with three 18-round, anti-friction coated magazines, with 10 and 15-round magazine capacity options available for capacity-limited states.
Beretta M9A4 Specs:
Caliber: 9x19mm Parabellum (Luger)
Barrel length: 5.1 inches
Grip width: 1.3 inches
Magazine: 10-15-18
Capacity: 10+1, 15+1, 18+1
Finish: Flat Dark Earth
Overall height: 137.16mm/5.4 inches
Overall length: 220.98mm/8.7 inches
Overall width: 1.5 inches
Sight Radius: 160mm/6.3 inches
Weight unloaded: 944 grams/33.4 ounces
The Beretta M9A4 Centurion is now available for purchase in a wear-resistant FDE finish at select retailers. It has an MSRP of $1,099.
Peter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer who has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers and websites. He regularly writes about military small arms, and is the author of several books on military headgear including A Gallery of Military Headdress, which is available on Amazon.com.
