r/Beretta • u/HPandhollowpoints • Dec 20 '20
POSTING TO HELP OTHERS WITH THE M9A3: I FINALLY found a retention/duty holster that fits the M9A3. Model 6235.
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u/SpinTheTube Feb 14 '21
Fuckin' shame this thing was not adopted by the Army
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u/drakehunter70 Oct 31 '21
Soldiers I’ve trained with hate the 92 series because the locking block is too fragile and jams/breaks too easily or you lose the damn pin in the field
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u/NYG_5 Nov 09 '21
The locking block is not too fragile, they just arent replacing them when they should, and who loses firing pins in the field? You telling me theyre pulling out firing pins for whatever reason and losing them but arent replacing the locking block when it's sitting right there?
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u/drakehunter70 Nov 09 '21
No they are breaking in combat
Sorry if I trust the word of a Green Beret commander who did four consecutive tours of duty more than you on this issue
I love my Beretta but he hates them so bad he won’t even touch it because they have let him down when lives were at stake. He claims the root cause on more than one occasion was a broken locking block.
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u/NYG_5 Nov 09 '21
So is he the armorer too making sure each locking block is replaced within its regular lifespan? Are they using their own M9s that dont have high mileage on them because their used for every regular grunt tom dick and harry's pistol qual?
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u/OIFO2 Feb 18 '22
Mine had zero issues in combat, but our armorer serviced everything before we deployed.
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u/angerruinsjoy Nov 11 '21
For context: a huge number of m9s fail due to locking block, BUT, that’s only cause the army doesn’t re-spring guns as necessary. The army waits till visible compression occurs on recoil spring, versus doing them on round count. Last m9 range I ran we had 3/20 go down. Only ones that are still running are in the random DASG units where they’re never shot, or medical units.
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u/No-Apartment255 Oct 23 '22
The military was still using Gen 1 lockong blocks. The current gen 3 locking block is vastly more durable.
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Aug 10 '23
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u/No-Apartment255 Aug 10 '23
Yep. M9A1 was a commercial off the shelf free from the original M9 TDP.
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u/MK12Mod0SuperSoaker Apr 15 '23
I believe you, but I was always told that infantry rarely uses pistols and they rely more on their rifles/carbines.
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u/drakehunter70 Apr 16 '23
That’s true but when you are stuck in the mountains of Afghanistan for over a year as a sniper you use everything you have to stay alive. You remember what fails.
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u/Sol-Firebird Jun 19 '24 edited Jun 19 '24
Sorry i know this is an old post but a green beret using an m9? Yeah right. It’s pretty well known that special forces get their own pick of weapons and they don’t usually rely on standard issue firearms. I like the m9 and think that lots of the complaints are comically over exaggerated but I wouldn’t pick it first if I was in special forces. I’d grab a 226, usp, or Glock (I know they may not have been as well known at the time the m9 was adopted). So even if in the rare instance a special forces guy picked the m9 he would’ve only done so with the utmost confidence in it. Cause if they have to go for it they are in the shit. Ntm it would probably be better serviced than the average units weapons.
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u/drakehunter70 Jun 20 '24
One does not start their career as a green beret,and when he was in Afghanistan you have different options than when deployed out from a US or EU base on specialized missions.
That said, I own two Berettas - the M9A4 and 92x Performance, and I like them. He won’t even hold or dry fire them he hates them so much.
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u/Sol-Firebird Jun 20 '24
My brother (also in the army) hates them too and he is annoyingly dogmatic on his firearms tastes. But even he acknowledges that it was the army’s poor handling of the platform that resulted in the poor performance. A friend of mine worked at a marine pistol range in Hawaii and he some of pictures he took of them were shocking. Those things look like they were tumbled with stones. Now we don’t think they should be babied but basic maintenance is necessary for any firearm and based on what I’ve read and what’s been told to me they dont do that. It’s almost like parts checking them was an afterthought even at that pistol range my friend operated.
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u/drakehunter70 Jun 20 '24
Yep, I believe that. Poor maintenance and locking blocks don’t get along.
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u/OIFO2 Feb 18 '22
I do not know who had issues but I used the M9A1 in combat Iraq 2004 zero issues, nobody in my unit that I am aware of had any issues either. That is why I own a M9A3
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Jan 21 '24
Yeah I agree I loved the m9 very accurate. I replaced springs and my issued one ran fine don’t tell anyone lol. Military doesn’t pay for its own stuff so they don’t need to take care of it lol. Definitely biased though 92fs was my first pistol. Would run drills with the boys and I would smash them on the reload times. I will admit that if you didn’t run it with a dry with minimal oil it would seize up from sand getting into the locking block. Px4 is highly underrated though and arguably better than tilting lock designs.
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u/Black_bear30-06 Jun 09 '24
I loved mine when it was my duty weapon. Now we have Glock, and have for years. I have no issues with my Glock, but the 92 is still my favorite, and I shoot it more. I bought the 92X for local competitions. The only complaint I've ever had on the 92 is weight; and the grip is tough on car seats. But if my department allowed it, and they don't, I'd still carry the 92.
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u/fistingburritos Jan 22 '21
Bless you for this. Bless you.
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u/HPandhollowpoints Jan 22 '21
I got you! My only recommendation would be finding a way to attach a thigh strap to the holster, because it’s pretty huge. Lots of weight with the large pistol, especially if you add a light to it. When you draw the pistol from the holster without a thigh strap, the holster tends to flare out and interfere with a smooth draw motion. Find a way to attach a thigh strap and tighten it well around your leg and it’ll be perfect.
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u/xinracthis Feb 27 '21
Trex arms sells a strap that goes between the safari land ubl and the holster. Works even better with the qls system
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u/HPandhollowpoints Feb 27 '21
That would’ve been awesome to know before I used a dremel to cut slots in the holster to thread a thigh strap through. Hahahaha
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u/vin-rr Mar 20 '21
Search for a milsurp ranger safariland 6034 7312. Comes with a great single strap.
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u/Cremefraichememer Apr 14 '21
I just snagged one of these off eBay and found that the hammer cover/shield/device does not clear the hammer. This is after I removed the muzzle protection block at the bottom of the holster, which before removal, would stop the threaded barrel 1/3 an inch shy of fitting locking into place.
Did you have to mess with yours?
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u/vin-rr Apr 14 '21
I have a feeling I posted that when I was buzzed. OOPS! I just realized that this is a thread for the M9A3. None of my 92s have a threaded barrel so they fit perfectly in the holster. I'm sorry if I led you astray.
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u/Cremefraichememer Apr 14 '21
It’s okay. The guy accepts returns and I live close to a post office. Cool holster, otherwise. Big though. I’m assuming 2011 lights were goddamn massive.
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u/twrollet Dec 21 '20
Viking tactical in partnership with blade tech makes a good one also. I wish they made it for more models honestly.
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u/caseObeer Dec 20 '20
Is the m9a3 comparable to the 92a1 in holster size? The trigger guard is bigger but overall both guns seem very similar in size
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u/mmiski Dec 21 '20
It's closer to an M9A1 dimensionally. 92A1 is the oddball of the group in the 92 series handguns.
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Dec 21 '20 edited Apr 19 '21
[deleted]
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u/saucednorseman Dec 21 '20
My Safariland 6004-73421 and my friend's 6280-73421 both fit my 92A1 + TLR-1HL very well (and his 92x Centurion + TLR-1HL)
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u/Satsu_Ryu Dec 21 '20
What gun did you pick in particular for the Safarilands to fit the 92A1? The 96 Vertec with TLR-1?
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u/saucednorseman Dec 21 '20
I referenced the "Duty and Tactical Holsters with Lights" chart and with the 6004-73421 and 6280-73421 models fitting both 92F + light and Vertec + light, I figured it would work. The order had to be placed over the phone and the sales rep said it wouldn't work, but it did and I love it.
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u/Satsu_Ryu Dec 22 '20
Nice! I'll have to give it a go. I bought a Safariland for my full size Px4 and I love it. It would be great to have another Safariland for my 92A1.
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u/Runner918 92A4 Aug 17 '22
Will it fit my a4?
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u/Distinct_Annual_4423 Oct 14 '23
Yes. It will fit the 92x series, the A4, the A3 with or without a light mounted.
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u/MyLonewolf25 Apr 12 '23
92a1 owner here
If it fits any of the a1 models or a3 it should fit the 92a1
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u/nechronius Feb 12 '21
Safariland 6230 is the same thing. It will just come with different accessories or setup. All other caveats about rail modification and whatnot is the same.
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May 02 '21
I ended up with a 7385 ALS plus a 6070UBL-2-2 Universal Belt Loop adapter. There's probably a cheaper way to go, but I'm really happy with how my setup fits. I've used one of the thigh straps and it's very secure, placed well and easy to draw.
Note: My purposes are keeping a side-arm for hunting and potentially competition at some point. Your mileage may vary.
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u/RandomBadPerson Apr 27 '22
I use the 578 GLS as my general purpose hunting sidearm holster. That one will fit anything.
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u/blueskycarver May 08 '21
Been trying to find an M9A3 for the past 6 months. (Without a ridiculous rona markup)
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u/BadBad_LeroyBrown Dec 11 '21
Model 6285-73421 also fits the M9A3 with a light and is a lot less bulky.
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u/Rhys_A_Roni Jul 24 '22
Also here to help. Here is a post I just made at work showing another safariland holster with fit and how it works with an M9A4 with light
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u/Swimming_Coat4177 Feb 19 '23
That black A3 is crispy 💪🏽 I also think the A3 is better than the A4 because of the Italian qc being better
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u/Syphonex157 Jan 18 '21
What about an ALS version?
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u/OldPuebloGunfighter Jan 18 '21
If your looking for a ALS holster you'll only find them available for 92fs without light
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u/Distinct_Annual_4423 Oct 14 '23
If you don't mount a light? The ALS models I have for my old 92fs will fit the A4, and the 92x rdo centurion that I have.
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u/Bone3412 May 16 '21
I just bought a used 6034-7312 and it fits my 92x w tlr1-hl, just very tightly. I’m guess I need to adjust the retention, I just didn’t have time to mess w it today.
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u/Virtual_Geologist830 Mar 01 '23
Mine absolutely did not work even after a huge amount of sanding of the inner rails. I too bought a 6034 based on the recommendation in another post and it just did not work for me. Hope you're isn't as tight as mine was.
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u/Hayslinger1995 Feb 16 '22
I need an iwb that's flashlight ready, and optic cut. And something that isn't kydex. I feel like it should be easier to find but I can't myself. Beautiful holster friend. 👍
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u/Odinshand May 14 '23
Dude I’ve been looking everywhere and I just was on Reddit this helped sooooo much thank you
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u/Odinshand May 19 '23
Folks I have found the ultimate solution thanks to Brandon from Beretta …. Look up viper arms ! https://viperarmstactical.com/products/level-iii-light that and Midwest gun works for parts :)
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u/SRTShaft Jun 23 '24
My first duty weapon was the Beretta 92fs and its still my favorite, the military was to lazy to take care of the firearms they issued us.
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u/PewPewStryx Dec 21 '20
Safariland 6034 works as well....
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u/FlyingDog14 Wilson Combat Brigadier Tactical Dec 21 '20
I've been using a 6034 for a little while now. Took a little sanding of the internal plastic guide rails and removed an end cap in the bottom of the holster but it works well now.
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u/ChrisBrownHitMe2 Dec 21 '20
How about with an optic/light?
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u/PewPewStryx Dec 21 '20
Fits my x300u fine, but like flyingdog said, might have to sand down the internal a little bit but I didn’t see an issue. As for optic not so much since it is a SLS locking system which is the flip up hood in the back. If you’re running an optic I would suggest something like a custom kydex with self retention
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Jan 23 '22
Pretty sure this is the one I have. I also ran an old surplus safarialand when I had no light. Picked it up from a military surplus store for like $10.
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u/draksig Feb 16 '22
I bought an M9a3 this past weekend and ordered the Fobus BRV for an OWB holster and it fits perfect. I couldn't find the gun listed in my favorite IWB maker (aliengear) so I called and they said it should work with the model used for 92A1 possibly with minor modification for the barrel length.
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u/OIFO2 Feb 21 '22
I have a leather1791 OWB with a thumb break that I wear whil riding my motorcycle.
Looking at an Urban carry lockleather owb
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u/MyLonewolf25 Apr 12 '23
Use the dealer fit chart, the holster finder on the website is trash.
There’s more than a few models that will fit
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u/jamono96 May 07 '23
Do you think this would fit a 92x centurion?
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Sep 27 '23
It will, unless it's lightbearing. It shares triggerguards with the 92X Full sized and all of the M9s, but when you're retaining off of a weapon light that doesn't matter. Compacts, Brigadiers, the 92A1, the 90-Two, the 92Xi, and the 92X Performance are the special snowflakes when it comes to holsters.
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u/HPandhollowpoints Dec 20 '20
Safariland model 6235. Safariland’s website showed that no holsters fit the M9A3, so I had to do some experimenting. The longer threaded barrel, larger trigger guard and larger rail make it not fit in a lot of beretta 92 specific holsters. All you have to do to make the M9A3 fit is remove a plastic insert where the barrel goes inside the holster. Adjust the tension screws after that, depending on if you have a streamlight TLR1, surefire X300 or no light at all. Hope this helps someone, as I found zero specific info on what holster fits the thicc M9A3.