[JohnKSa]

There's been a lot of talk about the shortcomings of the Beretta open top slide--mostly related to performance in sandy conditions. I had a couple of interesting thoughts...

1. The Helwan (a Beretta open top style pistol) and various other copies of the single stack 9mm Beretta that predated the 92 have enjoyed a LONG and successful service life...IN THE MIDDLE EAST.

2. The people blaming the open top slide for dirt related issues seldom have anything bad to say about the M1 Garand or M14/M1A which both have an open top design (as opposed to designs like the AK-47 and the FAL which have a top cover to help prevent dirt from getting at the bolt).

If there really are performance issues with the M9s that relate to sandy conditions; based on the above observations, it would seem that they must be magazine issues, NOT anything related to an open top design.

[sm]

All I can share is what I have tested for my curiousity. I subjectd a number of handguns to pouring fine sand in them ( and other testing media/exposures).

The Taurus clone, open top did not perform as well as others in the sand test. I don't know if Larry Vickers ever tested or made public any Beretta sand tests. I do know he did with a 1911 ( a custom and Mil-Spec) an HK and Glock. This is where I got the idea.

[Mike Irwin]

Beretta's been using that open-top design for nearly 100 years on guns that have served world-wide.

I'd think that it would have fallen out of favor by now if it was such a bad thing.

[happyguy]

Sand is a problem with the M9, but I'm not sure it's because of the open slide. I think my H&K would hold up better to those conditions that cause the Beretta to choke but I don't know that for a fact.

It's possible that the carry system is really where the problem lies. The Bianchi holster doesn't protect the weapon from the environment at all.

Regards,
Happyguy :D

[NewsShooter]

I was in both Afghanistan and Kuwait with the Army as an Imbedded journo. Iam also an Army vet with Ord experience. Let me tell you about the sand and dust. No holster of any kind will give enough protection to keep your weapon clean. It must be, and troops do, wrapped in a cloth or towel and the barrel plugged. I gave many troops disposable ear plugs for there M9s.
My camera gear was trashed when I returned both times from the sand and dust. This after sealing with tape, every crack and seem possible.:banghead:

[George Hill]

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?s=&postid=356742
*snicker*