Beretta M9 magazine problems?

[GerryRA]

I’ve heard scuttlebutt about stoppages and feeding problems with some M9 pistol mags in the Gulf. Are these related to contract mags or original Beretta mags. I’ve seen mags marked “PB 9 para Made in Italy†and “PB 9 para Made in USAâ€. I presume these are original equipment Beretta manufacture. I’ve not seen, but have heard of contract mags with a stamped baseplate instead of the cast aluminum of the Beretta mags. Are these Checkmate manufacture? Are there other contractors? How do you identify the substandard magazines? I’ve some family in the Gulf that tote M9's and I’d like to send them some â€best available†mags if they have been issued anything unreliable.

 

[psyopspec]

I never checked the brand of the ones that crapped out in Iraq, but I do know this - they were old and had little maintenance performed on them in 15+ years of service. After more than a decade of training missions and 4 or 5 deployments, I think it would be unrealistic to expect perfect function from any magazine.

 

[MoeMentum]

The problem was with Checkmate mags, they have a CMI stamp on them. Beretta is now making the mags, and the problem has been eliminated. If you want to buy mags, buy genuine Beretta mags.

 

[GHF]

M9 Magazines

Beretta had to divert its production capabilities to replace the non-OEM mags that were supplied on a Government contract by another (low bid) vendor. I got this from Beretta's marketing people when I asked about 9000S 12 round designed capacity 9mm mags, which were not stocked on this side of the pond because the weapon was only put on the market in 2000 or so. They indicated in January that their production capabillities in Italy would be going full blast on this into March or so, and had started in November 2004. My mags would be stateside sometime in April, after production was resumed.