Introduction

Originally designed for the Italian army and police, the Beretta Model 92 pistols earned most of their fame (both good and bad) as the standard sidearm of the US military. Developed in the 1970’s, the US military adopted the Model 92SB-F (later renamed to model 92F) in 1985, as a result of the highly controversial XM9 trials.

With the introduction of the Model 92FS in the late 1980s, another unusual safety feature was fitted in the form of an enlarged head to the hammer pin. The purpose of this safety is to prevent the rear of the slide from flying back into the firer’s face in the case of the slide failure. This happened several times during the earlier years of Model 92F service in US military, apparently because of metallurgical problems, combined with the “built-in” weak points in the slide where the locking block cuts are made. Recognizing these weak points, the US INS (Immigration and Naturalization Service) requested Beretta to make their model 96 (.40 S&W caliber version of Model 92) with reinforced slides. This resulted in appearance of the Model 96 Brigadier pistols, and, later on, the same modification was applied to 9mm pistols, available as Model 92 Brigadier.

The M9 was scheduled to be replaced under a United States Army program, the Future Handgun System (FHS), which was merged with the SOF Combat Pistol program to create the Joint Combat Pistol (JCP). In early 2006, the JCP was renamed Combat Pistol (CP), and the number of pistols to be bought was drastically cut back. The joint U.S. Army/Air Force Modular Handgun System could select a commercial off-the-shelf handgun to replace the M9 pistol in Fiscal Year 2013–14 if budget funds allow the implementation of the study

In September 2012, Beretta USA announced that the US Army had bought 100,000 M9 pistols and that the M9 would remain their sidearm for the next five years.

Review

Live Resin products come in a standard zip-lock plastic bag between a cardboard 3D box-art. The front image is showing the parts layout, while the back image usually illustrates the optional resin accessories for this specific gun system like various scopes, lights, laser designators, fore-grips etc.

The set includes 4 different weapon options: Standard US Army M9 pistol, M9 with integrated AN/PEQ-14 ILWLP and suppressor, M9 holstered in a Blackhawk Serpa CQC holster and the M9 holstered in the Eagle Molle Universal Holster ((UH-92F-MS). Also included are single and double M9 mag pouches.

Each casting block is also enumerated with the product serial number (in this case LRE35031A) and holds all 6 resin pieces. The weapons are molded in light gray resin that allows every detail to be visible, and the casting itself is perfect. There are no imperfections, bubbles or any other types of defects in this sample. The molding stubs are the thinnest I have ever seen which should facilitate cleaning of the pieces; however caution will be required not to snap off tiny parts like the trigger guard etc.

M9 Beretta
The M9 Beretta (9x19mm Luger/Para) pistol is the standard US Army sidearm that replaced the M1911A1 pistol in .45 caliber. The M9 is a light-weight; semiautomatic pistol manufactured by Beretta with has redundant automatic safety features to help prevent unintentional discharges. It can be fired in either double or single action mode and can be unloaded without activating the trigger while the safety is in the "on" position. The M9 pistol has a 15-round magazine, and may be fired without a magazine inserted. This weapon can have the hammer lowered from the cocked, "ready to fire," position to the un-cocked position without activating the trigger by placing the thumb safety on the "on" position.

Beretta 92 pistols are short-recoil operated, locked-breech weapons with an aluminum frame. The locking system is of the Walther type, with a vertically-tilting locking piece located below the breech area of the barrel. The trigger is double-action, with an exposed hammer.
All pistols of current production are fitted with an automatic firing pin block safety. Magazines (15 rounds) are double stack, with the magazine release button located in the base of the trigger-guard on all 92-series pistols made since 1981. Sights on service models are of fixed type, with a dovetailed rear blade, usually with high-contrast inserts.

Integrated Laser White Light Pointer (ILWLP)
L-3 Insight Technology’s AN/PEQ-14 Integrated Laser White Light Pointer (ILWLP) is a small hand-held, or M9 pistol-mounted (via MIL-STD-1913 rail adapter) aiming device incorporating a co-aligned infrared and visible aim laser as well as fixed focus infrared illuminator and integrated, high intensity, variable focus white light illuminator with range 100m, powered by two DL123 - 3 volt standard commercial batteries (enough for 72-hour mission profile, which consists of 54minutes of total use). It is used for precise weapon aiming, target/area illumination, target acquisition, identification and engagement in conditions of limited visibility using unaided vision or night vision goggles.

Blackhawk Serpa CQC holster
Featuring a unique speed-cut design, the CQC holster allows for single-hand rapid draw, target acquisition, smooth weapon drawing and easy re-holstering. The passive retention detent adjustment screw and patented SERPA Auto Lock release delivers weapon security and is automatically positioned to facilitate full master grip and correct drawing motion, making it the perfect Level 2 retention holster for concealed carry.

Eagle Industries Universal Holster MOLLE style (92F)
Eagle Industries created an ambidextrous, MOLLE compatible universal holster specially designed (but not limited - most hand guns; revolvers excluded) for the 92F, 92F with rail, and 92F with ILWP. The holster is designed with versatility and durability as guiding principles. The versatility comes from the number of carry modes (Drop leg, Duty belt or MOLLE attachment), secondary security strap for extra weapon retention and weapon configurations allowed by this holster. The durability is in the construction using #1000 denier Cordura nylon and quality hardware where needed.

These handguns are something that really needs to be seen for yourself, as I thought that the details on the previously released (but significantly larger) assault rifles couldn’t be recreated in something this small. Everything about the M9 is represented in full detail. Small details are just stunning and you can really compare resin pieces to the real item. Stuff like the auto-fire pin block, ambidextrous safety, mag release button can be distinguished. Even the grip features texturing and small circle where the Beretta logo is placed on the pistol. Care will be needed while removing the gun from the pouring stubs as they are quite thin and thus fragile. Only nitpick which is really just the only thing I could invent on these parts is the molding plug goes straight to the barrel, so for anyone with a microscope and a laser beam that wants to drill out the barrel opening please let me know or better send some photos. The suppressed version goes further with the details. This is probably the gun I’d choose for any special ops figure since it comes with the laser pointer slung underneath the barrel. This one really calls out for a decent paint job to bring out all the details.

Holstered weapons give out a feeling of weight and are very well casted. The Serpa CQC holster omits the forward half of the gun but the rest has no decline in details what so ever. It will look very nice if you add it to the front of a plate carrier on your figure as it could be a nice focal point. The Eagle holster is really great. It looks heavy and bulged, the weapon is properly holstered with all the retention straps holding it and the PALS attachment points are clearly defined. I was worried about it missing the vertical strap used for thigh carry, but a quick look at the Live Resin figures shows that this part is molded onto the figure itself ensuring a proper fit and look to this part. If you choose to add this holster to another figure, this part will need to be scratch built. Accessories (single and double M9 mag pouches) are really nice. Everything about these is clearly shaped and defined such as the Velcro covers and pulling tabs…

The detailing on these weapons is flawless and every feature (like ambidextrous safety switches) can be clearly seen. A nice paint job will do these weapons the real justice they deserve.

Conclusion

This 1/35 scale weapon set includes 20 M9 handguns in 4 variants (10 in 2 holstered options; 5 in standard version and 5 suppressed with ILWLP) and 10 M9 mag pouches (single or double option – 5 each). The cast is absolutely perfect with a lot of intricate weapon details.

Since the M9 is the standard pistol of the US Armed forces (including law enforcement) this set has great value. The options are endless whether you are detailing your figures to a higher level or just completing a specific setup. As for the quality of the Live Resin products, this one is a no-brainer. Get it if you want to detail your figures with a first class resin modern weapon.

References

Beretta
World Guns
Insight Technology Inc.
Blackhawk Serpa CQC holster
Eagle Industries Universal Molle Holster