Difficult M9A1 disassembling latch

**erratic** · 03-26-12, 22:05

I bought a new M9A1 recently, the first one I've used in a long while. Now what I just realized is that you're not supposed to need tools to take this thing apart. The latch that needs to be rotated to release the slide is tight enough that I've been using a plastic tool to push it.

Has anyone had any experience with a problem like this? It's a new pistol but well oiled. The latch works and rotates properly in the frame when the slide is off. The finish on the latch itself doesn't show wear, but the frame around where it rotates does. I don't see any burrs.

**Steve S.** · 03-27-12, 09:17

Are you pushing the button on the ejection side of the dustcover while turning the latch on the other side down?

I have seen owners lock the gun open, then manipulate the take down lever. Pretty sure this is just carried over from the slightly different Taurus PT92 though. You could try that.

The M9/92 is probably the only model easier to field strip then a Glock.

**ShipWreck** · 03-27-12, 13:14

Yes, as stated above - push the button down on the opposite side.

Also, have you tried pulling the slide back a tiny bit - hold it pulled back, and THEN flip the disassembly lever?

**Talon167** · 03-27-12, 15:33

Just make sure you remember to flip that little lever back before releasing the slide release to chamber a live round. If you don’t, the whole upper will fly off the gun a good seven feet downrange and you'll feel like a dummy. Don’t ask me how I know…

**maddawg5777** · 03-27-12, 16:10

Originally Posted by Talon167

Just make sure you remember to flip that little lever back before releasing the slide release to chamber a live round. If you don’t, the whole upper will fly off the gun a good seven feet downrange and you'll feel like a dummy. Don’t ask me how I know…

Didnt they fix that issue with all the A1 models? I know my 92A1 will automatically flip the lever back once i put the slide on and rack it.

**Talon167** · 03-27-12, 18:34

Originally Posted by maddawg5777

Didnt they fix that issue with all the A1 models? I know my 92A1 will automatically flip the lever back once i put the slide on and rack it.

Yea, I think you're right. Mine is a plain Jane 92.

**erratic** · 03-27-12, 18:58

Originally Posted by maddawg5777

Didnt they fix that issue with all the A1 models? I know my 92A1 will automatically flip the lever back once i put the slide on and rack it.

Mine doesn't, but it could be because it's just getting stuck. If I give it a little nudge it does flip itself closed. I do push the button on the ejection side to open the gap for the latch to rotate through, with the slide forward. I tried with the slide back just to see what would happen and couldn't get the latch to move at all. Same with holding it back farther and trying.

Yesterday after posting I put tape on the slide with everything together to mark where the latch is, then took the slide off to see how everything lines up. It appears the latch rotates just between the locking block and guide rod... so what I tried today was chalking the internals to see what's hitting what. Locking block seems to slide on the receiver, so it was all scraped off before it got a chance to hit the latch. Honestly, it looks like the pressure is coming from the guide rod though. There's a mark on the latch that shows where the hit happens... marks don't show up well on the polymer guide rod, but I put the metal one in and operate a few times and I find- wait for it- scraping that would match something being ground along the surface. Can't get it to show up in a phone pic though.

At any rate, I'm at the end of my abilities. Sent beretta an email about the issue and they sent the shipping label, so we'll see what the say in a few weeks. I happen to have ordered a second M9A1 an hour ago, so that one will be here for me to check out first and see how it compares. Other than the difficulty with the latch, this thing feels the most natural and shoots the best for me. I needed another one to keep my company while the first is away. and yes, the trigger spring isn't in quite right in the pic for those who notice that stuff. I'm using the wolff trigger spring conversion, among other things, but I threw all the stock parts in so nothing goes missing at beretta, as well as making sure the issue wasn't related to the changes (it wasn't). Too lazy to go back and fix the spring after I realized it was wrong.

**maddawg5777** · 03-27-12, 19:24

Hopefully Beretta fixes it up quick for ya. Personally i only use 92 variants as of right now. Ya i could get a new glock for 380 plus tax but Ive spent so much time with the Beretta its just natural for me. I'm jealous.... i want a m9a1 but too broke at the moment.