best place to find a Beretta M9 civvie model

[chadbag]

My brother just re-joined the Army after about a 15 year break. He had been in the Utah Army Guard (aviation) up through about the mid 90s as a mechanic. He had to muster out after having some weight problems.

He is now 41 and just passed the Officer Candidate interview and by the skin of his teeth the physical exam / weigh-in and will be sworn in to the Arizona National Guard this coming week I guess (infantry) and will be off to OCS in about 3 months. He literally made the last class he could get into through the AzNG and get commissioned before he turns 42 and would be ineligible he explained. He lost like 113lbs in 6-7 months and wants to lose another 50 in the next 6 months... He looks pretty good.

He wants to use the occasion to reward himself and get a civvie M9 for himself. We are trying to find him the best deal he can get on an in-stock one. Any good ideas on where to look for a reasonably good deal? Bud's lists them but are out of stock (he found that).

Thanks for the suggestions

[cathellsk]

Hate to say it but...good luck. I found mine on Gunbroker. It was listed as a 92 and not M9 so I'm guessing thats why it didn't attract alot of attention. I got it for $525 I believe. The few ones that have been showing up are going for some HIGH prices. Two sold for over $1K. One, a legit retired Generals issue pistol with documenting paperwork, went for almost $3500, but that was a genuine issue M9.

The reason for the scarcity is because of that 450,000 some pistol order the .gov placed last year. The US plant is working around the clock to crank out real M9s so civi production has been halted, apparently. Thats why there are so many Italian made 92s out there lately as they are helping with the civi demand, but they don't make the M9.

[Lee Indy]

http://www.berettaforum.net/vb/index.php

the EE there has them all they time. and make sure you do a search on Y stamped guns. some are demo guns returned. nothing wrong with them but still count as a used gun so the price should reflect such.

[Slater]

Same goes for the M9A1 apparently. Scarce as hen's teeth.

[Robb Jensen]

From what I know all US made Beretta 92s/M9s are currently going to fill a contract.
Italy made 92s are available but are scarce.

[556A2]

From what I know all US made Beretta 92s/M9s are currently going to fill a contract.
Italy made 92s are available but are scarce.

Yep

He is going to have a very hard time finding a M9 right now as even regular 92FS models are fairly hard to find (Only saw 3 NIB Italian made 92s at the last big gun show). The M9s on Gunbroker are going for astronomical prices due to this even though they have the same MSRP as the 92FS.

[citizensoldier16]

I saw a listing for police trade-in 92fs's in Shotgun News a couple weeks ago. Might try there.

[Alpha Sierra]

Other than the .mil label, is there any compelling reason to get an M9 over a 92FS?

[Robb Jensen]

Other than the .mil label, is there any compelling reason to get an M9 over a 92FS?

IIRC they are held to a higher degree of accuracy testing at the factory.

[opmike]

Other than the .mil label, is there any compelling reason to get an M9 over a 92FS?

Depends on your definition of "compelling". Some prefer the M9's straight dust cover over the slanted one on the 92FS aesthetically. The M9 has a non-radiused back strap, but I can't conceive of a reason why someone would prefer it.

I believe most of it deals with them being perceived as a collectible. For someone looking for a shooter, the 92FS will do everything the M9 will, and for a lower price.

gotm4,

Do you have any other information on this? That's the first I've heard of the accuracy testing.