Tim from Military Arms Channel is one lucky fellow. His Test & Evaluation M9A3 has already arrived and he has been busy putting it through its paces (we have requested one, but its not arrived yet).

While Beretta may have a differing corporate statement, M9A3 was born to short-circuit the US Army’s Modular Handgun System, a program not without its own controversies. The new handgun addresses some of the long-standing complaints of the system:

• Modular grips including smaller sizes for those with small hands.
• Tan coloration for camouflage and heat purposes.
• Angled-upwards safety to avoid being accidentally deactivated.
• “G” style safety with only the ability to de-cock the hammer, not deactivate the trigger.
• Better sights for easier sighting and one-handed operation.
• Longer rail with additional mounting sections for various lights & lasers.
• Threaded barrel for mounting muzzle devices including suppressors
• Replaceable (dovetailed) front sight post for changing sights and adjusting zero.

MAC puts the handgun through its paces and shares opinions on the handgun and his thoughts on the MHS (which largely mirror my own).

If the MHS contract goes through (which it may not, due to many of the controversies), the M9A3 will not be part of the competition, as it does not meet the new requirements (rumored to only meet roughly 80% of specifications). The MHS final RFP is released and currently undergoing competition.