The Beretta M9A3 pistols are a tactical or duty variant of the iconic 92 product line designed for personal defense, law enforcement and military applications. Although not an official entrant, the Beretta M9A3 pistols were considered by some to be a contender for the replacement for the M9 pistol issued to U.S. Armed Forces prior to the MHS competition that ended in early 2017. The M9A3 is chambered in 9mm, features an accessory rail and has a threaded barrel. The falling locking block design of the Beretta 92 is considered by some to be more accurate and act as a better suppressor host in contrast to other designs such as Browning’s tilting barrel action.

In this field strip article, the FDE M9A3 is equipped with a combination manual safety and decocker on the rear of the slide. The black M9A3 is only equipped with a decocker.

REMEMBER the four rules of gun safety:

1. All guns are always loaded.
2. Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy.
3. Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on the target.
4. Be sure of your target and what is beyond it.

TFB FIELD STRIP: Beretta M9A3 Pistols

The official Beretta 92 owners manual can be found in the links below.

Step 1.

Unload the pistol by removing the magazine, locking the slide to the rear and visually and physically checking the chamber for ammunition. Visually checking means looking into the chamber confirming that it’s empty. Physically checking the chamber means taking an index finger and feeling that the chamber is empty. Check twice.

Step 2.

Leave the slide locked to the rear and the magazine separated from the weapon.

Step 3.

Depress the disassembling latch release button found on the right side of the frame above the forward section of the trigger guard.

Step 4.

While depressing the disassembling latch release button, rotate the disassembling latch clockwise 90 degrees until it stops.

Step 5.

Depress the slide lock lever while supporting the slide assembly with your support hand. Ride the slide assembly.

Step 6.

Slightly depress then remove the recoil spring guide and recoil spring.

Step 7.

Depress the locking block plunger and slide the barrel forward then reward and out.

Step 8.

Clean, inspect and lubricate according to page 16 of the user manual above or the user manual that comes with the Beretta M9A3 pistols.

Step 9.

Reassemble in reverse order, taking care to ensure that the parts from each respective pistol end up in the right place. Perform a proper function check of the weapon before placing it into service.

---

We are committed to finding, researching, and recommending the best products. We earn commissions from purchases you make using the retail links in our product reviews. Learn more about how this works.