Give three reasons why it sucks, and three reasons why it’s a good pistol. Also give a brief description of your unit’s training with the M9 pistol (i.e. PMI length, what’s covered in the PMI, range time, and value added training)
Dislike:
1. The M9 has only a 15 round capacity, but is by far one of the largest 9mm pistols on the market.
2. The decock safety is to far away from the grip of the pistol, people with smaller hands have a harder time disengaging the safety. Also when racking the slide, the safety can be engaged on accident.
3. Locking block is horrible and needs to be replaced every 3000 rounds.
Like:
1. The M9 (rack grade) will hold 3 to 4 inch groups at 25 meters.
2. Disassembly and cleaning is easy.
3. Trigger guard is larger and is easy to fire while wearing gloves.
Basic PMI taught at MOB sites by my old unit is 4 hours and includes the following.
• Safety
• Clearing
• Loading/ Tac Load/ Unloading
• Disassembly/ reassembly.
• Correct stoppages.
• Basic fundamentals.
• LMTS/ EST 2000
Range time is about 8 hours, but shooters will only receive on average 45 min to 1 hour on the firing line. During this time they will fire 10 rounds for practice fire, and 40 rounds for qualification using the APQC.
Value added training is based on the instructor, but is often not covered due to time constraints.
IMO this training is far too little, and covers only enough to allow for a shooter to qualify. TM’s and FM’s are not used and, and the several qualification courses are not covered such as (CPQC, Night fire, NBC fire) also zero drawing from the holster training is covered. In my past experience this training is ineffective and should be changed. However, during past attempts to change the training doctrine. Commanders were reluctant due, to time (4 hours vs. 8 hours) and ammo use (50 rounds vs. 200 rounds).
So how do we fix this problem???
Dislike:
1. The M9 has only a 15 round capacity, but is by far one of the largest 9mm pistols on the market.
2. The decock safety is to far away from the grip of the pistol, people with smaller hands have a harder time disengaging the safety. Also when racking the slide, the safety can be engaged on accident.
3. Locking block is horrible and needs to be replaced every 3000 rounds.
Like:
1. The M9 (rack grade) will hold 3 to 4 inch groups at 25 meters.
2. Disassembly and cleaning is easy.
3. Trigger guard is larger and is easy to fire while wearing gloves.
Basic PMI taught at MOB sites by my old unit is 4 hours and includes the following.
• Safety
• Clearing
• Loading/ Tac Load/ Unloading
• Disassembly/ reassembly.
• Correct stoppages.
• Basic fundamentals.
• LMTS/ EST 2000
Range time is about 8 hours, but shooters will only receive on average 45 min to 1 hour on the firing line. During this time they will fire 10 rounds for practice fire, and 40 rounds for qualification using the APQC.
Value added training is based on the instructor, but is often not covered due to time constraints.
IMO this training is far too little, and covers only enough to allow for a shooter to qualify. TM’s and FM’s are not used and, and the several qualification courses are not covered such as (CPQC, Night fire, NBC fire) also zero drawing from the holster training is covered. In my past experience this training is ineffective and should be changed. However, during past attempts to change the training doctrine. Commanders were reluctant due, to time (4 hours vs. 8 hours) and ammo use (50 rounds vs. 200 rounds).
So how do we fix this problem???