M-9 PISTOL OPERATION AND FUNCTION
This section provides detailed information on the functioning of the M9 and M11 pistols.
1-10. GENERAL OVERVIEW OF OPERATION
A. With the firearm loaded and the hammer cocked, the shot is discharged by pulling the trigger.
B. The hammer is released and forces the firing pin forward to strike and detonate the cartridge primer.
C. Recoil action generated by the burning charge thrusts the locked barrel and slide rearward against the recoil spring. The slide continues rearward until it contacts the receiver stop.
D. During slide recoil, the hammer is cocked; the spent case is extracted and ejected as it strikes the ejector.
E. The slide is thrust forward by the compressed recoil spring, stripping a round from the magazine and chambering it on the way. Just before reaching the forward end position, the slide again locks up with the barrel.
F. At the end of the rearward movement, the recoil spring expands, forcing the slide forward, locking the barrel and slide together. The firearm is ready to fire again. The same cycle of operation continues until all ammunition is expended.
G. The complete system is then thrust fully forward by recoil spring pressure. Releasing the trigger allows the trigger bar and safety lever to re-engage.
H. The firearm is now cocked and ready to fire. After firing the last shot, the slide is locked in the rearmost position by the slide catch lever. This catch is actuated positively by the magazine follower, which is raised by magazine spring pressure.
I. As the last round is fired, the magazine spring exerts upward pressure on the magazine follower.
J. The magazine follower strikes the slide stop, forcing it into the recess on the bottom of the slide and locking the slide to the rear. This action indicates that the magazine is empty and aids in faster reloading.
LOADING To load the pistol-
·Always make sure the muzzle is pointing in a safe direction, with the finger off the trigger.
·Hold the pistol in the raised pistol position.
·Insert the magazine into the pistol.
·Pull the slide to the rear and release the slide to chamber a round.
·Push the de-cocking/safety lever to the SAFE position.
·Never attempt to load or unload any firearm inside a vehicle, building, or other confined space (except a properly constructed shooting range or bullet trap).
·Enclosed areas frequently offer no completely safe direction in which to point the firearm; if an accidental discharge occurs, there is great risk of injury or property damage.
·Before loading, always clean excess grease and oil from the bore and chamber, and ensure that no obstruction is in the barrel.
·Any foreign matter in the barrel could result in a bulged or burst barrel or other damage to the firearm and could cause serious injury to the shooter or to others.
UNLOADING AND CLEARING
To unload and clear the pistol-
·Perform this task in an area designated for this process.
·Hold the pistol in the raised pistol position or point it into a clearing barrel.
·Depress the magazine release button and remove the magazine.
·Pull the slide to the rear and lock it in its rearward position by pushing up on the slide stop.
·Point the pistol skyward and look into the chamber to ensure it is clear.
·Let the slide go forward and pull the trigger to release the spring tension.
·Keep your finger off the trigger, and always make sure the muzzle is pointed in a safe direction.
·Remember to clear the chamber after removing the magazine.
·Never assume that a pistol is unloaded until you have personally checked it both visually and physically.
·After every shooting practice, make a final check to be certain the firearm is unloaded before leaving the range.
CYCLE OF OPERATION (RECOIL OPERATED)
NOTE: Recoil operation uses the force of the bullet being expelled forward and the opposite force of the empty cartridge being forced to the rear.
The M-9 is a semi-automatic, double or single action firearm. The M-9 fires one round each time the trigger is pulled. Each time a cartridge is fired, the parts inside the firearm function in a given order. This is known as the functioning cycle or cycle of operation. The cycle of operation of the firearm is divided into eight steps: Feeding, Chambering, Locking, Firing, Unlocking, Extracting, Ejecting, and Cocking. The steps are listed in the order in which functioning occurs. However, more than one functioning step may occur at the same time.
(FEEDING) The slide is pulled fully rearward and the thumb presses upward on the slide lock to hold the slide to the rear. (This action compresses the recoil spring to provide the energy to push the slide forward and cocks the hammer) A magazine containing ammunition is placed in the magazine well of the receiver and is held in place by the ambidextrous magazine catch assemble. Feeding is accomplished by the magazine spring pressing against the magazine follower pushing the cartridges in the magazine upward.
(CHAMBERING) By pressing downward with the thumb on the slide lock, the slide will be released and shoved forward by action of the compressed recoil spring. As the slide moves forward, it strips the top round from the magazine and pushes it into the chamber. At this time the extractor claw, located in the slide that doubles as a loaded cartridge indicator, is forced over the rear rim of the cartridge. The hammer remains in the cocked position providing the ambidextrous de-cocking safety lever on the rear of the slide is in the fire (UP) position.
(LOCKING) As the slide continues its forward movement, it contacts the rear of the barrel pushing it forward. The falling locking block connected to the barrel with its locking lugs (1 on either side) is pushed upward by the ramp on the receiver and locks the barrel and slide together.
(FIRING) The de-cocking safety lever must be pushed up in the fire position. Pressing the trigger forces the trigger bar forward which draws the sear out of the full-cock hammer notch via the safety lever releasing the hammer allowing the hammer spring to force the hammer forward. The hammer strikes the firing pin striker. With a slight timing lag, the safety lever also cams the firing pin safety lock upward to free the firing pin immediately before the hammer drops.
(UNLOCKING) Recoil action generated by the burning charge thrusts the locked barrel and slide rearward against the recoil spring. Each time a cartridge is fired, the slide and barrel recoil (move) a short distance (approximately 3/16ths of an inch) to the rear locked together. This unlocking action, commonly called “free travel“ permits the bullet and expanding powder gases to escape from the muzzle before the unlocking is completed. In the initial recoil phase, the safety lever and safety lock separate, automatically rendering the firing pin block effective again. Sear spring pressure returns the sear and safety lever to their initial position. The barrel and slide unlock by the action of the plunger on the rear of the locking block pressing on the receiver. As the locking block plunger contacts the receiver, it lowers the locking block lugs allowing the slide to disengage from the barrel so it can continue rearward cocking the hammer and compressing the recoil spring.
(EXTRACTING) As the slide starts rearward, the extractor claw that slipped over the rim of the cartridge during chambering pulls the spent cartridge case from the chamber.
(EJECTING) As the slide continues rearward, the empty cartridge case is pulled to the rear by the extractor and as the rear of the cartridge comes into contact with the fixed ejector post on the receiver it is ejected from the firearm.
(COCKING) As the slide continues rearward, during the extracting and ejecting phase, the bottom rear portion of the slide contacts the hammer forcing it rearward and downward until the notch on the hammer is engaged by the sear of the transfer bar. At the end of the rearward movement of the slide, the recoil springs expands, forcing the slide to the front guided by the recoil guide. Locking the slide together with the barrel again. This action will continue after each pull of the trigger until ammunition in the magazine is expended. At this time, the magazine follower exerts upward pressure on the slide stop holding the slide to the rear indicating it is empty and facilitates the reinsertion of another loaded magazine.
PERFORMANCE PROBLEMS
Possible performance problems of M9 and M11 pistols are sluggish operation and stoppages. This section discusses immediate and remedial action to correct such problems.
MALFUNTIONS
The following malfunctions may occur to the M9 and M11 pistols. Take these corrective actions to correct any problems that may occur.
a. Sluggish Operation. Sluggish operation is usually due to excessive friction caused by carbon build up, lack of lubrication, or burred parts. Corrective action includes cleaning, lubricating, inspecting, and replacing parts as necessary.
b. Stoppages. A stoppage is an interruption in the cycle of operation caused by faulty action of the pistol or faulty ammunition. Types of stoppages are:
·Failure to feed.
·Failure to chamber.
·Failure to lock.
·Failure to fire.
·Failure to unlock.
·Failure to extract.
·Failure to eject.
·Failure to cock.
IMMEDIATE ACTION SLAP RACK ASSESS ENGAGE
Immediate action is the action taken to reduce a stoppage without looking for the cause.
Immediate action is taken within 15 seconds of a stoppage.
A. Ensure the de-cocking/safety lever is in the FIRE position.
B. Squeeze the trigger again.
C. If the pistol does not fire, ensure that the magazine is fully seated; retract the slide to the rear, and release.
D. Squeeze the trigger.
E. If the pistol again does not fire, remove the magazine and retract the slide to eject the chambered cartridge.
F. Insert a new magazine, retract the slide, and release to chamber Another cartridge.
G Squeeze the trigger.
H. If the pistol still does not fire, perform remedial action.
REMEDIAL ACTION
Remedial action is the action taken to reduce a stoppage by looking for the cause.
A. Clear the pistol.
B. Inspect the pistol for the cause of the stoppage.
C. Correct the cause of the stoppage, load the pistol, and fire.
NOTE: If the pistol again fails to fire, disassemble it for closer inspection, cleaning, and lubrication.