Freshly announced by Beretta USA – the north American branch of Italy's biggest name in gunmaking, and one of the world's oldest and best firearms manufacturers for hunting, sport shooting, and professional applications – the new Beretta M9A4 9mm semi-automatic pistol follows the lead of the M9A3 in modernizing the Beretta M92-FS a.k.a. M9, universally known as one of the best service and defense pistols of the 20th and 21st Centuries.

Just like its predecessor, the new Beretta M9A4 is built around a Vertec frame, featuring a set of slimmer polymer grips and a straight, thinner grip that makes the pistol easier to handle by small-handed shooters.

Other features of the new Beretta M9A4 include a three-slots MIL-STD 1913 Picatinny rail located in front of the trigger guard, and a full Flat Dark Earth Cerakote finish on all metal surfaces, providing superior resistance to corrosion, elements, and friction, thus reducing the need for lubrication and maintenance.

The slide of the new Beretta M9A4 can be told apart from the M9A3's by the presence of a factory interface, located just in front of the rear sight, allowing the installation of mounting plates that will accept most of the market's best known and widely available micro red dot or reflex sights – nowadays a prominent feature and a growing trend in service, defensive, and sporting pistols.

The slide also features deep, aggressive front and rear cocking serrations, a set of tritium sights, and a Decock-Only ambidextrous safety switch, making sure that the Beretta M9A4 is always ready for immediate deployment and use, in all conditions.

The magazine well is beveled for quick reload; double-stack metal magazines, featuring a black friction-resistant finish and a FDE floorplate, are available in 10, 15, and 18-rounds capacity to comply with different laws and regulations. The magazine release button is oversized for easier operation and can be reversed to accommodate right-handed and left-handed shooters alike.

Also new on the Beretta M9A4 is the upgraded SA/DA Xtreme Trigger System, featuring a full DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) coating that reduces friction among components and makes it more fluid, with a crisp, clean break and a shorter reset – another must-have for small-handed shooters.

The new Beretta M9A4 semi-automatic pistol is 22 cm / 8.7" long overall, weighs in at 944 grams / 33.4 oz when unloaded, and features a 129,5 mm (5.1") barrel with a protected thread at the muzzle, allowing the use of flash hiders, muzzle brakes, compensators, and sound suppressors for professional operators – or civilians, where legally available.

The new Beretta M9A4 semi-automatic pistol is already available on the US commercial market at a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $1,099.00; we'll be waiting for official announcements from Beretta concerning projected availability and pricing elsewhere in the world.