Department of the Army - U.S. Army Combat Pistol Training Handbook

a. Clear and disassemble the weapon.

b. Wipe or brush dirt, dust, and carbon buildup from the disassembled pistol.

c. Use CLP to help remove carbon buildup and stubborn dirt and grime.

d. Pay particular attention to the bolt face, guide rails on the receiver, grooves on the slide, and other hard-to-reach areas.

NOTE:Do not use mineral spirits, paint thinner, or dry cleaning solvent to clean the pistol. Use only issued lubricants and cleaners, such as CLP or LSA.

e. Clean the bore and chamber using CLP and fresh swabs.

f. Lubricate the pistol by covering all surfaces including the bore and chamber with a light coat of CLP. In extremely hot or cold weather, refer to the technical manual for lubricating procedures and materials.

To assemble the M9 or M11 pistol, simply reverse the procedures used to disassemble the pistol.

a. Grasp the slide with the bottom facing up.

b. With the other hand, grasp the barrel assembly with the locking block facing up.

c. Insert the muzzle into the forward end of the slide and, at the same time, lower the rear of the barrel assembly by aligning the extractor cutout with the extractor.

NOTE:The locking block will fall into the locked position in the slide.

d. Insert the recoil spring onto the recoil spring guide.

e. Insert the end of the recoil spring and the recoil spring guide into the recoil spring housing. At the same time, compress the recoil spring guide until it is fully seated on the locking block cutaway.

f. Ensure that the hammer is unlocked, the firing pin block is in the DOWN position, and the decocking/safety lever is in the SAFE position.

g. Grasp the slide and barrel assembly with the sights UP, and align the slide on the receiver assembly guide rails.

h. Push until the rear of the slide is a short distance beyond the rear of the receiver assembly and hold. At the same time, rotate the disassembly latch lever upward. A click indicates a positive lock.

Always perform a function check after the pistol is reassembled to ensure it is working properly. To perform a function check:

a. Clear the pistol in accordance with the unloading procedures.

b. Depress the slide stop, letting the slide go forward.

c. Insert an empty magazine into the pistol.

d. Retract the slide fully and release it. The slide should lock to the rear.

e. Depress the magazine release button and remove the magazine.

f. Ensure the decocking/safety lever is in the SAFE position.

g. Depress the slide stop. When the slide goes forward, the hammer should fall to the forward position.

h. Squeeze and release the trigger. The firing pin block should move up and down and the hammer should not move.

i. Place the decocking/safety lever in the fire POSITION.

j. Squeeze the trigger to check double action. The hammer should cock and fall.

k. Squeeze the trigger again. Hold it to the rear. Manually retract and release the slide. Release the trigger. A click should be heard and the hammer should not fall.

l. Squeeze the trigger to check the single action. The hammer should fall.

This section provides detailed information on the functioning of M9 and M11 pistols.

With the weapon loaded and the hammer cocked, the shot is discharged by pulling the trigger.

a. Trigger movement is transmitted by the trigger bar, which draws the sear out of register with the full-cock hammer notch via the safety lever. With a slight timing lag, the safety lever also cams the safety lock upward to free the firing pin immediately before the hammer drops. The hammer forces the firing pin forward to strike and detonate the cartridge primer.

b. Blowback reaction generated by the exploding charge thrusts the locked barrel/slide system rearward against the recoil spring. After recoiling about 3 mm (1/8”), the barrel and slide unlock, allowing the barrel to tilt down into the locked position. The slide continues rearward until it abuts against the receiver stop.

c. During slide recoil, the hammer is cocked; the spent case is extracted and ejected as it strikes the ejector. In the initial recoil phase, the safety lever and safety lock separate, automatically rendering the firing pin safety lock effective again. As recoil continues, the slide depresses the trigger bar, disconnecting it from the safety lever. Sear spring pressure returns the sear and safety lever to their initial positions.

d. After contacting the receiver stop, 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. The complete system is then thrust fully into the forward battery position by recoil spring pressure. Releasing the trigger allows the trigger bar and safety lever to re-engage.

e. The weapon 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.

To load the pistol:

• 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 decocking/safety lever to the SAFE position.

a. Always make sure the muzzle is pointing in a safe direction, with the finger off the trigger.

b. 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.

c. 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.

To unload and clear the pistol:

• Hold the pistol in the raised pistol position.

• 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.

a. Perform this task in an area designated for this process.

b. Keep your finger off the trigger, and always make sure the muzzle is pointed in a safe direction.

c. Remember to clear the chamber after removing the magazine.

d. Never assume that a pistol is unloaded until you have personally checked it both visually and physically.

e. After every shooting practice, make a final check to be certain the firearm is unloaded before leaving the range.