The M9 Beretta pistol is the standard Army sidearm. It replaced the M1911A1 pistol in .45 caliber. It is basically a Beretta 92F pistol and fires the 9mm NATO round. A semiautomatic, double-action pistol, the M9 is more lethal, lighter, and safer than its predecessors. The M9 is carried by crew-served weapon crewmen and by others who have a personal defense requirement, such as law enforcement personnel and aviators. It replaces the M1911A1 .45 caliber pistol and the .38 caliber revolver.