USMC, who carries pistols? and differences between m9 m9a1?

Question

i was wondering that if you are an infantry marine do you carry a pistol (from e-1 on up) or do only higher ranks carry them? also any significant differences between the m9 and m9a1?

Answer 1

Not an infantry marine but I can tell you that the main difference is basically a rail so you can add on scopes, lasers and other accessories. The M9 and M9A1 are pretty much the same.

Answer 2

In the USMC officers carry pistols..Also certain MOS's such as machine gunners, and radio operators carry a pistol.. There are other MOS's that rate pistols but I dont know them all.

I carried a pistol as a primary weapon and a rifle as an added weapon while with the USMC infantry..Rank has nothing to do with it,..It goes by who rates one..

Answer 3

All Officers and Staff NCO's have a pistol as a TO weapon and most will also carry a rifle as a secondary (talking ground officers and not pilots here).  Other then that it will depend on what your job is; machine gunners carry pistols as a secondary TO weapon because a rifle would be hard to carry along with the machine gun as an example.  On a units TO and TE it says who has what as a weapon or weapons but rank does play a part as Staff NCO's and Officers all rate a pistol as either primary or secondary weapon and most will also rate a rifle.

Answer 4

Officers, Pilots, and Special Operations types will definitely have a sidearm.

-Army Pilot