New to Me Beretta Model 81

I'm trying not to buy a 2nd in what would be primarily a fun-gun. But, dang, it's an eye-opener to see how accurate and comfortable a .32 can be. My FEG isn't in the same league. Curious to see how a .32 CZ 83 would be in comparison. I like my 82 in 9x18.

lsudave said:

I'm trying not to buy a 2nd in what would be primarily a fun-gun. But, dang, it's an eye-opener to see how accurate and comfortable a .32 can be. My FEG isn't in the same league. Curious to see how a .32 CZ 83 would be in comparison. I like my 82 in 9x18.

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It surprises me too. I picked up my Zastava M70 this weekend and took it shooting, near one hole groups offhand at 10 yards.

It's just such a shame that so many of the larger, non CCW intended .32's out there have awful sights, but are otherwise fine guns. The 1903 comes to mind, as does the Savage 1907. Modern .32's are all built to be pocket guns and they're not meant to have sights, so for me the two options for a nice shooting, accurate, .32 ACP was the 81 or the Zastava.

Given that the mag situation seems to be getting worked out and people are having good luck with the modded 84 mags, I think I'll be getting an 81 next month. I really do like the size and feel of the Zastava tho, perfect for a non pocket .32 pistol.

If I didn't buy a Ruger Standard today, I'd be on one of these Beretta's for sure. How do they fit in the hand say compared to a Walther or a CZ-70 size pistol? If they're around for a while longer - maybe I'll still get in before they are gone.

I’d get the Beretta first. They’ll be gone at some point, you’ll be able to buy a Ruger 50 years from now.

film495 said:

If I didn't buy a Ruger Standard today, I'd be on one of these Beretta's for sure. How do they fit in the hand say compared to a Walther or a CZ-70 size pistol? If they're around for a while longer - maybe I'll still get in before they are gone.

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The dual stack mag means the grip is wider than the single stack of the Walther PP family or the CZ 50 and it's decedents. They are also just slightly larger than those others.


Once the sun comes up I'll try to add a CZ Model 50 (same size as the CZ 70 ) as well.

film495

I agree with swoter; get the Beretta first. If you wait the supply will run out and then you'll ending spending more money on one. There will always be a whole lot of Ruger .22s out there to pick from.

Tallball said:

I got some grips like Havok's, but mine are light brown instead of reddish. I think they're walnut, IIRC.
The new grips are a little bulkier than the originals, and thus fit my XXL hands better. They also look great. ($356 plus $6 shipping.)

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Can we assume there's an extra digit in the grip price? Someone mentioned they were expensive, but I can't imagine they're that expensive. lol

Speedo66 said:

Can we assume there's an extra digit in the grip price? Someone mentioned they were expensive, but I can't imagine they're that expensive. lol

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They are $35 or so. Not sure why anyone who is buying guns and ammo thinks that's expensive. I will agree it's a cost that isn't NEEDED per se.

$35 is not expensive, I was commenting on the $356 grips. It was a joke.

bannockburn said:

film495

I agree with swoter; get the Beretta first. If you wait the supply will run out and then you'll ending spending more money on one. There will always be a whole lot of Ruger .22s out there to pick from.

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I already bought the Ruger. I could justify why I needed a .22 for the range, adding another .32 ACP right now - well, it will just have to wait - gotta know when to hold 'em, know when to bow out and take a pass/fold …. lol

And the Ruger will be an excellent pistol!

film495 said:

If I didn't buy a Ruger Standard today, I'd be on one of these Beretta's for sure. How do they fit in the hand say compared to a Walther or a CZ-70 size pistol? If they're around for a while longer - maybe I'll still get in before they are gone.

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I find it to be extremely comfortable. I don't have the largest hands, but I can shoot my fullsize guns (including Sig, CZ and Beretta) well. Grip- pretty darn close to a CZ 82, if that helps. Just long enough that I get most of my pinky on it, but the magazine doesn't quite protrude from my hand.

Are you familiar with fullsize 1911's, Star BMs, and Beretta 92's? Well, just as the Star BM is a scaled down 1911, the 81 is similarly a 92 scaled down (and to about the same ratio). Maybe just a hair smaller, but not by much. It's not a pocket pistol.

lsudave said:

Are you familiar with fullsize 1911's, Star BMs, and Beretta 92's? Well, just as the Star BM is a scaled down 1911, the 81 is similarly a 92 scaled down (and to about the same ratio). Maybe just a hair smaller, but not by much. It's not a pocket pistol.

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Sounds like a really good range gun.

My first center fire was a Walther PP trade-in from the German police. Last year I acquired a Star BM from the Spanish police. How could I pass up his Beretta?

Just comparing here, the Beretta 81 grip is wider (by quite a bit) than you would think (well, than I thought, anyway). I think I'm going to try to find some cheap grips I can play with and try to shave them down a bit to feel more like a CZ75 with a nice little palm swell but a narrow part for my trigger finger/thumb. I figure eventually all the factory grips will make their way to ebay and I'll pick up a set there to mutilate.

I was actually going to get two, but I'm glad I held off on the second one, because I don't actually like how it feels (yet). That and Classic took just shy of an eon to ship! If I get a second one, it will be from someone else! I'm happy with the condition though.

just got my modified Mecgar magazine in from Robertson's. Seats flush, doesn't alter the appearance while inserted. Haven't taken it for a range run yet, but it hand-cycles fine and locks the slide back when empty. Hopefully it functions just as well as the factory mag.

lsudave said:

just got my modified Mecgar magazine in from Robertson's. Seats flush, doesn't alter the appearance while inserted. Haven't taken it for a range run yet, but it hand-cycles fine and locks the slide back when empty. Hopefully it functions just as well as the factory mag.

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My 3 functioned flawlessly. They are a great buy for the money!

Finally got to a range with my 81. Function was great, very comfortable. I managed to get some factory wood grips on it. With a little Renaissance Wax on them they darkened to a tone I think goes well with black.

Oh, and I polished and nitre blued the screws for my first blueing project.

Seeing and reading this thread, I couldn’t help myself. I broke down and ordered one from AimSurplus.
Wow! Got a good one!
Only a couple of small patches of light rust that cleaned up and disappeared with a light touch of PB blaster and 0000-steel wool.
Only a couple of small dings on front of frame and none on back. Grips look practically new, as does inside of frame. Looks like someone qualified with it once, and put it up. Definitely a keeper! Goes with my two S&W hand ejectors, Ruger S-7, .30Carbine, and KelTec .32.
Pic’s soon.
.32acp! It’s the “new” 9mm, ya know !!!

Just joined this great forum.

I had a Model 81 I bought several years for about $500. Bought another one from Classic when these came out several months ago.

Decided to spend some money on a set of Altamont grips for my latest 81 and I really like them.





When I bought my first one I ordered 4 magazines for it from Beretta since they were blowing them out at about $30 each I think. I should sell my first one which is excellent, but it is hard to part with either one.

Trooper Joe

Trooper Joe said:

Just joined this great forum.



Decided to spend some money on a set of Altamont grips for my latest 81 and I really like them.

Trooper Joe

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Any chance you want to sell your old grips?