Beretta .22 Short Minx

[jitdc]

A friend of mine brought this little pistol into the office yesterday. Its a .22 Short Beretta Minx rimfire. She said it use to belong to her Dad, he still has the original box. Apparently it hasn't been fired in at least 12 years. There was still 7 old rounds in the magazine. I'm assuming it dates from the 60's? I brought it home, cleaned it and oiled it up for her. Just thought it was cool. Click on the link for the slideshow to see the other six pictures...
http://img255.imageshack.us/slideshow/webplayer.php?id=img2987w.jpg

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[9mmepiphany]

They are very cool pistol and I have always liked them. The only thing that ever put me off carrying one was that they don't have an extractor

 

[rcmodel]

I like them, and have owned two or three over the years.
I kept trading them off for something else I wanted.
Wish I had kept one now.

I would suggest you buy some new .22 Short ammo and go shoot it.
You will be pleasantly surprised how accurate they are I betcha!

As for no extractor?
The tip-up barrel makes that almost an after-thought.
I cannot remember ever having one of mine fail to work perfectly.

rc

 

[brandon_mcg]

very cool. id like to have one.

 

[chicharrones]

That's a beautiful classic Beretta.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I know guns are deadly weapons and all that, but that is cute. Guns can be fun, too.

 

[oldfool]

every gun lover ought own at least some cute stuff, just because
(me, I almost picked up a decent Hi-std DA 22 WMR yesterday, but the price wasn't all that cute)

that minx is a cutie !
(I do own the tip up Beretta 25acp, cute enuff)

 

[Steve 48]

Its not a 60's model because it would not have a saftey. I have a pre'sixty model and I love it.

 

[cfullgraf]

As for no extractor?
The tip-up barrel makes that almost an after-thought.
I cannot remember ever having one of mine fail to work perfectly.

rc

Same with mine.

If you ever see one with the 3-3/4" barrel, get it. More rare than the short barrel version but not a convenient to carry in the pocket.

 

[Shear_stress]

Its not a 60's model because it would not have a saftey. I have a pre'sixty model and I love it.

You are correct. It is also U.S. made, which would put production in the 80s or later. Neat gun!

 

[leerdmn]

I've got an early 90's version, but in .25. Out of all my guns, I think it is the most fun to shoot.

 

[Jon Coppenbarger]

great little pistols. do like the tip up aspect. load mag and insert then just tip barrel and load the extra round without having to jack the round in and then reload the mag.
they still make it in 22lr and 25 acp in the small frame. seen one in 22lr at the gun show on sat for like $225 with the box.

 

[JFrame]

I've got an early 90's version, but in .25.

I also have a 950BS in .25 ACP that I've owned for a couple of decades. It's reliable and surprisingly accurate for what it is. I routinely stick one in my back pocket when I go out to putter around the yard.


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[ABTOMAT]

What do you do with a .22 short carry pistol? I'd think throwing the gun would carry more kinetic energy.

 

[M2 Carbine]

I've had one for a number of years. I wore out the slide spring and was suprised Beretta had them for about $5 (I bought 2).


This suprised me.
A couple years ago I was shooting my 38 S&W Model 60 at 100 yards to see if I could keep all the shots on a full size silouette. I did. Suprise #1.

Then, for the heck of it, I thought I'd see if I could keep any shots on the silouette with the little Beretta Minx 22 Short. I thought manybe I might be lucky and get 5-6 shots out of three magazines on the target.
Suprise #2. The White pasters. The little gun kept 13 of 18 shots on the target. (100 yards, sitting)

 

[Gordon]

I have the 4" barrel Camper model and with .22 short hollowpoints have potted the odd bunny that pops up 30-50 feet away when you are hungry for something other than trout!

 

[JFrame]

What do you do with a .22 short carry pistol? I'd think throwing the gun would carry more kinetic energy.

IIRC, Mordechai Rachamim, an Israeli sky marshal, used a Beretta chambered in .22 short (not a Minx) to take on four Muslim terrorists armed with Kalashnikovs back in 1969. He killed one of the terrorists, and helped capture the others with the support of additional troops.

Of course, the Israeli sky marshals carry bigger guns now.


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[Gordon]

Good point but truthfully that was a Beretta 70 in .22 LR using Winchester Copper plated solids which was the issue pistol for the mossad when doing air martial duty or certain other wet jobs. The Model 70, or 71 is quite a bit larger and MUCH more effective than a .22 short. Good bunny round tho and makes good noise out the 2 inch barrel.

 

[JFrame]

Good point but truthfully that was a Beretta 70 in .22 LR using Winchester Copper plated solids which was the issue pistol for the mossad when doing air martial duty or certain other wet jobs. The Model 70, or 71 is quite a bit larger and MUCH more effective than a .22 short. Good bunny round tho and makes good noise out the 2 inch barrel.

Thanks for the clarification, Gordon. I was reciting anecdotally, and am glad to get the story completely straight. Still have to admire the brass balls on that Israeli sky marshal willing to take on four assault rifle-armed Muslim thugs with his Beretta .22.

Not to hijack this thread further, but here's what seems to be a good article on the Berettas used by the Israelis back then:

http://www.tactical-life.com/online/tactical-weapons/israeli-mossad-22-lrs/

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[M2 Carbine]

Good point but truthfully that was a Beretta 70 in .22 LR

I recently bought one from a local gun store manager, 70S.
It might just be the best semi auto 22 I've owned. Highly reliable and very accurate.

 

[dahondaboy]

the lil minx(proud owner) is a mouse gun and was marketed towards ladies and businessmen, fits in the purse or pocket and great for weak hands that cant rack the slide.
it is a FACE gun., meaning it is best for close confrontation aim for face and empty clip/ no robber or rapist is going to continue with 2 or 3 or 7 slugs in the face i promise.
have you seen the wet phone book test on youtube with this pistol? it will really surprise you. i find that only the hi-velocity shorts will cycle properly cb caps can be used in single shot but you may need to keep a stick or wire handy for shell removal.
if you want knockdown power get a 9 or .40 but if you want a quality tooled GOOD looking, not polymer or resin framed concealable, this is the jewel in the pile of rocks.

 

[Onmilo]

I had a pre 68 Minx.
Used it as a trapline pistol and general plinker.
It was wonderful.
I sold it and my 950BS .25 acp when I got a Kel-Tec P32 thinking the P-32 was the ultimate replacement for all small pistols of lesser caliber.
Big mistake!
I really miss thast little Minx and wish I had it back!

Someone here mentioned the longer barrelled version of the Minx called the "Camper", another excellent little gun.
I have seen but one in over thirty years of messing with guns, if I see another I will buy it without question.