kBob
Member
They are Italian Navy surplus and where shown on today's online video flier
-kBob
-kBob
Classic has Beretta 1951s now
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Patocazador
Member
I ordered one in "very good" condition. I hope it turns out to be just that. It's due to come in tomorrow.
kBob
Member
I always wondered if everyone that ordered one was a Mack Bolan fan....
-kBob
-kBob
mgmorden
Member
I ordered one of these myself in regular "Good" condition. The Navy heritage made it interesting enough to buy, and I've long learned that if you want something on the surplus market to go ahead and buy it now since they never seem to get any cheaper.
Sergei Mosin
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Do they have any Navy markings?
Patocazador
Member
NIGHTLORD40K
Member
Im broke, otherwise I would snatch one up. Had one years ago and it was fantastic!
They are a bit heavy, being steel framed, but also amazingly thin and quite easy to carry.
They are a bit heavy, being steel framed, but also amazingly thin and quite easy to carry.
Bitrclngr
Member
"Italian navy guns" Classic telling tall tales again.... I'm certain these came out of Israel like they have been for the last 10 years. They are C&R as well and I have bought them as such in the past.
gc70
Member
Strange that the third pistol in the video had no rear sight.
Mosin Bubba
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This is the first time I've heard of a Beretta 1951, I looked it up and it seems to be a lot like the 92.
Would anyone mind explaining the differences between the two to me? Ten minutes on Google wasn't very helpful.
Would anyone mind explaining the differences between the two to me? Ten minutes on Google wasn't very helpful.
Cocked & Locked
Member
For one the Beretta 1951 pistol uses Single Stack 8-round magazines.
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NIGHTLORD40K
Member
The 51 is steel framed, single action, and has an 8 round, single stack magazine.
The 92 is aluminum framed (except for a few limited special editions), double action, and has a 15-17 round double stack magazine.
They look similiar, and both use a tilting locking block action, similiar to the Walther P38, but there is little or no parts interchangeability between them.
Both are excellent 9mm pistols.
CoalTrain49
Member
You would have to be a Beretta fan to want one of these.
For the price you would have to be a very serious Beretta fan.
For the price you would have to be a very serious Beretta fan.
NIGHTLORD40K
Member
Or just a fan/collector of high quality, uncommon, steel-framed, fun to shoot pistols in a common and inexpensive chambering.
It aint a Glock. Thats the appeal.
Patocazador
Member
Evidently, I am a serious Beretta fan since I just took delivery of a model 51. Actually, I am not a Beretta fan at all, I am a fan of 'old school' steel pistols. I have small hands and single stack mag guns are what I shoot best.
The 51 I got today was rated a "very good" by Classic Firearms. Evidently, they are rather lax when it comes to evaluating the condition of guns if my specimen is the norm. I would rate it a Good+ due to surface rust in the slide serrations and scratches and gouges in the grips plus burs/spurs on the mag release. After spending the better part of an hour polishing the grips and release, it looks passable.
However, once I got the gun cleaned up, it shot like a dream. Very accurate with 124 grain handloads at 15 yards and absolutely no malfunctions.
I would say that the only real disappointments would be a "generous" VG rating and the $379.95 price. The price doesn't bother me much because the $30 extra for VG nowadays will buy what $5 would buy when I was younger ... and in 1951 I was only 8 years old. A nickel back then would buy me a Snickers bar and 6 cents would get me a Coke.
What sets this gun apart from other 9mm's is its very easy shooting with little recoil and its accuracy. If that's what you want, buy one. If you want a pistol that weighs 10 oz. and shoots 17 rounds, then buy a plastic gun.
NIGHTLORD40K
Member
Beretta factory magazines are pretty hard to come by, but Helwan mags will also work and pop up from time to time.
amd6547
Member
Parts is a problem, especially locking blocks.
I always wanted a Helwan Egyptian Beretta copy. Used to drool over them Samco or Sarco surplus gun flyers back in the late 80's / early 90's. Still don't own one but did pick up and trade a 92FS. Nice shooting gun but heavy for what it is!
NIGHTLORD40K
Member
For whatever reason, '51 locking block failure is extremely rare. It could be the lighter slide puts less stress on it, or possibly better metallurgy/heat treating. It could be they are rarely subjected to the high round count of some service '92s. It could simply be that they represent a much smaller statistical sample since there were so few produced, relative to the '92.
Helwan locking blocks were well known for failing early due to poor materials.....
CoalTrain49
Member
I was always fascinated by the 1934. If I found one of those for 4 bills in good shape I would probably have to have it. I had a Italian 92 years ago and for that reason wouldn't care for another large Beretta. I've had plenty of their shotguns tho. They build good stuff.
mgmorden
Member
If you buy an Helwan make sure it is an Egyptian Army surplus pistol. Civilian Helwan are not quality guns.
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