Beretta 1951 : A great review

[Wess13]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCSgZvZ5PFI&fbclid=IwAR1ynprkH3x6VBbKfAgrfKhQyzC4W3Rqay1PTEQ4Rb92FffNtix0Vg_XE9s

[Rapidrob]

Thank you for posting the link. I'd love to find info on my pistol as it is very old and has four original grip screws.

[Polaris428]

Great information. Wish there was more information like this about the 85BB. Torn between which to possible buy as my first surplus pistol.

[72 usmc]

newest import hoard of Police arms 1951 Beretta at Buds and Classic
These should be popping up a gun shows soon.

Beretta M1951 – An Italian Semi-Auto Pistol
THE MODELLO 1951 REPRESENTED TWO "FIRSTS" FOR BERETTA - THE M1951 WAS THEIR FIRST LOCKED-BREECH PISTOL AND FIRST CHAMBERED FOR THE 9MM PARABELLUM CARTRIDGE. By PAUL SCARLATA
review https://www.tactical-life.com/firearms/ ... to-pistol/


also https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KqVmjCwT8Q

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Dz5ecSKr_k
open a box full at Classic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngX_eZhMgcI

Palmetto also has some https://palmettostatearmory.com/beretta ... m1951.html
J&G sales https://www.jgsales.com/beretta-1951-se ... 05234.html

[Polaris428]

newest import hoard of Police arms 1951 Beretta at Buds and Classic
These should be popping up a gun shows soon.

Beretta M1951 – An Italian Semi-Auto Pistol
THE MODELLO 1951 REPRESENTED TWO "FIRSTS" FOR BERETTA - THE M1951 WAS THEIR FIRST LOCKED-BREECH PISTOL AND FIRST CHAMBERED FOR THE 9MM PARABELLUM CARTRIDGE. By PAUL SCARLATA
review https://www.tactical-life.com/firearms/ ... to-pistol/


also https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KqVmjCwT8Q

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Dz5ecSKr_k
open a box full at Classic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngX_eZhMgcI

Palmetto also has some https://palmettostatearmory.com/beretta ... m1951.html
J&G sales https://www.jgsales.com/beretta-1951-se ... 05234.html

I saw most of what you linked, but thanks for the written review, which I had missed.

DK also has some with differing options at different price points.

[72 usmc]

For me I will hope to see one at a show, most likely I will pay more, but I must see what I get. There are three finishes 2 tone, parkerized, and blue that I observed.

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Few show the import mark. It seems there are two locations and the grip and pistol condition varies widely. I can not and never have trusted Classic Ams since the new owner obtained it. Sweaty Ben screwed too many buyers.
Import marks are found on the receiver like PW and CAI do, or on the strap like Classic shows The trigger strap is best, I wonder if the all have import marks or if some came in none C&R and just have" Made in Italy" ???

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Beretta-M1951-Takedown.jpg (87.53 KiB) Viewed 3233 times

I'd favor blue with no import mark or at least one on the trigger strap bottom. Most do not come with 2 mags, it seems to vary dealer to dealer. most provide only one, but they will sell second for $30 and up.

[Polaris428]

It seems like all of the ones at DK are marked on the trigger strap. However they are labeled differently from a traditional M1951, which i believe would indicate law enforcemnt origin. They are all, oddly, 1975 or 1976 year models. Im not sure if that affects value either way, but they're all updated/upgraded versions at that late of production. I thought I read somewhere that the parkered pistols were Navy or otherwise Italian military origin mostly.

DK offers sale with one, two, or three mags. I saw someone else offered sale with one or two mag options and can't recall who.

I'm going to hold off until I get to a few shows first. Might miss out, but they will be back and at shows either way.

I will say, ive seriously been contemplating whether or not to order one... and what to choose. Also considered the palmetto state armory option for 280... luck of the draw...

What causes the two tone look? Defect or wear of the blue?

[72 usmc]

What causes the two tone look?

There apparently is a steel frame and aluminum frame model????? I have no books or info on Italian pistols.

Early models of the M1951 featured an alloy frame which proved to be insufficient in the long term to handle the power of the 9mm Parabellum cartridge. This led to the alloy framed version being replaced by a “Second Series” M1951 with a steel frame. This pistol had no problems with durability and proved itself to be especially reliable in desert situations such as in the Middle East where Egypt, Iraq and Israel adopted it.

The initial production batch featured a lightweight alloy frame, which proved to be unable to withstand the shock of the relatively high-powered 9×19mm Parabellum round in the long run. This was replaced around 1955 by the 'second series' model with a steel frame that proved to be totally adequate in endurance. The steel-framed version was nearly 250 grams heavier than the alloy version, but the balance was improved. In 1975-76 a small number of alloy frame pistols were made once again using the new alloy developed for the soon to be released Beretta 92 pistols.

source:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beretta_M1951

Production 1950 - 1980 First series -Al: 1950 -1955 ; Second series- steel: 1955-1974 then in 1975-1980 again an AL alloy and also steel?? so Bring a magnetic to check.
It seems some of the 1975 and 1976 pistols are newer Al alloy like the 92 version. Maybe a version to avoid?

1975 dated Beretta Model 1951
"This auction is for a 1975 dated Beretta Model 1951 made for Italian Federal Security Police Issue. The blue condition is 95%. The original grips are in very good condition as is the Beretta marked 8 round magazine. The shootable bore is very good with pronounced lands and deep grooves with some scattered dullness over the length of the bore. This is a fairly scarce sub variety of the Beretta M1951 in that the frame is aluminium. This is the only production variation with that frame material. A nice example of a scarce Beretta Pistol" .
description & picture from Gunbroker This seems to be the two tone version??? There are tons of pistols on line and on gun broker for sale. So I bet at big gun shows some will be present at sellers tables. Most likely marked up to $375-400.

and a new location for the import mark on the lower edge of the slide

Short history I found an interesting read: https://revivaler.com/beretta-m1951/
http://www.berettaweb.com/1951/mod_951_P1.htm

Average PRICE RANGE SEEMS TO BE $250-350, some want more and generally only 1 magazine and no holster

More from Atlantic one crate of Police 1951 models Aug 1919 so they have been out and around for a year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRa_E5Z-LeE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2At2wGBGYQc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvSmFzXVSSc

Here I caught the import mark https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fo3Y9zBJewU

Atlantic Firearms https://atlanticfirearms.com/products/b ... r-eligible

their range of surplus pistols: https://atlanticfirearms.com/taxons/surplus-pistols

Locking block problems see https://thefiringline.com/forums/showth ... p?t=607812
early & late locking block pictures: https://dkfirearms.com/product/surplus- ... ing-block/

date charts and codes & holsters: https://forums.gunboards.com/showthread ... etta-M1951

Ammo no +P Use low power 9mm due to lug weakness https://forums.gunboards.com/showthread ... Load-Limit

[72 usmc]

M1951 Beretta locking block types 2 styles:
source https://dkfirearms.com/product/surplus- ... ing-block/


OLD

NEW IMPROVED

[72 usmc]

Me thinkest, maybe a parkerized steel version with a post 55 year date. with 2 original Mags

[Polaris428]

I missed that connection between the two tone and early - and later - alloy frame. That would explain that two tone look. The early frame had issues so they switched to steel a couple years into production. They then used the same material used in the 92 model in the later 1951 years, maybe to pre test it prior to the release of the 92. Im not sure why the change was made, but it worked well for the 92 so I imagine it works just fine for the late 1951 too.

Both of those import marks are well hidden, in my opinion. I wouldnt be unhappy with either of them. The benefit to the trigger guard is that it is smaller and maybe harder to find.

I'm going to a show next week so I'm waiting until then before potentially scooping one up online, just in case i find something at the show to fulfill my surplus itch. If I order one, I will dedicate a new thread detailing the process with whichever company I buy from and the unboxing review.

If a video of the unboxing and take down is wanted, i will make one. Otherwise, I planned on doing pictures. I may even get some shooting of the item involved.

I plan on doing this with most purchases to help in increasing activity and increase interest from outside of the forum to visit. Gun reviews are always sought after.

[Polaris428]

Me thinkest, maybe a parkerized steel version with a post 55 year date. with 2 original Mags

Why parkered over blued? Because of military connection? Because of the look? (I think the blued versions are more appealing)

I feel I'd get one of each, if I could.

[72 usmc]

I would favor the Navy mark and date stamp on one ugly pistol.

[Polaris428]

I would favor the Navy mark and date stamp on one ugly pistol.

There are blued versions with the date stamped, too.

[72 usmc]

pistols in close up https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjpVyQwZgcU