Anyone know the value of a used Beretta, stainless in good condition from the 50s?
Whats the max. I can pay without getting hurt.
Im not familiar with the preformance and value.

Anyone know the value of a used Beretta, stainless in good condition from the 50s?
Whats the max. I can pay without getting hurt.
Im not familiar with the preformance and value.

M1934 Beretta pistols were never stainless. More likely an aftermarket nickel plated or chromium plated job, which will negatively affect collectibility.

It is advertised as nickel plated, so whats the value in your opinion. Sounds like you know exactly what your talking about. I appreciated the information.

I've seen one like that sell quickly for $195 here in ABQ in the last year.

The 1934s are generally pretty well regarded in terms of reliability and accuracy, but their triggers are heavy, their weird 180° safety makes it probably best to carry with an empty chamber, and it's hard to get parts or mags. A working non-collectible piece would make a fun plinker, and not really anything more. I know the market's been haywire for a little bit, but I think non-collectible small-caliber centerfire plinkers are still pretty cheap, as there's not really a rush on for them.

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The one characteristic of the 1934's worth mentioning is that they were exceptionally reliable with the .380 ACP cartridge, whereas a lot of pistols have trouble feeding this cartridge. If you can find affordable .380 to plink with, it will excel at that function.

Erich's ~$200 value is about right for a refinished, non-collectible 1934, especially post-war.


Buck

Has the lettering and the sharp corners been rounded off in refinishing? How is overall condition, including the bore? If you can give a SHARP photo, we can be more definite. Do closeups!

Personally, I'd wait and buy an excellent blued one. Quality declined in the last year or more of the war, if this is a miitary one. It was also widely sold on the commerial market, for many years.

Withdrawing the empty magazine to reload is stiff. Mine would shoot hand-sized groups at 25 yards; would have done better with a lighter trigger pull, I'm sure.

This is a rugged, usually very reliable design. It was much prized on both sides in WW II.

Ghandi was shot with one, I think in .32. RAF ace pilot Robert Stanford-Tuck got hold of one, and carried it. I think his was also a .32.

It's essentially a very good good gun, save for that "long" safety that Erich mentioned. I'm not sure that it has an inertial firing pin. I still wouldn't want to drop it wih a round in the chamber, even if it does. Same goes for most auto pistols.

If you really want one, look for a pristine example, and pay more. Refinished ones with blurred markings won't ever be a bargain, regardless of price. But I admit to being more fastidious about appearance than some.

T-Star

Great information. You guys are on top of your game.

Only two real problems, 1. hard to remove mag. (after last rd. slide is held open by mag. follower) Can be easily fixed, slightly bevel rear of mag. follower.

2. Safety only prevents trigger movement. (also easily fixed) Don't carry w/rd. in chamber.

I have a .32 version of this gun, it's the Model 1935 I'm told. It's an interesting gun. No markings. No markings of any kind on the slide and the serial number the only mark on the frame. It's a beautiful, old, heavy gun. Someone remarked that the lack of imprinting might have meant it was a gun intended to be engraved. I don't think they go for much money

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