Over the years I`ve only run across a handful of these Benelli autos. A couple of the B-76 model and the B-80 in the pics below.
Same gun except for the caliber. The B-76 is 9mm and the B-80 is in .30 Luger.
I think they were imported in the late 70s or early 80s.
Just wondering if anyone on the forum had one of these little critters stashed away in their safe.

Wish I had! I've only saw one (a B76) at a local gun show years ago. I hear they're great shooters though. Dale

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"Long live the S&W 3rd. Gen.!"

I don't have one, but I wouldn't mind one. The .30 Luger is a nice old accurate cartridge. The Europeans due to some of their Laws like those in Italy and elswhere tend to favor cartridges like the .30 Luger. The Hi-power, maybe the Beretta and I even think Ruger made a few auto's in that caliber too. Don't know of any Smith auto's though.

I had one in 9 mm. Impressive accuracy. Also had 5 magazines. Never could get the pistol to function for more than 5 rounds with any of them. Jam-O-Matic.
The person I traded it to was more skilful than I and I understand he can go through nearly two magazines before it jams up on him.
I imagine the .30 Luger version would function much better.

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and what his trumpet saith

What's rod on the trigger for?

I`ve heard that the B-76 didn`t like hollow points, but never heard of one that choked on ball ammo.
This one runs flawless. But little bottle neck cartridges feed pretty easy.

The double action trigger is designed a lot like the old Colt Double Eagle.
The bar pushs the hammer back in DA mode.

Yep , had mine over 25yrs. Got lines as sexy as a Ferrari! And just as complicated. And just like a Ducati (or Benelli) motorcycle or Dell'Orto carburetor , it proves the old saying that if the Germans can make something with 300 parts , the Americans can make it with 200 , the Russians with 100 , the Italians can make it with 5000.

You'll note that Benelli doesn't make pistols or motorcycles anymore!

It is a very accurate pistol with good ammo , but a bit finicky. It liked Federal NyClad HPs.

They were neat looking guns. A local gun store used to have them back in the mid to late '80s.

I'm surprised Norinco has never made an unauthorized copy.

Probably just a matter of time until they do. Norinco has copied just about everything else. I`ll even admit to owning a couple of their reproductions.
Below are Chinese copies of the Browning .22 auto, a Walther Olympic, and a Poly Tech M-14.
Not as good as the originals, but for the price tags, these are actually pretty good guns.