Beretta Model 1934 380ACP
- Thread starter TheoW
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Whitwabit
US Veteran
Wondering what you would do for a holster and what position you would wear it to conceal it ..
It was designed and purpose-built for the Italian armed forces. In the early 1930s, the Italian army was impressed by the Walther PP pistol. Beretta did not want to lose a big military contract to their German competitor and designed the M1934 for the Italian Army which accepted it in 1937. It is chambered for the 9 mm Corto, more commonly known as the .380 ACP.
It was designed and purpose-built for the Italian armed forces. In the early 1930s, the Italian army was impressed by the Walther PP pistol. Beretta did not want to lose a big military contract to their German competitor and designed the M1934 for the Italian Army which accepted it in 1937. It is chambered for the 9 mm Corto, more commonly known as the .380 ACP.
I know I'm in the minority and most people don't agree with me but I don't carry any kind of an auto pistol cocked with one in the barrel. When I carry my .45 Colt auto I carry it with the hammer down and I cock it as I draw the same as I would with a single action revolver. On the Colt with the hammer down the firing pin is not resting on the primer but I don't know about your gun. It is easy for you to check. Larry
Erich
Member
I own one, and I like it. But the safety requires a 180-degree throw to remove it, so I don't feel that it's a particularly useful gun for this sort of carry. (And that's never how Beretta or the Italian army recommended it be carried.)
There is no firing pin safety, which could trouble many folks for loaded-chamber carry (though I'd note the firing pin spring is very stout). I find the gun to be reliable, if underpowered.
I believe I've discussed my 1934 here before - you might want to run a search if you're interested.
Since you ask, there are many safer alternatives.
Sell it to a collector and get something in current production.
Sell it to a collector and get something in current production.
RobertJ.
Member
I like them. I've always liked most things with the Beretta name, especially the older ones.
I also don't mind the .380 ACP. However, I couldn't see myself using this as an EDC when there are better choices.
I would tuck it away as a back-up, though. And, if it was my only gun, it would make do just fine until I could afford my first choice, but I'd carry it hammer down. I prefer the 1911 type of "cocked and locked", but given the safety on this pistol, I could live with thumbing the hammer on the draw for a while.
I also don't mind the .380 ACP. However, I couldn't see myself using this as an EDC when there are better choices.
I would tuck it away as a back-up, though. And, if it was my only gun, it would make do just fine until I could afford my first choice, but I'd carry it hammer down. I prefer the 1911 type of "cocked and locked", but given the safety on this pistol, I could live with thumbing the hammer on the draw for a while.
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Redcoat3340
Member
I had one in .32 acp and thought it had a nasty flip and nastier recoil and I was not very good with it. Plus even in .380 there are 9mms that are of equal size and a lot better for self-defense. (Shield and Sig 320 are my two personal favorites.
It's a nice collector's piece but has been totally eclipsed by modern technology whether in plastic or steel: Sig 230 or 232, Sig 250 for DAO and even a Walther PK380 plus a whole bunch of others.
It's a nice collector's piece but has been totally eclipsed by modern technology whether in plastic or steel: Sig 230 or 232, Sig 250 for DAO and even a Walther PK380 plus a whole bunch of others.
sigp220.45
US Veteran
I have two - a WWII vintage and one from 1964. I like them a lot.
They are flat and reliable, if a little on the heavy side. The mag release is on the butt, and though the slide locks back on empty, it goes forward when you pull out the empty magazine. If you don't intend to carry a reload it doesn't matter.
As Erich pointed out, the safety takes some getting used to. I think if you practiced with it enough you'd be ok.
There may be better choices available, but there are also a whole lot worse guns out there.
They are flat and reliable, if a little on the heavy side. The mag release is on the butt, and though the slide locks back on empty, it goes forward when you pull out the empty magazine. If you don't intend to carry a reload it doesn't matter.
As Erich pointed out, the safety takes some getting used to. I think if you practiced with it enough you'd be ok.
There may be better choices available, but there are also a whole lot worse guns out there.
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There's such a staggering array of quality .380s and compact-9s on the market, why ignore them?
I had a great uncle who carried a Beretta 1935 same gun just in .32 acp. His was a bring back from WW2 and he always had it with him.People would tell him there where a lot better guns and better calibers than the .32 and his response was always the same."I hit what I shoot at with this one, And this one has saved my life 3 times. There is no better gun as far as I am concerned". So if you like it carry it. I am sure it will do the job.
No disrespect, but I can tell that story with just about any gun, and somewhere, it'll be true to one extent or another. Everybody's uncle/grand-pappy/dad had a great gun that they said saved their life. That's not a reason to use it.
Point well taken.
On the other hand the bolded part of the statement is the critical piece. Like the old saying, shot placement is key - caliber is secondary.
I don't have one of these, but in many respects it appears to be similar in size - and probably weight - to a Colt 380 Government Model. Other than the more difficult to manipulate safety, I don't see where it would be significantly worse as a CCW.
Though it is true that there are certainly a lot better choices available in a more modern firearm.
Ross3914
Member
I own two WWII ones. It's reliable and both of mine are quite accurate, despite the tiny sights. Being all steel, they're kinda heavy, and the safety's 180 rotation isn't the best for CCW. It is what it is.
Inusuit
Member
I recently acquired one of these made in 1941, or XIX in Fascist chronology. It's an interesting pistol, and if it were the only small handgun I owned, I would carry it cocked and locked and not feel underarmed. However, I have smaller .380s and lighter 9mms that I prefer for concealed carry.
sigp220.45
US Veteran
This thread prompted me to fish mine out of the safe, along with its seldom seen .22 caliber brother, the Model 948.
The .380 fed Winchester flat point FMJ perfectly and shot to the point of aim at 15 yards. If I carry it, I'll load these.
The .22 was boringly reliable and accurate, as usual.
The .380 fed Winchester flat point FMJ perfectly and shot to the point of aim at 15 yards. If I carry it, I'll load these.
The .22 was boringly reliable and accurate, as usual.
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shawn mccarver
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To quote Major Boothroyd's comments about another Beretta model used for concealed carry:
"Nice and light - in a lady's handbag; no stopping power."
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tU98uP7pXA8[/ame]
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I've never personally bought into the "this is the gun I hit with" argument, myself. There's such a selection of concealable semiautos in the segment, there must be something in the same action with decent sights.
You might not end up with your favorite gun of all time, and you might have to actually try to practice with it enough (as opposed to wanting to shoot it anyway), but you can always find a good'un.
Nothing against the caliber--.380 is fine. It's just that this is a very old design, with a very awkward safety, that fires .380, in a size that a modern gun would deliver 9mm or .40 in.
And hey, it is a good gun in its own way. It probably does have some collector value--another reason not to bash it up by carrying it--and with an SA trigger, it's probably pretty fun to shoot. But give me a Ruger LC9/LCR/LCP, or a Springfield EMP, or a Glock .380 or 9mm any day.
Wise_A, I apologize for not asking your opinion before posting. I never said it was the best choice, but it is his choice as to what he wants to carry. There are many better carry guns, and better calibers as far as that is concerned.But as far as you having the audacity to call out my post to give an answer that has been repeated on every small caliber thread ever, on this and every other gun forum, is just ridiculous.
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