Beretta 1934

robertrwalsh · May 26, 2019

I am semi-seriously looking at a consignment Beretta 1934 .380 (9mm corto) in decent shape. They are asking $500, which I think is high but they may be willing to haggle. It does not appear to be any sort of rare or unusual variation, just a garden variety pistol. Anybody have any experience with or thoughts on these things as a casual shooter??

Redcoat3340 · May 26, 2019

I had a 1934 and traded it. Later bought a 1935 (.32 acp).

I found neither is a "fun" shoot, although the .32 is better as recoil is a lot milder (remember these are blowbacks).

As collectors pieces they are fine. Triggers ain't gonna be 1911ish. Sights are minimal. They were, at best, close up guns, if not simply symbols of authority.

That said they are well made, I found both reliable, and I'll be keeping the .32acp as it fits nicely with the rest of my Berettas.

I'd say $500 is high, if not very high. And before I plunked down any money I'd do a search on Gunbroker "completed" to find out what others paid; then do a google search to find out other prices.

If I were going to put $500 into an older Beretta it would be for a 9mm 1951 or Model "S," two guns with as much history behind them, cheaper ammo, and a lot more fun to shoot, at least for me. I'd also check the age and make really, really sure it's in perfect shape.

I have no idea what other guns you own...but before I bought a 1934 380 Beretta I'd own a S&W model 10, or .38 sp. Victory, or a Beretta Model 85 in .380 (a much more fun gun to shoot).

LVSteve · May 26, 2019

$500 is far too much for a 1934 unless it was Mussolini's personal weapon.

zeke · May 26, 2019

Bought one at gunshow years ago because it was different/slightly unusual. Very accurate, if you could adjust to the bad trigger pull. Likely indestructible, heavy and does not seem to have an increasing collector value. Not sure if extra mags are easily available.

Andyd · May 26, 2019

I had several of the pocket sized Berettas, a 70/71, a 948 and a 34. As Redcoat has stated, the Beretta 34 isn't too much fun to shoot. The performance is limited by the awkward grip, the minute emergency sights and its trigger characteristics. I shot it in a direct comparison to a Walther PP, Mauser HSC, FN 10/22 and a SIG Sauer P232. The Beretta 34/35 are good collectibles but not great shooters and well enough made guns, while I was getting all ten shots into the black at 25 meters with mine, I was struggling to do so.

The PP and 232 are great shooters with excellent mechanical accuracy and a very good SIG Sauer 230 or 232 in .380 can be had for less than $500. When my son graduated police academy, I gifted him a SIG Sauer 232 in .380 as a back up weapon to his SIG Sauer 226, he switched the 226 to a Glock but still carries the 232 as a back up waepon, yet a Glock 26 off duty.

Texas Star · May 26, 2019

A wartime gun? Postwar, it was made well into the 1960's.

Mine was made in 1942, well finished, but had a very hard trigger.

It'd put a magazine full into a spread at 25 yards that I could cover with my hand, but a Walther PP 7.6 5mm shot groups twice as good. I think the small sights and hard trigger were the reasons why I shot the Beretta no better.

It was not a fun gun, but carried in earnest. I would probably have shot a man or a dog within 15 yards, and it never jammed.

I gave up on .380's after reading Massad Ayoob's report in, Guns on using them to kill pigs in a slaughterhouse. The .38 snub revolver with lead Plus P ammo was far more effective.

My preferred small handgun is now a S&W M-60 with three inch barrel.

I agree with author J.B. Wood that the M-34 is probably the most reliable, durable .380 of all. A trigger job would make it even better.

Unless you're a Beretta collector and this gun has something special about it, I'd pay $400 or less.

Check the slide with a strong flashlight or in bright sunlight. Has the blue turned a plum color? That's a deal killer, for me.

THE PILGRIM · May 26, 2019

First Beretta that I ever saw was a 1934 WWII war souvenir brought home from Italy.
Don’t think those folks ever shot it!

Waldo · May 26, 2019

Andyd said:
I had several of the pocket sized Berettas, a 70/71, a 948 and a 34. As Redcoat has stated, the Beretta 34 isn't too much fun to shoot. The performance is limited by the awkward grip, the minute emergency sights and its trigger characteristics. I shot it in a direct comparison to a Walther PP, Mauser HSC, FN 10/22 and a SIG Sauer P232. The Beretta 34/35 are good collectibles but not great shooters and well enough made guns, while I was getting all ten shots into the black at 25 meters with mine, I was struggling to do so.

The PP and 232 are great shooters with excellent mechanical accuracy and a very good SIG Sauer 230 or 232 in .380 can be had for less than $500. When my son graduated police academy, I gifted him a SIG Sauer 232 in .380 as a back up weapon to his SIG Sauer 226, he switched the 226 to a Glock but still carries the 232 as a back up waepon, yet a Glock 26 off duty.

Andyd, How did the Mauser HSC do in your test? I have an Interterms HSC that I have been pretty happy with.

Inusuit · May 26, 2019

I paid about $350 for one three years ago. I have a small collection of "pocket pistols" and wanted to add this one. Seller on Guns International neglected to mention it had been refinished. Not a regular shooter.

I have a Beretta 85f that's a much better pistol. Still only 8 rounds though. Don't remember what I paid for it.

I agree that $500 is high for "decent" condition.

sigp220.45 · May 26, 2019

I have both the 1934 .380 and the 1935 .32 ACP, as well as the related .22 LR Model 948. I love them all.

I think $500 is a little steep. Some of the wartime guns are pretty rough.

If I didn’t have one I’d be in at $400 assuming its in decent shape.

alwslate · May 26, 2019

I'm pretty fond of the 1934 Beretta I guess since I have seven of them
dated from 1937 to 1967. Importation ended with the GCA of 1968 but
I have never seen or heard of one dated 1968. In general $500 sounds
too high but there are lots of variables to consider. Wartime or commercial, refinished, original magazine, matching numbers, Romanian
or other rough surplus. More information and pics would help. As usual
the meaningless comments come in like comparisons to other brands or
advice to buy a S&W revolver instead. The 1934 is one of the best semi
autos ever. Some experts say it's the best blow back design ever. More
information please before you buy but don't pass it up because of the
naysayers.

mikerjf · May 26, 2019

Great design, reliable, fits my hand better than anything, cool looking, but the tiny sights and bad trigger makes it no fun to shoot. Also the hold-open is the mag follower, which means it closes when you pull the empty.

These also seem to be made of exceptionally dense steel, it’s always heavier than it looks.

It’s a gun I wish someone would remake, with attention to the above points.

Erich · May 26, 2019

I like mine (bought a birth year gun) just fine - a whole lot more than my ungainly and not totally reliable P232 (which I've long since traded away).

Just goes to show you how individual tastes are. The 1934s are weirdly accurate and reliable (like a Makarov, really), despite not having the great trigger pulls found on the later Model 70s. There's also a beauty to them, admittedly not one that everyone appreciates.

I can't comment on the price without pix and a lot more info than you've provided.

Here's wishing you luck with your negotiations!

Ματθιας · May 26, 2019

If $500 is JUST for the 1934 and one mag, yeah, that's high.

If it has an extra magazine, holster and WW2 vintage, then, yeah, it's on the high side, but not by much.

Magazines are tough to find and expensive and when found.

Redcoat3340 · May 26, 2019

I'm taking some mild umbrage at the comment re "naysayers" and "meaningless comments." Very unusual for this forum as I find it to be the absolute best in terms of polite and respectful responses.

The OP asked, " Anybody have any experience with or thoughts on these things as a casual shooter??" and I gave my opinion. Others may disagree and offer other perspectives...and that's what makes this forum so valuable for me, the other perspectives.

All I did was reflect on how I feel about the guns. I didn't knock them, in fact, I gave them a bunch of credit. Sorry if some think that's naysaying.

And just for the record, there's one for sale (I recall it's a 1935) on the Beretta forum for $400. It's a wartime model and the original holster that comes with it has a German general's name inscribed on the inside flap...so there's a bit of provenance and real history attached to it.

JH1951 · May 26, 2019

I own a Beretta 34, and as a WWII collectible, I have nothing bad to say about it. It is what it is, and it is not bad in my opinion. Took it out shooting yesterday, and no complaints there, either. The weight makes shooting a .380 much more enjoyable for me, as compared to the lightweight selections available today (e.g. LCP, etc. which I do not enjoy shooting). As a WWII collectible, and a piece to have an outing with, the 34 is just fine. As a carry piece, for me, anyway, there are much better selections as I find it heavy for that purpose.
A 'decent shape' Mod.34 with no holster and extra magazines in my neck of the woods would be considerably overpriced at $500.00. $300.00 would be more like it, and it would have to be nice. Of course 'decent shape' is somewhat vague..... Very nice / excellent condition may fetch $400.00. Pictures would help If you find one in very good to excellent condition with a proper period holster and an extra magazine, $500.00 would be in the ballpark, but still a tad high.

Here's mine - nothing special, but I enjoy having it.

alwslate · May 27, 2019

Did somebody mention birth year?

alwslate · May 27, 2019

Admittedly I can't be objective about the 1934 because I just like them
so well. The 1934 won't be everyone's cup of tea because so many people
seem to judge all guns by the trigger feel. Yeah they're heavy. As far as
other blowback .380s being much better guns that just ain't so. Not from
a design, reliability and durability standpoint that is. As one very well
known expert said, "you could design something different but never
anything better." There's a very simple technique that I use to avoid
pulling an empty magazine out with the slide locked back on the
mag follower. The OP has already decided that he likes the 1934 and
asked about the price. I hope he comes back with more info. As far as
the 1934 vs a S&W mod 10 or 60.... have a least one of each

Andyd · May 27, 2019

alwslate said:
... As usual
the meaningless comments come in like comparisons to other brands or
advice to buy a S&W revolver instead. ...

I guess you are referring to my comment. My recommendation is based on first hand experience with a large variety of pocket size pistols that I owned and shot over the years. As a former ISSF/UIT competitior I can usually make good use of a guns accuracy and have tried to help the OP answering his question on the shootability and value of the Beretta 34/35. Fixed to the frame barrels like those of the Walther PP have a higher accuracy potential than a gun where the barrel alignment depends on tight tolerances.

I am still an avid shooter and have kept a photo of the last target of my Beretta 34, 10 shots at 25 meters on file before I got rid of it. For me 76 rings are not good enough, even for a pocket pistol. Others might be very happy with that.

Andyd · May 27, 2019

Waldo said:
Andyd, How did the Mauser HSC do in your test? I have an Interterms HSC that I have been pretty happy with.

The Mauser HSC was a rough wartime manufactured one with a terrible trigger that I overall rated worse than the Beretta 34 and the FN 10/22s and CZ 27. The post-war Mauser HSC has a slightly better trigger but it is still not great, much like in the HK 4 that was developed out of the HSC.

Beretta 1934

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