Benelli B-80 Auto Pistol

[Mike1957]

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.

 

[Badkarma 1]

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

 

[Dr.-d]

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.

 

[nicky4968]

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.

 

[slumpy]

What's rod on the trigger for?

 

[Mike1957]

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.

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.

 

[Mike1957]

What's rod on the trigger for?

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

 

[mkk41]

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.

 

[cmort666]

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.

 

[Mike1957]

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.