Beretta 81 .32ACP - fun survey

[ISCS Yoda]

Who thinks this is such a great gun for a woman to shoot that I should buy another for my lady friend?

 

[Sistema1927]

For self-defense or range use?

If the latter, then without reservation, yes.

However, you can do far better for self-defense. The Beretta is quite large for the caliber, the possibility of rim lock would keep me away from HP ammo (not that it would expand anyway, you probably want ball for penetration), and the weight limits carry choices.

Also, for self-defense, let her buy what she wants. When my wife got her CCW we went shopping for a carry gun for her. The store had a female owner, and the two of them came up with a solution, a Sig P238 in .380. It would not have been my choice, but it works for her, and that is what is important.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Interesting - we shall see.

The store had a female owner, and the two of them came up with a solution, a Sig P238 in .380.
__________________

If that works for your bride I am glad to hear it. I have no use for single action pistols of any size.

The Beretta is a bit large for the caliber, no doubt about that! I never carried my M85 for the very reason that for a .380 it was too large.

 

[murphydog]

How about letting her try it? Then you can buy another - for 'you'.

 

[gdogs]

I can't speak to the 81, I've managed to be strong and not buy one of the surplus ones hitting the market at the moment. Mainly because I've got a couple of projects taking up my gun budget at the moment, but also because I already have an 85F. That said, the 85F has a heck of a recoil spring and pulling the slide back has been a challenge for a couple of women that have shot mine. If the 81 is anything like my 85F it is something to consider. The fact that I own and frequently carry a Seecamp in 32 does make me want to pick up one of the Berettas though.

 

[sigp220.45]

Hell yes. They are very very fun to shoot, and will work just fine in a self-defense role if she likes it. I’ve had one for years and carry it often.

 

[clang444]

I voted no because you'll have to keep supplying her with ammo too, and that will cost you more than the gun

 

[dr. mordo]

At these prices, of course you should.

 

[CptCurl]

What if she uses it to settle a domestic argument?

 

[Kurusu]

I got no vote on that matter. It's your bride who does.

 

[jeffrefrig]

For <$250, of course! (If you have the cash to spare.) Just figure that's about 8 flower deliveries, and they DIE! If she doesn't like it, you have another cool Beretta!

 

[Marshal Tom]

As a plinker it would be a fun little gun but there are so many much better choices for SD than a .32. Not a fan!

 

[JayFramer]

I voted no because you'll have to keep supplying her with ammo too, and that will cost you more than the gun

That and spare magazines are now rare and expensive.

I think I’d forget about the 81 and seek out an 84 or 85 for her. The .380 is CHEAPER than the .32 ACP as a general rule, yet hits considerably harder with the excellent self defense ammo available now in .380. Yet, recoil is still easily managed in that size gun.

Skip the surplus eurocop novelty and get a new or gently used Beretta .380. I think wifey will love it, and you won’t go broke on ammo and she will be far better armed with today’s .380 hollow point rounds. I have never seen a modern .32 hollow point perform worth a darn, in fact IF I carried the .32 I’d only carry ball.

People are very excited and talkative about the Beretta 81s on the market now because they are cheap and plentiful (well the guns are, magazines are not). Take a step back and think critically and don’t follow the fad. When these surplus guns have dried up, everyone will forget about them and let’s be honest, most will be sitting in the backs of dark gun safes.

 

[pawngal]

As a lady, I'm a huge fan of anything in a .32cal. I have them all from .32 S&W to .327 FedMag. My Beretta 81FS is a joy to shoot and I'm not a fan of most semi-autos. Mine was expensive compared to the surplus ones but it did come with 3 magazines (NO none are for sale)
But for self defense I'll take a revolver any day, .38+p in a M10 or M66. In my vehicle is a LCR 327.

I'm glad I have a good supply of the .32acp ammo as the prices on that have gone up too. Bud's still has a decent price on the Fiocchi but then you have the shipping.

 

[scoobysnacker]

That and spare magazines are now rare and expensive.

I think I’d forget about the 81 and seek out an 84 or 85 for her. The .380 is CHEAPER than the .32 ACP as a general rule, yet hits considerably harder with the excellent self defense ammo available now in .380. Yet, recoil is still easily managed in that size gun.

Silly question: will an 84 barrel fit in this? From the Beretta site, it says it does. Even better- would a Browning BDA barrel fit in it?

There's a seller on GB that sells everything but the frame, I've seen a couple BDAs go on that route.

 

[gman51]

I think for carry more women would go for one of the mouse guns over the 81 or the 84 due to their size and weight. I think I even would rather have a 32 mouse gun over the 81 .32acp for carry.
The 32 ammo I just bought was cheaper than I ever paid for 380 ammo.

 

[scoobysnacker]

I think it would be doable. Despite what the internet says about anything smaller than 9mm, I think .32 acp can be effective. Especially a dozen rds of it.

Remember, the single biggest thing is to hit the target. That takes practice. This gun is EASY to shoot, and it's accurate too. That makes practice more enticing.

Another point to mention, that I hinted at above- per the Beretta forums, all that would be required to convert to .380 would be barrel and magazine. Those can be found, reasonably enough I suspect. This gives you a $240 frame and easy practice shooting, and for maybe another $200 you get the 380 conversion. Maybe less...

 

[LVSteve]

I think I’d forget about the 81 and seek out an 84 or 85 for her. The .380 is CHEAPER than the .32 ACP as a general rule, yet hits considerably harder with the excellent self defense ammo available now in .380. Yet, recoil is still easily managed in that size gun.

The only 84 or 85 I shot kicked and torqued a lot for a .380 IMHO. I find it interesting that the Beretta resource in the other thread stated that the slides and spring are the same in the .32 and .380 variants. This suggests that they are either too much for the .32 round, or too little for the .380. Given that the .32 seem to function OK, I suspect the latter.

I still reckon the discontinued Sig P250 subcompact in .380 is a best carry gun for the recoil shy, or the P290RS in .380 if size is the problem. The locked breech tames the recoil, the polymer frame keeps the weight down, the standard mags take 12 rounds, and the DAO trigger is simplicity itself. The nearest equivalent on the new market today is the Sccy CPX-3.

 

[Echo40]

Only if you're married or otherwise intend on using it as a superior alternative to an engagement ring.

Otherwise you run the risk of giving her the wrong idea with such a splendid gift, not to mention one which clearly shows that you wish for her to go on living.

 

[Funflyer]

Now Gander has the 81BB, and at a great price with free shipping. At these prices you can afford to get one for your wife and another for your girlfriend



Used Beretta 81BB Handgun, .32 ACP | Gander Outdoors