Nice 71.

 

It was probably not a commercial import. While markings from the importer were not required on imported guns in the USA until the Gun Control Act of 1968, the importer of Beretta firearms in the 1950's and 1960's was JL Galef, and they had grips with their logo on the right side of the 70 series guns they imported.

A lot of these Beretta series 70 guns were sold to US military personnel at the PX and brought home. If I had to guess, that is the origin of your gun. Of course the grips could have been replaced, but looking at it now, it's most likely story is that it was purchased overseas and brought to the US.

Yours looks very nice and as a general rule they shoot great and feel great in the hand. I think they're great little .22's.

 

Bartlow - thank you for the information. I did not know all of the history on these fine guns.

 

Please give us some accuracy reviews. After learning the Massad used this as anti terrorist sky marshal weapons in the late sixties and early seventies, I'm curious how well they shoot....

 

RC - this one shoots quite straight, but a little low. Part of it probably has to do with where I place my point of aim. Every one of the Beretta series 70 pistols that I have shot in .22 LR have been very accurate and are highly reliable. I can't think of a modern .22 pistol that I would chose compared to one of these.

 

I have one and it is a great little gun. The closest to this gun that I can think of is the Browning 1911-22. My Beretta ha never jammed on me. I have not shot it that much maybe 500 rounds, but I can see why the Mossad used them, they are very reliable and with a small caliber reliability and accuracy is very important.

 

I have one and it is a great little gun. The closest to this gun that I can think of is the Browning 1911-22. My Beretta ha never jammed on me. I have not shot it that much maybe 500 rounds, but I can see why the Mossad used them, they are very reliable and with a small caliber reliability and accuracy is very important.

 

model 71

I was looking at one of these recently it had a ring on the bottom of the grip would this suggest it was used by the police or military? Also I see some with the faux silencers are they easily removed? thanks Bob

 

There are some tutorials on Youtube and the web showing how to remove the faux suppressors. I've never done it personally though, but it doesn't appear to be all that difficult.

I've never seen one with a lanyard ring, but i wouldn't be surprised if it had seen military or law enforcement use.

 

I bought one from Classic and it had a landyard loop. It wasn’t that difficult to remove the faux suppressor. Just watch a few videos.

 

I bought one from Classic and it had a landyard loop. It wasn't that difficult to remove the faux suppressor. Just watch a few videos.

I agree, the fake supressor is not difficult to remove. I purchased one a few years back and the little gun is a great host for a real supressor. I mostly plink with it so I really haven't run it through the ringer for accuracy but it is very reliable!

 

The "Mossad" use was actually incidental, as the pistols were used by ElAl sky marshals, traffic police, and some IDF units. The Berettas were available, and thus used by Mossad agents, but they weren't really "Mossad Issue Weapons". Used,,,yes; specifically for...not really.

 

congrats...

i got one years ago and probably just as long since ive shot it.

but they are cool pistols. IIRC, they did make variations with longer barrels.

 

Push button safety?

I have been looking at a Beretta 1951 with the same type safety.
Have read that its easy to use the knuckle of your thumb to push it off safe.
Can you do that with your early Model 71?

 

I have been looking at a Beretta 1951 with the same type safety.
Have read that its easy to use the knuckle of your thumb to push it off safe.
Can you do that with your early Model 71?

I have not the safety switch on or off with a finger or thumb rubbing up against it. These are great old guns and my favorite .22 semiauto pistols ever made.

 

Beautiful pistol, you were lucky to find it. Good shooting - it appears to be a fine carry pistol in the woods or range.

 

These are great pistols. I have a 70s, .22lr with thumb rest and adjustable sights. I brought it back from Sicily in 1985 along with seven other handguns. All the other handguns were sold, except for this Beretta 70s. It is a accurate and I have carried it in my hunting coat while hunting all these years. I've shot untold numbers of small game with it. Recently I purchased two more Beretta 70s in a lot auction, at least it was supposed to be two Beretta 70s. Turned out one was a Beretta 70s in .380 ACP with thumb rest. I couldn't believe it, this one was never fired! The second was a Beretta 948 used, but in good condition, the predecessor to the model 70. At 13 yards it put 20 rounds into a 2.5" group dead center, as fast as I could pull the trigger.

I'm still working on the 70s .380. I also have a Beretta 84B double stack .380, un-fired.

 

I think one will accompany me to the range tomorrow.

 

Beretta Model 71

In my post above. I say I recently purchased two Beretta's, model 70 in an online auction. One I claimed it to be a Beretta 948, that was wrong. Beretta identified it to be a Beretta 71. Anyways it still shoots great.

 

Mine is still down due to a broken part ( gunsmith has had it forever and can’t seem to source one of the early style slide stops / trigger pins - mine is a 1959 production- so any pointers on finding the old parts would be appreciated!)
Mine is pretty accurate for being such a small light gun and incredibly reliable
I wouldn’t expect any semi auto to cycle CCI quiet by the way.

Regarding the push button safety, I swipe it off with my thumb just like a 1911 safety easily.

 

Mine is still down due to a broken part ( gunsmith has had it forever and can't seem to source one of the early style slide stops / trigger pins - mine is a 1959 production- so any pointers on finding the old parts would be appreciated!)
Mine is pretty accurate for being such a small light gun and incredibly reliable
I wouldn't expect any semi auto to cycle CCI quiet by the way.

Regarding the push button safety, I swipe it off with my thumb just like a 1911 safety easily.

Have you tired Larry Poppert? If he does not have it, he can probably make it.

 

Very nice, I am jealous..I do have a near mint 1984 70s in the box..I love the Berettas and the 70 series 22s are probably my favorite of all my Berettas..


They are just such finely crafted Pistols..Nothing like the older ones will ever be made again..


I want to find one that has both barrels in the set yet..Tried to buy one on GB recently, and lets just say my bid was lacking..

 

Great little pistols - I have two; an aluminum frame and a steel. I've never had a jam or ftf. Reliable, comfortable, beautifully designed - just a sweet design all around. What more could you want?

Simply my $0.02.

EB

 

i gotta add ive looked at this a couple times , i think i want one , gonna look ,

 

Congrats on your 71, .I have my eyes on the Beretta model 70 in .32acp.

 

Did they have a 70 series in a .32? I have a very nice Model 81 in .32..

 

Yes - I had one but traded it for a long barrel model 75 in .22