[trdyer1]

I had owned a 96 in .40 S&W as my duty sidearm, then I sold it. After that I had intermittently missed my Italian beauty. Then, here recently, I ran into a deal. I hadn't seen anyone mention it here about the model 71 imports via Classic Firearms and CIA. But to import these little lovelies they had to make them comply with the Saturday Night Special law. This ended them getting a heinous steel pipe on their nose. But that was only temporary, and so was the sale. Luckily, I was able to snag one for myself. The sights are very small, but better than some other small autos I have seen. I know it's not a beauty queen, but she's a beauty to me. I love shooting it.

 

[trdyer1]

Oh yeah..Just about bought one of those at a Local Gun Show last year.. Someone had removed the fake suppressor though and did a horrible job at it..I still kinda regret passing it by now..But oh well, there are always more..

If a person used a small Dremel type tool, with a sanding drum, removing the weld material is easy. Below that is an Allen screw, upon loosening allows the "faux" suppressor to screw right off. The "faux" suppressor actually weights more than the pistol with 2 loaded magazines! HA! It cracks me up, really, and shooting it with that pipe on it is horrid. But most of the pistol is aluminum and very light weight. I did purchase a knurled "thread protector" which I keep on the end of the barrel.
But I will tell you this, regardless of what you have, or don't have, on the barrel, it is loud. Unless you were to put an actual suppressor on it. But the threading is an odd pitch, 1/2x20, so putting a suppressor on it will involve a bit more effort. I found an Uncle Mike's nylon holster for mine, and a guy online who makes (or has) wooden grips for it, it looks great. I really like my Model 71.