1935 Beretta

Auction from Hell had one of these recently which got me interested in them. Fit my hand perfectly and as I always have a bit of trouble with small pistols I figured it could be a conceal carry pistol on the rare occasions I do so. The auction lived up to it's reputation and it went very high. I spotted this one on Gunbroker the same day and after researching and checking condition opted to bid on it. Won the auction for $230 less than the Hell auction Basically same pistol, same condition so I'm pleased. Mike is currently holding it for me so I can't take better photos. Hoping to have it next weekend.

This is a 1944 production German contract pistol, late war rough finish. Appears to be in good condition which Mike confirmed. Did not have a magazine but I was able to find an original one for $30. 7.65 Browning.

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Magazine is not in as good of condition as the pistol but it will do until I can find another. Most guys are asking $70 for them.

One of the guns I always wanted but never had. Now they're prohibited status here so harder to find and own. Always liked them...in 380...

That's too bad. Seems an over reaching ban due to being the same caliber as "cheap" handguns. James Bond couldn't carry in Canada.

In the sixth picture from the top, it looks like there is a large space below the barrel where it fits in the end of the slide. Can you comment? Is it the image or the gun? Thanks. :)

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Originally Posted by Mister Coffee

a large space below the barrel where it fits in the end of the slide

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That's normal, it's to allow for stripping. The barrel is struck from the front to disengage and then comes out the top. This opening allows that flexibility. Have a look at a few online, you'll see they're all the same.

Finally met up with Mike and picked it up. It's in better condition than I expected. Looks like it may not have ever been used. Almost no wear on the finish and the springs are extremely tight. I suspect the magazine I purchased as a 1935 was actually a 1934 but with some polishing I was able to make it fit. In the meantime, I found another one that has a positive ID. Barrel matches also. Had no reason to suspect it wouldn't but it was a minor concern.

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Nice, nice...now get out and warm it up a bit. Or is it just for looks?

I plan to shoot it soon. Range membership current, son in law that wants to go. Need some slightly better weather. February hopefully.

Great...hope the weather co-operates and we'll be watching. Buy some blazer in zinc case and then you aren't tempted to look for brass...after...

Took it to the range today. Lot of guys there so I only fired one magazine as the primary purpose today was getting my daughter started on her gun. Worked flawlessly and handled great and I hit the plates six out of six. Very happy with it. Then spent the next 20 minutes showing it off to the guys not shooting. Real bitch to get the magazines in and out. Definitely not for rapid fire quick change. I didn't pay attention to where the brass was going but I didn't find it where I expected it to be, to the side and slightly to the rear. Might have been going over my head.

"Real bitch to get the magazines in and out."

Yup, they can be. The smaller ones too. That's the problem I find with heel mag catches.

OP, I have two M1934s and one M1935 that looks identical to yours. They are indeed simple, fun shooters. I also found the OEM mag release spring to be overly stiff. I found a spring with about half the strength. It holds the mag just fine and enables a much easier release. I didn't have to look much in my spare parts bins for a correct size spring...I just happened to have a spare M1934/35 firing pin spring. Voila! Yes, it is a direct fit. Try it. You'll like it better than the OEM one.

If the magazine is hard to go in and out then you very well may have a magazine for a 1934. If it was for a .380 then it will be tight as the two used different magazine widths.

I don't know how much I'll shoot this. Probably not enough that the hard spring will be an issue but I may look into a lighter one, thanks for the suggestion. On the magazines, I have two, both are tight. The one I polished until it fit better. Both are originals but both are a bit worn out. I will probably get some aftermarket magazines to take to the range.