Beretta Model 1934

History

Beretta - founded in Brescia, Italy as early as 1526 - introduced their first semi-automatic pistol, model 1915, during the First World War. Although issued to the Italian army, this pistol was neither standardized nor formally adopted.

In any case, this design paved the way for several generations of Berettas that flooded the growing market for semi-automatic products in the 1920s and 1930s, producing over time the 1915/19, 1922 , Type 1931 and others. Going into World War II, the Italian Army standardized the 1934 Beretta and adopted this version in large numbers - some 1,080,000 were produced from 1934 to 1991.

Internally, the Model 1934 builds on the original WW1 Model 1915 with modernized and improved mechanics. Old model 1915 from decades ago. The ribbed cutaway slider continues the new refined line, and the curved spines at the bottom of the short pistol grip ensure a secure grip, as does the handle hinge above the thumb area.

Iron front blades and rear notches allow for some accuracy. The main physical difference between the 1934 and 1915 models is the addition of an exposed hammer to the rear of the slide. In many ways, the Model 1934 is by far the most definitive Beretta semi-automatic pistol.

The total weight is 23.30 oz, the overall length is 6 inches, and the barrel length is 3.7 inches. The gun still holds a 9 x 17mm short (.380 ACP) cartridge and fires from a 7-round detachable magazine with a recoil semi-automatic action. The muzzle velocity was reported to be 750 feet per second.

Unlike other semi-automatic products, the 1934's slide remains open after the last round of firing and closes when an empty magazine is removed (rather than remaining open until a new magazine is inserted).

In practice, the Model 1934 has proven to be a reliable and robust weapon, as long as it is properly maintained. This type was the standard pistol for the Italian army before World War II, and also had trouble with the Axis allies in Germany (as the "Pistole P671(i)") and Romania. So when Italy invaded Abyssinia (modern Ethiopia) (1935-1936), it was forced into service almost immediately.

The gun was also shipped to Spain to fight the Republicans with the Nationalist army in the bloody Spanish Civil War (1936-1939). Despite being a highly usable compact semi-automatic weapon, the pistol is relatively low-power.

The 380 ACP cartridge, in the fight against the German 9x19mm Parabellum or the US . 45 ACP rounds, ensures human blocking capability. The weapon is further limited by its short range (due in part to light cartridges) and a seven-round magazine (although if a cartridge is loaded with one and then a full magazine is used, it's eight rounds).

The related Beretta Model 1935 is the Beretta Model 1934, with a lighter slider construction and chambered for 7.65x17mm Browning SR (.32 ACP) cartridges. This type of issue is mainly for Italian Air Force personnel.

Specification

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Changes