Beretta M1951 worth the $300 price tag?

[JDBerg]

Now you’re telling us that the “historical significance” of this gun surpasses the shootability, safety, parts and magazine availability, who can fix it when (not if) it breaks, etc.

So I misunderstood the intent of the thread when the OP initially asked if this gun a good value. And you’re telling us if you have a BHP, you have to have one of these, it’s the law. Well a gun I can’t shoot or don’t like shooting isn’t a good value for me. And you can’t compare one of these to a decent BHP.

I should have understood that you really meant that having a gun with historical significance, which is a conversation piece is your top priority. I stand corrected.

 

[MGMorden]

I bought one - AND 2 spare locking blocks since they were cheaper by the pair.

I figure that I'll only ever need 1 spare, but in 10-15 years when spares are nowhere to be found I'll likely be able to get when I spent on the pair for 1 of them and break even on having the extra .

Personally I wouldn't buy it as a primary pistol, but as an interesting piece of history they're cool and relatively cheap.

 

[GaryED50]

Hi

My Understanding about the 1951 is Long as you get one made by Beretta or made by Egypt for their military your fine. The only ones with questionable strength locking blocks are the Egyptian ones made for the civilian market

Gary

 

[44caliberkid]

Just received an email ad today from What A Country and they have a bunch of 1951 Beretta stuff. I figured if the guns were coming, all the parts had to be too.

https://whatacountry.com/beretta.aspx

 

[Nodak1858]

So I ordered 1 up I'm supposed to get it on Wednesday. Looking forward to getting it I have 92s I picked up about a month ago. So I figured I needed one of these to go with it. Question to the more knowledgeable than I, should I replace the barrel block right away or get one and shoot until the old one cracks, if it even does.

 

[FrankenMauser]

If you're worried about the locking block, order a replacement now (while they're cheap).
But don't change it out. Shoot the pistol and have fun, as is.

 

[Nodak1858]

If you're worried about the locking block, order a replacement now (while they're cheap).
But don't change it out. Shoot the pistol and have fun, as is.

That's the train of thought I had. If I understand looks like there are two styles. So a guy would have to wait until he gets a look at the one in his pistol correct?

 

[veprdude]

whatacountry has the cheapest ones I've found so far for both the old style and updated style.

Please post pics when you get it in and who you got it from. I'm placing an order soon from dkarms for the latest version 1975-76.

 

[Nodak1858]

Got mine in this morning, ordered from Atlantic on my C&R. Nice shape, holster wear on the typical spots. No rust, internals have some fuzzys in them but barrel looks new inside, Must not have been shot a whole lot. Only issue is one of the grips are cracked, but should be a quick and easy fix with some super glue. Overall very happy with it. Checked on the barrel block mine appears to be the updated style, so ordering up one of those and some extra magazines. Going to compare the recoil spring with my 92 and see if they are the same, or is does anyone know if they are? I usually try at least to put a new recoil spring in any used pistol I get. Now just need to make some time to hit the range with it.

 

[veprdude]

On order. I'll post pics when it comes in.

 

[rock185]

No hate of these old guns by me. I've long been aware of the 1951 Berettas, but have no direct experience with them. I have owned a Star model B, a B-Super and a Walther P-1. The Star B was a good gun, a later B-Super soon broke something, seems like it was that swinging take down leaver IIRC, and the Walther P-1 slide promptly cracked in the area of the locking block.

I still think these old guns are interesting, and may be worthy of purchase. But have to admit I've moved on to more modern guns in most cases, that seem to be more robust, ergonomic, with factory and/or aftermarket replacement parts available, etc...

 

[44caliberkid]

I like the single stack 9's, like Beretta, Star and the new Tokarevs. The modern compact single stack nines have been very popular, I wish the manufacturers would try a service/ duty size, single stack 9mm with a grip shrunken to fit the cartridge, a 4 to 4.5 inch barrel, and 9 or 10 round capacity on a modern platform/ materials.

 

[Bobdbldr1]

Hi folks, I know it has been a few months since this was active! I am from Canada, we have just had a bunch of NOS, Beretta 1951 come in to different dealers, the dealer I got it from received theirs a few months ago and the others within the last month, it is new, still in the plain cardboard box, unfired! I chose the hard plastic grips but they have soft rubber too! Although they said most don't have dates on them mine has 1988. Awesome pistol. I have not fired it as I just got it.
The firing block looks similar to the early ones shown on the DK site but actually a bit different than both. Does anyone know if they redesigned the block in the later years of production? Either way I am glad I bought it, they look fantastic! Price was $425CDN around $333. USD plus tax and shipping.
Cheers Bob