[Cosmoline]

Once again my lack of knowledge of semi pistols is revealed. I found a very nice, tight Beretta model 1934 at a pawn shop nearby for $250. Has a post-war date on the side in the 1950's. Looks basically like it sat in a drawer for the past few decades. Blueing is about 99% with only what appears to be holster wear.

I'm looking for a .32 or .380 pocket plinker, mostly for shooting hardball with some role as a backup carry piece. I NEVER carry cocked and locked with SA pistols, so that's not a concern. I do get annoyed at lack of reliability in blowback pistols, though.

Should I grab it or pass?

[rageman]

I dont even know the going price for that pistol, but I sure as hell would. But then again, I absolutely love the way the 1934 looks.

[Old Fuff]

Before you jump, check to be sure that when the hammer is down the firing pin isn't resting on the primer of a chambered cartridge. I'm not sure, as it's been a long time since I looked at one of these little Beretta's. I think in the Italian army they were carried with the hammer down on an empty chamber.

Other then that, they are a well made and usually reliable pistol.

[Dave Markowitz]

The Beretta 1934 is a single action pistol and should never be carried hammer down on a loaded chamber. $250 for one in the condition you describe is a good price.

[Cosmoline]

Well I go Israeli style at all times. Cocked and locked scares the bejesus out of me, even with a 1911.

What little I found on line seems promising. They're very durable and simple, with a blowback design more primitive than a Walther's but very functional.

[Clark]

They are accurate, reliable, small, collectible, and cheap, but as the gun rags point out, slow to get the safety off.

My uncle brought back a 1934 Beretta .380 from WWII where he took it from a captured Italian officer.
My uncle has passed, but I sent my cousin a copy of the July 1985 American Rifleman article, "Sires of the Line" about the 1931 through 1935 pistol development at Beretta and the war time 1934 pistol builds and adventures.

The Germans put Beretta in jail, but the factory was no good without him, so they let him out.

[James Bondrock]

I have never shot one, but the late gun scribbler Robert T. Shimek has said that they are very prone to hammer and slide bite on your shooting hand. And the slide lock-open mechanism (it wedges open on the magazine follower) is a nuisance.

[Clark]

They are VERY high quality pistols, and I have shot 3 of them.

At gun shows, I buy at $150 and pass at $250.
If priced under $250, I offer $150.

[Cosmoline]

Given Alaska inflation, I'd say a good price would be $200 based on that math and what I've seen on the gun auction sites. I think the pawn broker in question is, well, being a pawnbroker.

[russlate]

I have a nice 35 ( 7.65/32 acp ) dated '52. Outside it's 180 degree safety, I find little NOT to like about them.

I must however admit that my dad had one in 380 when I was in my early teens, and I fell in love with it's ( baroque? rococco? ) styling. While other kids were drooling over James Bond's PPK, I lusted after a Beretta.

Well, 40 years later I have one. And I'm enjoying it immensely.

[RON in PA]

I have both a 1934 and a 1935 (both WW2 vintage) and here's my take. They are very reliable when fed hard ball. The slide hold open is a pain (mag follower). When you fire the last shot the slide is held back and when you remove the magazine the slide drops. Pop a new mag in and rack the slide to load. It's meant to be carried in condition three (safety only blocks trigger). They are very small, easy to conceal and accurate enough for 10 yards, but not a tack driver. $250 is about right.

Very sexy, a real Sophia Loren of a pistol.

[Cosmoline]

Thanks for the input! I may try some horse trading.