Italian Classic!

Michael Tinker Pearce said:

Picked up an Italian Police trade-in M1951. Great shooter, handles hollow-points without a bobble. Great value at under $300! It's in good condition, too, with only minor holster wear.
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The gun is comfortable in my hand and points naturally for me. Seven yard rapid-fire-
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Very nice. Where did you find it? Might want to get some spare locking blocks to go with it.

This one is actually 9mm?

Looks nice! They are good shooting guns. Dad's friend Sherm had one, he's the one most responsible for my love of milsurps.

Mr. Pearce -

Great pistol - the predecessor to the venerable 92. I have one too ; it points like a dream.

Single action , Beretta styling - What's to not like?

That is a sweet little pistola! .380, right?

MosinT53Hunter said:

Very nice. Where did you find it? Might want to get some spare locking blocks to go with it.

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If it breaks he will just convert it to blowback- and probably chop and bob it.....

Single action , single stack , 9mm. Distinctive cross bolt safety.

Apologies for jumping in on Mr Pearce's thread ; I am enthused about the 1951.
(I too am a model of 1951.)

decades ago I had an Egyptian version called a Hewlan or something like that. I was poorer than I am now and the gun didn't cost much for an all steel 9mm. I traded it in with cash for another gun because the cross bolt safety was not synonymous with ccw for me. good gun otherwise.

JERRY said:

decades ago I had an Egyptian version called a Hewlan or something like that. I was poorer than I am now and the gun didn't cost much for an all steel 9mm. I traded it in with cash for another gun because the cross bolt safety was not synonymous with ccw for me. good gun otherwise.

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The Helwan was pretty notorious for soft steel and broken locking blocks. If anyone still has one, now is the time to grab a spare since the current glut of 1951 Berettas came into the country with some spare parts and magazines.

Broken blocks are less common on the '51 Beretta, but not unheard of. M92 Berettas have had a long history with this problem, and the new blocks are improved, but should still be considered wear items subject to eventual replacement.

I had a '51 years ago when the first small batch came in. It was a very nice peice (lost it in a break in ), and I would grab another if I didnt have a score of other 9mm autos at the moment- all hungry for ammo.......

I like mine too but my grips were so scratched up I had to get replacements. Here it is with its little brother (81).

Does the 51 use same locking blocks as a 92 ?

Gordon said:

Does the 51 use same locking blocks as a 92 ?

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Sadly, no they are not compatible.

I looked for a holster for the surplus '51 for quite a while ; finally found one made of KIRZA.
Bit of a cultural mix , Kirza synthetic leather being largely Russian in origin , but it seems kind of period-ish , and the single stack mag fits nicely. Originally made for some eastern European pistol , lucky fit.
Can't remember where it came from ... Robertson maybe?

I recently bought a alloy 1951. It feeds my reloads and handles well. You can clear it while the safety is on which is a nice feature. Magazines are easy to load and well built. For some reason I lost any desire to own a alloy 1911 now.

I bought a Helwan several years ago. Not a bad shooter, I replaced the locking block and also found two aftermarket mags that work really well (Mec Gar maybe?).

Its not a refined piece, but it’s a serviceable 9mm .

Congrats on your find, it looks like a good one. (Mine was a GB purchase, too.)

Stay safe.

I'm wondering if during the Six Day War in June 1967 if both the Egyptians and the Israelis used Beretta M1951 pistols as their issued sidearm.

Was thinking of buying one at Classic . Looked today and they just ran out .

Beautiful pistol. Not one I'd choose to carry but I haven't shot one yet. I've handled one though and I keep hesitating to trade my Glock 17 for one. It's just a gorgeous gun, and a natural pointer at that. If it shoots smooth enough and I'm accurate, i think i'd get one.

Knowing Pearce, his might end up being converted to a .32 straight blowback at some point (not that I wouldn't think it's cool )

Michael Tinker Pearce said:

I might get a set of nice wooden grip for it, but that's it for this one. Believe it or not I don't molest every gun that crosses my path...

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Wooden grips on semi-autos is like pinnapples on pizza debate. I personally like wood gripped 1911s but although i hesitate to put wood grips on Sigs or Berettas, I ultimately just can't do it.