Benelli or Bernardelli ?

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schmeky

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I am going to buy either a Benelli B-76 or a Bernardelli P-018. I owned a B-76 many years ago and liked it a lot. I think both of these are beautiful examples of Italian firearms design.

Does anyone have any experience with, exposure to, have owned, or currently own either of these? I wonder which one would retain their value better in the long haul?

Please don't suggest a Sig, or Glock, or something else. I have a very good handgun collection and one of these 2 Italians will be added soon. Can't have both (right now at least).

I know one holds 8 rounds while the other holds 16, but mag capacity is not an issue here. Accuracy, ergonomics, smooth lock works, and overall "wow" factors are prime criteria.

I would really appreciate your opinions. Thanx.
 
I can't speak to the ergonomics of the Bernardelli you reference, but do own an old Bernardelli Model 80 (.22 LR); it's both reliable and extremely accurate.

I do own a 1980s vintage Benelli M76 (with which you are already familiar). Aside from it's dislike of every JHP I've tried in it, it is "golden." It's 100% reliable with every 115 gr. FMJ I've tried. As a range gun/plinker, that's OK by me. I once won a metallic handgun silhouette match, using this pistol. 100-meter rams were toast! Its accuracy (for a service-grade 9mm semiauto) is spectacular! Its ergonomics are also about the best I've ever experienced.
 
http://www.auctionarms.com/search/displayitem.cfm?itemnum=7337758&aa=%20Benelli%20%20

Not a bad starting price, either.
 
I foolishly passed on a Benelli years ago. One of the best feeling guns I've ever held. Great ergonomics. Don't hear much about them. Last year, I again missed a very good chance at one unfired with box, etc. :fire: Someday. There's always some on Gunbroker by the same person trying to unload them for over a year now. Won't budge on price at all. At one point I looked into spre parts - just in case - and well, if it breaks, good luck. Benelli USA wont offer any assistance with them.
 
I had the Benelli B-76 in 9mm. Never shot JHPs but FMJs worked 100%. Very well made and nice looking but you know that. Mine wasn't show stopper accurate but it was good. Loved the ergos and the grip angle.

As for the Bernadelli, I passed on a NIB one for $300 at a gunstore that was going out of business. It came with two hi-caps and this was during the ban. I really liked the way it looked and felt in my hand but at the time I had never heard of the company and didn't know if it was a quality gun or a cheap import. My used to tell me that Italian guns were some of the worst guns made. He also thought Spanish guns were junk. I now see that he was wrong about both but for a long time I believed what he said. My Beretta 92FS is one of my most trusted pistols and I own several Stars that are great.
 
Hi! :)

Bernardelli is a Turkish pistol line, manufactured and marketed by SARSILMAZ.
http://www.sarsilmaz.com/

Benelli is the rather better-known Italian firearm maker.
http://www.benelli.it/Home.asp?Lan=EN

They've supposedly subcontracted parts-manufacture out to SARSILMAZ occasionally,
Other Italian firms, like Tanfoglio (Americans might know them better as 'EAA'), also
resort to SARSILMAZ for manufacturing.

hth!
:) :) :)
horge
 
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