Beretta 318 - 418 definitions

[Herb Fredricksen]

My return to the Beretta GIPA archive site reminded me I need to know when the 318 becomes a 418.

I have two Beretta vestpockets, one with concave grip safety I call a 318, the other with convex grip safety I call a 418. Those are my calls for my convenience. Both are beauties but the Gipa photos still don't tell me exactly when a 318 becomes a 418, in fact most of the 418 photos show the concave safety. Gene Gangarosa's Moden Beretta book doesn't answer the question either. Any ideas would be appreciated.

Herb Fredricksen

 

[berettaman]

The 318 Pocket Pistol was introduced in 1935 with serial numbers in the 609000 to approx. 610000. A total of about 1000 we produced between 1935-1937.
The 418 was first published in the 1938 catalogue and was produced from 1937-44 with serial numbers in the 611000-647079 range.1945-47 with 647356-658016;
1947-54 with 10001A-99999A; 1954-61 with 00001C-46410C.
A total of some 178,000 were produced between the years of 1937 and 1961.

In the 1938 catalogue it indicated that "Our latest model...has a special indicator which shows if the pistol is cocked or not"

Ref: The World of Beretta by R.L. Wilson

 

[keederdag]

I beleive I have a 418. Anyone know where I can get a factory mag for it?
From what I can see, the pistol appears to reley on the mag spring to eject the empty's; is this true? In any case, mine fails to eject every time, with all types of ammo. The only thing I can spot that appears to be "wrong" is a non-factory mag, prolly a tripleK. Any clues gent's??????

 

[Drakejake]

I have a 418 with one factory mag and have never been able to find another factory mag. I bought several mags that didn't work, however. If you find a source for factory mags, please let me know! My alloy 418 is listed on gunbroker.com. Search for Beretta Panther or Bantam to see it.

Thanks,

[email protected]