Beretta 86

[Shane]

I'm sort of interested in the tip-up barrel design. It looks handy, especially since one can load and unload the pistol often without damaging the bullets (i.e. repeated chambering of the same cartridge with semi-autos sometimes can set the bullet back as the slide slams the bullet in the chamber). The tip-up barrel would probably not set the bullets back when loaded with that method.

So, my question: is there any inherent durability problem with a Beretta 86 in .380? Is the tip-up barrel a weak spot, considering the .380 round is relatively strong (at least compared to their other tip up barrels in .22, .25, and .32). I know the .380 is built on a bigger frame than their mouse and rat guns, but is the tip-up hinge actually significantly stronger?

Also, if anyone owns this model, is it a reasonably good shooter (reliable with reasonable accuracy)? My Beretta experience is with the full sized 92 in 9mm, and I don't know much about their .380 guns.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

Shane,

I own a md84 and have shot the 86. They are big guns for the 380. You should really handle one for a bit. I found my 84 to have a sharp recoil for the power it has. The 86 is very similar. I have shot my 84 over 4000 times now and have found that it loosened up (barrel to frame fit) a lot over that time frame. Also springs are not available from wolff (wrong diameter). They are great guns though, I find it reliable and accurate and I routinely carry it for its 14 rnds.

I hope this gives you some insight.

 

[Shane]

The 86 is not on the California approved list (I just checked), so I'm pretty much not interested in a .380 Berretta now. The only reason the 86 interested me was for the convenience of the tipup barrel, but since its not on the approved list anyway I'll just pick up another 9mm or .45 instead.