Beretta Jaguar Model 71

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

I don't get over here to the semi-auto section very much.

Just came across a Beretta 22 caliber Jaguar. Believe it is the Model 71. Has both the 3 1/2" barrel and the 6" barrel.

I remember these in the gun magazines when I was a kid. Just one more funky old gun that would be fun to have. Condition looks just about perfect, no wear to the blue that I noticed.

Asking price is $345.

Whadaya think? I'm thinking I may go back tomorrow and pick it up.

 

[Jim Watson]

Sounds like A Deal to me.
By the time the last lot of alleged Israeli surplus M70s with fake suppressors got in the stores, they were that much or more.

 

[JohnBT]

Sounds good to me. Iirc, a Model 71 with two barrels was originally sold as the Model 72.

 

[bannockburn]

Driftwood Johnson

I think the Beretta Jaguar (Model 71), and the later Model 70S, made for some great .22 utility pistols. My Model 70S has been extremely reliable, durable, and capable of some really decent accuracy. Have yet to find a brand of .22 ammo that it didn't like. I have often referred to it as the semi-auto version of S&W's Model 34 Kit Gun.

Sounds like a sweet deal (both barrels), for that price. I would definitely buy it.

 

[usp9]

Buy it. Good deal on a good gun. Paid more for mine.

 

[jonnyc]

Run......do not walk......get it. Extra bonus if there are any extra mags.

 

[Rock185]

I bought a new one, with the short barrel and fixed sights, many years ago while they were still in production. If I came across a clean one at that price, I'd have to spring for it.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy Again

Well, I went back today and picked it up. I was mistaken about the price, it was $395, not $345. But they knocked off $25 so I got it for $370.

The added bonus was I got the box, plus the original Beretta price tag. There was a military form and although the shop kept the original they gave me a copy of it. It seems a serviceman bought this pistol while he was stationed in Italy in 1966. He had to fill out a form that his XO had to approve so he could buy it. The form lists it as a '.22 Cal Target Pistol'. It's great when you can get this kind of documentation with an old gun.

The gun is clearly marked Model 71, as is the box. The cutout in the box is only big enough for the gun with the 3 1/2" barrel installed. The sales slip says the gun was sold 'w/extra barrel.'

Apparently the man's son brought the gun in to the shop last week.

Get this: price in 1966 was $26.59.

I'm gonna have to wait for a warm day to go try it out.

 

[usp9]

Well done. Very nice pistol.

 

[Hairy Clipper]

I had one years ago with the 3.5 inch barrel. I sold it in a weak moment and have kicked myself ever since. They are difficult to find in that kind of condition. Great find! If you want to part with it ... you know where the PM is to contact me.

 

[Tallball]

Great pick up! Congratulations are in order. I am looking forward to the range report.

 

[bannockburn]

Very nice and with so many extras and the documentation that's a deal there that can't be beat.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy Again

Range report: I took the little Beretta to the range today. I was very pleasantly surprised how accurate it is. I had the 6" barrel in it. I had no difficulty knocking over tin cans at the 25 yard berm from a rest. Shot maybe five or six magazines full, no malfunctions. I would have shot more, but the magazine is a bit of a pain to load. I could have used some sort of little super thumb to pull down the magazine follower. Shoving the rounds into the top of the magazine was a bit awkward.

Overall, very pleased with how well the gun performed.

 

[bannockburn]

Driftwood Johnson

Sounds pretty much like every range trip I have with my Model 70S. Really decent accuracy and super reliability with any brand of ammo I have used in it.