Discontinued Beretta .22's

[Tinker]

I once owned a Beretta "Bobcat" Model 21. My only complaint with that little pistol was that I thought the barrel was a tad short. It was amazingly acurate for such a dinky barrel. Did some googling and discovered that Beretta once made a "Model 70" series of .22's. It looks real simular to the the 21, but came with much longer barrels. The model 75 was even considered to be a target pistol. The google search also showed that Beretta has long since discontimued this line of Model 70's.

What I'd like to know is if any of you have ever owned or shot one of those old Model 70's? Also, do they show up in pawn shops or gun shows? If so, what's a good price? Thanks.

 

[flattop357]

Tinker, I bought a Model 70 three years ago at local gun show, $225.00 for a 95% gun. Pretty good sights, very accurate and always works. Never a problem with it.

 

[Elmer]

The 70 series and earlier Beretta .22's are very nice guns, but they are single action's and not really that similar to the model 21.

 

[Tinker]

flattop357,

That sounds like a deal. Shoot, the 21's go for more than that nowadays. I paid $130 for my 21 several years ago. Last time I priced them they were over $250. Does 70 like a particular ammo?

Elmer,

I didn't know the 70 was a single action. I know virtually nothing about those pistols and was going only on outward appearance only. The google search info said the 70's had 10 round capacity mags. Those 21's only have 7. I'd guess the grips would be a tad longer too. That'd be OK by me.

 

[Lone Star]

Some columnist for, "Guns" just wrote up his Model 70. It's done well by him, and the Israeli Mossad used to assasinate people with them. May still.

It also came in .32 and .380. One earlier version has a crossbolt safety. Later ones have a thumb safety.

You can see them in all the three main Beretta books. J.B. Wood wrote one, one came out about 1980 by Held and Morin, and I think Beretta sells the one by R.L. Wilson, still available. It's isn't cheap, but it is a stellar look at the Beretta family business, from earliest times (about 1530) to the present, lavish with paintings and photos.

I recall a "Playboy" cover featured one of these guns, from a feature on James Bond, who used a much different Beretta in the books.

Lone Star

 

[The Scandinavian]

Yes, I had a Beretta 76 target pistol years ago. It was very nicely made, reliable, and fairly accurate I suppose. I'm sure I'd still have it, if I hadn't had to turn it in when handguns were outlawed in the UK (I was living there at the time).