Shoot .380 in a Mod 81 Beretta with a barrel swap?

[Dunross]

So, I was reading up on Model 81 Berrettas (.32 acp) and someone mentioned that one can swap the barrel with a Model 84 barrel (.380 acp) and magazine to shoot .380 from it and it works? I could only find one other person in a net search that mentions this.

Does this work?

 

[zaitcev]

I think it does work, but I wouldn't do it. A well-preserved 81 is too valuable for this. Because you're not changing the recoil spring, the slide will slam the frame where the dust shield meets the locking block section, and cause peening. Once peening starts, the slide hits the frame at a bad angle and continues eating into the aluminum even if loads are reduced or stronger springs are installed. It's not just a gun shop lore. I have a 1975 84 with this problem which is a safe queen now.

 

[WestKentucky]

Other way around I would consider. Shooting 32 from a 380 would not bother me but frame battering and a broken beretta slide are things that have been known to happen without incredible abuse. No reason to beat on the 32 frame with a .380.

 

[JN01]

Most of the parts on the 81 and 84 are identical, exceptions are the barrel and magazine. So yes, you can swap them. Here's a couple threads by one of the moderators at the Beretta Forum:
https://berettaforum.net/vb/showpost.php?p=873336&postcount=6 https://berettaforum.net/vb/showthread.php?t=86229

 

[Dunross]

I read both threads. Fascinating.

Thank you very much!

 

[lsudave]

I remember looking into this, and remember having to make sure you match up the correct generation barrels to swap over. I decided against pursuing it, since I skip .380 (I have .32, and then I have 9x18 Mak and then 9mm Luger). For me, I stock .32 but not .380 so it wouldn't be worthwhile.

For those who ARE interested, you might take note that the Browning BDA in .380 is basically the same gun. Again like the Berettas, you have to get the correct generation to swap parts, and in this case the slide and grips wouldn't fit.
I mention that, because there are a couple sellers on gunbroker who sell "parts kits"; basically police impounds that are destroyed. They destroy the frame and sell everything else as a kit, it doesn't require an FFL to buy.
I believe the name "Gunbusters" will find them. They start at something like $38 for opening bid, and I've seen a few Browning BDA's listed over time. If you can match the correct year, you get the barrel and most parts.

 

[Schlegel]

Beretta sells only one recoil spring for use in both models. Perhaps the real problem is if your spring is old and weak and firing 380? Although wolff of course makes an extra power version.

 

[JN01]

I remember looking into this, and remember having to make sure you match up the correct generation barrels to swap over.

For those who ARE interested, you might take note that the Browning BDA in .380 is basically the same gun.

True. I couldn't find an 84 barrel for my 81BB, but was able to get a BDA barrel which works perfectly.

 

[Dunross]

If one has a Model 81 to do the swap with how does one determine what generation it is do to know what specific Mod 84 barrel to look for?

 

[Tallball]

It's easier to just have both!

Beretta 84 And 81

• Tallball
• Oct 7, 2019

 

[lsudave]

If one has a Model 81 to do the swap with how does one determine what generation it is do to know what specific Mod 84 barrel to look for?

Someone posted the link to the Beretta forum...

There's a chart or list posted there, stating which models are compatible. Barrels might be across the board, I don't remember. But if you buy a kit (the Gunbuster listings), you get other parts too, and I think the recoil spring guide rod is different from original, B, and BB series.
The kits tend to get bid up to around 100 bucks, which is decent for a barrel (compared to other standalone barrels), but you may as well get as many compatible parts as possible.

 

[cfullgraf]

Beretta sells only one recoil spring for use in both models. Perhaps the real problem is if your spring is old and weak and firing 380? Although wolff of course makes an extra power version.

If it is the case that Beretta supplies one recoil spring for the Model 81(32 ACP) and Model 84 (380 ACP) this explains some of the peening of frame in the Model 84.

My early 1980's Model 84 has peened the frame where the dust shroud on the slide strikes the frame under recoil. At about 1500 rounds, disassembly of the gun became difficult until the peened over material was removed. Since then, I've had to redress the area every few hundred rounds. My Model 84 has an estimated 3000 plus rounds through it now and is mostly a safe queen at this time.

I might have tried a stiffer spring if I new Beretta supplied the same spring for both cartridges.

I'm fond of the Model 84 and have a new Model 81 purchased a couple years ago.

 

[Schlegel]

If it is the case that Beretta supplies one recoil spring for the Model 81(32 ACP) and Model 84 (380 ACP) this explains some of the peening of frame in the Model 84.

My early 1980's Model 84 has peened the frame where the dust shroud on the slide strikes the frame under recoil. At about 1500 rounds, disassembly of the gun became difficult until the peened over material was removed. Since then, I've had to redress the area every few hundred rounds. My Model 84 has an estimated 3000 plus rounds through it now and is mostly a safe queen at this time.

I might have tried a stiffer spring if I new Beretta supplied the same spring for both cartridges.

I'm fond of the Model 84 and have a new Model 81 purchased a couple years ago.

Yes, i have an 81 and after looking at the situation if I buy an 84 I think I'm getting the wolff +10% spring.

 

[lsudave]

If it is the case that Beretta supplies one recoil spring for the Model 81(32 ACP) and Model 84 (380 ACP) this explains some of the peening of frame in the Model 84.

My early 1980's Model 84 has peened the frame where the dust shroud on the slide strikes the frame under recoil. At about 1500 rounds, disassembly of the gun became difficult until the peened over material was removed. Since then, I've had to redress the area every few hundred rounds. My Model 84 has an estimated 3000 plus rounds through it now and is mostly a safe queen at this time.

Sounds a little like making a 40 out of a 9mm, without changing or upgrading anything. Bigger, hotter round beating the hell out of the gun.

 

[zaitcev]

I had some success with the recoil buffer. I bought plastic buffers intended for 1911 and trimmed them. Unfortunately, it needs to be done early. After the peening starts, the slide will jam the buffer material against the slide. Instead of compressing it, the slide rips it up. So it's a new buffer every 100 rounds.

 

[MAKster]

There is nothing valuable about an 81. The market has been flooded with imported 81s over the past 6 months and the current price is around $200. They are selling for half the price of the 380 version.

I think it does work, but I wouldn't do it. A well-preserved 81 is too valuable for this. Because you're not changing the recoil spring, the slide will slam the frame where the dust shield meets the locking block section, and cause peening. Once peening starts, the slide hits the frame at a bad angle and continues eating into the aluminum even if loads are reduced or stronger springs are installed. It's not just a gun shop lore. I have a 1975 84 with this problem which is a safe queen now.

 

[lsudave]

I dunno, the 81's were selling for over $700 prior to the import wave. Selling, not just priced- I saw bids over that on gunbroker on active auctions, the day I bought mine from Classic. No, they won't climb that high again, or very rapidly. But I think they ride back up over $400 eventually.

 

[Tallball]

I'm sure glad I got one of those $200 Model 81's a few months back. They are nice little pistols.

I think I paid $330 or something like that for my 84. I've had it a few years now. I haven't had any trouble with it, but I haven't really shot it that much, either.

 

[zaitcev]

There is nothing valuable about an 81. The market has been flooded with imported 81s over the past 6 months and the current price is around $200. They are selling for half the price of the 380 version.

That's what we thought about SKS too haha. Good times

 

[Schlegel]

I might buy a second one, now that I think about it. They aren't going to stay $200.

 

[lsudave]

I might buy a second one, now that I think about it. They aren't going to stay $200.

Probably not a bad investment... nicely made DA/SA pistol with a metal frame, from a quality brand. Buy the 81 for $200, get it in .32 acp with at least one magazine. Get the appropriate barrel from an 84 or BDA, and another mag or 2, and you might be around $400 now, for a multi-caliber setup.

 

[WVsig]

This conversion can be done. The 380 auto barrel basically drops right in. The slide, frame & springs etc are the same. The barrel and the mag are all that need to be changed.

One word of caution. 84Bs 84BBs, 85Bs & 85BBs chambered in 380 auto are known to not be very durable guns. From the moment you shoot them that are bartering themselves to failure. As @cfullgraf mentioned the frame of the guns peen pretty quickly. Depending on the type of ammo these guns will show damage in as few as 1000 rounds in my experience. I have spoken at length to Allegheny Gun Works who is a pretty Beretta heavy shop about this. It is pretty much a matter of when not if the gun will peen.

The F and FS versions of the 84 & 85 are much more robust. They are IMHO the better platform for 380 auto. None of the surplus 81 guns coming in are F or FS models. They are all Pre B or B guns. I personally would not do this conversion unless it is going to be an extremely low round count gun. Springs won’t make a difference.