Those "out-of-production" guns...

[Fat Boy]

I stopped into the local gun shop today, as I have been considering trading out one handgun that I really don't shoot well for something else. I looked at some revolvers, handled a few, shot the breeze for a bit. Then, the proprietor asks if I am interested in semi-auto's; he pulls this blue-steel Bernardelli out of the display case- beautiful gun, the blue is clear, deep, and the wood grips are in great shape. The hammer and surrounding metal in the immediate vicinity of the hammer are not blued; not sure if they are stainless or some satin-finish. The hammer seems awfully "tall" for lack of a better way to describe it; maybe it has to do with the set up of the frame and slide. Chambering is .32- Really a nice-looking gun; the fit felt good as well.

Now, the problem....I understand Bernardelli handguns are no longer imported, maybe not even manufactured- parts are likely hard to find; if it ever failed/broke repairs would be expensive, hard to do, maybe it winds up being a great wall-hanger or expensive paper-weight. I have searched the internet, and found very little on this maker and their handguns

So, I should hand it back quickly, and look at something else or go on to lunch, right? Well, I handed it back, but I keep thinking about it, trying to decide whether or not I should go back and buy it tomorrow...My goal is to buy a shooter, range gun, plinker, and so forth- but I do like the old, blue-steel, high quality firearms

Does anyone else like these older, high-quality guns? Do you own them as shooters?

 

[tipoc]

Parts, some parts anyway, are available here,,,

http://www.gunpartscorp.com/catalog/Products.aspx?catid=139

tipoc

 

[MachIVshooter]

I have lots of firearms along the lines of what you're looking at. Most have never broken, those that have I've always found parts for. The exceptio is the extractor for my Remington 51 .380. Numrich has been out of stock for months. I've seen 'em elsewhere, but I'm not paying $65 for a friggin extractor when I don't need the gun right now.

If the price is fair (what is it?), I'd say go for it. Bernardelli made good guns.

 

[Fat Boy]

Price is right around $400- again, and I am sorry not to have more info, I am not sure of the model I am looking at; based on my internet research this evening, maybe a p - 018?

I probably need to go back, or at least call and confirm the specific model, and what all comes with the gun-

Thanks for the responses!

 

[MachIVshooter]

If it's a PO18 and not a 9mm, then it is a 7.65 (.30) Luger. My 2004 book puts one in V.G. condition at $400, $275 for good. Since it is not exactly collectible and in an uncommon (unpopular) caliber, see if he'll work with you. If he'll go down to $300 or $325, I'd say go for it. At $400, even if the condition warrants it, he's gonna have a helluva time moving a (to most shoppers) virtually unknown gun in a barely known caliber.

It'd be kinda neat to have, but if you don't reload, it won't be much of a shooter. .30 Luger is pretty spendy; It'll run ya at least $25/50.

 

[Shadow 7D]

Doesn't it have the same lockup system as a Remington 51?

 

[Shadow 7D]

double post
delete

 

[6x6pinz]

I have really enjoyed some of the "out of production" firearms. I have 8 different Bernardelli's but they are all the 60/80 series in 22lr, 32acp, 380acp. They have been exception pistols and I understand their larger counterparts are just as nice. I have not needed any parts for my Bernardellis yet but do see most of the more common parts available. One of the fun aspects of owning these "out of production" firearms is finding the parts to get them and keep them working, at least for me.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Doesn't it have the same lockup system as a Remington 51?

So far as I know, the PO18 uses a conventional tilting barrel short recoil system. The Pedersen design is unique, somewhat complicated, and expensive to manufacture. AFAIK, the only other somewhat common use of it was in a couple of the French MAB pistols (basically 51 copies).

 

[Fat Boy]

Boy do I feel stupid...

After checking, this is a Benelli handgun- with 76 in the model number. It can be bought for $385 out the door- one magazine, no box or other extras.

Did some quick research; looks like a typical Benellli product; good quality, well made, and so forth, but also out of production, with limited (if any) sources for magazines-

Thanks again for the good responses; sorry to have gotten this wrong at the start-

 

[Nimble1]

Buy it!

The Benelli B76 is a tack driver! And the shiney parts are hard chromed and so is the barrel. It will amaze you ..one problem is the takedown is a bit strange..
If you get it let me know and I can help.

 

[Shadow 7D]

http://world.guns.ru/handguns/hg190-e.htm

OK, so I'm not an idiot, yes it uses the same type inertial lock up system as the 51.
while the name was wrong I did recognize the pistol. the only problem is that it is Italian and they are banned from using "military" caliber rounds, so you only get common calibers in the export versions.

 

[MachIVshooter]

while the name was wrong I did recognize the pistol

And that's an even less common one than the PO18. For $385 total, I's snag it, especially if it's the target model. I've only ever seen them in pictures, and was not aware of a .30 Luger version. Thought they were all 9mm.

 

[Shadow 7D]

No, the 9mm LUGER (para, nato, whatever) is an export only (believe it failed to win military or police contracts) so many were made in 9mm browning (.380) and similar rounds, which are considered "civilian" there.

 

[Fat Boy]

I really appreciate the responses...I haven't bought the gun; if anyone is interested I can provide the shop name and location (in Kansas, BTW)

it really is a nice looking gun, and given Benelli's shotguns and quality, I imagine it would be well worth the money...

 

[hemiram]

I had a P-018 Compact for about 17 years, and liked it very much. I regretted buying the compact though, after shooting a fullsized one. A friend had a Bernardelli .380 that dated back to at least the early 60's, maybe longer, and he traded it for a PPKS, and that was a mistake, the Walther didn't shoot nearly as well as the Bern.

I've had great luck with Astra A-75's, A-80's and A-100's. You can still get parts for those.