Will hollow points work in a Beretta Model 81?

I just ordered one from Classic. I went with the hand select. Magazines are definitely hard to find.

 

I did that too. My friend texted me, I responded with a cussword and a smiley face, and placed an order.

I tried out some WWB with my very first .32, which was a CZ 27 my son found. Lots of malfunctions, I think due to the truncated bullet. FMJ Fiocchi, PPU and Geco have been good to go with all of them.
As an aside, I bought up some cheap Blazer aluminum to add to the stash after ordering this; I then saw it is rated at 900 fps (weak in other words) and truncated (from the pictures). Anyone try this stuff, is it any good in older (CZ 27, Mauser 1914, Savage 1907), or more modern (this Beretta 81, a FEG AP7)?

I do still have a good bit of the 'good stuff', but saw the flash sales on ammo; all the Geco that was cheap was selling out fast. Heck, the Blazer was too, I was looking for a case of sub-$10 a box ammo, and couldn't get any.

Re Classic vs Aim, my understanding is that Classic costs more to ship, so the price comes out close.

Re the condition, I'd say; hope it's good, or REALLY bad. I ordered one of their Star BM's in Fair condition for $150, there was a small crack in the rear of the slide. I sent it back, and they sent me a polished, reblued gun that looks better than my matte-blued Very Good from another vendor. I think it's all a coin flip on any seller, I've received guns from J&G that looked nice, and also that looked like someone took a grinder to the slide.

Until this wave, I've never seen these pistols go for under 5-6 hundred. I saw one on Gunbroker yesterday with a bid, going for over 9. Bet that bidder is aggravated!

 

Well, in a way you're right. But it's not so much that the mag is pricey, as it is that the gun is inexpensive.

And I've run across worse deals... I have a doublestack Makarov. Look for mags for those .
People pay more than that... for Promags.
(Just to defend myself, I disclose that I did do a deep, DEEP internet search, found somebody via a link in FAL files, who had 3 such Promags for msrp, or $19 apiece. And bought them all!).

 

I found a guy on Gun Broker that had Beretta 81 magazines in stock for $39 plus $3 shipping. Thinking now that I should have ordered 2 instead of 1.

 

You guys are the pits! After reading all this claptrap I felt obliged to order an 81 from Classic with the $20 best-of-10 option. Thanks for making my future widow destitute.

 

I just bought from DK in Bowling Green. I've wanted a 81 for many years. Long time 85 and 84 owner. Great guns. Was truly impressed with the condition. Just finished cleaning it. The barrel is pristine. Can't wait to get it to the range. The batch DK has looks very good. Lucky to find one with a set of the smooth wood grips. Blueing is almost perfect. Color me very pleased. Price was $239 plus tax and VSP fee for a total of $253.67. A fair deal indeed I believe.

Here she is;

 

That does look nice. Where, and just how obnoxious, is the importer stamp?

 

Importer stamp, PW Arms, is on the bottom of the trigger guard. Stamped in white and looks better than the old etched marks they used. Out of sight really unless you flip the gun upside down.

 

I sure hope mine will look that good!

 

That looks fantastic!

I ordered a “handpick” from DK last night. I’m in North Carolina so ordering from Sweaty Ben at Classic would mean paying tax. Despite the “higher” price at DK the end result was actually cheaper with no tax and free shipping from DK.

As for the magazines, Beretta does want nearly $50 each for them, but discount codes abound. I recently ordered a ARX100 SBR kit from them. It was $575 plus tax (they collect NC tax). With a discount code I saved over $200 on it.

 

I've paid many times for classic hand selects and got real bad even ones that were defective, not that they promise operational in their hand selects. I dont trust it. not from one bad experience but a half dozen where other folks showed pristine ones. I dont trust their hand picked anymore better to take the risk and save the 20 bucks. just my opinion too each their own.

for the op...... ppu hollow points wont rimlock I've tested those in many 32 pistols including the 81.

 

In my experience, the BERETTA 81 and 82 (the single stack version) will shoot just about anything with the exception of WINCHESTER White Box .32ACP. These have a flat tipped bullet and will jam just about anything. I have shot, FEDERAL Hydra Shot, COR BON Powerbal, FIOCCHI XTP and HORNADY FTX expanding ammo without any problems in the 81 and 82.

Jim

 

Saw my AIM select Model 81 yesterday. The gun and magazine were beautiful. Hardly a mark on the feed ramp. I would say it's a 98% gun. Now the 10 day wait thanks to Seattle's I-1639.

 

It's been a week and Classic still hasn't shipped mine. They say they are backed up. I wonder if they ran out and are waiting for another shipment???

 

I shot a few rounds of Winchester Silver Tip through my Beretta without any problem. Mostly shot S&B RN. Gun was very nice to shoot. I'm very pleased with my DK supplied 81

 

Mine came from AIM, and I am very happy with it. Date code of AF makes it 1980.

It was filthy, filthy, filthy, but after I cleaned off the gunk there was a nice pistol underneath with very little wear on it. Grips were also very nice with just a few usage scratches.

 

Got an 81 for my daughter. We've run 3 boxes of mixed older FMJ and 2 boxes of Prvi JHP through it without cleaning. Not a bobble or burp. Pretty sure it will eat just about anything, especially after a good clean & lube.

 

Glad to see these are still available. The one I received from Classic was gorgeous, perfect (and not hand-select). I have shot Fiocchi, PPU, Geco, and Blazer from it without problem. Still plenty of that on hand. I ended up buying an adapted MecGar mag, and it has been flawless.

 

No problem, I have tried the PMC 60 grain and the Fiocchi 60 grain hollow points. They both feed and fire without a hitch.