Wow! Beretta 70 from gunbroker, w/ added surprise!

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Orion8472

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I know that I'm going to be initially breaking the "Need gun picture", but will add tomorrow.

A little back story. I've always liked the Beretta Model 70 in 22lr. I personally think it is one of the sexiest pistols ever made. I got one at a local gun store a couple years ago, but it was one of the long barrel models [not really what I wanted], with fairly poor bluing on the slide/barrel, and not good black on the aluminum frame. I ended up selling it a while back.

I decided that I'm switching to all 22lr [for reasons this thread doesn't need to get in to], so I thought that I'd like to get another semi-auto 22 pistol. I wasn't wanting another Ruger Mark series or buckmark, and didn't want a plastic pistol, so I thought about the Beretta 70 again. Well, last week I bid on a Model 70 on gunbroker that looked pretty good in the photos. I bit on it and won. I just got it today. It's even nicer in person. The finish, frame and slide/barrel, look to be like new. No discern-able nicks or scratches. And the slide, when pulling it back, feels like it's on ball bearings!

Now for the "Wow!" part. I looked up the age on the Beretta site, and it was made the same year I was born! I was always wanting a gun manufactured on the same year as my birth, and now it has happened,....strictly by chance! XD
 
Photos to come tomorrow. It's too dark here to take them. Patience.......will be rewarded. XD
 
A 70 is on my beretta short list, just behind a cheetah. I’m looking forward to photos, all of the beretta pistols (with the exception of a few of their older pocket pistols) are beautifully designed guns. A specimen which has been cared for is usually quite a sight. Congratulations on the new pop-can perforator.
 
I have had Berreta 70's in 22 for 30 years or more. The only reason I have had more than one is that one was stolen in a burglary. But, much as I love them, and excellent as they are, I had to have the front sight raised on both of them. This says more about me than about the gun, I suppose.
 
Orion, that is pretty darn cool. I have been doing the same thing, looking for a gun made the year I was born that I would love to have. I haven’t found one yet, but I will. It’s great that it’s in nice shape and that it’s one that you have wanted for a while. :)
 
Here's a couple of pics that I just shot. If it looks like it has "imperfections", it is just dust or because I just oiled it [example, I didn't get the smudge off the right side of the frame near the safety switch and beaver tail]. It's a very clean gun!

What is the fair market value on these?

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Orion8472

Great find and in such fantastic shape too! Extra points for it being made the same year as you were born! I bought my Model 70S when they were first imported into the U.S. sometime around 1977 or 1978. Had a problem with the bluing which Beretta acknowledged and they reblued the gun for me under warranty. It was alright for awhile but then the problem returned so I had it hard chromed plated (cost me less than having it blued and it's a much more durable finish), by Ron Mahovsky of Metalife.

I really didn't care for the thumbrest grips that came with the gun(they needed that and an adjustable rear sight to garner enough points under the GCA 68 so it could be imported), and happened upon some factory grips that were flat like the ones on your gun. I ordered a couple of pairs and it took awhile to get them (had something to do with them being made in Italy and then getting them through customs), and it required a little bit of work to get them to fit properly on the frame.

This is still my all time favorite .22.

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bannockburn, that is a SWEET looking Beretta! Glad you were able to get those nice grips!

Thanks a lot for the comments. I fee like I won't some sort of "lottery". When I was looking at the Roman numerals, I ran down the list, found mine, and when I saw the date, I literally paused with my mouth slightly open, taking in what I had just discovered.
 
Thank you, gc70. I prefer the earlier style as well.

So, to ask again, what is the value of the 70 that I have? Roughly?
 
Orion8472 writes:

I was always wanting a gun manufactured on the same year as my birth..

I'm fortunate enough to have one, too, a Charter Arms Undercover from Bridgeport. To add to the honor, it was my dad's, and became mine when he died in 2010. Turned out we both had done time in law enforcement back in the eighties (we weren't in touch back then) and we both carried Undercover .38s as OD, and later, Jeep guns (at the time he died, we were both driving Jeeps, too!)
 
MedWheeler,....very cool story!

This gun may be the last gun I purchase.....at least for a good long time....so I'm really glad the age was what it is. I hope to take it to the range on Sunday morning.
 
So, the main question on my mind is,.....did I do well on the purchase? Since I think it pretty much looks like a new pistol,....was $400 a good final price?

Ultimately, the fact that it is in such nice condition, AND was made the year of my birth, that is totally worth the price to me. :)
 
So, the main question on my mind is,.....did I do well on the purchase?
Ultimately, the fact that it is in such nice condition, AND was made the year of my birth, that is totally worth the price to me. :)
10x what you paid, would be "doing well" on a purchase if your happy with it.
Some of the things ive enjoyed most arnt worth a 1/4 what ive spent on them, but I enjoy them.
 
Orion8472

So, the main question on my mind is,.....did I do well on the purchase? Since I think it pretty much looks like a new pistol,....was $400 a good final price?

Yes, at that price, you did very well indeed!
 
In my area I've seen both the "silencer" added and silencer removed specimens advertised in the $350- $375 range. These guns are usually pretty well used, nowhere near LNIB condition. I'd consider your $400 price as money well spent. Yours look perfect. I spent more for my similar excellent condition example. You did well. Enjoy.

FYI; I had to go to a company in Italy for magazines several years ago. New mags are available now here for about $40. I'd get a few. Original mags are really hard to find.
 
I know I'm preaching to a veritable choir here, but just wanted to comment on undoubtedly the most famous use of a Beretta 70 EVER... By Israeli Sky Marshal Mordechai Rachamim in 1969, who used his service-issue 70 to take on four AK-armed Palestinian terrorists -- killing one, and keeping the rest at bay until Zurich police arrived.

https://www.tactical-life.com/firearms/israeli-mossad-22-lrs/

Oh, and to the OP -- congrats on that beautiful find! :thumbup: d0kcheers.gif

.
 
Thanks guys! I appreciate the comments. I'm gonna shoot a few rounds out of it today. :-D
 
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