Pietro Beretta Mod.70s

[kidrice]

Reaching out for info here. I hope someone can shed some light.

I have a friend who has a Beretta Mod70s (.380acp). It is in damn great shape. He asked me to clean it for him. He is older and doesn't remember when was the last time he shot it.

I'm trying to do more research on the gun. Based on another site, the date of manufacture is 1982. I'm not sure about that because other sites state that this gun was made in the 60s and 70s.

I haven't cleaned it yet and the gun looks and feels pretty dry.

From handling it, it seems to be only SA. After loading a magazine, I can't release the slide using the slide release. I have to pull back on the slide and then push the slide release down. I know the gun needs lube, but the slide release shouldn't be that stubborn. Can it? Also, it won't fire without the magazine inserted.

There is only one mag, but it only has "PB Cal 380 Made in Italy" stamped on it. I can't find any other info. Other research states that if the gun was imported by a company named Garcia, I have to use Garcia magazines.

Any Beretta buffs, if you can share your knowledge with me, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

[Mr. Beretta]

The Beretta 70 Series Reference Chart

http://www.berettaforum.net/vb/showthread.php?t=80904

Check the above link!

[chucksolo69]

Yep, had one of these back in the late 1970's. Nice, reliable gun, that kicked like a mule and liked to slice the base of your thumb with the slide if you weren't careful. It is indeed single action only and the slide will release with the correct amount of pressure on the slide stop, but it is a bear. I think that you need to tear this pistol apart and really lube the gun up good. I can't really remember if it had a magazine disconnect or not, but that would prevent it from firing without the mag. I finally traded the gun in on a S&W 586 revolver and bought an Astra Constable instead. Much better gun IMHO.

[Peter.Steele]

My wife has one of these, it was her grandfather's carry gun. Nice little pistol, but yeah - slide bite is a b*tch.

[GWbiker]

I sold one last year. All steel Model 70 in .380acp, four Beretta magazines, factory box and IB in English and Italian........$500.

The model 70 in .380 is a desirable handgun and worth the extra bux.

Use slide slide grease or TW 25b on slide/frame/barrel mating surfaces. The barrel/frame fit is tight upon reassembly.

Also use care then trying to separate the plastic grips. They are a tight fit.

Great SAO handgun for CC.