V. Bernardelli Model 80 - Info Needed

[Irrelavant]

Was at one of the LGS tonight and spotted a pistol that looked interesting. It felt good in my hand, and would fill an nitch in my collection. The asking price was inline with GB, but on the higher side of average. However, after getting home and searching online, I can not find much info on it.

It is an Italian V. Bernardelli Model 80 in .380 ACP.

What little I did find on the interwebs were issues with the mag release, which I experienced 1st hand during my examination of the pistol. And a horror story from one shooter who had an accidental discharge in his pocket.

Do any of you have any experience with these little guys, and what are your thoughts (good or bad).

Also wondering when they were made, and if they qualify for C&R status.

Thanks in advance.

[Enfield47]

I don't know anything about these little pistols but if they are prone to discharge I wouldn't want to use it for a carry weapon. Transporting it unloaded to the range would be ok, but I would still be leery about it going off when I wasn't ready.

[Irrelavant]

Hey Enfield, great to hear from you.

The Model 80 is a single action auto, and I have a hard time believing that it would have an AD if carried properly. I consider safe handling to be a gun carried without a round in the chamber. I already have a carry gun, or 2, or 3... so this one would be a backup to my backup. Or just another little .380 to emtpy brass for reloading.

All of this said, it was a neat little pistol. It reminded me of the pistol my grandfather carried in his pocket for the last 45 years of his life.

[Tovarish]

I saw it too. $350, right? It definitely interested me but the reviews were too mixed to take a chance on right now. Please post back if you end up buying it.

[Irrelavant]

I saw it too. $350, right? It definitely interested me but the reviews were too mixed to take a chance on right now. Please post back if you end up buying it.

Yeah, I'm really on the fence about it. It would be nice to hear from a fellow calgunner with 1st hand knowledge of them. I don't have much experience with the Italian PPK Clones, but it was made in the Valle Trompia. There's a lot of good history there...

I'll post for sure if it finds it way to my house.

[I Swan]

$350 is high for one of those. Good accurate guns but the average American does not know about or understand guns made by Bernardelli. Keep in mind gun has 2 manual safeties and a magazine safety. I have a model USA in 32acp and a model 80 in 22lr. I had a vest pocket model but got rid of it.

[Tovarish]

I concur $350 is a little high. I'd probably offer $250 take it or leave it. Those obscure old pocket guns don't really sell. Although a PPK clone is a step up from the usual. 25 vest gun.

[Irrelavant]

Swan, it took me a couple of tries to figure out all 3 safeties. Kinda tricky.

Tovarish, I agree $350 is high, and I haven't had much luck with this LGS lowering prices on Consignment guns. I'm leaning towards letting it sit in the case for the next guy. What I'm finding online, doesn't convince me to buy it. I haven't been collecting long, so I don't impulse buy unless I know what I'm getting into.

Thanks for your input.

[beerman]

I was given one by an Aunt whose husband died. It was the 380.he had bought it in the 60s for just under a hundred , big $ back then. It was very well made and I shot it for years. Extremly accurate as the barrel is pinned to the frame. I sold mine off for $300. Kinda wish I hadn't. These are a good solid pocket gun.

[Irrelavant]

Decided to pass on this pistol. Just too many mixed reviews, and priced too high. Especially since there are New Bersa Firestorm .380's for $319 on the self above this little guy.

Thanks for all of the feedback and comments.