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Infantry Small Arms / The Warfighter


Beretta Model 1951


Semi-Automatic Service Pistol [ 1949 ]



The Beretta Model 1951 was adopted by Italian military forces to succeed the aging Model 1934 semi-automatic line.



Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 05/03/2019 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

GO TO SPECIFICATIONS [+]
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Following the end of World War 2 (1939-1945), Beretta SpA saw fit to fulfill the market need for a 9x19mm Parabellum semi-automatic type pistol. Design work ultimately led to the Model 1951 being introduced by the company with attribution given to Tullio Marengoni and production spanned from 1949 until 1980. Variants formed from the design included the Egyptian "Helwan", the Brigadier civlian market form, and several specialized models in 7.65x21mm Parabellum chambering.

The Model 1951 was unique to Beretta in that it was the company's first pistol to feature a locked-breech design (as opposed to earlier marks that relied on a blowback system of operation). A short-recoil action was used and feeding (9x19mm) was by way of an 8-round detachable box magazine inserted into the base of the grip. The slide took up much of the upper section of the pistol and held the forward and aft sighting devices. As in other Beretta pistols, the barrel's muzzle protruded a short distance ahead of the slide.

Initial production batches were completed with alloy frames but this was succeeded by a steel-framed form due to the former's resiliency when firing the 9x19mm cartridge. While heavier, the steel-framed pistols proved the better choice for long-term durability. A third batch appeared and these were given longer slides for better balance.. These appeared in 1955.

The Italian Navy (and several local police forces) moved on adopting the Model 1951 while the Army abstained. Other operators became Egypt (as the "Helwan", Haiti, Iraq (as the "Tariq"), Iran (captured Iraqi models), Israel (captured Egyptian models), Libya, Nigeria, Thailand, Tunisia, and Yemen.

Out of production today (2017), the series is only rarely encountered as it is also out of service with many of the original operators.

The Model 951R became a selective-fire offshoot of the Model 1951 and this "machine pistol" was developed with Italian special forces in mind. The basic design form of the pistol remained but the action was made to allow for automatic fire (as well as single-shot fire) from a 10-round detachable box magazine. A wooden foregrip was added under the muzzle to support a two-hand hold - particularly useful when firing in full-automatic. The slide was made heavier to compensate for climb and improved balance as well. In practice, this gun was far from useful as it held a restrictive ammunition count and proved relatively uncontrollable under full-automatic fire - which resulted in poor accuracy. Rate-of-fire reached between 1,000 and 1,200 rounds-per-minute.©MilitaryFactory.com
Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. It is the product of many hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, veterans, insiders, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at MilitaryFactory AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.
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Specifications



Service Year
1949

Origin
Italy national flag graphic
Italy

Classification


Semi-Automatic Service Pistol


National flag of Egypt National flag of Iraq National flag of Iran National flag of Israel National flag of Italy National flag of Libya National flag of Nigeria National flag of Thailand National flag of Tunisia National flag of Yemen Egypt; Haiti; Iraq; Iran (captured); Israel (captured); Italy; Libya; Nigeria; Thailand; Tunisia; Yemen
(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)
Pistol / Sidearm
Compact design for close-quarters work or general self-defense.


Overall Length
203 mm
7.99 in
Barrel Length
114 mm
4.49 in
Empty Wgt
1.92 lb
0.87 kg
Sights


Iron Front and Rear.


Action


Short-Recoil; Locked Breech; Semi-Automatic

Semi-Automatic
One shot per trigger pull; self-loading or auto-loading action aided by internal mechanism; trigger management (and initial cocking) typically required by the operator; subsequent shots are aided by the unlocked / moved bolt.
(Material presented above is for historical and entertainment value and should not be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation - always consult official manufacturer sources for such information)


Caliber(s)*


9x19mm Parabellum; 7.65x21mm Parabellum

Sample Visuals**


Graphical image of a 9mm pistol cartridge
Rounds / Feed


8- or 10-round detachable box magazine (model dependent)
Cartridge relative size chart
*May not represent an exhuastive list; calibers are model-specific dependent, always consult official manufacturer sources.
**Graphics not to actual size; not all cartridges may be represented visually; graphics intended for general reference only.
Max Eff.Range
165 ft
(50 m | 55 yd)
Muzzle Velocity
1,180 ft/sec
(360 m/sec)


Model 1951 - Base Series Designation; chambered for 9x19mm Parabellum.
M951 "Brigadier" - Civilian market form in 7.62x21mm Parabellum.
M951R - Full-Automatic machine pistol version; heavier slide; wooden foregrip; 10-round ammunition capacity.
M952 - Sporting variants
M952 "Special" - Sporting variant
M952 "Target" - Sporting variant
"Tariq" - Local Iraqi production model
"Helwan" - Local Egyptian production model


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