Beretta Model 1934 Fieldstrip?

Grasshopper · 12-06-2008, 04:15 PM

I just picked up a Beretta Model 1934, in .380 caliber. How do I fieldstrip it?

Any info will be greatly appreciated.

THANKS!

Sieger · 12-06-2008, 04:49 PM

Hi:

This is the easiest thing in the world.

Draw back slide, with safety on. This will hold slide open.

Remove magazine.

Tap barrel rearward until it can be lifted from the rear out.

Let slide go forward, holding it with your hand.

That's it!!

To assemble, reverse procedure.

Sieger

M34 is a great little pocket pistol, but watch out for "hammer bite" while firing it!!

Grasshopper · 12-06-2008, 06:49 PM

I followed your directions, and 'brutally simple' is the best way to describe it..

I stripped the pistol, cleaned it, and oiled it. You are right about this being a great pistol. I've seen them around, but never actually 'handled' one, until this past week. I picked it up in a gun shop, and was immediately impressed with the quality. So, I went back home and did a bit of research, and found that they have a very good reputation, and they are highly regarded by their owners. One of my own officers had one....he said his father brought it back from WWII. He takes it out and shoots it on occasion, and says that it is absolutely wonderful....and no, he won't sell it...

So, that convinced me, so I went back and bought this one. I'm going to try to see if I can find and download a manual for it online, and I'm hoping to get out to shoot it (along with my new Walther PP) tomorrow.

As to hammer bite, I've long since found the cure: I take a pair of the inexpensive latex examination gloves, and I cut the fingers off, but still leave enough on them so that they go on over my nuckles and cover a small part of the finger. They are not in the way at all, but they allow me to get through a range session without getting 'bitten'...

Sieger · 12-06-2008, 07:11 PM

Hi:

Your will find a lot of the "war models" with well pitted barrels. It seems that there was not a lot of maintenance by the individuals owning them.

This model was made well into the mid sixties, 1966. I believe.

It was the original James Bond, 007, pistol, until replaced with the PPK.

There was also a .22 version made, the Model 948, with an aluminum frame. I owe two M34s and two M948s.

The hammer bite I mentioned is that nasty little bite to the web of the hand by the hammer. the gloves you mentioned will take care of the problem, however.

These are a lot of fun to shoot, but don't expect precision accuracy with them.

Sieger

A little story for you. My Dad bought his 948 in 1953. He was back in the country at Mom's father's farm and they need a chicken to cook for supper.

Dad appeared at the back door and drew the 948 for the kill. My grandfather asked him if here were crazy, attempting the 50 yard shot with a handgun.

With one shot, Dad took the top of the chicken's head off. There were no further questions regarding Dad's marksmenship that evening.

minigun · 12-07-2008, 12:06 AM

I was wondering myself on how to disassemble one as I also bought one a couple of weeks ago. The safety simply "falls out" right? Am I correct also that the recoil spring "rides" on the safety? Thanks, "newbe on the Beretta", Kelly

RichSr · 12-07-2008, 02:00 PM

Seiger,
You might want to check your sources on:

Quote:

It was the original James Bond, 007, pistol, until replaced with the PPK.

The first "Bond" pistol was the much smaller Model 418 chambered in 6.35mm(25acp)

Sieger · 12-07-2008, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichSr

Seiger,
You might want to check your sources on:

The first "Bond" pistol was the much smaller Model 418 chambered in 6.35mm(25acp)

Hi:

Bond had his M34 pulled and replaced by the PPK in one of the movies that I personally saw. Right now, the name excapes me. It was a M34, not the 418.

Sieger

Grasshopper · 12-07-2008, 06:20 PM

Well, I just got back from a very satisfying range session. I fired the Walther PP, and the Beretta M34. Standing off-hand at 7 yards, both pistols are capable of ragged, one hole groups. The Walther had the edge in accuracy, especially with Fiocchi ammo. I had one malfuncion with the Walther...with the aluminum cased Blazer ammo. You can classify the malfunction as a failure to eject, although the spent casing got caught in the ejection port on it's way out the pistol. Other than that, I had no other malfunctions, with several different types of ammunition.

The Beretta performed with absolute reliability, but the only ammo I tried in it was Magtech. All in all, I was quite pleased, and my latex glove solution (that I learned while firing G.I. Spec 1911s) worked great. I got through the entire range session with no bites.....not a single mark...

alanint · 12-08-2008, 10:28 AM

Seiger Said:

"Bond had his M34 pulled and replaced by the PPK in one of the movies that I personally saw. Right now, the name excapes me. It was a M34, not the 418".

The confusion lies in that although it was a model 34, which "Q" took from Bond in the movie, the dialog, (and the original novel) mentions that the Beretta was a .25 caliber.

"Q" mentions that the PPK is replacing the Beretta because the PPK is caliber .32 with an impact "like a brick through a plate-glass window".

While a .32 is an improvement over a .25, both calibers are marginal if not laughable by today's self defense ballisctic standards, (and yes, I appreciate that they are both better than having nothing at all).

Sieger · 12-08-2008, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanint

Seiger Said:

"Bond had his M34 pulled and replaced by the PPK in one of the movies that I personally saw. Right now, the name excapes me. It was a M34, not the 418".

The confusion lies in that although it was a model 34, which "Q" took from Bond in the movie, the dialog, (and the original novel) mentions that the Beretta was a .25 caliber.

"Q" mentions that the PPK is replacing the Beretta because the PPK is caliber .32 with an impact "like a brick through a plate-glass window".

While a .32 is an improvement over a .25, both calibers are marginal if not laughable by today's self defense ballisctic standards, (and yes, I appreciate that they are both better than having nothing at all).

From 35 to 40 years ago, the only discussion I can recall is that Q liked the double-action feature of the Walther. Can you help me remember the name of that movie?

Why anyone would carry a .32 when a .380 acp was available is beyond me!

Sieger

davidkachel · 12-08-2008, 12:11 PM

I love the 1934 Beretta. It is heavy as a good pistol ought to be and they never, ever jam!
A rock solid gun indeed. Of course, the trigger pull requires three men and a mule and the safety is in a stupid position, but otherwise a superb weapon.
Believe it or not, I have found BOTH ivory and mother of pearl grips (two sets that is) for mine. Now THAT is rare!

RichSr · 12-08-2008, 03:15 PM

I should just let this go but enjoyed the Fleming books so much as a youth that I feel compelled to continue. The orininal "Bond" pistol as mentioned by Fleming was in fact the .25 Beretta (418). The movies were different as the first one filmed (Dr. No) was well into the series and the novel on which it was based was when Bond's weapon was switched to the Walther. I personally don't count on Hollywood getting much right regarding weapons. That same movie shows Bond with a 1910 Browning presumably since the studio could not come up with a PPK with a "silencer" attached. I also recall when western "sixshooters" fired unlimited rounds seemingly without reloading.
As to the choice of such anemic calibres, it should be remembered that Fleming was British and the europeans thought the 32acp (7.65) adequate enough for police use. Another reason would be that the nature of the original Bond's clandestine work required the utmost in concealibility and use would be "up close and dirty".
Once again, the above is based on the Bond of Ian Flemings novels, not Hollywoods globetrotting "Super Agent"

12-06-2008, 04:15 PM	#1
Grasshopper User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Tennessee Posts: 25 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Beretta Model 1934 Fieldstrip? I just picked up a Beretta Model 1934, in .380 caliber. How do I fieldstrip it? Any info will be greatly appreciated. THANKS! __________________ "You ain't gonna git outta this life alive."

12-06-2008, 06:49 PM	#3
Grasshopper User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Tennessee Posts: 25 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I followed your directions, and 'brutally simple' is the best way to describe it.. I stripped the pistol, cleaned it, and oiled it. You are right about this being a great pistol. I've seen them around, but never actually 'handled' one, until this past week. I picked it up in a gun shop, and was immediately impressed with the quality. So, I went back home and did a bit of research, and found that they have a very good reputation, and they are highly regarded by their owners. One of my own officers had one....he said his father brought it back from WWII. He takes it out and shoots it on occasion, and says that it is absolutely wonderful....and no, he won't sell it... So, that convinced me, so I went back and bought this one. I'm going to try to see if I can find and download a manual for it online, and I'm hoping to get out to shoot it (along with my new Walther PP) tomorrow. As to hammer bite, I've long since found the cure: I take a pair of the inexpensive latex examination gloves, and I cut the fingers off, but still leave enough on them so that they go on over my nuckles and cover a small part of the finger. They are not in the way at all, but they allow me to get through a range session without getting 'bitten'... __________________ "You ain't gonna git outta this life alive."

12-07-2008, 06:20 PM	#8
Grasshopper User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Tennessee Posts: 25 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Well, I just got back from a very satisfying range session. I fired the Walther PP, and the Beretta M34. Standing off-hand at 7 yards, both pistols are capable of ragged, one hole groups. The Walther had the edge in accuracy, especially with Fiocchi ammo. I had one malfuncion with the Walther...with the aluminum cased Blazer ammo. You can classify the malfunction as a failure to eject, although the spent casing got caught in the ejection port on it's way out the pistol. Other than that, I had no other malfunctions, with several different types of ammunition. The Beretta performed with absolute reliability, but the only ammo I tried in it was Magtech. All in all, I was quite pleased, and my latex glove solution (that I learned while firing G.I. Spec 1911s) worked great. I got through the entire range session with no bites.....not a single mark... __________________ "You ain't gonna git outta this life alive."

12-08-2008, 12:11 PM	#11
davidkachel User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 784 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	I love the 1934 Beretta. It is heavy as a good pistol ought to be and they never, ever jam! A rock solid gun indeed. Of course, the trigger pull requires three men and a mule and the safety is in a stupid position, but otherwise a superb weapon. Believe it or not, I have found BOTH ivory and mother of pearl grips (two sets that is) for mine. Now THAT is rare! __________________ A heroin habit would be cheaper.

12-08-2008, 03:15 PM	#12
RichSr User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: West Texas Posts: 128 Thanks: 153 Thanked 54 Times in 36 Posts	I should just let this go but enjoyed the Fleming books so much as a youth that I feel compelled to continue. The orininal "Bond" pistol as mentioned by Fleming was in fact the .25 Beretta (418). The movies were different as the first one filmed (Dr. No) was well into the series and the novel on which it was based was when Bond's weapon was switched to the Walther. I personally don't count on Hollywood getting much right regarding weapons. That same movie shows Bond with a 1910 Browning presumably since the studio could not come up with a PPK with a "silencer" attached. I also recall when western "sixshooters" fired unlimited rounds seemingly without reloading. As to the choice of such anemic calibres, it should be remembered that Fleming was British and the europeans thought the 32acp (7.65) adequate enough for police use. Another reason would be that the nature of the original Bond's clandestine work required the utmost in concealibility and use would be "up close and dirty". Once again, the above is based on the Bond of Ian Flemings novels, not Hollywoods globetrotting "Super Agent" __________________ Rich

12-06-2008, 04:49 PM	#2
Sieger User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: New York, NY Posts: 1,575 Thanks: 2,124 Thanked 400 Times in 249 Posts	Hi: This is the easiest thing in the world. Draw back slide, with safety on. This will hold slide open. Remove magazine. Tap barrel rearward until it can be lifted from the rear out. Let slide go forward, holding it with your hand. That's it!! To assemble, reverse procedure. Sieger M34 is a great little pocket pistol, but watch out for "hammer bite" while firing it!!

12-06-2008, 07:11 PM	#4
Sieger User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: New York, NY Posts: 1,575 Thanks: 2,124 Thanked 400 Times in 249 Posts	Hi: Your will find a lot of the "war models" with well pitted barrels. It seems that there was not a lot of maintenance by the individuals owning them. This model was made well into the mid sixties, 1966. I believe. It was the original James Bond, 007, pistol, until replaced with the PPK. There was also a .22 version made, the Model 948, with an aluminum frame. I owe two M34s and two M948s. The hammer bite I mentioned is that nasty little bite to the web of the hand by the hammer. the gloves you mentioned will take care of the problem, however. These are a lot of fun to shoot, but don't expect precision accuracy with them. Sieger A little story for you. My Dad bought his 948 in 1953. He was back in the country at Mom's father's farm and they need a chicken to cook for supper. Dad appeared at the back door and drew the 948 for the kill. My grandfather asked him if here were crazy, attempting the 50 yard shot with a handgun. With one shot, Dad took the top of the chicken's head off. There were no further questions regarding Dad's marksmenship that evening.

12-07-2008, 12:06 AM	#5
minigun User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 424 Thanks: 15 Thanked 19 Times in 14 Posts	I was wondering myself on how to disassemble one as I also bought one a couple of weeks ago. The safety simply "falls out" right? Am I correct also that the recoil spring "rides" on the safety? Thanks, "newbe on the Beretta", Kelly

12-08-2008, 10:28 AM	#9
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	Seiger Said: "Bond had his M34 pulled and replaced by the PPK in one of the movies that I personally saw. Right now, the name excapes me. It was a M34, not the 418". The confusion lies in that although it was a model 34, which "Q" took from Bond in the movie, the dialog, (and the original novel) mentions that the Beretta was a .25 caliber. "Q" mentions that the PPK is replacing the Beretta because the PPK is caliber .32 with an impact "like a brick through a plate-glass window". While a .32 is an improvement over a .25, both calibers are marginal if not laughable by today's self defense ballisctic standards, (and yes, I appreciate that they are both better than having nothing at all).