Beretta Model 81 32 ACP
- Thread starter Ben
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Petrol & Powder
Well-Known Member
Ben, can we get an update on the Beretta Model 81 ?
Petrol & Powder
Well-Known Member
Outpost, is there a similar load using Bullseye?
Outpost75
Active Member
In mine shoot 2.5 grains of Bullseye in Starline brass with Federal 200 or Remington 6-1/2 primers, but that is a max. load. I suggest starting at 2 grains and increasing the charge only if needed for reliable function. New Beretta 81s with stiff springs begin to cycle reliably at about 2.2 grains. Older guns which have been run in a bit should cycle 100% with the 2 grain charge.
Petrol & Powder
Well-Known Member
Thanks Outpost.
Is there a similar bullet to the Accurate 31-081H that has a plain base?
Is there a similar bullet to the Accurate 31-081H that has a plain base?
Outpost75
Active Member
Yes, 31-075H is the original plain base another customer ordered. When I ordered mine I increased the nose diameter to .308 north of the front driving band and added the bevel for ease of loading and to bump up the weight a bit. If you want a plain base in the heavier weight you could order 31-081H without the bevel plain base, and maintain the 0.455" OAL vs. the .425" of the 075H for about 84 grains in a plain base.
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Petrol & Powder
Well-Known Member
THANK YOU !
Edward R Southgate
Component Hoarder Extraordiniare
Magazines . I bought a 81BB from R Guns that only had 1 mag so I bought 3 more from DK . They are factory Beretta mags under $40 with free shipping on orders over $90 . Kinda tough to get the last few rounds loaded when new but the pressure eases up after you load them a few times . My pistol just needed a box and papers to be mint . Can't tell it was ever carried and no sign that it was fired . Local pawn shop has .32 ACP at pre covid prices so I bought a thousand rounds of Geco , 250 rounds of Armscor and 500 rounds of PMC for an average of $22.00 per box of 50. Using this stuff for practice and planning to load some of the Ed Harris lead loads for carry ammo .
dkfirearms.com
Beretta Model 81 Cheetah .32 ACP 12 round Magazine
MFR#: C85888 UPC:CALIBER: .32 ACPMAGAZINE CAPACITY: 12 rounds# OF MAGS: OneFITS: Beretta Model 81, 81B, 81BB, 81F, 81FSLIST OF STATES WITH MAGAZINE RESTRICTIONSThis item qualifies for FREE SHIPPING on orders of $90.00 or more!
dkfirearms.com
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Bret4207
At the casting bench in the sky. RIP Bret.
I want something about like that for my 380 at about 90 grs.
Rick H
Well-Known Member
Bret. If you can find one, these run pretty good in my OMC Backup and my brothers Taurus 738 TCP. A little heavier at 95 gr. I PC them now but ran them as cast with BLL too.
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Edward R Southgate
Component Hoarder Extraordiniare
Plenty to be had on GB . Try R Guns .
Petrol & Powder
Well-Known Member
To add to the discussion - I've recently been playing with a "New To Me" Beretta Model 81BB.
After receiving some excellent advice from Outpost75, I ordered a 4 cavity mold from Accurate. That brass mold, a 31-075H, is a work of art.
With my alloy (roughly 10.5 BHn) it drops a bullet that weighs 76.5 grains with NRA 50/50 lube. I size those to .312" and seat them so that the lube groove is just inside the case mouth. That works out to about .964" OAL
With 2.2 grains of Bullseye and a taper crimp,, all is right.
I haven't had a chance to put it on paper but from shooting steel plates on a dueling tree, I'm going to say it will be fine.
Function is 100%. No leading and no signs of excessive pressure. It looks like a winner.
A Big " THANK YOU" to Outpost75.
After receiving some excellent advice from Outpost75, I ordered a 4 cavity mold from Accurate. That brass mold, a 31-075H, is a work of art.
With my alloy (roughly 10.5 BHn) it drops a bullet that weighs 76.5 grains with NRA 50/50 lube. I size those to .312" and seat them so that the lube groove is just inside the case mouth. That works out to about .964" OAL
With 2.2 grains of Bullseye and a taper crimp,, all is right.
I haven't had a chance to put it on paper but from shooting steel plates on a dueling tree, I'm going to say it will be fine.
Function is 100%. No leading and no signs of excessive pressure. It looks like a winner.
A Big " THANK YOU" to Outpost75.
Petrol & Powder
Well-Known Member
WOW, That's tough question Rockydoc
A large number of Italian police Beretta model 81's came on the market here in the U.S.A. a few years ago. There are still some nice examples out there but they aren't the great values they were before this current panic set in. They are still decent values if you're looking for a 32 ACP pistol.
I wouldn't say the Model 81 is the "Best" 32 ACP pistol but I will say they are good pistols for the money.
The Beretta 81 is a bit large for a 32 ACP pistol, but with that size you get 12 rounds, DA/SA action, a nice full grip, decent sights and Beretta quality.
An old Walther PP will give you a steel pistol with a DA/SA action and excellent German quality. That will be a single stack and a bit thinner than the Beretta 81. But they aren't cheap.
If you want American, there was the Savage 1907 and the original Remington Model 51.
An old Colt 1903 will get you an excellent all steel, thin, SA, pistol but; good luck finding a nice one with a clean bore for less than $1K.
There are numerous European pistols chambered in 32 ACP (7.65 Browning Short) that are outstanding pistols. SIG's, Browning, CZ's, Walther's, Mauser's, Beretta's etc. but which one is "BEST"? I can't advise.
The Walther PP is one of the better DA/SA pistols in 32 ACP, In my opinion.
If single action is OK for you, the Beretta model 1935 is one of the strongest and simplest 32 ACP pistols you can find.
There are some target pistols chambered in 32 ACP that aren't small but they are very accurate .....if you have the money.
The "BEST" is going to be defined by the individual.
Petrol & Powder
Well-Known Member
What do you get with a Beretta Model 81?
You get a an aluminum alloy frame that holds a double stack, steel, 12 round magazine with an alloy floor plate.
A DA/SA action with ambidextrous safeties, but no de-cock type safety (the safety disables the trigger with the hammer either cocked or down but it does not "drop" the hammer). If you have the 81 B, 81 BB or newer model, you also get a passive firing pin safety as well.
You get an American style magazine release and a magazine that drops free when released..
You get fixed, two white dot, sights.
You an get an external slide stop/slide release.
You get a take down lever and an easy field strip / reassembly procedure. (six major parts: frame, slide, barrel, recoil spring. guide rod, magazine)
You get a simple blow-back operating system, removable barrel and and open top slide.
You get a 3.75" (97mm?) barrel and an almost 5" sight radius.
You get a modern pistol designed in the 1970's.
You get a gun that functions dependably, and is fun to shoot.
You get a decent gun for your money.
What you don't get:
You don't get a "pocket pistol" - It's about the overall size of a Glock 19
You don't get a "thin" pistol. The grip isn't huge but it's full sized. It is very comfortable to shoot but it's kind of fat for a 32 ACP.
You don't get a super lightweight pistol. The frame is aluminum alloy and that's helps to keep the weight down. However, the entire upper is steel. It's very comfortable to hold and shoot but it's not a pocket pistol.
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