These pistols also featured a high-capacity magazine holding 14 to 17 cartridges. The SIG P220, CZ 75, Smith and Wesson Model 59 and a few others were developed. Making Improvementsĭuring the 1970s, the military focused on double-action, first-shot 9mm pistols.

The 951 features a take-down lever on the right side. The 951 was a foundation for Beretta’s later success. There were various local copies of the 951, including the Helwan. One may only speculate that they outbid the FN High Power, another popular handgun. Many nations in the Middle East adopted the M951. It is well-made of good material.Īt one time, both Israel and Egypt used the 951. The original 951 is a workmanlike pistol that is reliable and accurate. The magazine release is also a push-button. The cross-bolt safety is positive in operation and located at the top of the grip. The 951 type sights are typical of the day. The Beretta 951 featured an unusual safety. It was logical for Beretta to base the 951 on the oscillating wedge system originally used in the Mauser M96. The P-38 was a highly respected handgun in Europe and remains in use in some parts of the world. The Beretta locking wedge, however, is similar to identical to the Walther P-38. Each company has a history of open-top slides. The open-slide design is sometimes compared to the Walther P-38’s open-top slide.

The Model 951 in some ways resembles the Model 1934 Beretta, a blowback pistol chambered in. Simple Beginningsīeretta first developed a single-action 9mm pistol with a single-column magazine. When in good condition, the Helwan clone of the Beretta 951 often shoots well enough for recreational use. This is a simplistic summary, but you get the idea. But most nations using SMGs had 9mm submachineguns. During the previous war, the nations involved had a virtual hodgepodge of calibers.

9mm beretta silver