Beretta 71 .22 questions

chupps · February 13, 2021, 09:00 PM

I'm considering a Beretta 71 and I am having trouble getting mfg date based on the serial number. Can anyone point me to a website or another way of getting help?

Also, any opinions on this gun would be appreciated. Thanks

rc · February 13, 2021, 09:12 PM

https://www.rimfirecentral.com/forum...Beretta+pistol

Any questions on 22s can be answered there.

Jim Watson · February 14, 2021, 10:49 AM

An Italian firearm should include a box with a two-letter date code in the proof marks.
https://images.search.yahoo.com/sear...g&action=click

Metric · February 14, 2021, 12:28 PM

The two-letter date code is most likely found on the forward section of the trigger guard.

The Beretta 71 is a fantastic gun, and one of my favorite all-time firearms. First, it's the most reliable .22 pistol I've ever encountered, meaning total reliability with the widest-spectrum of .22 ammo. I have some others that are close, but the several 71's I've shot have the edge.

The grip and natural pointability is also probably the best of any handgun I've ever encountered -- for my hand anyway. The extremely low bore axis makes aiming feel like you're pointing a finger.

Very nice SA trigger, and the gun is just absurdly accurate for the size -- more than it has any right to be.

To top it off, it's a beautiful design, beautifully made and finished.

There are two main downsides that I see. It has relatively small/primitive sights -- they can achieve satisfying precision, but they are in no way high-vis. And not easy to adjust at the range.

Also, the 8-round mags mean it's a bit lacking in the firepower department (even .22 revolvers typically carry more these days), and spare factory mags are extremely expensive and not easy to find.

You'll probably like this article. Place your bets -- Israeli sky marshals armed w/ Beretta 71's in .22LR vs. AK47-wielding Arab terrorists: https://www.tactical-life.com/firear...mossad-22-lrs/

Edit to add: there's a good amount of reference info to be found here: https://berettaforum.net/vb/showthread.php?t=95801

tdrizzle · February 14, 2021, 06:39 PM

Another, similar video and review.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLufq-CA7bM

I have a Model 101, which is a 70 with a longer barrel, adjustable sights, and apparently imported by another company than the 70 (the reason for the model change, as well as import points for the other features).

I've been very happy with mine, but as mentioned, magazines are expensive, if you can find them.

chupps · February 14, 2021, 08:28 PM

Thanks for the video. I respect duty weapons and own several. That is one reason I am looking into this gun.

jonnyc · February 14, 2021, 09:54 PM

You'll love it...great pistols. I have 5 M70/71 and a 101. Surplus mags are starting to show up, and all my Triple-Ks work just fine.

PSP · February 15, 2021, 07:58 PM

Beautiful classic Beretta. Well worth adding to any collection.

**thenavaho** · December 6, 2021, 04:22 AM

A little late to the party on this one, but still worth a post for future readers, Justin Dyal wrote a great article on S.W.A.T. Mag titled Beretta 71: Wet-Work Wonder...Well worth a read.

RGRacing · December 6, 2021, 12:48 PM

Glad someone bumped this back to the top. I had a M71 Jaguar cross bolt back in 1966 with its deep red grips. Lost it in a burglary but found one of these babies and just love it.

Great links to some of the history.

chupps · December 10, 2021, 01:51 PM

I bought one and it is a great shooter.

I did have trouble with the re-assembly after field stripping. Finding this letter was a great help.

February 13, 2021, 09:00 PM	#1
chupps Senior Member Join Date: October 6, 2005 Posts: 368	Beretta 71 .22 questions I'm considering a Beretta 71 and I am having trouble getting mfg date based on the serial number. Can anyone point me to a website or another way of getting help? Also, any opinions on this gun would be appreciated. Thanks

February 13, 2021, 09:12 PM	#2
rc Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2001 Location: CA Posts: 1,765	Join Rimfire Central https://www.rimfirecentral.com/forum...Beretta+pistol Any questions on 22s can be answered there.

February 14, 2021, 12:28 PM	#4
Metric Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 2016 Posts: 340	The two-letter date code is most likely found on the forward section of the trigger guard. The Beretta 71 is a fantastic gun, and one of my favorite all-time firearms. First, it's the most reliable .22 pistol I've ever encountered, meaning total reliability with the widest-spectrum of .22 ammo. I have some others that are close, but the several 71's I've shot have the edge. The grip and natural pointability is also probably the best of any handgun I've ever encountered -- for my hand anyway. The extremely low bore axis makes aiming feel like you're pointing a finger. Very nice SA trigger, and the gun is just absurdly accurate for the size -- more than it has any right to be. To top it off, it's a beautiful design, beautifully made and finished. There are two main downsides that I see. It has relatively small/primitive sights -- they can achieve satisfying precision, but they are in no way high-vis. And not easy to adjust at the range. Also, the 8-round mags mean it's a bit lacking in the firepower department (even .22 revolvers typically carry more these days), and spare factory mags are extremely expensive and not easy to find. You'll probably like this article. Place your bets -- Israeli sky marshals armed w/ Beretta 71's in .22LR vs. AK47-wielding Arab terrorists: https://www.tactical-life.com/firear...mossad-22-lrs/ Edit to add: there's a good amount of reference info to be found here: https://berettaforum.net/vb/showthread.php?t=95801 Last edited by Metric; February 14, 2021 at 12:46 PM.

February 14, 2021, 09:54 PM	#7
jonnyc Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2009 Location: PA Posts: 1,731	You'll love it...great pistols. I have 5 M70/71 and a 101. Surplus mags are starting to show up, and all my Triple-Ks work just fine. __________________ 2024 PA Cartridge Collector Show; Aug. 16-17, 2024!!! Buy...Sell...Trade All Types of Ammunition & Ordnance PM or email me for 2024 show details.

December 6, 2021, 04:22 AM	#9
thenavaho S.W.A.T. Mag Team Join Date: July 10, 2014 Posts: 8	Beretta 71 Round Up on S.W.A.T. Magazine A little late to the party on this one, but still worth a post for future readers, Justin Dyal wrote a great article on S.W.A.T. Mag titled Beretta 71: Wet-Work Wonder...Well worth a read.

February 14, 2021, 10:49 AM	#3
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,539	An Italian firearm should include a box with a two-letter date code in the proof marks. https://images.search.yahoo.com/sear...g&action=click

February 14, 2021, 06:39 PM	#5
tdrizzle Senior Member Join Date: September 11, 2007 Location: St Paul Posts: 209	Another, similar video and review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLufq-CA7bM I have a Model 101, which is a 70 with a longer barrel, adjustable sights, and apparently imported by another company than the 70 (the reason for the model change, as well as import points for the other features). I've been very happy with mine, but as mentioned, magazines are expensive, if you can find them.

February 14, 2021, 08:28 PM	#6
chupps Senior Member Join Date: October 6, 2005 Posts: 368	Thanks for the video. I respect duty weapons and own several. That is one reason I am looking into this gun.

February 15, 2021, 07:58 PM	#8
PSP Senior Member Join Date: June 2, 2006 Location: Bowling Green Virginia Posts: 4,487	Beautiful classic Beretta. Well worth adding to any collection.

December 6, 2021, 12:48 PM	#10
RGRacing Member Join Date: September 27, 2017 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 50	Glad someone bumped this back to the top. I had a M71 Jaguar cross bolt back in 1966 with its deep red grips. Lost it in a burglary but found one of these babies and just love it. Great links to some of the history. __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~