Beretta 948 Magazines

Isher2000

As I understand it the Beretta 948 (.22LR) is supposed to lock the slide back when empty if a magazine is in the pistol. The slide comes fully forward when the magazine is removed. Just like it's bigger brothers the 1934 and 1935.

My 948 slide will not lock back with any of the three magazines I have. One of these has an in the white aluminum follwer. The others have a black plastic follower. None of the magazines I have has any identifying markings or a manufacturer's stamp. I have a couple of questions about this.

a) What are the identifying characteristics of an original Beretta 948 magazine(the ones that were originally shipped with the pistols)?

b) Has anyone else experienced the slide never locking back with a 1934, 1935 or 948? If so how did you fix the problem?

Thanks for your time.

rufe-snow

I have owned a couple of the .32 & .380 military Beretta's, in years past. Because it was a hassle to get the magazines out after the last shot was fired. ( The follower acted as the last shot hold open, and would bind when the mag was pulled out to reload ). It was common to radius the back surface of the steel follower. This did away with the last shot hold open. But it made it much easier to remove the magazine.

Never owned or had any experience with the 948 models. I can't say if they had the mags, with the last shot hold-open followers?

Isher2000

Do factory Beretta maagazines post war through the 50s have any markings at all. I can find none on any of my magazines.

Thanks

quote:Originally posted by rufe-snow
I have owned a couple of the .32 & .380 military Beretta's, in years past. Because it was a hassle to get the magazines out after the last shot was fired. ( The follower acted as the last shot hold open, and would bind when the mag was pulled out to reload ). It was common to radius the back surface of the steel follower. This did away with the last shot hold open. But it made it much easier to remove the magazine.

Never owned or had any experience with the 948 models. I can't say if they had the mags, with the last shot hold-open followers?

ALFONSE

I just picked up a nice little "1952" model 948. On his original magazine, on the top of the spine, it says "Made in Italy". The gun will not lock back on the last shot and is not supposed to (according to my gunsmith dad - Al from The Gun Garage).

I am on the quest for original magazines - our clip distributors that we are in business with say the originals are in the $75.00 bracket. Triple K makes aftermarket magazines as well (much cheaper).

In response to rufe-snow - my original magazine does not have a, last shot, hold-open follower. The repops might, but I haven't seen them in person and I honestly doubt it.

Hope this helps! - Evan

nmyers

I believe that "factory" mags for all Berettas are made by Mec-Gar (in Brescia, Italy). Mec-Gar is probably the largest manufacturer of mags in the world, & most name-brand manufacturers buy from them. Of course, all items made for export to the US will be stamped with the country of manufacture.

Neal

burpfire

I have a couple of 948s, and they don't lock back. from my research, they were never supposed to lock back. you use the slide release for that.

Isher2000

Thanks that is useful info. None of the magazines I have is marked in any way. They are probably reproductions.



quote:Originally posted by ALFONSE
I just picked up a nice little "1952" model 948. On his original magazine, on the top of the spine, it says "Made in Italy". The gun will not lock back on the last shot and is not supposed to (according to my gunsmith dad - Al from The Gun Garage).

I am on the quest for original magazines - our clip distributors that we are in business with say the originals are in the $75.00 bracket. Triple K makes aftermarket magazines as well (much cheaper).

In response to rufe-snow - my original magazine does not have a, last shot, hold-open follower. The repops might, but I haven't seen them in person and I honestly doubt it.

Hope this helps! - Evan