Beretta M1951

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	Weapon: Beretta M1951 Type: Semi-Automatic Pistol Country of Origin: Italy Year Adopted: 1951 Caliber: 9mm Luger Action: Short Recoil Overall Length (mm): 208.0 Weight (kg): 1.00 Effective Range (m): 50

The Beretta M1951 is an Italian semi-automatic pistol designed in the early post-World War II era. Chambered in 9x19mm Parabellum, it features a single-action mechanism and a locked-breech design based on a short-recoil system. Unlike earlier Beretta pistols, the M1951 introduced a more modern appearance with a fixed barrel and a slide-mounted safety, paving the way for many subsequent Beretta handgun models.

Produced between 1953 and the late 1980s, the M1951 saw significant use among both military and civilian markets, with approximately 100,000 units manufactured. It was adopted by the Italian Armed Forces, Egyptian military (produced locally as the Helwan), and several other countries in the Middle East and Africa. The pistol earned a reputation for reliability and simplicity, making it a dependable sidearm for its users.

The M1951 gained notoriety as one of the first Beretta pistols to move away from the open-slide design, which had characterized earlier models, towards a more conventional closed-slide layout. It also marked Beretta's entry into the modern era of military handguns. Though eventually replaced by more advanced designs like the Beretta 92, the M1951 remains a symbol of Italy's innovation in firearm manufacturing and continues to be appreciated by collectors worldwide.