BERETTA "Armi Roma" M90
Following informations coming from: http://www.berettaweb.com/Beretta 90 Roma/Beretta Roma 90.htm ----- Towards the end of the 1960s Beretta decided to enter into a field which had been neglected up lo that time, and through its Roman affiliate introduced their first double action pistol, the 90. Beretta probably hoped to achieve a double result with this gun: on the one hand competing with the already highly acclaimed double action German pistols, while on the other testing the market with a gun that was al odds with Beretta's traditional design. In both senses the results were disappointing, though certainly not through the fault al the gun itself, which was an excellent weapon. The problem was that the Model 90 did not look like a Beretta, but rather one of the many imitations of the Walther PP. This caused a negative reaction in the market generally, and also among Beretta's admirers who felt in some way betrayed. The lesson was learned immediately, and the failure of the 90 served to indicate the right direction lo follow. The Beretta 90 was based primarily on the German guns of the same category, with which it can be compared, in some cases favourably. The firing mechanism is simpler and more efficient than that of the German guns, and the barrel, while solidly attached to the frame, can be removed relatively easily. The finish is also superior for the price. Unlike similar models, the Beretta Model 90 was produced only in 7.65 calibre, and it seems that the construction of the frame (in light alloy) did not allow a conversion to 9mm. This fact was irrelevant in Italy and of little importance in Europe generally, but was crucial to the gun's success in the American market, where the 7.65 calibre is considered, not entirely incorrectly, to be insufficient for a defensive weapon. The production of the 90 began in 1970, and continued sporadically for several years, along with the more favoured Model 70. For many years the gun was featured in the catalogue in a slightly modified version. The principal modification was the hold open device, which was easily engaged with the thumb of the right hand. The Model 90 officially went out of production only in 1982, by which time Beretta had firmly established itself on the market with double action guns that were both more successful and more significant. --- TECHNICAL SPECS: CALIBER: .32-ACP (.7'65mm-Browning, prototypes also in .380-ACP and .9mm-Ultra) CAPACITY. 8-rounds, single-stack column magazine SYSTEM OF OPERATION: Blowback HAMMER: Exposed, DA TOTAL LENGHT: 170 Millimeters BARREL LENGHT: 92 Millimeters HEIGHT: 114 Millimeters WIDHT: 32 Millimeters WEIGHT: 550 Grams, with empty magazine RIFLING: 6 grooves, RH (Pitch about 250 Millimeters) FRONT SIGHT: Integral blade with sfide REAR SIGHT: Notched bar, novetailed to sfide SIGHTING LINE: 121 Millimeters SAFETY: Manual, located on frame SFIDE: Last-round holds open FINISH: Blued steel components, anodized light-alloy components
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