Beretta Model 418

Beretta started produc ing .25 ACP (6.35×15 mm) handguns around 1919. The Model 1920 was followed by successive models: 1926, 1926-31, 1934, 318, and 418. These area straight blowback design and have a spring-loaded firing pin instead of an internal or external hammer. The magazines hold seven or eight rounds. The later models have a grip safety and in the mid-1930s, a cocking indicator pin that protrudes from the rear of the slide was added, giving a visual and tactile sign that the gun was ready to fire.

At the same time, the name was changed from "IBREV" to "Brevettata". Starting in 1952, they were marketed in the United States as "Bantam" and in 1958 renamed "Panther". James Bond, Agent 007, was created by author Ian Fleming in the 1950s and soon became well known around the world. In the early novels, Bond carried a .25 Beretta automatic with "skeleton" grip, meaning the grips were removed. A model number was not specified but sources indicate that Fleming was referring to the Model 418.

After a problem with a suppressorequipped 418 in From Russia with Love, Bond’s boss insisted upon an upgrade to a 7.65mm Walther PPK and the little Beretta was history. The upgrade was recommended to Fleming by gun expert and Bond fan, Geoffrey Boothroyd. Fleming thanked Boothroyd by naming the fictional MI6 armorer after him in the next novel, Dr. No. I personally had not seen one of these handguns so I was glad to have the opportunity to inspect the one in this article.

It is obviously very small and only weighs 15.5 ounces loaded with a 2.25" barrel. The slide is stamped with the manufacturing date of 1937. It has plastic grips with Beretta’s initials that are backed and edged with thin steel shells. The sights are tiny, not surprising on this vintage pistol. The magazine release is on the heel of the frame and the safety on the left side of the frame blocks the trigger and acts as the slide lock.

The trigger has a 7.5 pound pull and the grip safety blocks the sear; a nice feature, in my opinion. The 418 is a very simple design with relatively few parts and is easy to disassemble and reassemble. Press-

65mm Walther PPK. Removing the thin grips doesn’t make much difference in width and can allow debris to get into the gun. Not a practical choice. Far Left to right, .22 LR, .25 ACP, .380 ACP, and 9 mm Luger. ing the trigger rearward moves the trigger bar to the rear and downward. The notch on the trigger bar acts on the notch of the sear. The sear pivots downward, releasing the striker (note, I will use the term "striker" in place of "firing pin").

As the slide moves rearward during recoil, it pushes down on the top of the vertical leg of the trigger bar that fits in a tapered groove on the bottom of the slide. Pushing down on the trigger bar disengages its notch from the sear and the sear re-engages the striker into the cocked position. Releasing the trigger allows the trigger bar to move forward and upward and re-engage the sear notch. Disassembly Remove the magazine and make sure the chamber is empty. Lock back the slide with the safety lever.

Push the front of the barrel rearward to release it from the frame. The safety lever has to be on Safe to remove the barrel. The safety lever pin has a detent that retains the barrel when it’s in the Fire position. The rear of the barrel is tipped up and the barrel is removed through the top of the slide. The slide is held back and the safety is released, allowing the slide to go forward and be removed. The recoil spring and rod are removed along with the safety lever.

The striker is in the cocked position, held by the sear. Holding the striker and spring, compress the spring and slide the striker off the sear. Remove the grips to inspect the trigger transfer bar, sear and grip safety. This pistol was clean and functioned correctly so I did not disassemble it any further. Reassembly The striker and spring are installed on the frame, restraining the striker with the sear.

Alternatively, the striker and spring can be installed in the slide and the striker captured by the sear when the slide is in-

Far stalled on the frame. The concern is making sure the spring and cocking indicator pin are aligned with the retainer on the top of the frame to avoid potentially damaging them. The striker spring is light; it does not take much force to compress and install it and the striker before the slide is installed. The safety lever is installed in the Safe position, then the recoil spring and rod. They seat against the safety lever pin and retain the safety lever in the frame.

Install the slide on the frame and lock it to the rear. Drop the barrel in through the top of the slide and push it forward until it clicks into the frame. Release the slide and check for proper function. At the Range This handgun is fun to shoot with low recoil compared to slightly larger pistols in .380 ACP or 9mm. Accuracy at seven yards is acceptable, although the small sights don’t help.

The .25 ACP is not the first choice (or second or third…) for self defense for most people but its small size makes it easy to conceal. Per the old saying, in a bad situation, any gun is better than no gun. Recently, ammo manufacturers have developed self defense loads for small caliber rounds that give significantly greater stopping power than what’s been available in the past, and certainly what Fleming’s Bond likely used before prompting the use of something else! AG Far Striker Pin is protruding, gun is cocked.