Beretta Minx 22 short

[Guest TNDixieGirl]

I just came into possesion of another old Beretta of my fathers. Can someone tell me what the buttton is on the back of the grip just below the piece you cock (no, I don't know the technical word for it, hammer maybe?) It doesn't appear to be a safety, but my Dad doesn't remember what it does either.

[Guest canynracer]

dunno, maybe a decocker?

[Guest tjbert47]

That is the safety at the top rear of the grip just below the rear of the slide.

Tom in TN

[Guest TNDixieGirl]

Can you tell me how it operates? It will go up just a li'l tad, but it doesn't stay in that position. It looks like a tiny pin right above it, and I can hear it click on that pin, but when I move my hand, it goes right back to the original postion.

[Guest TNDixieGirl]

THanks tj. I just figured it out. It has to be cocked for the safety to be set.

[Guest TNDixieGirl]

I actually got it for my mother-in-law to use for her permit class, which she signed up for tonight .

She can't rack a slide, she can't pull the trigger on most revolvers we tried and the instructor I spoke with tonight suggested this type for her. So I went straight to the man I knew would have one, my dear father. It's PERFECT for her. She can do it all on this li'l guy. We're going to go to the range with it tomorrow and see how it works out.

[Guest darkstar]

yeah...good idea to try it at the range first. Those little beretta's are "belly" guns (just kind of stick it in someones belly and pull trigger) They are not the most accurate things in the world. Probably be fine within 3 yards or so but anything further than that may be ifffy. Not saying they can't be fired accurately at a longer distance but thats not what they are designed for, and it may be tough for a less experienced shooter to keep rounds on target at longer distances. Understanding your mom may find it tough to rack a slide, if you have access to a .22 revolver with a longer (at least 4 inch) barrell that may be the way to go. The place she takes her test may have a loaner.

Also, don't remeber what cal you said that Beretta was but with such a tiny barrell I know the .25's can actually be a bit snappy and rough to be comfortable shooting 50 rounds. The 22 is probably a lot less snappy.

Just my opinion mind you, she may be perfectly able to keep it accurate. I've fired those type pistols before and have had less than stellar accuracy. Good luck!!!!

[Guest TNDixieGirl]

We will give it a try tomorrow, but I didn't even think about it changing her accuracy. I'm about to lose all hope that I'll be able to help her find a decent gun to use for her class, or for carry once she gets her permit. We'll keep looking though.

[musicman]

Tried the Walther P22? The slide on that gun is very easy to rack (it's just a flimsy little wire spring) and the trigger pull is mayb 5-6 lbs. Even in DA it's maybe only 10 lbs. While I am a revolver man, I understand that the DA trigger pull on your average revo is pretty stout, being even heavier and longer than your Sigma.

Give the P22 a shot (hehehe...!) I'm pretty sure your MIL will be able to work the action and pull the trigger, and the recoil isn't bad at all. I do suggest using high-vel ammo. My gun didn't always cycle with standard velocity stuff... not enough oomph to throw back the slide. Of course, as you always hear, every gun is different, yadda yadda yadda.

Good luck!

[Guest darkstar]

We will give it a try tomorrow, but I didn't even think about it changing her accuracy. I'm about to lose all hope that I'll be able to help her find a decent gun to use for her class, or for carry once she gets her permit. We'll keep looking though.

She may do fine with it, it's just with such a short barrel and the little blade and notch style sights it's a bit tougher at longer distances. Musicman had a good idea with the Walther P22, they are very easy to operate....your range may have one you can use.

If you look around enough I am sure you can find something for your MIL that she will be comfortable with. If she can find something half way acceptable for herself you can always get it tuned up by a gunsmith to make it easier for her to fire. Then again the little Beretta may be just fine and there are no worries, she may very well be right on with it. Good luck.

[Guest TNDixieGirl]

She ended up buying the Walther P22. In fact, she bought two, handed me the other one, and said "Happy Anniversary". I had no clue she and the lady manager were doing that until she slid the box in front of me.

I already have a .22 though, so I might shop around and make a trade. The manager told us if I didn't fire it, she'd let us trade it at the same cost we paid for it. I'm still researching a smaller gun to carry.

On the other hand, I shot the li'l Minx while she was trying out the P22, and I loved the li'l thing. One-handed, I shot it more accurately than I shoot he Sigma two-handed. Neat li'l gun.

I didn't even ask about the P22 when we went in. We started off talking to a man about what she would need, then I think he must've gotten frustrated with us cause he disappeared and we never saw him again. So when I gave the manager lady a rundown of what my mother-in-law could and couldn't do, she went straight for the P22. She helped and guided my mother-in-law for 4 hours today showing her the ins and outs of the gun.

[Guest tjbert47]

Hard to beat that kind of service TNDixieGirl. Good story!!

Tom in TN

[Guest darkstar]

I think your MIL will like that P22, they are fun to shoot. Jeeez I oughta get married, maybe I could get a score like that...sounds like you have a cool mother in law.

[musicman]

I love a happy ending!! I'm glad she found something she liked.

[Im Neero]

What store did you go to?

[Guest TNDixieGirl]

Brighton Arms.

[The Rabbi]

The little Minx is just a cute gun. Totally impractical for self defense, being a single action in .22short but cute and interesting none the less.