Beretta 81 Instruction Manual

							4ENGLISHFigures on pages 3 and 18NOTICE: The Manufacturer and/or its Local Official Distributors assume no
responsibility for product malfuncion or for physical injury or property damage
resulting in whole or in part from criminal or negligent use of the product,
improper or careless handling, unauthorized modifications, use of defective,
improper, hand-loaded, reloaded or remanufactured ammunition, customer
abuse or neglect of the product, or other influences beyond manufacturer’s
direct and immediate control.WARNING: Always ensure that the safety is fully engaged until ready to fire.
A safety is fully engaged only when the safety can move no further into the
safe position.A safety which is not fully engaged will not prevent weapon
discharge.WARNING: ALL FIREARMS HAVE LETHAL PONTENTIAL.READ THE
BASIC SAFETY RULES CAREFULLY AND UNDERSTAND THEM FULLY
BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO USE THIS FIREARM.WARNING: READ THE ENTIRE MANUAL CAREFULLY BEFORE USING
THIS FIREARM.MAKE SURE THAT ANY PERSON USING OR HAVING
ACCESS TO THIS FIREARM READS AND UNDERSTANDS ALL OF THIS
MANUAL PRIOR TO USE OR ACCESS.In addition to the Basic Safety Rules, there are other Safety Rules pertaining to theloading, unloading, disassembly, assembly and use of this firearm located throughout
this manual.3 
						

							5CONTENTSBASIC SAFETY RULES6
DESCRIPTION10
TECHNICAL FEATURES AND DATA12
LOADING AND FIRING13
•LOADING THE MAGAZINE
•LOADING THE PISTOL AND THE CARTRIDGE
CHAMBER
•FIRING
•HOW TO LOWER THE HAMMER
•UNLOADING THE PISTOL AND THE CARTRIDGE
CHAMBER
•UNLOADING THE MAGAZINE
MAINTENANCE15
•FIELD STRIPPING
•CLEANING AND LUBRICATING
•ASSEMBLY
HOW TO REVERSE THE MAGAZINE RELEASE
BUTTON16
TROUBLE SHOOTING, CAUSES AND REMEDIES17Page
6BASIC SAFETY RULES1. NEVER POINT A FIREARM AT SOMETHING THAT IS NOT SAFE TO SHOOT.
Never let the muzzle of a
firearm point at any part of
your body or at another
person.This is especially
important when loading or
unloading the firearm.
When you are shooting at
a target, know what is
behind it.Some bullets can
travel over a mile.If you
miss your target or if the
bullet penetrates the
target, it is your
responsibility to ensure that the shot does not cause unintended injury or damage.
2. ALWAYS TREAT A FIREARM AS IF IT WERE
LOADED.
Never assume that a firearm is unloaded. The
only certain way to ensure that a firearm is
empty is to open the chamber and visually
examine the inside to see if a round is present.
Removing the magazine will not guarantee that
a pistol is unloaded or cannot fire.
Shotguns
and rifles can be checked by cycling or removing
all rounds and by then opening the chamber so
that a visual inspection of the chamber for any
remaining rounds can be made. 
						

							7 3. STORE YOUR FIREARM SO THAT CHILDREN CANNOT GAIN ACCESS TO IT.It is your responsibility to insure that children under the age of 18 or other
unauthorized persons do not gain access to your firearm.To reduce the risk of
accidents involving children, unload your firearm, lock it and store the
ammunition in a separate locked location. 
Please note that devices intended to
prevent accidents - for example, cable locks, chamber plugs, etc, - may not
prevent use or misuse of your firearm by a determined peson.Steel gun safes
may be more appropriate to reduce the likelihood of intentional misuse of a firearm
by an unauthorized child or person.4. NEVER SHOOT AT WATER OR AT A HARD
SURFACE.
Shooting at the surface of water or at a rock or
other hard surface increases the chance of
ricochets or fragmentation of the bullet or shot,
which can result in the projectile striking an
unintended or peripheral target.5. KNOW THE SAFETY FEATURES OF THE FIREARM YOU ARE USING, BUT
REMEMBER: SAFETY DEVICES ARE NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR SAFE
HANDLING PROCEDURES.
Never rely solely on a safety device to prevent an accident.It is imperative that you
know and use the safety features of the particular firearm you are handling, but
accidents can best be prevented by following the safe handling procedures
described in these safety rules and elsewhere in the product manual. To further
familiarize yourself with the proper use of this or other firearms, take a Firearms
Safety Course taught by an expert in firearms use and safety procedures.8 6. PROPERLY MAINTAIN YOUR FIREARM.
Store and carry your firearm so that dirt or lint does not
accumulate in the working parts.Clean and oil your
firearm, following the instructions provided in this
manual, after each use to prevent corrosion, damage
to the barrel or accumulation of impurities which can
prevent use of the gun in an emergency.Always check
the barrel prior to loading to ensure that it is clean and
free from obstructions. 
Firing against an obstruction
can rupture the barrel and injure yourself or others
nearby.
In case your hear an unusual noise when
shooting, stop firing immediately, ingage the manual
safety an unload the firearm.Make sure the chamber
is free from any obstruction or possible bullet blocked
inside the barrel due to defective or improper
ammunition.7. USE PROPER AMMUNITION.
Only use factory-loaded, new ammunition manufactured to industry specifications:
CIP (Europe and elsewhere), SAAMI (U.S.A.). Be certain that each round you use is
in the proper caliber or gauge and type for the particular firearm.The caliber or
gauge of the firearm is clearly marked on the barrels of shotguns and on the slide
or barrel of pistols.The use of reloaded or remanufactured ammunition can
increase the likelihood of excessive cartridge pressures, casehead ruptures or
other defects in the ammunition which can cause damage to your firearm and
injury to yourself or others nearby.8. ALWAYS WEAR PROTECTIVE GLASSES AND EARPLUGS WHEN
SHOOTING.
The chance that gas, gunpowder or metal fragments
will blow back and injure a shooter who is firing a gun
is rare, but the injury that can be sustained in such
circumstances is severe, including the possible loss of
eyesight.Ashooter must always wear impact resistant
shooting glasses when firing any firearm. Earplugs
help reduce the chance of hearing damage from
shooting.9. NEVER CLIMB A TREE, FENCE OR
OBSTRUCTION WITH A LOADED FIREARM.
Open and empty the chamber of your firearm before
climbing or descending a tree or before climbing a
fence or jumping over a ditch or obstruction.Never
pull or push a loaded firearm toward yourself or
another person. 
						

							9 10. AVOID ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES OR
JUDGMENT OR REFLEX IMPAIRING
MEDICATION WHEN SHOOTING.Do not drink and shoot.If you take medication that
can impair motor reactions or judgment, do not
handle a firearm while you are under the influence of
the medication.11. NEVER TRANSPORT A LOADED FIREARM.
Unload a firearm before putting it in a vehicle.
Hunters and target shooters should load their
firearm only at their destination.If you carry a
firearm for self-protection, leaving the chamber
unloaded can reduce the chance of accidental
discharge.12. LEAD WARNING.
Discharging firearms in poorly ventilated areas, cleaning firearms, or handling
ammunition may result in exposure to lead and other substances known to cause
birth defects, reproductive harm, and other serious physical injury. Have
adequate ventilation at all times.Wash hands thoroughly after exposure.10DESCRIPTIONThe series 81 Beretta pistols are semiautomatic firearms designed for personal
defence, military and police use shooting practice.
The great fire capacity combined with flawless reliability and anatomical-functional
features make of these pistols the most modern in their class.
The Beretta pistols, series 81, have the following characteristics:
A. DOUBLE ACTION: the double action offers the advantages of a revolver.In
the rare instance of misfire due to a faulty primer, it is sufficient to pull the
trigger again to repeat the percussion on the cartridge and fire the round
(mod. 87BB/L.B. excluded).
B. GREAT FIRE CAPACITY
Staggered magazine:84F = 13 rounds
Single line magazine: 85F, 87BB = 8 rounds; 83F = 7 rounds
The staggered magazine of model 84F, which is no longer than a traditional
magazine, almost doubles the capacity of fire.The single line magazine of 85F,
87BB, 83F models gives a tinner grip and reduced overall dimensions.
C. COMPLETE HANDLING SAFETY
C1. Manual safety:the manual safety breaks the connection between the trigger
and the sear locks the slide in closed position.
The F models introduce a new manual safety-decocking lever.It allows to lower
the hammer cocked, chamber loaded, with the maximum safety, stopping it
against the interceptor.At the same time the safety locks slide and interrupts
the connection between trigger and sear.
C2. Chamber-loaded indicator: when the cartridge is in the chamber, the upper
surface of the extractor protrudes and shows red (mod. 87BB excluded).In the
dark the protrusion can be felt by touch.It is therefore unnecessary to work the
slide to see whether the barrel is loaded.
C3. Automatic firing pin safety: when the trigger is not pulled completely back,
a blocking device secures the firing pin and prevents it from moving forward,
even if the weapon should fall from a height and strike the ground muzzle-
down.
D. FUNCTIONAL AND ANATOMICAL FEATURES
D1. Slide catchwhen the last round has been fired, the slide remains open
thus signalling that the magazine is empty.
D2. Manual safety lever on both sides:allows easier and quicker handling also
by left-handed shooters.
D3. Special sights: both front and rear sights (with white dots) are designed for
swift location of the target and for bringing it into alignment with the greatest
possible facility. 
						

							11 D4. Grooved frame: the front and back straps of the grip are longitudinally
grooved to secure a firm hold even with wet hands, or under conditions of
rapid, unaimed fire.
D5. Reversible magazine release button (mod. 84F only): It can easily be
assembled on the right side of the pistol for left-handed shooters.
D6. Magazine safety (on request):interrupts the trigger-sear connection when
the magazine is extracted.
D7. Combat trigger-guard(only “F” models):the trigger-guard is shaped and
groved to allow a functional rest of the index finger when shooting with two
hands.
Matt finishing with Bruniton (only “F” models):. The anti-glare Bruniton finish
guarantees the maximum protection against hard conditions.
Chromium plated barrel and barrel chamber (“F” models) for maximum
precision and longer life.
GENERAL OPERATION
The series 81 Beretta pistols are semiautomatic firearms working on the blow-back
principle.Upon firing, the pressure developed by the combustion gasses recoils
the slide which, during its rearward movement, extracts and ejects the fired
cartridge case, cocks the hammer and activates the recoil spring.The slide will
then automatically move forward towards the closed position, feeding the next
cartridge from the magazine into the chamber.
The slide is designed to stay open after the last round has been fired and ejected.
12TECHNICAL FEATURES AND DATACaliber
Operation
Hammer
Length
Height
Overall width
Grip width
Weight (with empty mag.)
approx.
Barrel lenght
Rifling
Rifling pitch
Front sight
Rear sight
Line of sight
Safeties
Magazine
Frame
Slide
Finish
Special features
On request84F85F83F87BB87BB
Long Barrel
9 mm short
semi-automatic, blow-back
exposed, double action - single action (mod. 87BB/L.B.)
172 mm.
6.77 in.
122 mm./4.8 in.
35 mm. /1.37 in.
35 mm.
1.37 in.
660 gr.
23.3 oz.620 gr.
21.9 oz.640 gr.
22.6 oz.
102 mm.
4 in.570 gr.
20.1 oz.
97 mm
3.81 in.660 gr.
23.3 oz.
150 mm.
5.9 in.
R.H., 6 grooves
350 mm. / 13.77 in.
250 mm. / 9.84 in.
blade, integral with side
notcher bar, dovetailed to slide
124 mm. / 4.88 in.30 mm.
1.18 in. 177 mm.
6.96 in.172 mm.
6.77 in.225 mm.
8.85 in. .22 L.R.
120 mm. / 4.72 in.
38 mm. / 1.49 in.
staggered
13 shots8 shots
light alloy
held open upon firing of last cartridge7 shots8 shots single line - manual safety breaking the connection between trigger
and sear and locking slide in closed position. Only “F”
models: manual safety-decocking lever (the safety
lowers the hammer stopping it against the interceptor,
locks slide in closed position and interrupts connection
between trigger and sear).
- automatic firing pin safety
- half-cock position (only “BB” models).
Steel components: blued; light alloy components:
anodized - matt finish with Bruniton (only “F” models).
Checkered walnut grips.
Matte black plastic grips (“F” models only).
Combat trigger-guard (“F” models only) - chromium
Plated barrel and barrel chamber (“F” models only)
Light alloy counter weight (87BB/L.B.)
- magazine safety
- plastic grips (“BB” models)
- walnut grips (“F” models)
- nickel-plating finish97 mm.
3.81 in. 
						

							13LOADING AND FIRINGCaution: Always keep the fingers clear of the trigger, whenever you do not intend
to fire.
Check that pistol is not already loaded by looking at the chamber-loaded
indicator (C2. and fig.1b).
LOADING THE MAGAZINE
•To load the magazine remove it from the pistol by depressing the magazine
release button (fig. 5).
•Hold the magazine in the left hand.With your right hand, place a cartridge on the
follower in front of the lips, press down and slide the cartridge home under the
lips (fig. 6).
Repeat until the magazine is fully loaded.Holes on the magazine allow for visual
counting of cartridges (fig. 2).
LOADING THE PISTOL AND THE CARTRIDGE CHAMBER
Caution: Always keep the fingers clear of the trigger, whenever you do not intend
to fire.
•Push the loaded magazine into the pistol grip completely to insure catch
engagement.
•Grasping the slide serrations with thumb and index finger, fully retract and
quickly release the slide to load the chamber (fig. 7).
Caution: THE PISTOL IS NOW LOADED, COCKED AND READY TO FIRE.
NOTE: The series 81 Beretta pistols are provided with an automatic safetywhich
prevents any movement of the firing pin and is overcome only by pulling
on the trigger.
Caution: Always keep the fingers clear of the trigger, whenever you do not
intend to fire.
IF NOT READY TO FIRE
Engage the manual safety by simply rotating the manual safety lever with a fully
upward thumb pressure.The red warning dotwill disappear (The red warning dot
can be seen only when the manual safety is disengaged).
Warning: on “F” models, moving the safety lever into the safe position, the
hammer is released until it stops against the interceptor (safety-
decocking lever).
NOTE: To load another cartridge into the magazine:
•Remove the loaded magazine from the pistol by depressing the magazine release
button.
•Insert another cartridge into the magazine.
•Push the loaded magazine into the pistol completely to insure catch engagement.
14 FIRING
WHEN READY TO FIRE
•Release the manual safety by simply rotating the manual safety lever with a fully
downward thumb pressure.The red warning dot can be seen when manual
safety is disengaged.
•Aim the pistol and align front and rear sight on target.
•Fire by squeezing the trigger.The pistol now fires in single action.
With pistols mod. “F”, being the safety engaged, hammer is lowered and pistol
will fire in double action.The pull on the trigger first cocks the hammer and
then relases it.
The discharge will recoil the slide which, in turn, will extract and eject the fired
cartridge case, cock the hammer and activate the recoil spring.Then the slide
will automatically close, feeding the next cartridge from the magazine into the
chamber and the PISTOL IS READY TO FIRE AGAIN.
•When the last round has been fired, the slide remains open (fig. 8).
•To fire again, remove the empty magazine and insert a loaded one.
•Press the slide catch to close the slide, and load the chamber (fig. 9).
Caution: THE PISTOL IS NOW LOADED, COCKED AND READY TO FIRE AGAIN.
With pistols model “F”, to keep pistol, chamber loaded, in safety condition, fully
engage the manual safety lever to lower the hammer and stop it against the
interceptor.
HOW TO LOWER THE HAMMERto the half-cock position (models “F”
excluded)
To have the pistol chamber loaded and hammer uncocked, lower the hammer
proceeding as follows (models “BB” only).
Attention: PRACTICE THIS OPERATION WITH UNLOADED PISTOL.
EXERCISE EXTREME CAUTION.
•Point the pistol in a safe direction.
•With thumb retract the hammer spur; depress the trigger while cautiously
allowing the hammer to move little forward, under the thumb control,
simultaneously remove finger from trigger.
Then cautiously let the hammer move forward until it stops on the half-cock
position (fig. 10 and 11).
•Engage the manual safety by simply rotating the manual safety lever with a fully
upward thumb pressure.The red warning dot will disappear. (The red warning
dot can be seen only when the manual safety is disengaged).
With pistols model “F”, to lower the hammer, simply engage manual safety as
indicated.
The double actiontrigger pull makes it possible to fire the pistol quickly with
the hammer lowered or in a half-cock position, without the necessity of manual
hammer cocking.The pull on the trigger, in fact, first cocks the hammer and
then releases it (mod. 87BB/L.B. excluded). 
						

							15 UNLOADING THE PISTOL AND THE CARTRIDGE CHAMBER
•Engage the manual safety.With pistols “F” model, engaging the safety, the
hammer is lowered and stopped by the interceptor.
•Depress the magazine release button to remove the magazine from the pistol.
•Release the manual safety and point the pistol in a safe direction.
•Grasping the slide serrations with thumb and index finger, fully retract the slide
to remove the chambered cartridge.
WHEN SURE THE CHAMBER IS EMPTY AND THE CARTRIDGE HAS BEEN
EJECTED, quickly release the slide.
•Lower the cocked hammer.
UNLOADING THE MAGAZINE
•To unload the magazine, grasp with one hand the magazine box, bottom down
and front end forward.With the tip of the thumb firmly press down on the
cartridge rim and push.As the cartridge moves forward, tip it slightly upwards
with the index finger.
•Repeat until the magazine is unloaded.
MAINTENANCE
Every time the pistol is fired or at least once a month, cleaning and lubricating is
recommended.Start with:
FIELD STRIPPING
Caution:Make sure the pistol is unloaded.if not, unload it following the unloading
procedure.
•Remove magazine by depressing magazine release button (fig. 5).
•Hold pistol in the left hand; with right forefinger press disassembly latch release
button (fig. 12).
•With right thumb rotate disassembling latch anticlockwise until it stops (fig. 13).
•Pull forward the slide barrel assembly with recoil spring and spring guide
(fig. 14).
•Pressing the recoil spring guide head (caution: the recoil spring is under tension)
lift the recoil spring guide and let the recoil spring stretch slowly (fig. 15).
•Take out barrel from slide (fig. 16).
Mod. 87BB Long Barrel
To take out barrel from slide, it is necessary first to separate the counterweight
from barrel.To do it, using an Allen key of the right size (3 mm.), unscrew the
counterweight Allen locking screw (anticlockwise, 3 complete turns).
NO FURTHER DISASSEMBLY IS RECOMMENDED UNLESS DONE BY A
COMPETENT GUNSMITH.
16 CLEANING AND LUBRICATING
BARREL CLEANING AND LUBRICATING
•Spray the brush supplied with gun oil.Insert it into the barrel and slide it
backward and forward a few times.
•Dry the barrel by pushing a piece of flannel through with the brush supplied.
Keep changing the flannel until it emerges clean from the barrel.
•Lightly oil the inside and outside of the barrel, passing through a clean flannel
soaked in gun oil.
•Lightly oil the slides of the barrel base.
SLIDE CLEANING AND LUBRICATING
•Clean slide with a cloth soaked in gun oil paying special attention to slide head,
to slide guides and to extractor housing; if necessary use the brush supplied.
•Lightly oil the slide with gun oil.
RECOIL SPRING AND SPRING GUIDE LUBRICATING
•Lightly oil recoil spring and spring guide with gun oil.After long use it may be
necessary to first clean with gun oil and the bush supplied.
ASSEMBLING
Assemble following the Field Stripping procedure in reverse order.It is advisable
to pay attention to the following points:
•The barrel should rest perfectly against the slide (the extractor must lodge in its
groove in the barrel).
•The recoil spring guide head should lodge in the center of its groove in the
barrel base.
•When rotating disassembling latch, the slide should be in the closed position
(aligned with or beyond the rear side of frame).
HOW TO REVERSE THE MAGAZINE RELEASE
BUTTON (for left-handed shooters)
Mod. 84F only
This operation should be carried out by a gunsmith.
•With a suitable screwdriver unscrew and remove the grips.
•Press the back (flat side) of the magazine release button down and away.The
magazine release assembly will then drop out.
•Reverse the magazine release assembly and insert the button (grooved side) in
position tilting it slightly. 
						

							18
17 •Holding the button (grooved side) of the magazine release assembly firmly in
place, press its flat side and push it until it clicks into place.The operation is
done correctly when the magazine slides easily into its housing.
•Replace grips with screws.
TROUBLE SHOOTING, CAUSES AND REMEDIESTROUBLE SHOOTINGPROBABLE CAUSEREMEDY
Mis-introduction of a
cartridge into the chamberWarped or defective
cartridgeInspect and replace cartridge
Dirty or badly lubricated
weaponClean and lubricate weapon
Damaged magazine
Mis-fire
Mis-extraction or
defective extrationDirty cartridge chamberClean and lubricate cartridge
chamber
Defective or dirty
ammunitionReplace or clean cartridges
Damaged extractor springReplace extractor spring
Broken extractor Replace extractor Defective cartridgePull the trigger once more
or replace cartridge Replace magazine
NOTA: No one should attempt to make recommended repairs without proper
knowledge or training. 
						

							Fabbrica d'Armi Pietro Beretta S.p.A.
Via Pietro Beretta, 18 - 25063 GARDONE VAL TROMPIA (Brescia) Italia
Tel. (030) 8341.1 - Telex 301523 PB BS I - Telefax (030) 8341.421
Internet: http:/www.beretta.it
Le illustrazioni e descrizioni di questo opuscolo si intendono fornite a titolo indicativo. La Casa si riserva
pertanto il diritto di apportare ai suoi modelli, in qualsiasi momento e senza preavviso, quelle modifiche che
ritenesse utili per migliorarli o per qualsiasi esigenza di carattere costruttivo e commerciale.
The illustrations and descriptions given in this brochure are intended as a general guide only, and must not
be
taken as binding. The Company, therefore, reserves the right to make, at any moment and without notice,
any changes it thinks necessary to improve its models or to meet any requirements of manufacturing or
commercial nature.
Les illustrations et les descriptions contenues dans ce prospectus ne sont données qu’à titre indicatif. La
Maison
se réserve le droit de modifier, à tout moment et sans préavis, ses modèles pour les améliorer ou pour
n’importe quelle exigence de caractère constructif et commercial.
Printed in Italy
batan - Gardone V.T.
Beretta Pubblicità C 60370.001
9/99