Beretta 950

The Beretta 950 is a semi-automatic pistol designed and manufactured by Beretta since 1952. It builds on a long line of small and compact pocket pistols manufactured by Beretta for self-defense. It is intended to be a very simple and reliable pocket pistol.

Specifications
The Beretta 950 is a simple blowback pistol with a single action trigger mechanism and tip-up barrel. The frame is made out of aluminum alloy, the slide and barrel are carbon steel.

Early models (*950B* Pre-1968) do not have a safety lever, employing a half-cock notch on the hammer instead. Later models (*950BS* Post-1968) are provided with an external safety lever.

Intended market
The Beretta 950 Jetfire chambered in .25 ACP is a backup, self-defense pistol that is intended for undercover agents, police officers or individuals licensed to carry a concealed firearm for self-defense. The Minx version in .22 Short is not advised for such a role due to the caliber

Limitations
The .25 ACP cartridge is not very powerful, but a well placed shot can be lethal. The safety system is very basic. The accuracy of the pistol is adequate although the small grip and short sight radius may limit some shooters to be effective only at short ranges, though this is not really an issue, considering the limitations of the cartridge.

Its small grip also makes it prone to bite (the slide can cut the top of the shooter's hand when fired). As the pistol lacks a shell extractor, relying instead on blowback pressure to clear the shells, misfires are removed manually by tipping up the barrel and prying out.

Technical data

 * Type: Beretta 950 Jetfire
 * Trigger system: Single-action only
 * Caliber: .25 ACP
 * Capacity: 8 rounds magazine
 * Frame material: Aluminium light alloy
 * Slide and barrel material: Carbon steel
 * Grip material: Plastic
 * Barrel length: 60 mm
 * Length: 120 mm
 * Height: 87 mm
 * Width: 23 mm
 * Mass: 280 g
 * Safeties: none (950B) or left-side thumb switch (950BS)
 * Magazine release: Lower left grip heel pushbutton.
 * Production years: 1952–2003.
 * Production locations: Beretta Italy (pre 1968), Beretta do Brasil (late 1960s - early 1970s), Beretta USA (1970s to 2003)