Need info on BERNARDELLI .380

[ROSS, GEORGE RAY, JR]

I just picked up a .380 and am looking for information about it,
including how to field strip, age, etc...
The following information is on the pistol;

V. BERNARDELLI R GARDONE V.T. CAL. 9 C.
^
There is a circle around this R
MADE IN ITALY MOD. USA
THE SPESCO CORPORATION ATLANTA GEORGIA

The pistol has 2 safties (operated by two different levers) one which
locks the trigger and one that blocks the firing pin. The magazine
release is on the butt of the grip. It has plastic grips, the one on the
left is contoured with a thumbrest. There is a button on the left below
the hammer that I dan't know the function of (when you push it, the screw
on the right side moves) and would appreciate an explanation if someone
has one. I got it and a leather holster for $150.

Thanks in advance for any info,

George Ross

[ROSS, GEORGE RAY, JR]

In article <49vsi1$q...@xring.cs.umd.edu>, grr...@vms1.tamu.edu (ROSS, GEORGE RAY, JR) writes...
#I just picked up a .380 and am looking for information about it,
#including how to field strip, age, etc...
# The following information is on the pistol;
#
#V. BERNARDELLI R GARDONE V.T. CAL. 9 C.
# ^
# There is a circle around this R
#MADE IN ITALY MOD. USA
#THE SPESCO CORPORATION ATLANTA GEORGIA
#
#The pistol has 2 safties (operated by two different levers) one which
#locks the trigger and one that blocks the firing pin. The magazine
#release is on the butt of the grip. It has plastic grips, the one on the
#left is contoured with a thumbrest.

snip

# I got it and a leather holster for $150.

I usually don't follow-up my own posts, but I thought I would let the
group know that after fidddling around with the .380 some more I figured
out how to field strip it. I got it apart, cleaned up, and ran a few
rounds through it this morning. I forgot my earmuffs, so I only ran 21
rounds (3 magazines worth) through the pistol. I had one stovepipe on the
3rd round, but no other problems. At about 8 yards, I shot 14 rounds and
could cover 12 out of 14 the with one hand (which is not bad for me).
The other two rounds were still on my approx 12 inch x 12 inch target.
I shot 7 rounds at 15 yards and kept 4 on the target (the other 3 were low).
So far I'm happy with the pistol, I just need to practice with it.
I'm still interested in any info anyone may have about this pistol.

Thanks,

George Ross

[Matt P.]

I owned the same pistol...just sold it recently for $75 to a
dealer...but the bluing was in fair condition. I bought the gun
used and, being the anal-retentive person that I am, figured out
how to field strip it immediately and made it SPOTLESS.

The one I had functioned flawlessly and was quite accurate. I
replaced the original magazine with one from 'Triple K Brand' that
worked...but didn't lock the slide open when empty.

The model '9C' on the gun stands for 9mm Corto (short) i.e. .380
caliber.

Mine also said Spesco Corporation on the slide.

I imagine there are quite a few of these out there since when I
bought mine I had a choice of 5 used ones.

I think you'll be pleased with the quality of this gun overall.
The only reason I sold mine was that I wanted something new :-) It
served me well during the time I owned it.

Let me know if you want anymore information on this gun. I had
quite a bit of experience with it and know which ammo feeds best
in it.

--
"AND that the said Constitution be never construed to authorize
Congress to prevent the people of the United States, who are
peacable citizens, from keeping their own arms..." Phila.
Independent Gazetteer, August 20, 1789. Conservative media bias???