| Data: | Beretta Model 418 |
| Origin: | Italy |
| Manufacturer: | Armi Beretta, |
| Gardone (Brescia) | |
| Cartridge: | 25 Auto |
| Magazine capacity: | 8 rounds |
| Overall length: | 4.56 inches |
| Height: | 3.43 inches |
| Barrel length: | 2.36 inches |
| Weight: | 14.87 ounces (steel frame) |
| 11.72 ounces (alloy frame) |
During its 41 years of production, this neat little Beretta has had several model designations. Some have called the original version “Model 1919,” because of the patent date on the slide. The factory reference, though, is Model 1920. In that form, it was made until 1934. In 1935 and 1936, a change in the grip-frame shape made it the Model 318. Between 1937 and 1961, it was the Model 418. A few small mechanical differences will be noted in the takedown steps.
Field Strip:
1. With the magazine removed, turn the safety lever up to on-safe position and pull the slide back until it locks open. Push the barrel rearward and lift it at the rear for removal. A very tight barrel may require a light tap with a non-marring tool to start it.
2. Restrain the slide, turn the safety down to off-safe position, and ease the slide forward until it is even with the frame at the rear. Depress the grip safety and pull the trigger to drop the striker to fired position. The cocked indicator will disappear from its aperture at the rear.
3. Move the slide assembly off the frame forward, and remove the recoil spring and its guide.
4. Remove the striker assembly from the slide. The striker spring is easily detached. Late versions will also have a small hollow sleeve/guide at the rear tip of the spring.
Beretta Model 418 field-stripped
Detail Strip:
5. Drifting out this cross-pin in the slide will allow the extractor and its coil spring to be taken out upward.
6. The safety lever can be lifted out of the frame.
7. Remove the grip screws, and take off the grips. Drift out the magazine catch limit pin.
8. Drift out the magazine catch pivot pin.
9. Remove the magazine catch downward, and take out the catch and grip safety spring, and its plungers.
10. Note that the spring plungers are not identical. The larger flat one at the top powers the grip safety, and the smaller rounded one powers the catch. Also note that in earlier pistols with the “hump” grip safety, each part has its own separate spring.
11. Drift out the grip safety cross-pin.
12. Remove the grip safety toward the rear. In pistols with the “Hump” type, the part is moved forward, into the magazine well, for removal.
13. Drift out the sear cross-pin. The other cross-pin, below, is the sear limit pin. It does not have to be removed in normal takedown.
14. Tip the sear forward into the magazine well, and move it slightly to the right to clear its side-lug for removal. Note that the coil sear spring may or may not come out with the sear. It will be released, so take care that it isn’t lost.
15. Remove the sear spring.
16. Drift out the trigger cross-pin.
17. Move the trigger assembly toward the rear, lifting the rear tip of the trigger bar very slightly, just enough to clear the side of the frame. Take out the trigger assembly.
18. The trigger bar and its spring and plunger can be removed from the trigger by drifting out the cross pin. CAUTION:Control the plunger and spring.
Reassembly Tips:
