Benelli B76
Benelli Armi S.p.A. · Pistol · Discontinued · 1976
Also known as: Benelli B-76
Overview
The Benelli B76 is an Italian semi-automatic pistol chambered in 9x19mm Parabellum, produced by Benelli Armi from 1976 to around 1990. It is distinguished by its unusual inertia-locked, fixed-barrel operating system, in which a ribbed breechblock engages grooves in the receiver to keep the breech locked during the initial moment of firing before unlocking and cycling. The stationary barrel gives the B76 excellent inherent accuracy, but its relatively complex construction and modest single-stack 8-round capacity made it expensive to manufacture, limiting its commercial success.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 970 g (34.2 oz) |
| Overall Length | 205 mm (8.07") |
| Barrel Length | 108 mm (4.25") |
| Action Type | Delayed Blowback |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Double Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 8 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 360 m/s (1181 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 481 J (355 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 50 m (55 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Slide Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 9x19mm Parabellum · primary · 9mm NATO — also known as 9mm Luger, 9mm NATO, 9x19mm
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety, Exposed Hammer
- Features: Inertia Lock Breech, Fixed Barrel, Single Stack Magazine, Exposed Hammer
Variants
- Benelli B76S — Target
- Benelli B80 — Caliber Variant
- Benelli B82 — Caliber Variant
Production
Estimated total produced: 10,000 · Production years: 1976-1990
Approximately 10,000 units produced across the B76 line; never widely adopted militarily
Origin
Country of origin: Italy
Designer: Benelli Armi
Discontinued: 1990
Notes
The inertia-lock design is conceptually related to Benelli's later inertia-driven shotgun actions. Sister models include the B80 (7.65x21mm Parabellum) and B82 (9x18mm Ultra), produced to satisfy European restrictions on civilian ownership of military-caliber pistols.
Background
Better known for its shotguns, Benelli briefly entered the service-pistol market in the 1970s with the B76 and its inertia-lock breech, a fixed-barrel design prized for accuracy but ultimately too costly to compete with established combat pistols.