The FTC accepted a consent order resolving antitrust concerns over Beretta and Sturm, Ruger & Co.'s stock purchase agreement, prohibiting Beretta from appointing non-independent directors to Ruger's board to prevent illegal interlocking directorates that could facilitate anticompetitive coordination between the two major firearm manufacturers.

Beretta Holding S.A. announced a cash tender offer to purchase up to 2,400,184 shares of Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. at $44.80 per share, representing approximately 20% premium over the 60-day volume weighted average price. The tender offer, with Saratoga Proxy Consulting LLC as Information Agent, is scheduled to expire October 15, 2026.

Muddy has launched two new camouflage layering systems, the DV8 and Timber Recon Xtreme (TRX), engineered exclusively for female hunters. Developed through extensive field testing with input from Muddy's field staff and pro-staff, these complete systems feature tailored fits and strategic design elements for women's movement and performance in the field.

The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) and Firearms Policy Coalition filed a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court seeking review of Christian v. James, challenging New York's ban on permitted firearm carry in public parks. SAF Executive Director Adam Kraut argues public parks should not be deemed 'sensitive places' under Second Amendment protections.

Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) filed a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court in Christian v. James challenging New York's ban on firearm carry in public parks. FPC argues the ban lacks historical support and asks the Court to resolve conflicts among lower courts on Second Amendment facial challenges and historical interpretation.

Safariland announced Sergeant Mauricio Valle of the Houston Police Department as Save #2233 in the Safariland Saves Club. After being ambushed in December 2023, Sgt. Valle's Safariland armor protected him while he returned fire and ended the threat, ultimately returning to full duty.

NSSF released its 2026 Congressional Report Card grading U.S. Representatives and Senators on firearm industry legislation and Second Amendment issues. Fourteen Senators and 71 Representatives earned the "Dean's List" distinction with perfect voting records, while 13 Senators and 41 Representatives received "A+" ratings.

Project ChildSafe, a program of the NSSF, partnered with Slingit to help families manage inherited firearm collections responsibly. The collaboration allows individuals to designate Project ChildSafe as a beneficiary of sale proceeds, supporting firearm safety education and community initiatives.

Staccato 2011 announced "The Last Call," a documentary series featuring America's elite law enforcement SWAT teams. The first installment follows the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office Special Response Team, including USPSA Grand Master Jonathan Menocal, showcasing their training, operations, and personal sacrifices.

Vortex Optics introduced its Pro Cantilever Mounts & Accessories system, a USA-built platform enabling shooters to configure rifles for multiple optics and applications. The system includes Pro Cantilever Mounts, 45° Offset Red Dot Mounts, 12 O'Clock Red Dot Mounts, and Diving Board Mounts compatible with thermal clip-ons and ballistic ranging devices.

Primary Arms Optics is now shipping two long-range rifle scopes: the PLxC 2.5-20x48 and PLxC 4.5-36x56 FFP Compact models. Both feature premium ED lenses, a new cartridge turret system, and multiple ACSS reticle options designed for precision shooting at various distances.

The National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action announced SIG SAUER as an official partner of the 2026 NRA Gun Bus Battleground Tour, a national bus campaign visiting 13 states with over 60 planned stops through Election Day. SIG SAUER, headquartered in Newington, New Hampshire, manufactures firearms, electro-optics, and ammunition for military, law enforcement, and civilian customers.

Second Amendment Foundation attorney Konstadinos T. Moros published his second law review article arguing that special taxes targeting common firearms and ammunition violate the Second Amendment under the Bruen standard. The paper examines California's 11% firearms tax, Colorado's 6.5% tax, and federal excise taxes, concluding they lack historical precedent in American firearm regulation.

Derya Arms, an international firearms manufacturer with operations in Jacksonville, Florida and Konya, Türkiye, has signed a collaboration agreement with Olympic silver medalist Yusuf Dikec. Dikec will share insights on sporting use and user experience with Derya Arms' engineering and product development teams to support performance and ergonomics initiatives.

The Guns & Ammo Buzz Podcast episode #46 features Field Editor Keith Wood interviewing Schauland Performance Founder Rob Schauland about his journey through Springfield Armory, Les Baer, Alchemy and Cabot, hand-fit 1911 construction, custom finishes, and his new retro-inspired 1994 double-stack pistol.

Shell Shock Technologies' NAS³ .50 BMG case uses nickel-stainless steel alloy technology to deliver 37% weight reduction compared to brass, saving approximately 90 pounds per 1,000 rounds. This advancement enables military platforms like Black Hawk helicopters to carry additional fuel and mission payload.

Taurus Holdings, Inc. announced the TTX™ Suppressor Series, its first-ever line of suppressors developed with recognized suppressor engineers. The titanium-built lineup includes three models—TTX22™, TTX9C™, and TTX30™—designed for rimfire, pistol-caliber, and rifle platforms, emphasizing performance, reliability, and value.

Custom & Collectable Firearms introduces the Kimber K1911 "Sienna," a custom .45 ACP pistol featuring engraved Damascus-inspired stainless steel and copper-flake grips designed for collectors seeking heritage and individuality.

Iron Valley Supply is offering limited-time deals on Springfield Armory firearms through September 20th, including a closeout special on the Saint Edge ATC with savings up to $400. In-stock products only with no backorders available.

The Armory Life magazine's Fall 2026 issue features the Springfield Echelon Alpha 4.0C 9mm pistol on the cover alongside Dr. Will Dabbs, the "Cantius Award" recipient. The issue includes reviews of Springfield products and pieces on firearms accessories, plus a historical article on a WWI-era flamethrowing bayonet.

CCW Safe announced its title sponsorship of the sixth annual Guardian Conference, hosted by concealedcarry.com at the Oklahoma City Gun Club, September 18-20, 2026. The 3-day live-fire defensive handgun training event features instruction from top trainers, with CCW Safe's National Trial Counsel Don West, Assistant Counsel Jennifer Chance, and Litigation Consultant Shawn Vincent leading a class on self-defense legal considerations.

Major League Fishing's top 50 professional bass anglers compete in the 2026 Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Championship on Florida's Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, September 18-20, streaming live on MyOutdoorTV. The winner will receive up to $135,000 and qualification into REDCREST 2027 from a $453,000 prize pool.

As a fan of old .32s, the Beretta 1935 had been on my short list for some time. After picking one up for a great price, I later discovered it wasn’t just any random Beretta 1935, but a historically significant model. Sometimes I get lucky. 

Most Berettas are attractive guns, but some of these early designs didn’t quite hit the mark. They don’t have the same swoops and curves. The M1934 and M1935 were arguably the turning point where Berettas began to have a little more finesse to them. 

Beretta has done a fantastic job of making very recognizable pistols. I don’t think it was intentional, but ultimately it’s brilliant branding. When you see a slide with that top cut and an exposed barrel looking like a hot dog sitting in a bun, you know it’s a Beretta. Or, well, maybe a Taurus sometimes. The guns can be radically different, but the look is almost always the same. 

The M1935 has that look mixed with the industrial-looking design of 1930s pistols. It might not be an Art Deco masterpiece like the Savage M1907 or Remington Model 51, but it’s distinct and interesting in a world of black polymer. 

The Beretta M1935, Inside and Out 

The Beretta M1935 isn’t a fancy gun by any means. It’s a direct descendant of the Beretta M1934. The M1934 was a 9mm Corto (.380 ACP) Italian service pistol that served with the Royal Italian Army. The difference between the two is the caliber. 

The M1935 is a direct-blowback .32 ACP pistol that feeds from a single-stack magazine. Like most guns of the era, it’s a hammer-fired, single-action-only pistol with a manual safety and heel-mounted magazine release. 

The magazine holds eight rounds, which is one more than the M1934. The Italian Army already had the M1934, but the Navy and Air Force chose the .32 caliber M1935. The .380 had a bit more bite and nearly twice the free recoil of .32 ACP, so I imagine forces less focused on ground warfare wanted a little less oomph. 

Beretta probably also had an eye on sales to police and external military forces. The .32 ACP was a popular cartridge amongst European police and military forces, and offering both made a lot of sense. Finland, Japan, and Nazi Germany all fielded the M1935. You didn’t have to redesign the gun to swap from .380 to .32. 

The M1935 has the traditional, era-appropriate lanyard loop at the bottom of the gun’s grip. The grips themselves are made of Bakelite and reinforced with a steel plate. They feature a light texturing and the Pietro Beretta P.B. stamp at the bottom. The gun has a manual frame safety in front of the grips, which also doubles as a manual slide lock. 

Beretta’s design is remarkably simple, but it’s robust and well-made. The slide cut allows for quite an ejection port, as always. The robust steel construction and subcalibers tend to create a long service life. 

My M1935 – Luck of the Draw 

I mentioned that mine was historically significant. It has the 4UT proof mark, indicating the gun was fielded by the Wehrmacht during WWII. From 1943 to 1945, the German military fielded a wide variety of pistols. They were getting guns from both Spain and Italy and using Hi-Powers from captured factories. 

Germans designated the M1935 the Pistole 671(i), the ‘i’ standing for italienisch. The Germans had purchased small batches of the Beretta handguns for the Luftwaffe and police forces in southern Europe, but the majority came from Operation Achse. 

The Armistice of Cassibile in 1943 marked the end of hostilities between Italy and the Allies. That same month, Germany launched Operation Achse which seized Italian military infrastructure, including arms and the factories to produce them. That led to German forces being armed with Beretta M1934 and M1935 handguns.

Some late-war models may feature simple wood grips and different markings. Another marking one might see indicating German use is the WaA162. Late war models were also devoid of the ‘P. Beretta’ markings and the slides were blank in order to speed up production. 

I got mine at an auction and there wasn’t a single mention of the proofmark, so I assume the auction house simply overlooked the stamp. Not only does it have the 4UT markings, but it also lacks any import stamps and came with an ancient leather flap holster. 

Shooting the M1935 

Shooting small, all-metal, blowback-operated guns in .380 ACP isn’t always pleasant. The beavertail on the .380 M1934 likes to dig into the web of your hand with every shot. Luckily, the M1935 has a whole lot less recoil than the M1934. The little .32 ACP round makes the Beretta very pleasant to shoot. 

It barks but doesn’t bite the hand and incredibly easy to control. In fact, it’s downright charming to shoot, and guns like this are why I love the .32 ACP oh so much. Most guns of this era feature teeny tiny little sights, and you understand why people used to say you won’t see your sights in a gunfight. 

The M1935 doesn’t have big sights, but they were big for the era. The front sight is quite large and like a lot of Berettas, it’s part of the slide. The rear sight isn’t massive, but it’s still easy to see and align with the front sight. The low recoil and the sights make it easy to shoot this pistol fast and straight. The gun shoots flat, and the sights track well. 

The magazine features an aggressive pinky extension. This gives a good, solid grip on the gun. Plus, when using the heel magazine release, I can pull it free fairly easily thanks to that pinky extension.

Describing the trigger is a little tough. I wouldn’t say it’s heavy, but it’s stiff…if that makes sense. It doesn’t want to move, but once it starts, it doesn’t take much to make it fire. With slow, aimed fire, I can keep the 8-rounds inside a 2-inch Dot Torture dot at seven yards. It’s a very short pull. 

Reliability isn’t an issue at all. It eats S&B surplus stuff with ease, and the same with modern Remington production. Nothing seems to stop it, but you can feel a real difference between Eurospec loads and American loads. 

A Fun Collector 

A lot of these old Berettas are an affordable way to get into surplus guns. While Nazi-marked models generally command a premium, standard options are super-cheap. Some 1934 models are going for less than $200. If the surplus market has taught us anything, it’s that the prices only go up, so if you want one, now’s a good time to get one. 

We’ll be lamenting how good we had it for these guns in about five years. 

– Travis Pike, Shooting News Weekly