Reassembly Tips:
1. When installing the safety lever, insert a tool at the top of the frame to slightly flex the end of the detent spring out of the way. Keep the smooth side of the cross-shaft next to the spring, and put no stress on the external lever.
2. For illustration purposes only, the sear and its spring are shown as they should be when reassembled.
3. Again, for illustration only, the secondary sear and its spring are shown as they should be when properly assembled in the frame.
4. When installing the hammer spring plunger, note that the “lip” on top goes toward the hammer, to engage inside the lobe on the back of the hammer. During hammer installation, the safety must be in off-safe mode. The hammer pivot must protrude slightly on the left side, as it acts as a stop for the safety lever.
Benelli B76
Similar/Identical Pattern Guns
The same basic assembly/disassembly steps for the Benelli B76 also apply to the following guns:
Benelli B77
Benelli B80
Benelli MP-3
| Data: | Benelli Model B76 |
| Origin: | Italy |
| Manufacturer: | Benelli Armi, Urbino |
| Cartridge: | 9mm Luger |
| (Parabellum) | |
| Magazine capacity: | 8 rounds |
| Overall length: |
7 |
| Height: |
5 |
| Barrel length: |
4 |
| Weight: | 34 ounces |
The Benelli has a unique locking system, with a fixed barrel and a separate internal breechblock which is lever-cammed by the slide into a locking recess in the frame. This may sound complicated, but it isn’t. Another unique feature of the Benelli is the trigger bar, which pushes the hammer back in double-action firing. In other double-action pistols, this part is usually a drawbar, pulling the bottom of the hammer forward. There are several other internal design points that are unusual, and anyone completely disassembling the Benelli should carefully note the relationship of all parts before beginning takedown. The Benelli pistols in other calibers, the B77, B80, and MP-3, have the same basic mechanism, and the instructions will apply.
Field Strip:
1. Remove magazine, and pull slide all the way to the rear, locking it open by pushing the safety up to the on-safe position.
2. With a small screwdriver or other tool of appropriate size, turn both of the locking piece support levers inward until they are clear of their recesses in the slide. The rear edge of the magazine bottom can be used for this, but there is a possibility the slide may be scratched, so use of a proper tool is advisable.
3. When both locking-piece support levers are in position for takedown, they will look like this, from the rear.
4. With a small screwdriver, a drift punch, or any other tool of appropriate size, depress the firing pin head and move the locking support piece downward.
5. Remove the locking-piece support piece from the bottom of the slide. There is a slight possibility that the firing pin may be released at this point, but in most cases it will remain in the breechblock. For safety, cover the area with your hand to prevent the firing pin from flying out of the slide.
6. Holding the slide against the recoil spring tension, release the safety and allow the slide to run slowly forward off the frame.
7. Lift the breechblock from its locking recess in the frame (actually, the recess is a part of the barrel extension, or sub-frame). Gun is now field-stripped.
Benelli B76 field-stripped
Detail Strip:
8. Rotate the firing pin (either direction) until it moves toward the rear of the breechblock and can be withdrawn. The firing pin spring may or may not come out with the pin, but if not, it should fall from its tunnel when the block is elevated to vertical.
9. The breechblock toggle lever can now be moved out to either side and removed.
10. Driving out the small pin at the left will release the extractor for removal. The large pin at center is the locking shoulder for the firing pin collar, and need not be removed. The small pin at the right retains the breechblock control stud and its removal isn’t necessary as it retains no other part.