It builds on a long line of small and compact pocket pistols manufactured by Beretta for self-defense.

[1] The Beretta 950 is a simple blowback pistol with a single action trigger mechanism and tip-up barrel.

The frame is made out of aluminum alloy, the slide and barrel are carbon steel.

[2] Early models (*950* and *950B* Pre-1968) do not have a safety lever, employing an inertial firing pin for safe hammer-down carry instead (the half cock notch is not for carry and could cause the gun to fire if dropped on the hammer).

[2] Users being timid about recoil can make it prone to bite (the slide can cut the top of the shooter's hand when fired) due to them holding the firearm too tightly.