[Skunkabilly]

My P7M8 was getting warm and I didn't bring my icechest with me so I rented a Beretta 85.

Comparing the dimensions, it was as wide as my P7M8, overall length was the same even if the barrel on the P7M8 is a third of an inch longer. Grip width was the same. The Beretta 85 grip feels smaller, but the trigger reach seems farther.

Unlike the Series 92, the 85 has a frame mounted safety, and the safe position decocks the pistol. I'm wondering if it can be safetly converted to cock and lock? It comes stock with an ambi safety.

So on to firing the thing, it was pretty snappy. Not sure why, but it is, maybe the action type or whatever. The sights are so-so, and the trigger is a bit heavy since I'm used to shooting my LTT 92G and a stock P7M8, both sweeeeeet triggers.

I was looking at the 85 as a BUG. Maybe I'll carry my P7M8 as a BUG but it feels...wrong...if your BUG cost more than twice as much as your primary. I shot the thing terribly, grouping a few inches above the bullseye at 7 yards. I shot it weakhand only since if I did get one, I'll carry it weakside.

If for whatever reason I lost my P7M8 I wouldn't mind having this as my BUG, but looking at the size, they're about the same even if the P7M8 is quite a bit heavier.

Sexy gun, perhaps a bit dated considering the size of some of the subcompact 9mms, but has the Beretta mystique if you're into that.

[E357]

I'm with you on the looks of the single stack 85 or 86. You still can get beautiful factory wood. But the weight and blow-back design is a bit dated. And I think that's way you find shooting it a bit snappy for a .380.

Elliot

[CZ-75]

If you want a mid-size BUG, why not a Makarov?

[10-Ring]

you want a mid-size BUG, why not a Makarov?


Because it wouldn't fit in any of Skunk's themes :neener: :D

[Pilot]

I am looking for a Beretta 85 single stack Cheetah for my wife as her primary CCW. We shot a friends Mod. 85 a few weeks ago and she loved it. I found it to be mild shooting, accurate, reliable and well made.

[Skunkabilly]

Because it wouldn't fit in any of Skunk's themes

You caught me red pawed :o

I am looking for a Beretta 85 single stack Cheetah for my wife as her primary CCW.

Get her two so she can be Trintity...tee hee hee!

[Shawn Dodson]

My wife's gun is a Beretta 85 (single stack). It's loaded with Hornady 90gr JHP-XTP, which achieves 1000 fps and expands quite reliably. See http://www.firearmstactical.com/test_data/380acp/hor380-90xtp-b85.htm

Personally I don't like the factory sights and I nearly rip my thumb and index finger off on the manual safety levers when racking the slide.

Recoil is snappy because it's blow back operated instead of recoil operated. Also, the recoil spring is stiffer and operating the slide takes a little more effort.

It's a pretty little gun, but I believe there are better choices in 9mm that are the same size or smaller. However if YOU like it, and it fits YOUR hand, and YOU'RE comforatble with it, then I say go for it!

[Ladybug]

My first gun was the 84 Cheetah (the precurser to the 85 - only diff I think was that it wasn't DA/SA and it had a 13 round mag). I LOVED (I mean really, really, really LOVED) that gun! I think because it was the first gun I really shot a whole bunch, I never knew it had recoil - I just got used to it, and now I really can't tell if a gun has recoil or not. I decided to go with the Cougar .45 instead of the new Cheetah, because I wanted a bigger caliber when I had to replace my old Cheetah... but someday I hope to find another 84 just like the one I had. :(

Good luck!

[amprecon]

Why not consider the Kahr series of pistols?