Beretta 87 Cheetah

Do any of you own one? Are they any good? Gunbroker only has one listed, starting at $800. There's a guy locally who has one for $500.

http://cdn2.armslist.com/sites/armslist/uploads/posts/2013/02/26/1143850_01_beretta_87_22lr_640.jpg

I have never personally owned one but have had the opportunity to handle and fire one.
Accuracy was so-so, the pistol is large for the caliber but comfortable in the hand.
Magazines are a big issue with discontinued Beretta products, as in they can be almost impossible to find and expensive when you do.
For eight bills I would look for a Smith and Wesson Model 41and for five hundred you can do better with a Browning or Ruger top of the line model over one of the Beretta 87s. HTH

My daughter wanted a pistol she could carry just about any way so we went to the range that rented guns and she tried some, and choose the cheetah. It fit her hand, and she shot very acceptable groups first try. She does have a lot of trouble racking it, but I didn't teach her the proper way. (my bad!) when she comes up from Oklahoma this summer, I will fix that. It's a good pistol. I paid about $700 for it, at a large gunshop in Oklahoma City.

I've had one for a couple years. It just feels like quality when you hold it. I have other 22s that are probably more "accurate" but my 87 is perfectly acceptable. Will cycle just about any ammo I've put through it. I paid $500 for mine (used) at a gun show. I think $800 seems a bit steep to me. Aside from the price its a great gun.

Magazines are a big issue with discontinued Beretta products

I thought Beretta still made the 87.

??

$800 is more than I'd go, even though it's a great gun. At $500, I'd think about it real hard. Tough to beat a world class .22lr for fun.

Beretta is still showing Model 87 magazines available for $48.50 for one or $39.00 each for two or more.
Pricey even at discount.

The 87 target has a big rubber bumper on the bottom, they will work & look goofy too.
Fortunate or unfortunate, these are out of stock.

Forgot the link!
http://www.berettausa.com/products/87-magazine-22lr-8-rds/

I thought the cheetahs were .380? No?

No, the trigger sucks terribly for what should be a target gun (at least in regards to the 87T)

I thought the cheetahs were .380? No?

The "Cheetah" stems from the 81 series, of which there are numerous models. Currently made in .22lr and .380, but also chambered in .32acp in past models

For $500? Buy now. $800 is a bit much. A Beretta 87 isn't as neat as a .22 PPK/S, but it's nice gun nevertheless.

Magazines are a big issue with discontinued Beretta products

It's not a discontinued gun.

I love my Model 87 & 85 Cheetahs,,,
But it's kind of like loving an Italian sports car,,,
They are danged pricey ($700.00 or more) but run very well.

To tell you the truth, the Bersa Thunder 22 (http://www.bersa.com/bersa-firearms/thunder-series.html), that I also own,,,
Is just as accurate and dependable as my Beretta 87,,,
And it can be had for less than half the price.

I'm not knocking the Beretta 87,,,
I'm just knocking the price of the dang thing,,,
I bought mine (and an 85BB) because I have a thing for Beretta's.

Buy both a Thunder 22 and a Thunder 380 for what you would pay for one Beretta,,,
Then you have a matched pair with the Thunder 22 for cheap practice,,,
And the Thunder 380 for dependable defensive carry.

There is nothing the Beretta can do that the Bersa can't do just as well or better,,,
And with the Bersa you get a decocker that the Beretta is lacking.

Just my not-so-humble opinion,,,

Aarond

.

The Model 87 Cheetah is a discontinued item, at least in the states.
Beretta still lists the monstrously monstrous Model 87 Target and yes, it is still overly expensive.
http://www.berettausa.com/products/87-target-22lr/

What MIKE OTDP said; for $500 buy it now. It'll always be worth that in resale if you decide you don't like it. But really, this is an heirloom pistol, suitable for passage down the generations.

It's a quality pistol, well made, and solid, but not as accurate as a Ruger Mark III or Buckmark, for instance. I'd put it the category as a Ruger SR22P for accuracy.

Love my 84 in 380 and the 87 is one of my "grail guns". I would jump on $500 ($800 is too much imho)

It's not a discontinued gun.

I love my Model 87 & 85 Cheetahs,,,
But it's kind of like loving an Italian sports car,,,
They are danged pricey ($700.00 or more) but run very well.

To tell you the truth, the Bersa Thunder 22 (http://www.bersa.com/bersa-firearms/thunder-series.html), that I also own,,,
Is just as accurate and dependable as my Beretta 87,,,
And it can be had for less than half the price.

I'm not knocking the Beretta 87,,,
I'm just knocking the price of the dang thing,,,
I bought mine (and an 85BB) because I have a thing for Beretta's.

Buy both a Thunder 22 and a Thunder 380 for what you would pay for one Beretta,,,
Then you have a matched pair with the Thunder 22 for cheap practice,,,
And the Thunder 380 for dependable defensive carry.

There is nothing the Beretta can do that the Bersa can't do just as well or better,,,
And with the Bersa you get a decocker that the Beretta is lacking.

Just my not-so-humble opinion,,,

Aarond

.
I have been wanting a Thunder 22. Does yours like the cheap ammo?

I've had a Beretta 87BB for about 15 years and like it very much. I suspect the one mentioned earlier that's hard to rack wasn't an 87 shooting the 22 long rifle - they are very, very easy.

I bought it initially as a cheap way to practice both single action shooting and DA/SA, as it functions either cocked and safe or with hammer down double action followed by single action. I sold my DA/SA 9mm pistols, but kept this one. Basically, it's a great feeling piece and I can't imagine selling it.

Its slide feels very smooth and the the whole piece just exudes quality. It's tight, but it has never malfunctioned. I don't shoot targets with it, so I have no idea how accurate it is - it's plenty accurate for the way I use it.

I think if it has a fault it's that it's somewhat hard to reassemble after a very easy field strip - at least until you get the hang of it. It's a quality piece and likely to maintain its value well in the future.

Good luck with your choice.

Get you a Makarov pistol.