Beretta Cheetah .380

They are one of the best blowback-type pistols ever made. My double-stack 84 has been flawlessly reliable with anything Ive fed it-


They are a little snappy for a .380, but less so than a PPK or P230 for example.

$500 seems quite reasonable these days. I saw double-stacks at the gunshow last Sunday with $900 on the sticker!

I think single-stack mags may be hard to come by, though. Something you may want to check on.

The single stack Cheetah .380 is the model 85. My wife has one and loves it. It's very accurate and has run flawlessly. One of the nicest pistols Beretta has ever made IMHO. They are a little snappy on the recoil, more than my Beretta 92FS 9mm. $500 is not a bad price for one in good condition.

Mars51

I had both the double stack Model 84 and the single stack Model 85. Both were extremely well built and had impeccable fit and finish. The guns were very reliable, had decent sights, and the DA and SA triggers on them were smooth and relatively light. I also liked the frame mounted safety. I did think that the Model 84 was a little too wide for CCW but made for an excellent HD gun. Likewise I felt the Model 85 was a bit too big for a .380 but made for a good gun for new shooters transitioning from rimfire pistols to centerfire semi-autos.

I have a double stack 380 (Model 84) and a double stack 32acp (Model 81). They are well-made pistols and good shooters. The surplus 81's are a screaming deal right now. I paid something like $330 for my 84 around four years ago. They are both good pistols that I would recommend.

As mentioned before, the single-stack is the Model 85,,,
I own one and it is a very fine performing gun.

I've put at least a thousand rounds of FMJ through it with no problems,,,
It has more inherent accuracy than I can utilize,,,
And feels like it was molded to my hands.

If you find the slide is difficult to rack,,,
Try cocking the hammer first.

I do think $500.00 is a bit on the high side,,,
I got mine with 2 mags for $399.00.

Aarond

.

I agree the Beretta Cheetah series is first rate. You other folks said it all already so little to add.

I do own a 84,85, and 81.

The price for the gun does seem high though. The surplus 81s are a good bet, but mine is new.

Mars5l said:

Anyone own one, personal opinions? LGS has a used, Probably a little on the high side at about $500. It looked fairly nice like it was a newer made one and not an older surplus model. It was a single stack .380. I loved the looks and how it felt in my hand. They had Browning model next to it that was a double stack, felt to fat in my hand. Just thought about putting $100 and save it for myself in lay away


That or put a used Dan Wesson Valor 1911 away...

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I bought one, which I still have, about 12 years ago or more. Mine is in satin nickel with factory wood grips. It is is the single stack version of the Beretta 84. Some may consider it a bit old fashioned in that it's a bit larger than most of the newer .380 ACP pistols, and perhaps even about the same size of some of the recent "microcompact" 9mmPs. But like all Berettas I've owned, it's an excellent gun, accurate, reliable and safe. Just my two cents worth of personal opinion.

I found the CHEETAH series to be among the most reliable, accurate and easy to shoot pistols in .32ACP and .380ACP. The one exception is the model 86, with the tip up barrel. Mine was completely unreliable.

The biggest complaint was that when new, they sometimes could be hard to reassemble. I would disassemble (take the slide off) the pistol before I bought it and then reassemble it. If you have no problems, the go for it. It is a very nice pistol.

Jim

PSA is selling the Beretta 85BB for $379.99.
https://palmettostatearmory.com/beretta-m85bb-380-acp-pistol-surplus-used-condition-black-m85.html

I purchased a Model 84 around 1980. It has been as reliable as a light switch with just about anything I've fed it.

I guess they're OK, I mean, I've had one or the Browning BDA 380 since about 1980. Right now, I have a very ugly surplus BDA 380, a really nice 84BB, a great looking 85, and a shockingly decent 81. All are surplus, and function flawlessly, like every other one I've had. The best 380 pistols in existence, IMHO.

Mars5l said:

I know times change but looks like Classic Firearms had surplus .32 auto for $210. Came across one on armslist while seeing what they are going for now. Found an out of state ad for one of those Classic Firearms for $200. Wish it was closer.

I'll look at mags for sure

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I bought one in .380 from Classic recently.

I passed on the ‘handpicked’ and still got an excellent example – doesn’t look used at all.

Put about 80 trouble-free rounds through it last weekend.

I bought a 911 .380 for when I walk at night because it was very light and I could used it in my warm ups without a belt. But lately I've been looking at the double stack Beretta and the more I look at it the more I fall in love with it. I might end up getting one for no reason other than it is your fault for adding fuel to the fire.

While probably a great shooter, my only gripe would be ammo cost and availibility.

To me, this is where the .380 ACP shines...

GR

I have a high opinion of the Beretta Cheetah , especially the single stack 85. Mine was a one owner , with box type of deal , price was up there in the range you are considering.

Sweet shooting , stylish pistol.
Good luck to you.

It would be interesting to see how the Browning BDA 380 stacks up against the Beretta Model 84. While basically the same pistol there are some differences.

I'll have to keep my eyes out for one.

cfullgraf said:

It would be interesting to see how the Browning BDA 380 stacks up against the Beretta Model 84. While basically the same pistol there are some differences.

I'll have to keep my eyes out for one.

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Both of my BDA 380's were/are as flawless as my 84's and 85's have been. The one looks very bad, a lot of pits, and not much blue left, but is a great shooter. Only mod I did on both was remove the mag safeties. I would have guessed that the closed slide would make some difference, but the only jams or any other problems I had with any of them was due to defective ammo.

Mars51 -
I have a Beretta in .32 , surplus from Classic. Condition & price both excellent.
That entire lot of Italian law enforcement surplus has been of high condition; mine appears unissued.

Regarding the BDA , I had one but traded it due to the bulk of the grip (double stack). Also , I have a strong affinity for the Beretta open slide. As far as quality goes , the BDA was right up there.

My 84F was bought in a whim, when Israeli surplus versions were $275.
After a trip to the range, I knew I would never sell it. I don't have any problem carrying it iwb, so the comfy double stack grip is no issue.
While I have other, more powerful CCW pistols, I feel pretty well armed with 14 Underwood +P XTP's. This 84f has been 100% reliable, and is very accurate at 25yds.

Classic Firearms has them for $379 as well.