Beretta 84 - Ultimate Trail Companion?

The 380 worked in Texas,,,

Didn't their governor kill a coyote when it threatened his dog?

If memory serves me correctly,,,
It was a Ruger LCP.

Hey I own a Model 87 (.22) and a Model 85 (.380),,,
Nothing about the .380 screams trail gun,,,
Even though I love the little Beretta.

But if the article is the rationale to buy one,,,
Go for it my friend.

Aarond

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I love my 84, wouldn't trade it away, and would prefer it to having to use a sharp stick -- but given that you can get a 9mm in pretty much the same size the .380 is not what I'd choose as a woods companion. Actually, these days you can get a .40 or maybe .45 in about the same size.

I have the Browning BDA version and really like it. I wouldn't consider it a trail gun but if it helps you buy another one then I will go along.

^^^all the reason you need, right there.

I have a Beretta M85FS (single stack version of the 84). I carry it as a woods gun for hikes sometimes, but more often my 9MM CZ PCR comes with me. The Beretta isn't going anywhere though. Its a great pistol.

I have a Beretta 84 and love it. But a Glock 19 is about the same size, less likely to get messed up in the woods, and shoots a better cartridge.

Plus I just love the look of them!

Click to expand...

No better reason is needed,,,
If your family is fed, clothed, and housed,,,
Buy the gun because you want it and don't look back.

Aarond

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Go ahead and buy it. It's a very nice gun.
Besides, you can always load it with Buffalo Bore +P ammo, if you decide standard ammo isn't good enough.
I think the .380 gets a bad rap. I like it. I often carry a 9x18 Makarov or CZ82. The 9x18 is a LITTLE more powerful than the .380, but not a lot.
Funny how "it's all about shot placement" until it comes to carrying a .32 or .380, both of which are fantastically accurate rounds. Then, it's all about carrying something more powerful.

I like the beretta 84, but

I really like the BERETTA CHEETAH series which includes the model 84 and think it would be fine for feral dogs, coyotes and two legged snakes if needed. I just wonder if the .380ACP round would be able to handle a hog? How big a pig are you thinking off?

You may want to invest in the COR BON DPX ammo with the monolithic hollow point to get expansion and penetration on the pigs.

Jim

It wouldn't be my first choice for hogs. Maybe a hot, hardcast slug into the brain stem.

I had both a Beretta Model 84 and Model 85 but never really considered them as being ultimate trail companions. Kind of thought they were even a bit on the large side for CCW so I basically kept them around for home defense use.

When I think of a particular Beretta as my ultimate trail companion the one that always comes to mind is my Model 70S. Relatively compact for a medium frame auto, and not all that heavy even though it's all steel, it's easy to carry, very accurate, and extremely reliable.

Why would a .380 be considered for a trail gun??
If you have to wear a suit or shorts and tee shirt .380 is Great! I've be thrashed on this board for advocating .380, but if you're out in the woods not having to conceal, why shot twice? Carry a Colt 1911 .45!!!

Not for me. Not by a long shot.
In the same size class, I'd rather carry a CZ82. Slightly more powerful round, and a gun cheap enough that I won't cry if I get it boogered up somehow in the woods.

That being said, I'd still prefer something like a Ruger SP101 3" in .357mag if I had a chance of encounters with hogs. I'd also happily take a good .40S&W loaded with 180gr HST or similar.
I just can't justify a .380, especially not one of that size and weight, for a woods gun.

I had an 84FS Inox, currently have a CZ83 two tone (same class of firearm).

Both fine guns, I wouldn't consider them to be ideal as "trail companions". Both are quite large as .380s go, and a locked-breech 9x19mm of similar size will be more mild in the recoil department whilst firing the more powerful cartridge.

My "perfect trail companion" these days is either my G20 or CA Bulldog Pug .44 Spl. The large .380s like the 84 FS, CZ83, P232, etc. are perfect range companions.

The Tanfoglio FT-9 - ULTIMATE TRAIL GUN

There I said it...

For a trail gun, you need something to deal with whatever you have to shoot. The best trail gun, in my opinion, is a .22. I've taken lots of small game while hiking. If I need more than that, I carry a big bore revolver -- in my case, usually a Colt New Service in .45 Colt.

Get a 10mm or bigger for the trail. Here's why:

Warning, graphic!


http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=b04_1337719658

I don't think I'd qualify a 380 as the "ultimate" trail companion. IMHO you need a little more power to handle any trail job/situation to be the ultimate.
But for many places in the lower 48 I'm perfectly content with a 22lr, although I will still have a snub 38 in my pocket.

Just when you think handguns can't get any uglier.....

I can't imagine why anyone writing an article about survival would even consider the 380. I learned at an early age to train for the 5% scenarios, sooner or later one will find themselves in a 5% situation.

I've had a few feral dog pack encounters and been charged a few times too by pit bull breeds. I seriously doubt the 380 will give hammer of Thor performance when there's only time to shoot one shot, that's of course if you are able to get a quick draw.

The caliber of choice for a "trail gun" depends on what "wildlife" you expect to run across.

If you are hiking trails in the Ouachitas, Ozarks, pine woods of Louisiana or Hill Country of Texas, its much more likely the most dangerous animal you'll come across is another human. Cougars, coyotes, feral hogs are possible but will typically head the other way.
I would feel perfectly safe with a .22 kit gun, Glock 26 or Ruger LCP.

The Beretta 84 is a fine and beautiful handgun..........but it almost makes me want to laugh that it was being touted as a trail gun. Kinda like advocating a Lexus as an off road vehicle. Sure, you can do it...but there are more appropriate choices.

In Alaska, that trail gun better be 10mm, 44mag or even better a rifle. Of course a .22 round to your buddies foot or leg will allow you to escape most any bear.


A snake lying in the trail? Go around him.
If you feel the need to obliterate him to prove it's your trail....use a stick or big rock, its quiet and costs nothing. A good 5ft hiking stick is my favorite trail tool and I've used one several times to nudge a snake out of my way. When I was younger I followed the theory of SNAKE! OMG! KILL IT! SHOOT IT! BURN IT WITH FIRE! If I'm traveling through HIS territory, he lives.
(not applicable to serpents that find their way into MY yard...they're DRT)