Beretta 86 Cheetah w/ tip-up barrel

[Anna's Dad]

From what I've read, Beretta released the model 86 Cheetah (not even sure it was called that then) in 1986 to have the tip-up barrel that is still in use on the Bobcat and Tomcat guns. In most other respects, it was the same as the model 85.

It appears, however, that the model 86 is no longer on Beretta's site. The model 85 is still shown. I'm assuming this means that the model 86 is no longer being manufactured.

I really like the tip-up barrel in my Tomcat and am interested in the 86 Cheetah because of that feature. If it is no longer made, does anyone know why? Were there problems with the tip-up design on the .380 that don't exist on their .32 and .22 guns?

Thanks for any info.

 

[Shear_stress]

Just a guess, but I assume that there just wasn't much demand for a unique and beautifully made but fairly large, expensive, and low-capacity .380 pistol. I still have my eyes out for one. It's a good gun for folks who have trouble racking the slides of other semi-autos.

 

[Shipwreck]

I looked for a new one for almost 2 years. Then, I lost interest. SInce then, I have seen new ones for sale at 2 separate gunshows - but each time, I had the money spoken for on another gun I wanted more.

Yes, they were discontinued a few years ago.

 

[Lonestar49]

Maybe an 84

...

Hey SR,

There is one at my local gun shop that I was eyeing for a long time. I didn't choose it, but the Sig P232 SL 380, as it was a gift, first gun, for my wife, and the safety decocker was very hard to use, vs the Sigs decocker only, located on the frame, where one can decock without sacrificing ones 2-hand grip.

It's an 84, 10 round (Calif) 380, and it is Black, and has the wide stock black grips, (I think for the doublestack mag) which you could increase in your neck of the woods. It IS a beautiful work of Art IMO, and I think it is just under or around 600 bucks NIB.

Pretty sure the barrel does not tilt up on this model.

Could pick it up for you or give you phone number, let me know.




LS

 

[wally]

Last new ones I saw were close to $600, an awful lot of money for a large .380ACP gun. I balked at the $450 I paid for the one I got my wife, but it got her the CHL so it was worth it. She could not reliably rack the slide on any of my autos, so the tip up barrel solved the loading/unloading issue for her.

They are sweet shooters.

--wally.