Beretta 84 questions

C

carguychris

New member
Howdy all,

I've recently been bitten by the Beretta 84/85 bug after testing one at my local indoor range. Wow, what an accurate and fun-to-shoot pistol. :cool:

I've now put an 84 on my shopping list, but can't swing the ~$700 price tag for a new one. However, used ones seem fairly plentiful, which brings me to the questions.

1) What's the difference between the 84, 84BB, 84F, and 84FS?

2) Is it correct that all of them use the same magazines?

3) Any tips on what to watch out for?

Thanks!
 
I've had a Beretta Model 84 BB for years and it is by far one of my favorite pistols. It is a pleasure to shoot and very accurate. I put some soft rubber grips on it a couple of years ago and really like the feel. The thing has never failed or jambed on me in any way. I especially appreciate the 14-shot capacity. I would say to get one for yourself as soon as you can put your hands on one. I have no idea what all the different suffixes mean. I think with mine the "BB" stands for "blue on blue", or black on black if you will.

beretta 84_01.jpg

beretta 84_02.jpg
 
Haha, I have the same illness. There are other guns I'm going to get first, but I've been unable to shake the strange infatuation I've had with the pistol for many years. I'm not a big fan of the .380 in anything but the pocket guns, but I still want an 84FS.

I think it's one of the very most beautiful pistols ever made and the finest .380 in production. So well-made and so accurate. I usually shoot my brother's 84FS when I visit him and his family, and I think long and hard about picking one up every time I get back home. It's just damn fun to shoot.

I don't know every difference among the different models, but I (think I) know a little.

(1) The 84 obviously came first. I think the BB model was the first upgrade, and it came with the internal firing pin safety. The 84FS is the current model, and it introduced a decocker and the squared-off, M9-like triggerguard. I don't know what distinguishes the 84F from the others. I want to say that the 84FS was the first model with the Bruniton finish of the 92FS/M9 instead of a blued finish, but I could be completely wrong about that.

(2) The magazines are interchangeable among all models.
 
I want the Model 87 first,,,

I love high quality handguns chambered for the .22 LR cartridge.

Especially when the same handgun has a centerfire companion.

I do agree that this is one of the prettiest handguns ever manufactured.

I'll get one as soon as I pay of my CZ-75B Kadet.

.
 
The 84f has a flaw in the safety in that the lever can be raised to a "half safe" level that does not engage the hammer block. The 84fs is the solution to the safety problem.

Read here;
http://berettausa.custhelp.com/cgi-...nNlYXJjaF9ubCZwX3BhZ2U9MQ**&p_li=&p_topview=1

Otherwise the three models, BB, f and fs are very similar. Small things like sights and grip panels are a little different in the earlier BB. There is a guide rod change in there at some point. Mags all interchange. The only difference I've ever noted in the mags are in the base plate shape in the front.

What is the two letter date code on the right side trigger guard? I didn't think the model f came in the Brunition finish.
 
OK, from what's been posted so far, I gather that the 84F and 84FS have decockers and the earlier models don't. Is this correct?

FWIW I prefer to carry DA/SA pistols DA with the safety off, so the inability to carry cocked-and-locked is not a deal killer.
 
I know this is an old thread but I just purchased an original 84 Cheetah and I am looking for a new recoil spring. I know that there was an engineering change in the diameter of the guide rod, so I am just inquiring as to how to determine the correct replacement recoil spring.

The gun is a first version 84 (no letter).
 
^^^^Although you can find this in the link ferrarif1fan posted, the short answer is that the guide rod diameter increased with the BB version.

Also, I bought an 84BB between the time of the first post and now, and I love it. :D
 
I can't find it now, but I recall seeing a comprehensive chart that compared the variety of Beretta Series 80 pistols that have been chambered in .22 LR, .32 Auto, or .380 Auto.
 
^^^ The comprehensive chart is found in Post #10 of the Beretta Series 81 FAQ linked in mesinge2 and ferrarif1fan's posts. :D

Also, these pistols were originally known as the Series 81 (not 80) because the Beretta 80 was a rimfire target pistol of unrelated, distinct, and unique design. However, many folks in the shooting community—along with later literature from Beretta and its distributors—have subsequently confused the matter by persistently using the term "Series 80". :rolleyes:
 
The 84, 84B and 84BB all have a round trigger guard. Both 84F and 84FS have the squared trigger guard, with the addition of a chrome plated barrel and chamber… it is the only model that I know of 'with' the Bruniton finish. All 84 models have a double stack 13 round magazine.

As someone has already mentioned the difference between the 84F and FS models is the improved 'safer' safety.

I just recently traded my 84F in good condition for a GP100, which I recieved $480 for a twenty year old gun purchased for around $400 back in 95.

One thing about the 84's, they have a very heavy slide spring that does make it somewhat of a task for some people to cycle the slide.
 
carguy,

The comprehensive chart is found in Post #10 of the Beretta Series 81 FAQ linked in mesinge2 and ferrarif1fan's posts.
Click to expand...

Thanks. That's a nifty chart.

The used handgun market is flush with Beretta 84s right now. Supposedly a dump from Israel's law enforcement and corrections industry. Most are well worn cosmetically, but they can be refinished beautifully. Here are a couple of examples from Easton Firearms Refinishing:

An 84 BB in bronze and black
http://eastonfirearmsrefinishing.com/Gallery/photo/373/1.high.jpg

An 84 F in midnight blue
http://eastonfirearmsrefinishing.com/Gallery/photo/216/1.high.jpg
 
Feeling the years.
Interesting all the info on the 81 series. I got my 84W way back in 1977 sr # B0509x. Beautiful blue and it has a smooth wood grip. Never have shot mine. Back then it was hard to find an extra mag for it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top