Beretta 84. Worth it?
- Thread starter .38Catt
- Start date
In .380ACP, the new Browning 1911 interests me.
Locked breech.
18 oz.
4" barrel.
7" long.
MSRP of $670...... should be less when it hits the street.
http://www.browning.com/products/interactive/firearms/1911-380/
Locked breech.
18 oz.
4" barrel.
7" long.
MSRP of $670...... should be less when it hits the street.
http://www.browning.com/products/interactive/firearms/1911-380/
aarondhgraham
New member
I dunno if it's worth $750.00,,,
I dunno if it's worth $750.00,,,
Because "worth" is such a subjective thing.
I paid $385 for a used Model 85 (single-stack),,,
I consider it to be one of the best purchases I've ever made.
It eventually led to me buying the Model 87 in .22 LR,,,
I paid $650.00 for a brand spanking new one,,,
It hurt when I first signed the check,,,
But I've never regretted the buy.
This is only my layman's opinion,,,
But I believe the Cheetah 84 or 85 is the finest .380 I know of.
Aarond
.
I dunno if it's worth $750.00,,,
Because "worth" is such a subjective thing.
I paid $385 for a used Model 85 (single-stack),,,
I consider it to be one of the best purchases I've ever made.
It eventually led to me buying the Model 87 in .22 LR,,,
I paid $650.00 for a brand spanking new one,,,
It hurt when I first signed the check,,,
But I've never regretted the buy.
This is only my layman's opinion,,,
But I believe the Cheetah 84 or 85 is the finest .380 I know of.
Aarond
.
Walt Sherrill
New member
jimbob86 said:
The .380 ACP round is not 9x19 or 9mm Parabellum, to be sure, but it arguably is 9mm. Ammo naming conventions confuse things.
Wikipedia states the following -- I added the underlining and bold for emphasis:
The .380 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol) pistol cartridge is a rimless, straight-walled pistol cartridge developed by firearms designer John Browning. The cartridge headspaces on the mouth of the case. It was introduced in 1908 by Colt, and has been a popular self-defense cartridge ever since. Other names for .380 ACP include .380 Auto, 9mm Browning, 9mm Corto, 9mm Kurz, 9mm Short, 9×17mm and 9 mm Browning Court (which is the C.I.P. designation). It is not to be confused with .38 ACP, 9mm Ultra, 9mm Makarov or 9mm Parabellum.
Other reference sources (like the FJestad Blue Book of Gun Values) say that the 84 and 85 weigh 23 and 22 ounces respectively -- not exactly 20 ounces, but arguably about 20 ounces.
I got an 84BB a couple of months ago. I only paid $233 for it. The grips were cracked, it had no magazine, and the finish was worn.
It took me about five minutes to find and order a set of inexpensive used grips on eBay. Finding and ordering two brand-new magazines took maybe ten.
When everything arrived the grips and magazines fit fine with no problems. I have taken it to the range a few times and shot maybe 200 rounds through it. There have been no malfunctions.
I would call it medium-sized. It looks like a Model 92 reduced down to 2/3 the regular size. It does not fill my extra-large hands like a 92, but it is obviously too big to be a pocket pistol. The trigger is very smooth. The sights are decent but not great. The recoil is lighter than other 380's I have shot. I would rate it above average for accuracy.
Overall I am pleased with my purchase. It is reliable, accurate, and reasonably pleasant to shoot. It is blowback and has an alloy frame: the recoil isn't bad at all, but still more than my wife, daughter, and MiL prefer. My next handgun purchase will be a steel locked-breech 380 roughly the same size. I am thinking that will be the 380 that they will finally enjoy shooting.
So, I like it and am glad I bought it... for $233. I would have to give $750 a lot of thought.
It took me about five minutes to find and order a set of inexpensive used grips on eBay. Finding and ordering two brand-new magazines took maybe ten.
When everything arrived the grips and magazines fit fine with no problems. I have taken it to the range a few times and shot maybe 200 rounds through it. There have been no malfunctions.
I would call it medium-sized. It looks like a Model 92 reduced down to 2/3 the regular size. It does not fill my extra-large hands like a 92, but it is obviously too big to be a pocket pistol. The trigger is very smooth. The sights are decent but not great. The recoil is lighter than other 380's I have shot. I would rate it above average for accuracy.
Overall I am pleased with my purchase. It is reliable, accurate, and reasonably pleasant to shoot. It is blowback and has an alloy frame: the recoil isn't bad at all, but still more than my wife, daughter, and MiL prefer. My next handgun purchase will be a steel locked-breech 380 roughly the same size. I am thinking that will be the 380 that they will finally enjoy shooting.
So, I like it and am glad I bought it... for $233. I would have to give $750 a lot of thought.
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Adventurer 2
New member
I'd always been on the fence on buying an 84. The price was holding me back. I finally bought one. I don't think it is worth the new price but I won't get rid of mine and I would buy it again. The blowback recoil seems a little more than my locked breech Mustang pocket-lite. The wide grip and heft make it easy to shoot well.
We all have our individual preferences and differences of opinions. Just because some of us like one thing that others do not care for the same does not mean we are incorrect in our desires. Now, if one can point out faults in our thinking such as reliability issues, poor customer service, poor quality and etc. then it is another matter.
In my experience and to the best of my knowledge, the Beretta Cheetah does suffer from any of the above issues.
In my experience and to the best of my knowledge, the Beretta Cheetah does suffer from any of the above issues.
carguychris
New member
Since I generally like to contribute when the Series 81 is discussed, I'll put my $0.02 in.
I find the 84 to be a really accurate pistol that feels great in the hand, points wonderfully, has reasonable felt recoil, is very reliable, has a nice SA trigger, and looks really sharp.
However, some people dislike the sharp recoil impulse, aftermarket support is limited, the DA trigger is a bit stiff (although I can shoot it really well), and the slide is difficult to operate due to the combination of a stiff recoil spring and limited grasping surface. I've found that my particular pistol is sensitive to limp-wristing, although this isn't an issue when I shoot it. It sometimes jams on WWB FMJ ammo, but I've attributed this to the unique truncated-cone bullet shape, and it runs great on virtually anything else. Finally, I hate the ugly matte black Bruniton finish on the new ones; I greatly prefer the gorgeous blued finish on the old ones. (This criticism applies to the recent-production 92/96 as well.
)
In terms to carry, the pistol is certainly not large, but there's no way to gloss over the fact that it's virtually equal in weight and size to several new tactical plastic designs with almost equal capacity. My own tests reveal that its length and height are within a fraction of an inch of a S&W M&P9c, it only weighs about 1oz less loaded, and it's wider across the thumb safeties. I'd prefer to carry the more powerful and cheaper M&P9c.
In terms of value, at $750, I place it in the same category as new $900 S&W N frames: really nice, but just not worth the asking price, and I'll shop the used gun counter instead.
I find the 84 to be a really accurate pistol that feels great in the hand, points wonderfully, has reasonable felt recoil, is very reliable, has a nice SA trigger, and looks really sharp.
However, some people dislike the sharp recoil impulse, aftermarket support is limited, the DA trigger is a bit stiff (although I can shoot it really well), and the slide is difficult to operate due to the combination of a stiff recoil spring and limited grasping surface. I've found that my particular pistol is sensitive to limp-wristing, although this isn't an issue when I shoot it. It sometimes jams on WWB FMJ ammo, but I've attributed this to the unique truncated-cone bullet shape, and it runs great on virtually anything else. Finally, I hate the ugly matte black Bruniton finish on the new ones; I greatly prefer the gorgeous blued finish on the old ones. (This criticism applies to the recent-production 92/96 as well.
)In terms to carry, the pistol is certainly not large, but there's no way to gloss over the fact that it's virtually equal in weight and size to several new tactical plastic designs with almost equal capacity. My own tests reveal that its length and height are within a fraction of an inch of a S&W M&P9c, it only weighs about 1oz less loaded, and it's wider across the thumb safeties. I'd prefer to carry the more powerful and cheaper M&P9c.
In terms of value, at $750, I place it in the same category as new $900 S&W N frames: really nice, but just not worth the asking price, and I'll shop the used gun counter instead.
"The 84 is high on my list of guns to buy, but I wasn't planning on buying it new, and definitely not for $750. I was going to get a used one from Gunbroker for a max $300 (search for CDI Sales), then refinish it for another $200-$300."
This can end up costing upward of 500.00.
I found one 84 in great condition for 449.00. Picking it up this Thursday and will post pictures.
This can end up costing upward of 500.00.
I found one 84 in great condition for 449.00. Picking it up this Thursday and will post pictures.
My own 84f came from CDI for less than $300, looks about 95% condition, and shoots great.
I bought it more as an investment, but after I shot it, I found I really like it.
Even though I have a G26 I like a lot and shoot very well, I often have the 84F in my belt.
I really don't feel underarmed with 14 rounds of Hydrashok or Gold Dot in a compact, reliable and accurate pistol
I bought it more as an investment, but after I shot it, I found I really like it.
Even though I have a G26 I like a lot and shoot very well, I often have the 84F in my belt.
I really don't feel underarmed with 14 rounds of Hydrashok or Gold Dot in a compact, reliable and accurate pistol
I've had an 85FS for over ten years that I often carry. It is one of the best .380's on the market. Well made, accurate, and reliable, and the safety works in the proper direction, and is frame mounted unlike the 92FS. I highly recommend them. Yes they are expensive for a .380, but worth it.
I've a M84W I got in 1977 for $230 when they first came out on a whim. Smooth wood grip-no logo and no finger grip on front of the trigger guard, SR # B 05097Y. It only came with 1 mag back them and over the years I picked up a second. Weren't a whole lot of choices. The 25ACP pistols were the pocket guns back then. Smallest 9MM was the Star.
It is Still a virgin.
It is Still a virgin.
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They are great guns but not worth $750. Look at the used market I sold a nickel plated one LNIB years ago for a lot less than $750. They are sort of out of favor these days. 380 auto trend is small not big like the 84s.
Keep an eye on the used market.
They are super soft shooter and extremely accurate. If you can get LNIB aone at the right price IMHO under $500 get it! I sold mine because I don't shoot 380 auto anymore. Too many calibers. If I still shot 380 auto I would have kept it!
Keep an eye on the used market.
They are super soft shooter and extremely accurate. If you can get LNIB aone at the right price IMHO under $500 get it! I sold mine because I don't shoot 380 auto anymore. Too many calibers. If I still shot 380 auto I would have kept it!