Looking at Beretta 84 Cheetah
- Thread starter Sportcat
- Start date
Peter M. Eick
New member
Are you refering to the MD84 beretta 380 auto? It looks like a scaled down MD92 beretta?
If so it is a good gun, mine is very reliable, accurate, and easy to clean. You can do some searches on it and also the browning BDA380 (which is the same gun by beretta with a closed slide and few other differences).
With 13 rnd mags it is a reasonable weapon, but it is big for the caliber. I initially carried it then I wanted something thinner. I now use mine for discrete travel where I do not want to risk loosing my P7psp's.
If so it is a good gun, mine is very reliable, accurate, and easy to clean. You can do some searches on it and also the browning BDA380 (which is the same gun by beretta with a closed slide and few other differences).
With 13 rnd mags it is a reasonable weapon, but it is big for the caliber. I initially carried it then I wanted something thinner. I now use mine for discrete travel where I do not want to risk loosing my P7psp's.
I owned one for a long time. They are well made, have decent sights and trigger, and excellent safety features. But it is kind of large and heavy for a .380, and the polymer 9mm's weigh little more. And .380 ammo costs as much or more to shoot as 9mmP.
So if you want a range gun, it's too small and too expensive to shoot a lot and well. And if you want a carry piece, other .380's like the SIG and CZ and Walther are more compact. And there are many choices in 9mm that aren't too much more expensive. So it really depends on what your objective is. But it's a fine weapon.
So if you want a range gun, it's too small and too expensive to shoot a lot and well. And if you want a carry piece, other .380's like the SIG and CZ and Walther are more compact. And there are many choices in 9mm that aren't too much more expensive. So it really depends on what your objective is. But it's a fine weapon.
Blackhorse
New member
bad_dad_brad
New member
The only reason to go with the Cheetah is to pick the model with the tip up barrel. This is strickly for the ladies and the old folks that can not rack the slide properly on one of the current small framed 9mm guns like the Kahr or mini-Glocks.
The .380 is not much better, and sometimes exceeded by the .32 and so, upgrade to the 9mm. The Kahr MP9 totally obsoletes all .380 pistols unless you cannot rack the slide properly. The Cheetah is way overpriced unless you need a tip up barrel.
If your lady cannot rack the slide on a semi-auto, then consider getting her a moderately heavy little revolver like a Ruger SP101. The lady needs a bit of weight to offset recoil and a gun like the SP101 provides that, and can still handle a .357 magnum.
Viva la differance, women, god love them, do not have the upper body strength often necessary to operate properly semi-automatics, unless of course, they work the upper body large muscle groups.
I am probably going to catch some heat for those "sexist comments" but how many women do you see playing in NFL football? Just a fact of life and I want the fairer sex to be protected properly.
The .380 is not much better, and sometimes exceeded by the .32 and so, upgrade to the 9mm. The Kahr MP9 totally obsoletes all .380 pistols unless you cannot rack the slide properly. The Cheetah is way overpriced unless you need a tip up barrel.
If your lady cannot rack the slide on a semi-auto, then consider getting her a moderately heavy little revolver like a Ruger SP101. The lady needs a bit of weight to offset recoil and a gun like the SP101 provides that, and can still handle a .357 magnum.
Viva la differance, women, god love them, do not have the upper body strength often necessary to operate properly semi-automatics, unless of course, they work the upper body large muscle groups.
I am probably going to catch some heat for those "sexist comments" but how many women do you see playing in NFL football? Just a fact of life and I want the fairer sex to be protected properly.
EOD Guy in VA
New member
Before you buy ... consider the SIG P239 if you're looking at a CCW weapon. I have a Beretta Cheetah 85 (it's a fine weapon) and believe it or not, my SIG P239 is actually shorter and thinner, even in .40S&W/.357SIG
Iffen youwant a concealable Beretta, the 8040F mini-Cougar (.40 S&W Cal) is my daily carry piece...it is short gripped, and conceals well... it also comes as the 4085F Mini-Cougar (.45 ACP Cal) and in a 9MM version (possibly the 8000F Mini-Cougar???)
they also sport a longer barrel, so accuracy is good... and you get a caliber that works a bit better for defense...
they also sport a longer barrel, so accuracy is good... and you get a caliber that works a bit better for defense...
I have a Beretta 84. Bought it used for $300. Two 13 round mags (former police backup). I like it. It is a bit big for a .380, and has a surprising amount of felt recoil, but looks good, shoots good and feels good. I have the .380 Bersa for a smaller gun. Thinner, smaller, but only 7 shots. The .380 rounds cost more than the 9mm, so I don't shoot them as much. I have a Browning Hp and CZ BD in 9mm for the range. Both are more accurate than either .380, especially out at 20-25 yds.
I found there is no one perfect gun. There are a whole bunch of great guns. Get a bunch.
I found there is no one perfect gun. There are a whole bunch of great guns. Get a bunch.
MuzzleBlast
New member
This probably won't be particularly helpful, but unless you need a carry piece for deep cover, there is no reason to consider a .380. There are several 9mm guns that are as small or smaller than most .380's, and 9mm guns are (paradoxically) both more powerful and cheaper to feed. There are an overwhelming number of 9mm pistols that would be a better choice for a first gun.
Actually, I generally suggest a .22 revolver for a first gun. They are extremely simple to operate, fun and reasonably accurate, and ammo is dirt cheap. Once you have a good handle on basic marksmanship and safety, find an instructor or experienced shooter to buddy up with, and move up to a 9mm auto. Once you have that mastered, consider post-graduate work with a .45.
Actually, I generally suggest a .22 revolver for a first gun. They are extremely simple to operate, fun and reasonably accurate, and ammo is dirt cheap. Once you have a good handle on basic marksmanship and safety, find an instructor or experienced shooter to buddy up with, and move up to a 9mm auto. Once you have that mastered, consider post-graduate work with a .45.
centralpadoug
New member
Just purchased (and tested) the Beretta Tomcat. This is the .32acp version. Many feel the .32 is "anemic"...nice little gun. While I've only shot 40 rounds through it...I like the feel, the sights, and the very small size.
It will be spending most of the time waiting for me and my fullsize H&K .45 to come home , but there are plenty of times when that is impractical.
My first pistol was a Glock 17...very nice, inexpensive, reliable, easy to clean and shoot (not necessarily in that order).
I looked at .380's but the larger size didn't give me the flexibility I wanted. Waiting for the magical 300 rounds to see if the frame breaks.
Good luck, and have fun!
It will be spending most of the time waiting for me and my fullsize H&K .45 to come home , but there are plenty of times when that is impractical.
My first pistol was a Glock 17...very nice, inexpensive, reliable, easy to clean and shoot (not necessarily in that order).
I looked at .380's but the larger size didn't give me the flexibility I wanted. Waiting for the magical 300 rounds to see if the frame breaks.
Good luck, and have fun!
rugerfreak
New member
I bought one and just finally got around to shooting it---now I'm real close to dumping it.
Nothing wrong with the gun or the quality of the piece or the price and power of the round ---but the recoil---DANG!!!
I have a 9mm that is smaller and lighter that recoils less---I'll have to keep reminding myself never to buy another blow-back pistol when I'm shopping for a replacement.
Its a good gun--just that the blow-back operation makes it a handfull to shoot. Wishing Colt would bring back their little recoil operated .380's in the future.
Nothing wrong with the gun or the quality of the piece or the price and power of the round ---but the recoil---DANG!!!
I have a 9mm that is smaller and lighter that recoils less---I'll have to keep reminding myself never to buy another blow-back pistol when I'm shopping for a replacement.
Its a good gun--just that the blow-back operation makes it a handfull to shoot. Wishing Colt would bring back their little recoil operated .380's in the future.
Peter M. Eick
New member
I understand about the recoil. It is surprising how much the md84 kicks for such a small gun.
On the Colt locked breech guns. I talked to customer service on tuesday (about the gov 380) and they said that at this time there is no plans to make more of them. Also they are now out of barrels and I need to order one from gunparts or another supplier. My Barrel was a bit soft and after many thousands of rounds it is developing a lip on the locking lugs so I thought I would replace it.
On the Colt locked breech guns. I talked to customer service on tuesday (about the gov 380) and they said that at this time there is no plans to make more of them. Also they are now out of barrels and I need to order one from gunparts or another supplier. My Barrel was a bit soft and after many thousands of rounds it is developing a lip on the locking lugs so I thought I would replace it.