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Old September 25, 2012, 12:56 PM   #1
mach1.3
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Beretta Cheetah 84FS .380....

Have come across a used Cheetah 84FS at the local pawn shop and really like it. The grips are hardwood and the finish is blued. Seems to be in very good shape and doesn't look to have been shot much. The trigger seems to break nicely and the reach for me is v. good in DA or SA. Comes with 2-13 rds. mags. Is priced in mid $400s. Any thoughts on this gun? Reliability issues? I've been looking for a high capacity .380 because the thicker grip sits better in my hand. I've also looked at the Baby Eagle II subcompact in 9mm. I have an MP9c that I like but I want a weapon with a manual safety and decocker for CCW.
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Old September 25, 2012, 01:15 PM   #2
aarondhgraham
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Luvs my Cheetah(s),,,

I paid $400.00 plus tax for a Model 85 with 2 mags,,,
I feel I got my money's worth very nicely.

Granted there are other .380 semi's out there that are a bit smaller,,,
But the Cheetah's are no bigger than a Walther PPK,,,
Not a pocket pistol by any means,,,
But a very reliable shooter.

So to answer your question,,,
If it's the gun you want,,,
$450 is a good price.

Aarond

.
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Old September 25, 2012, 01:32 PM   #3
mach1.3
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Thanks Aarond. It's a beautiful gun and the larger grip/capacity appeals to me.

I've had Walther PPK/S in .380 and a Bersa but didn't care for the integral barrel/frame design and the narrow grip was great for concealability but harsher on the recoil.
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Old September 25, 2012, 01:56 PM   #4
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IMHO the Beretta Cheetahs are great pistols; they're reportedly very reliable, and the ones I've shot were extremely accurate and had great triggers. Their primary drawback is that they were clearly designed as a service sidearm rather than for CCW, so they're relatively large and heavy for a .380, and have lots of snag-prone exterior protrusions. Their size and weight overlaps numerous newer designs chambered for the harder-hitting 9mm Luger.

FWIW if you're not hung up about condition, Cole Distributing has a whole stack of Model 84's on GB for ~$200-$300 under the seller name "gcolecoledist". These are either Israeli or European police surplus- depending on who you ask- and are generally rough cosmetically but good mechanically.

Be aware that the original no-suffix Model 84, the 84B, and the 84BB have no decocker; they have a non-decocking "cocked and locked" safety.

FWIW have you thought about something like a S&W Model 6906? It's similar in size and weight to the 84, but holds 12rds of 9mm Luger, and has an external hammer and ambidextrous decocker/safety. Best of all, they're widely available for $300-$350.
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Old September 25, 2012, 02:55 PM   #5
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My wife has an 85FS, excellent gun. Very accurate. I almost bought myself an 84FS but I rented one and when I was shooting it the trigger would smack the crap out of my trigger finger. The 85FS does the same thing but it doesn't happen with the wife. I think the gun is just a little too small for my hand. Just something to keep in mind. You may not have a problem with it. If the gun you're looking at is in good shape the $400 asking price is a good price. I meant to say the trigger guard is what smacks my trigger finger!!!

Last edited by labhound; September 25, 2012 at 10:41 PM.
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Old September 25, 2012, 03:25 PM   #6
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Love mine and that is a very fair price, if it is in good condition. It is a wonderfuly made gun. Mine has been 100% reliable and is very accurate. If you want it go for it
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Old September 25, 2012, 07:06 PM   #7
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Quote:
I've had Walther PPK/S in .380 and a Bersa but didn't care for the integral barrel/frame design
You do realize that the Beretta barrel, while not fixed, is locked in place, and the gun operates the same as the Walther and Bersa.

Other than that comment, my only response is positive towards the Beretta. Are you sure it's blued or is it Bruniton? Most blued Berettas are the older models.

I've owned several of these and am a very big fan. I shoot the Beretta well and I've never had any problems with any of them.

I guess if I were in the market for a similar gun, I'd compare the Beretta with the Bersa Plus model, which is also a double stack, 15 round, Thunder with an appropriately enlarged grip. The Beretta is a higher quality gun but the Bersa has a lower price, though not by much.
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Old September 25, 2012, 08:56 PM   #8
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Depending on the person, the slide on those Cheetahs can be hard to rack. The wife had to get the PK380 because her hands were not strong enough.
I can't stand the PK380, have larger hands, and the Cheetah is the smallest gun I can comfortably use. Works for me.
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Old September 25, 2012, 09:07 PM   #9
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I have two Cheetahs (matching Nickle finish). I carry them routinely in my cargo-pocket jean shorts, but not in dress slacks or regular jeans.

Very accurate, very reliable. Love my Cheetahs!
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Old September 26, 2012, 09:54 AM   #10
aarondhgraham
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They are not as large as they appear,,,

Honestly, I think it's shape creates some type of optical illusion,,,
That makes it appear to be bigger than it really is.

My Bersa Thunder is the exact same size as a Walther PPK,,,
Here is a picture of one of my Cheetahs alongside it.



The Beretta is maybe 3/16" longer than the Bersa,,,
Hardly worth mentioning in my book.

Holsters for the Walther PPK fit both the Beretta and Bersa perfectly.

I wish the Beretta had a de-cocker though,,,
I've really gotten to like the de-cocker on the Bersa.

Aarond

.
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Old September 26, 2012, 11:18 AM   #11
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Quote:
I wish the Beretta had a de-cocker though,,,
The model the OP is looking at, the M84, does have a decocker.
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Old September 26, 2012, 11:34 AM   #12
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Hello PSP,,,

I have a Model 85BB and a Model 87.

I'm gonna be real embarrassed if they have a de-cocker,,,
And I just don't know how they operate.

Now I have to take the afternoon off to go home to find out.

According to Wikipedia the safety/de-cocker was introduced in the "F" version.

Quote:
The F versions of models 81, 82, 84 and 85 introduced the "combat" trigger guard with a squared-off front that allows for a finger hold, plastic grips, a proprietary "Bruniton" finish, a chrome-plated barrel and chamber, and replaced the safety with a decocker, which lowers the hammer when operated. As a result, these pistols cannot be "cocked and locked".
So my 85BB does not have a decocker.

My Model 87 (.22 LR) doesn't have a letter denoting a variation,,,
I would suspect it aligns with the BB or earlier as it has the round trigger guard.

Aarond

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Never ever give an enemy the advantage of a verbal threat.
Caje: The coward dies a thousand times, the brave only once.
Kirby: That's about all it takes, ain't it?
Aarond is good,,, Aarond is wise,,, Always trust Aarond! (most of the time)

Last edited by aarondhgraham; September 26, 2012 at 11:40 AM.
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Old September 26, 2012, 11:50 AM   #13
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If you're just looking for a high capicity .380 don't leave out the cz-83! (or 82 for that matter)
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Old September 26, 2012, 12:00 PM   #14
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Labhound, I have a 3032 Tomcat that does the same thing to my finger! Rather shoot my 357 Max T/C.
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Old September 26, 2012, 12:05 PM   #15
TennJed
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RedBowTies88 View Post
If you're just looking for a high capicity .380 don't leave out the cz-83! (or 82 for that matter)
Good post, I am a fan of both.
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Old September 26, 2012, 12:10 PM   #16
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Beautiful gun and a good buy at $450 - it's no fire sale price, but it's decent
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Old September 26, 2012, 02:59 PM   #17
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Quote:
So my 85BB does not have a decocker.
Didn't mean to imply that your Beretta had a decocker, only that the OP was looking at a model that did, (the fs). Beautiful guns the early Berettas, I'd really love to see the blue finish return.
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Old September 26, 2012, 03:03 PM   #18
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I'm also a big fan of the CZ83. Whe I discovered the Cheetah's trigger guard would slap the crap out of my trigger finger, I bought myself a CZ83. Excellent gun!
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Old September 26, 2012, 05:03 PM   #19
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Quote:
Cole Distributing has a whole stack of Model 84's on GB for ~$200-$300 under the seller name "gcolecoledist". These are either Israeli or European police surplus- depending on who you ask- and are generally rough cosmetically but good mechanically.
I picked up my 1984 Beretta 84B from Cole Distributing last year. The gun had moderate holster wear but it was mechanically in like new condition. When I called Cole's the owner told me that my pistol was surplussed from the Mishteret Y’Israel (the Israeli civilian police). If anyone is looking for an Beretta 84 I would definitely check out Cole Distributing.


Quote:
Holsters for the Walther PPK fit both the Beretta and Bersa perfectly.
I would add that SIG P232 holsters fit round trigger guard Beretta 84's.

Last edited by wnycollector; September 26, 2012 at 05:09 PM.
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Old September 30, 2012, 05:41 AM   #20
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I agree, my present 84 came from Cole and it's been great. I've had 2 84's and it's "cousin" the Browning BDA 380. I sold those for various reasons (money), but bought an "85%" 84BB from Cole a couple years ago on Gunbroker. Closer to 90% actually. Wasn't shot much at all, just had a couple of minor knicks on the frame. I had wood grips for it already, and swapped them for the plastic ones, even though the plastic ones appeared new.
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Old September 30, 2012, 10:00 AM   #21
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Quote:
I would add that SIG P232 holsters fit round trigger guard Beretta 84's.
Some do, some may not. My Galco Fletch, for a Sig, will not fit the Beretta. FYI.
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