Beretta 81 Series - AKA The Cheetah

aarondhgraham · December 9, 2019, 01:32 PM

Ever since a few major outlets have offered surplus 81's and 81BB's for sale,,,
There's been a lot of buzz about these lovely Beretta pistols.

Lots of threads have asked,,,
"what is the difference between the models and their versions?"

I found this chart/image that details some answers to those questions.

I already owned a new Model 87,,,
I learned that it is properly called the Model 87 Cheetah,,,
That makes sense as that is what is engraved on the guns frame.

I also own a used but clean 85BB,,,
This was the gun I kept in my leather briefcase,,,
I think I'll replace it with the Model 81 due to it's higher capacity.

Anyways I thought a thread where we could discuss the features of our mid-size Berettas was in order.

Right now I am in the process of doing some cold blue touch-up on the slide of my new-2-me Model 81,,,
There aren't any dings or rust spots in the metal,,,
Just holster wear on the high points.

It dawned on me that I now have the makings,,,
For one of those "Beretta Wheel" Pictures I often see on the web.

As soon as I finish the touch-up of the 81,,,
I'll see what I can do about a decent image of my three Italian ladies.

One thing I would like to see here is,,,
Some pictures of factory made holsters that fit the Cheetahs.

I'm an accomplished leather-smith so I'll just make one for myself,,,
But it would be helpful to other owners who need to buy one.

Post away my friends,,,
Let's share our knowledge and experience.

Aarond

.

bedbugbilly · December 10, 2019, 09:17 PM

A year ago, I picked up a 84 that was like NIB - looks like it was purchased and just put up on a closet shelf or sock drawer - a little wear on the corners oof the box but the pistol looks unfired. I got busy last summer and didn't[t get around to shooting it but certainly look forward to do so next summer. I reload and have a good supply of brass as well as cast and it will be one that Il[l take to the range whenever I go. It certainly lis a well built gun and my first Beretta. I can see why folks get hooked on them. I have another 380 in a different make and the 380 I like because it's cheap to reload and a good pinking round. Thanks for posting the chart - interesting!

hemiram · December 13, 2019, 06:12 AM

I love the Cheeta guns. I have an 84BB, an 85, and just recently got one of the 81BB's. I also have the Cheetas closed slide cousin, the Browning BDA 380.

bill460 · December 15, 2019, 02:41 AM

I have the .22 L.R. version. It's an absolutely beautiful .22 pistol.

aarondhgraham · December 20, 2019, 12:16 PM

Just a heads up about Model 81 mags.

Today I got an advertising e-mail from Beretta,,,
They have new mags for the 81 in stock.

Click here please.

$48.50 is fair step in my opinion,,,
But if ya need a magazine it's doable.

But then again,,,
What Beretta accessory isn't?

Aarond

.

bill460 · December 20, 2019, 12:45 PM

Here are Beretta 81 Mags for $27.00 each in lots of 3. They are modified 84 magazines, but have a 7 day return privilege.

https://robertsonstradingpost.gunsam...p-lower-48.htm

Hammerhead · December 20, 2019, 09:33 PM

Congrats on the collection. Never owned one, but I always wanted a Model 87 Cheetah, gorgeous little pistols.

Someday.

silvermane_1 · December 21, 2019, 04:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aarondhgraham

Ever since a few major outlets have offered surplus 81's and 81BB's for sale,,,
There's been a lot of buzz about these lovely Beretta pistols.

Lots of threads have asked,,,
"what is the difference between the models and their versions?"

I found this chart/image that details some answers to those questions.

I already owned a new Model 87,,,
I learned that it is properly called the Model 87 Cheetah,,,
That makes sense as that is what is engraved on the guns frame.

I also own a used but clean 85BB,,,
This was the gun I kept in my leather briefcase,,,
I think I'll replace it with the Model 81 due to it's higher capacity.

Anyways I thought a thread where we could discuss the features of our mid-size Berettas was in order.

Right now I am in the process of doing some cold blue touch-up on the slide of my new-2-me Model 81,,,
There aren't any dings or rust spots in the metal,,,
Just holster wear on the high points.

It dawned on me that I now have the makings,,,
For one of those "Beretta Wheel" Pictures I often see on the web.

As soon as I finish the touch-up of the 81,,,
I'll see what I can do about a decent image of my three Italian ladies.

One thing I would like to see here is,,,
Some pictures of factory made holsters that fit the Cheetahs.

I'm an accomplished leather-smith so I'll just make one for myself,,,
But it would be helpful to other owners who need to buy one.

Post away my friends,,,
Let's share our knowledge and experience.

Aarond

.

Interesting and informative chart there Aarond.

aarondhgraham · January 13, 2020, 01:43 PM

Classic Firearms has announced they have 81 magazines (used) in stock for $34.99 each,,,
I would stock up now while they still have them.

I just ordered two mags so with the three I originally purchased,,,
I now will have five which I believe is the ideal number.

Click here please.

Aarond

.

PSP · January 14, 2020, 09:27 AM

DK Firearms has new mags in stock for $39.95.
https://dkfirearms.com/product-categ..._type_brand=or

December 9, 2019, 01:32 PM	#1
aarondhgraham Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2009 Location: Stillwater, OKlahoma Posts: 8,638	Beretta 81 Series - AKA The Cheetah Ever since a few major outlets have offered surplus 81's and 81BB's for sale,,, There's been a lot of buzz about these lovely Beretta pistols. Lots of threads have asked,,, "what is the difference between the models and their versions?" I found this chart/image that details some answers to those questions. I already owned a new Model 87,,, I learned that it is properly called the Model 87 Cheetah,,, That makes sense as that is what is engraved on the guns frame. I also own a used but clean 85BB,,, This was the gun I kept in my leather briefcase,,, I think I'll replace it with the Model 81 due to it's higher capacity. Anyways I thought a thread where we could discuss the features of our mid-size Berettas was in order. Right now I am in the process of doing some cold blue touch-up on the slide of my new-2-me Model 81,,, There aren't any dings or rust spots in the metal,,, Just holster wear on the high points. It dawned on me that I now have the makings,,, For one of those "Beretta Wheel" Pictures I often see on the web. As soon as I finish the touch-up of the 81,,, I'll see what I can do about a decent image of my three Italian ladies. One thing I would like to see here is,,, Some pictures of factory made holsters that fit the Cheetahs. I'm an accomplished leather-smith so I'll just make one for myself,,, But it would be helpful to other owners who need to buy one. Post away my friends,,, Let's share our knowledge and experience. Aarond . __________________ 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)

December 10, 2019, 09:17 PM	#2
bedbugbilly Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2009 Posts: 3,290	A year ago, I picked up a 84 that was like NIB - looks like it was purchased and just put up on a closet shelf or sock drawer - a little wear on the corners oof the box but the pistol looks unfired. I got busy last summer and didn't[t get around to shooting it but certainly look forward to do so next summer. I reload and have a good supply of brass as well as cast and it will be one that Il[l take to the range whenever I go. It certainly lis a well built gun and my first Beretta. I can see why folks get hooked on them. I have another 380 in a different make and the 380 I like because it's cheap to reload and a good pinking round. Thanks for posting the chart - interesting! __________________ If a pair of '51 Navies were good enough for Billy Hickok, then a single Navy on my right hip is good enough for me . . . besides . . . I'm probably only half as good as he was anyways. Hiram's Rangers Badge #63

December 20, 2019, 12:16 PM	#5
aarondhgraham Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2009 Location: Stillwater, OKlahoma Posts: 8,638	Beretta has new mags,,, Just a heads up about Model 81 mags. Today I got an advertising e-mail from Beretta,,, They have new mags for the 81 in stock. Click here please. $48.50 is fair step in my opinion,,, But if ya need a magazine it's doable. But then again,,, What Beretta accessory isn't? Aarond . __________________ 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)

January 13, 2020, 01:43 PM	#9
aarondhgraham Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2009 Location: Stillwater, OKlahoma Posts: 8,638	Classic has mags in stock. Classic Firearms has announced they have 81 magazines (used) in stock for $34.99 each,,, I would stock up now while they still have them. I just ordered two mags so with the three I originally purchased,,, I now will have five which I believe is the ideal number. Click here please. Aarond . __________________ 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; January 13, 2020 at 01:58 PM.

December 13, 2019, 06:12 AM	#3
hemiram Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2005 Location: Toledo, ohio Posts: 762	I love the Cheeta guns. I have an 84BB, an 85, and just recently got one of the 81BB's. I also have the Cheetas closed slide cousin, the Browning BDA 380.

December 15, 2019, 02:41 AM	#4
bill460 Member Join Date: December 13, 2019 Location: Lake Havasu City, Arizona Posts: 93	I have the .22 L.R. version. It's an absolutely beautiful .22 pistol.

December 20, 2019, 12:45 PM	#6
bill460 Member Join Date: December 13, 2019 Location: Lake Havasu City, Arizona Posts: 93	Here are Beretta 81 Mags for $27.00 each in lots of 3. They are modified 84 magazines, but have a 7 day return privilege. https://robertsonstradingpost.gunsam...p-lower-48.htm

December 20, 2019, 09:33 PM	#7
Hammerhead Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2004 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,432	Congrats on the collection. Never owned one, but I always wanted a Model 87 Cheetah, gorgeous little pistols. Someday.

January 14, 2020, 09:27 AM	#10
PSP Senior Member Join Date: June 2, 2006 Location: Bowling Green Virginia Posts: 4,496	DK Firearms has new mags in stock for $39.95. https://dkfirearms.com/product-categ..._type_brand=or