Model 84 surge?

[2wheelwander]

I own a Beretta Model 84. As new blued, shiny wood grips. Love the gun, mostly a safe queen now. I watch gunbroker from time to time on guns I own for kicks. Model 84's seem to be catching on.

My best guess is that much like the Python/Walking Dead, Model 29/Dirty Harry, this could be attributed to The Americans? There is/was an as new in box nickel that was approaching $900! What gives? They are nice handguns but in a relatively unpopular round and little to no aftermarket support. I'm all for a gun I already own skyrocketing in value, but come on?!

Thoughts?

[Model12Win]

"The Italian Makarov"

A very large pistol to be chambered in the relatively mild .380 round. Actually meant as a duty pistol back in the day, hard as that is to believe.

Nice gun. I think the 70s and 71s are nicer, though.

[Ibmikey]

I have an “as new” model 84 BB .380 a design that is overly large for the caliber but feels so good in the hand and is a faithful performer. Once you fire a few rounds you will know why the pistol has the following it has as the pistol is just fun (even with smallish sights) to shoot, light enough for concealed carry and lots of firepower.
Cost is its biggest detractor as it retails in the $7-800 range.

[peterg7]

I’ve had a nickel BDA for about 15 years now and really want a nickel 85 so I hope they don’t get popular yet.


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[cocojo]

These are great pistols and well built. I have a Beretta 85 and an 81. Quality pistols built smooth as glass. Dont buy into the caliber hype, the 380 can ruin a bad guys day. I remember back in the 70’s everything was 45 acp and if you carried a 9mm it was a wussy caliber. Now the 9mm is the old 45 and if you carry a 380 its a wussy caliber. Didn't buy into it then nor now. Then it was gun rags now it the internet. I dont care what caliber it is as long as I have it when I need it and not at home because its too big. Beretta 80 series pistols are superb quality handguns.

[wnycollector]

As my wife transitioned from revolver to pistol, she came to love my Beretta 84B that spent the previous decade in Israel with the Mishteret Y’Israel (the Israeli civilian police). When the weather gets cold she puts away her summer carry pistol (Beretta 950BS) and carries the 84B.

[lamarw]

I am another Cheetah fan and completely agree with Ibmikey. Over the years, I have managed to acquire two nice 85F's. They simply bring a smile to my face every time I handle them.

[amd6547]

I had wanted a Model 84 when I was young, but I couldn't afford it.
So, when the Israeli surplus ones showed up cheap, I bought one.
I didn't intend it to be a serious use pistol, thought I would shoot it for a while, and eventually trade it.
Found I really like it, and now, it often fills the role for carry or house gun. Totally reliable, accurate, easy carry, and 14rds.
I'll never sell it.

[aarondhgraham]

I dunno if it's a "surge" in interest,,,
Although if any thing will cause one it's a popular show.

I have a used Model 85BB that I will not part with,,,
The pistol has been 100% reliable with any ammo I feed it.

I pull it out of it's case at the range and people sometimes chuckle,,,
Then I let them fire a mag or two and they change their minds.

I liked the 85BB so much that I purchased a new Model 87 as a companion piece,,,
Holding these guns is what I imagine holding hands with Sophia Loren would be like.



Aarond

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[Model12Win]

I shoulda snagged one of the EuroCop trade ins that were available last here for cheap cheap. I hear they're good shooters.

[Ingramite]

I have a beautiful 84bb that I pocket carry every day.
I plan on also picking up a .32acp barrel and a couple of mags so it can do double duty.

Modern .380 ammo shows impressive performance, especially with the long barrel of the 84. I wouldn't volunteer to take a round myself and I don't think anyone else would either.

[libiglou]

This is the first pistol I ever shot(not sure if it was a 84 or 85 or something close to it) when I was 10 and visiting family in Italy. My uncle was a security guard for highway construction and was allowed to own a gun. We were in the mountains for a family get together(yes pasta and BBQ) and my uncle grabbed me and took me to other side of the house(outside) and let me squeeze off a mag on some cactus plants. I was so excited. He knew I was interested in guns. My mom went nuts and started screaming at him in Italian and even some English but he smiled and told her I should know how to shoot a gun. Years later he visited us and I took him shooting. I had started building my collection by then and he was impressed by my choice of handguns and rifles. He told me how lucky I was that I lived in a country that allowed private citizens to own guns. I'm gonna have to get one of these soon just to bring back fond memories .

[tallball]

I got a surplus one for a little over $300. Its finish has holster wear, but it's a very good shooter. It's a range toy, but I certainly wouldn't feel unarmed with it.

[Cheapshooter]

A very large pistol to be chambered in the relatively mild .380 round. Actually meant as a duty pistol back in the day, hard as that is to believe.

Not hard to believe in the least. In it's day in Europe a police sidearm was as much if not more a symbol of authority than a fighting weapon.

[amd6547]

So...because there are mini 380’s like the LCP, the 84 is too big for its caliber?

I guess the Model 10 is too big for its 38spl caliber...after all, there are Airweight snubs.

As for these pistols being badges of rank rather than fighting weapons, I have a feeling that the Israeli surplus pistols like mine saw some real use. BTW, an 84 was used to assasinate an Israeli Prime Minister.

[2wheelwander]

My contribution to todays gun porn. Love this little pistol. Got mine from my uncle 20 years ago when he went through a divorce for $275. No box, one magazine. I've since found another OEM magazine. He's tried to buy it back for years. The answer will always be no.

[gc70]

Originally Posted by 2wheelwander

They are nice handguns but in a relatively unpopular round ...

The .380 is more popular than most people realize.

The ATF's 2016 Annual Firearms Manufacturing and Export Report shows .380 was the caliber in which the second largest number of pistols was manufactured. While 9mm came in at the first place, all calibers over 9mm as a group and all calibers under .380 as a group came in less than .380.

[libiglou]

Not to be snobby but the wooden grips make this gun. It adds a certain sexiness to it. I must be nuts. Does anybody know if anyone still has surplus ones for sale? Classic ran out of them.

[2wheelwander]

^I was going to ask the same thing. I'd buy surplus.

The link to the above report proved quite the rabbit hole. I ended up at Cabot Guns, I found out what a $10k 1911 looks like.

I'd never looked at a gun and held my breath before. That was before I saw the price. Just beautiful. I should have finished college. Freedom Arms doesn't make near the number I'd have thought they did.

[amd6547]

I switched to hard to find Indiana State Patrol rubber grips made by Farrar.
A lot of surplus 84’s were destroyed when Coles Distributing burned to the ground.

[gc70]

Beretta sells new wood grips for the 84F.

[2wheelwander]

Those grips are COOL! Being an IN resident and ex LE, I'd be in for those!!

[2wheelwander]

gunsamerica.com has surplus 84's as cheap as $319 I'm thinking $319+ cerakote etc., etc., etc.