Difference between revisions of "Sandbox"

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−	{{company	+	{{gun
−	|name= J. Stevens Arms & Tool Company	+	|name= Beretta Cheetah Series
−	|predecessor= J. Stevens & Co.	+	|image= Beretta 84F-JH01.jpg
−	|logo=	+	|caption= The Beretta 84F.
−	|country= [[United States]]	+	|origin= [[Italy]]
−	|address= Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts	+	|type= [[semi-automatic pistol]]
−	|tel=	+	<!-- Specifications -->
−	|fax=	+	|length= 172 mm<br>185 mm (86)<br>225 mm (87 Target)<br>173 mm (BDA)
−	|founded= [[1864]]	+	|barrel= 97 mm<br>111 mm (86)<br>150 mm (87 Target)
−	|founder= [[Joshua Stevens]]	+	|no_of_barrels=
−	|keys= W.B. Fay and James Taylor	+	|weight= 685 g (81)<br>660 g (84FS)<br>620 g (85FS)<br>660 g (86)<br>570 g (87)<br>835 g (87 Target)<br>640 g (BDA)
−	|industry= Firearms manufacturer	+	|width=
−	|products= [[Rifle]]s, [[Shotgun]]s, [[pistol]]s	+	|height=
−	|status=	+	|cartridge= [[.32 ACP]] (81 series)<br>[[.380 ACP]] (84, 85, 86 series)<br>[[.22 LR]] (87 series, 89)
−	|parent= [[Savage Arms]]	+	|caliber=
−	|subs=	+	|gauge=
−	|website= http://www.savagearms.com	+	|action= [[blowback]], [[single action]] (most models), [[double action]] (mod. 87s)
		+	|chambers=
		+	|twist= RH, 6 grooves (all)<br>Twist rate varies by model
		+	|ROF=
		+	|muzzle_velocity=
		+	|range=
		+	|max_range=
		+	|feed= Mag size by model:
		+	* 12 rounds (81)
		+	* 13 rounds (84)
		+	* 8 rounds (82, 85, 86, 87 Cheetah)
		+	* 10 rounds (87 Target)
		+	|sights= [[iron sights]]
		+	|radius= ''see tables''
		+	<!-- Service history -->
		+	|service= 1981-present
		+	|used_by= see ''Users''
		+	|wars=
		+	<!-- Production history -->
		+	|designer=
		+	|design_date= [[1975]]
		+	|manufacturer= [[Beretta]], [[Browning]]
		+	|unit_cost=
		+	|production_date= [[1976]] - present
		+	|number=
		+	|variants= ''see text''
	|notes=		|notes=
−	}}	+	}}The '''Beretta Cheetah''', also known with its original model name of "Series 80", is a line of compact [[blowback]] operated [[semi-automatic pistol]]s designed and manufactured by [[Beretta]] of [[Italy]]. They were introduced in 1976 and include models in [[.32 ACP]] (Model 81), [[.380 ACP|.380 ACP (''9 mm Short'')]] (Model 84, 85 and 86) and [[.22 LR]] (Model 87, 89).
−	'''[[Stevens Arms]]''' was an [[United States|American]] [[firearm]]s manufacturer founded by Joshua Stevens in 1864. The company introduced the [[.22 Long Rifle]] round and made a number of rifle, shotgun, and target pistol designs before being bought by [[Savage Arms]] in 1920.  After 1920, Stevens made training rifles and machineguns for the US Military.  Savage still uses the Stevens brand today for a number of its low cost rifles and shotguns.	+
−	==History==	+	It is often believed to have been marketed in North America as the [[Browning BDA-380]] from [[1977]]-[[1997]], but this is not correct. While the BDA-380 was manufactured by Beretta, it is in fact an independent design and not a variant of the Cheetah series (see below for more).
−	Stevens Arms was founded by Joshua Stevens with help from backers W.B. Fay and James Taylor in Chicopee Falls, MA,<ref>Fjestad, S.P. (2009). ''Blue Book of Gun Values''. Blue Book Publications. p. 1565. ISBN 978-1-886768-87-1.</ref> in 1864 as ''J. Stevens & Co.''. Their earliest product was a [[tip-up action]] single shot pistol.<ref name=flayderman>Flayderman, Norm (1994). ''Flayderman's Guide to Antique American Firearms''. DBI Books. p. 209.</ref> Business was slow into 1870, when it occupied a converted grist mill and had just sixty employees. The 1873 Panic had a further negative impact on sales.  By 1876 the company had recovered to the extent that it was then manufacturing twice the number of [[shotgun]]s as it had been prior to that year.<ref>Murtz, Harold (1994). ''Gun Digest Treasury: the best from 45 years of Gun Digest''. DBI Books. pp. 192–3. ISBN 978-0-87349-156-3.</ref> In 1886, the company was reorganized and incorporated as J. Stevens Arms & Tool Co.  The business was able to grow steadily with tool manufacturing and sales now accounting for the bulk of the business output.<ref name=flayderman/>	+
−	Beginning in 1880, the company began making [[falling block]] [[rifle]]s. These, though less well known than [[Ballard]] or [[Winchester Repeating Arms Company|Winchester]] firearms, were of comparable quality. They were priced lower than those of Ballard or Winchester, making the Stevens' falling block models competitive in the marketplace.  Under names like ''Favorite'', ''Little Scout'', ''Crack Shot'', and ''Marksman'', Stevens sold millions of reliable [[single-shot]]s.  The total number of single-shot firearms manufactured by the company exceeded 3.5 million by 1892.<ref>Murtz, (1994), p.195.</ref>	+	== Models ==
		+	===81 and 82===
		+	These two models are chambered for the [[.32 ACP]] cartridge. The '''81''' has a double stacked magazine with 12 round capacity, while the '''82''' has a single stacked magazine with 8 round capacity and resultant thinner grips.
−	In addition, in 1887, Stevens developed the [[.22 Long Rifle|.22 LR]] [[Cartridge|round]],<ref>Barnes, Frank (1976). ''Cartridges of the World''. DBI Books. p. 274. ISBN 978-0-89689-936-0.</ref> which served as an introductory [[caliber]] for children for decades, as well as being very popular for [[plinking]], as well as varmint and [[target shooting]]. The .22LR cartridge was available beginning in 1888, in the #1, #2, #9, and #10 break-top rifles, and in their New Model Pocket and Bicycle rifles. The .22 LR would outperform other Stevens rounds, such as the [[.25 Stevens]] and [[.25 Stevens Short]], designed as competitors, and offered in models such as the [[lever action]] single-shot [[Stevens Favorite|Favorite]] (produced between 1894 and 1935) and the [[Stevens Crack Shot#15|Crack Shot #15]] (introduced in 1900).<ref>Barnes,(1976) p.276</ref>	+	=== 83, 84 and 85 ===
		+	These models are chambered for the [[.380 ACP|.380 ACP (''9 mm Short'')]] cartridge. The '''84''' has a double stacked magazine with 13 round capacity, while the '''83''' and '''85''' have a single stacked magazine with 8 round capacity and consequently thinner grips. The 84 and 85 have a 3.81" barrel, while the 83 has a 4" barrel. Each has a light alloy frame.
−	As several manufacturers would later do with other [[wildcat cartridge|wildcat]]s, Stevens adopted the [[.25-20 Winchester|.25-20]], developed by [[Francis J. Rabbeth]] in 1882. The unpopularity of the bottlenecked case led Stevens to develop the [[.25-21 Stevens|.25-21]] in 1897.  Designed by Capt. W. L. Carpenter, 9th U.S. Infantry, the .21-21 Stevens was essentially a shortened version of the company's own [[.25-25 Stevens|.25-25]] of 1895.<ref name=bfn>Barnes, (1976), p.74.</ref> (This is an odd reversal of the relationship of the [[.38 Special|.38 S&W Special]] to the [[.357 Magnum]].) The .25-25 would be used in Stevens' model 44 and the model 44½ rifles manufactured from 1903.<ref name=bfn/>	+	===86===
		+	[[File:Beretta 86.gif|thumb|left|Model 86 with breech opened.]]In 1986 Beretta introduced the model '''86''' which differs significantly from other models in the series because it has a redesigned front end with a tip-up barrel that hinges in front of the trigger guard. This allows the shooter to load a cartridge directly into the chamber if they do not wish to operate the slide.
−	Stevens and Taylor was bought out in 1896 by I.H. Page, who was one of the new partners and the bookkeeper. Page led the company to significant growth, such that by 1902 Stevens had 900 employees and was considered one of the top [[sporting firearm|sporting]] firearms manufacturers in the world.  In 1915, Stevens led the U.S. arms business in [[target shooting|target]] and small game guns. Stevens military productions and offerings were generally limited to prototypes in an attempt to garner military contracts.<ref name=flayderman/>	+	===87===
		+	There are two distinct '''87''' models both chambered for [[.22 LR]]. The standard model (introduced in 1986) is similar to other models, but the '''87 Target''' (introduced in 2000) has a longer barrel and slide (that can accept optical sights) and is single action only.
−	Stevens was bought by the Savage Arms Company in 1920 and the operations of the two companies merged, with Stevens operating as a subsidiary of Savage and sometimes identified as "Savage-Stevens" until 1936.<ref name=flayderman/> This merger made the company the largest producer of arms in the United States at the time.<ref>''The Hardware review'' (Pentz Publishing Co.) '''26''': 55. 1920.</ref>  Stevens introduced the Model 87 in 1938, which sold over a million units.  Further units were sold as the ''Savage Model 6'' by Sears.<ref>Murtz,(1994), p.197.</ref>	+	===89===
		+	The model '''89''' is also chambered for the [[.22 LR]] and is designed for competition and range training, with a lightweight frame and ergonomic grips.
−	==Rifles==	+	== Versions ==
−	Stevens produced a notable number of military arms, the most common being the [[Stevens Model 416]] bolt action rifle in .22LR caliber. The United States Military used the model 416 as a training rifle around the time of the Second World War.  There is some debate and speculation regarding the extent to which the United States military made use of these rifles with their roles almost certainly being limited to basic firearm training.  The military's Model 416 was stamped with "U.S. Property" on the rear left of the receiver. Rifles with this stamping have been found with serial numbers around 100,000.  Various ordnance markings and proof marks can be found on this military rifle.	+	There are currently (as of Feb. [[2014]]) potentially five versions for models 81 through 87. The features for each version in models 81, 82, 84 and 85 are consistent between models (i.e., the 81FS, 82FS, 84FS and 85FS all have similar features), buthis is '''not''' the case with models 83, 86, 87 and 89, which were not made in all versions.
−	The 416 had a dramatically over sized bull barrel and a large wooden stock. The heavy barrel design added a great deal of weight which compared unfavorably with larger rifles such as the military's various .30 caliber offerings.  It had adjustable peep sight apertures, a hooded front sight, and a small, removable magazine.<ref name=kimmel>Kimmel, Jay (1990). ''Savage & Stevens arms: collector's history''. Corey/Stevens. ISBN 978-0-942893-00-7.</ref><ref name="Bruce N. Canfield 1996">Canfield, Bruce N. (1996). ''U.S. Infantry Weapons of World War II''. Andrew Mowbray. ISBN 978-0-917218-67-5.</ref>	+	=== Base version ===
−	[[File:Stevens 511 Shotgun.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Stevens 511A shotgun.]]	+	Base versions of models 81 through 87 are noted for having a rounded trigger guard and generally fewer safety features than subsequent versions. Safety is ambidextrous and frame-mounted. The frame is alloy, the slide is blued steel and the standard grips are wood.
−	Other U.S. military offerings by Stevens included two shotgun models in 12 gauge.  These were modified versions of the model 520 and 620 shotguns.<ref>Archer, Eric (1988). "U.S. Military Shotguns of WW2". ''Gun Digest''.</ref>	+	=== B version ===
		+	The B versions of models 81, 82, 84, and 85 introduced an [[automatic firing pin safety]], a shorter [[extractor]] and grooved front and back straps.
−	Some of the other more military firearms produced by Stevens include the Savage [[Lee Enfield]] No. 4 rifle<ref>Skennerton, Ian (1993). ''Lee-Enfield Story: A Complete Study of the Lee-Metford, Lee-Enfield, S.M.L.E. and No.4 Series''. Ian D Skennerton. ISBN 978-0-949749-15-4.</ref> and the [[Thompson submachine gun]]. During the Second World War, Savage produced the [[Browning Automatic Rifle]] (BAR), as well as .30 (7.62 mm) and .50 (12.7 mm) [[machine gun]]s.<ref name=kimmel/><ref name="Bruce N. Canfield 1996"/><ref>Canfield, Bruce N. (2000). ''U. S. Infantry Weapons of the First World War.'' Andrew Mowbray. ISBN 978-0-917218-90-3.</ref>	+	=== BB version ===
		+	The BB versions of models 81, 82, 84 and 85 have more serrations on the slide, white dot and post sights and other subtle changes. Later BB models replaced the original wooden grips with black plastic grips.
−	==Target pistols==	+	=== F version ===
−	Joshua Stevens produced three lines of single-shot tip-up target pistols named after contemporary gunmen.<ref name="Bicknell">Bicknell, Natalie and Tom (19 July 2007) [http://www.knottingley.org/history/target_pistol.htm "A Very Handsome Present from Buffalo Bill"].</ref>	+	The F versions of models 81, 82, 84 and 85 introduced the "combat" trigger guard with a squared-off front (similar in appearance to current [[Beretta 92]]) that allows for a finger hold, plastic grips, a proprietary "Bruniton" finish, a chrome-plated barrel and chamber, and a combination safety and decocker lever, which when operated in the middle position disconnects the trigger bar from the hammer, and in the upper position lowers the cocked hammer.
−	* Stevens-Conlin No. 28 – named for James Conlin, owner of a Broadway Avenue shooting gallery in New York City.	+
−	* Stevens-Lord No. 36 – named for Frank Lord, a prominent target shooter. Six hundred were produced from 1880 to 1886.<ref name="Bicknell" />	+
−	* Stevens-Gould No. 37 – named for [[Arthur Corbin Gould]], a firearms expert and writer.	+
−	Two well known examples of the Stevens-Lord No. 36 were custom ordered by Buffalo Bill, serial no. 29 for himself and serial no. 32 as a gift for Ben Thompson. The deluxe set of pistols had ten-inch barrels chambered for [[.32 Colt]], iridescent mother-of-pearl grips, and custom engraving with gold inlay by Louis Daniel Nimschke. The one given to Thompson included "From Buffalo Bill to Ben Thompson" on the spine of the grip.<ref name="Bicknell" />	+	=== FS version ===
		+	The last production models of .32 ACP and .380 ACP Cheetah pistols were in the '''FS''' configuration (e.g. ''81FS''). In models 81, 82, 84 and 85 they included internal improvements over the F versions that are not visible during casual inspection.
−	An engraved, gold-plated Stevens-Gould No. 37 was given to sharpshooter Annie Oakley in the 1890s by her husband [[Frank E. Butler|Frank Butler]]. The [[revolver]] had finely engraved dog and horse head motifs on both sides of the frame. The Stevens-Gould No. 37 was one of three embellished guns cased for Oakley as a presentation group.<ref name="Autry National Center">[http://collections.theautry.org/mwebcgi/mweb.exe?request=record&key=34199 "Annie Oakley's Pistols"]. Autry National Center, 12 January 2012</ref>	+	==Browning BDA-380==
		+	{| class="wikitable" width="400" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="5" align="right"
		+	|+ Historical data: Browning BDA-380<ref>Browning.com, [http://www.browning.com/customerservice/dategun/detail.asp?id=20 BDA-380 Pistol]</ref>
		+	! Date !! colspan="2"|Historical Information !! Serial No. Data
		+	|- valign="top"
		+	| rowspan="3"| 1977-1997
		+	| colspan="2"| In 1975 Browning standardized its serial number identification which it followed until 1998.
		+	| rowspan="3"| S/N Example:
−	==References==	+	425RR01001
		+
		+	This would be a BDA-380 pistol, made in 1977 with the serial number 01001.
		+	|- valign="top"
		+	| 1. BDA-380 Type || width="100"|425=BDA 380
		+	|-valign="top"
		+	| 2. Date of Manufacture is a two digit code
		+
		+	3. Serial Number beginning with 01001 at the start of each year.
		+	| Z=1<br>Y=2<br>X=3<br>W=4<br>V=5<br>T=6<br>R=7<br>P=8<br>N=9<br>M=0
		+	|}The Browning BDA 380 is a blowback operated, double action semi automatic pistol manufactured by Beretta from 1977 to 1997 and often mistakenly believed to be a variant of the Cheetah when it is not &mdash; thought to be essentially the model 84BB with a standard ejection port instead of an open slide, a slide-mounted decocker/safety and a spur hammer. It has aluminium alloy frame and steel slide. Ambidextrous slide mounted safety switch disconnects the [[trigger]] from the [[hammer]] when engaged. The pistol featured low profile fixed sights and was available in either polished steel or blued finish, with wooden grip panels.
		+
		+	The BDA 380 was introduced as a compact and lightweight pistol for police and civilian use. The gun was manufactured in Italy under contract from [[FN Herstal]] (Belgium) and marketed as [[FN model 140DA]] (in Europe) or [[Browning BDA 380]] (in USA). Some sources said that BDA 380 is a copy of the [[Beretta 84]], but close inspection shows some differences (i.e. the Beretta 84 has [[frame]] mounted safety while BDA 380 has slide mounted safety). The manufacture of the BDA 380 was discontinued in 1997. It was adopted by Belgian police.
		+
		+	The gun enjoyed a good reputation as reliable and comfortable to fire.
		+
		+	==Users==
		+	* Algeria
		+	* [[Belgian]] police use the BDA 380 which, as noted above, is not in fact a Cheetah.
		+	* [[Italy]]
		+	* Kazakhstan - since 2007 used as service pistol in private security companies<ref>"Регистрационный номер: 3.1/003 Пистолет служебный BERETTA - 84"
		+	Постановление Правительства Республики Казахстан № 1305 от 28 декабря 2006 года "Об утверждении Государственного кадастра гражданского и служебного оружия и патронов к нему на 2007 год"</ref>
		+	* [[Philippines]] (National Intelligence Coordinating Agency)
		+	* Slovenia
		+	* Venezuela
		+
		+	==Resources==
		+	{{pistol manuals}}
		+	* [http://www.gunownersresource.com/?wpfb_dl=250 '''Beretta Series 81'''] Instruction Manual (Italian, English & French)
		+	* [http://www.gunownersresource.com/?wpfb_dl=249 '''Beretta Series 87 Target'''] Instruction Manual (Italian, English & French)
		+	* [http://www.gunownersresource.com/?wpfb_dl=248 '''Beretta 89 Standard'''] Instruction Manual (English only)
		+
		+	* There's also a [http://www.gunownersresource.com/?wpfb_dl=240 '''Browning BDA-380'''] Owner's Manual, in case that's what you were looking for...
		+
		+	=== Images ===
		+	<gallery>
		+	Image:Beretta 84F-JH02.jpg|The Beretta 84.
		+	Image:Beretta 84F-JH03.jpg|The Beretta 84 disassembled.
		+	Image:Beretta 87 Target.jpg|The Beretta 87 Target.
		+	Image:BDA 380.jpg|The Browning BDA-380. (aka Not A Cheetah)
		+	File:Browning BDA 380(1978-Present).png|Parts view of a Browning BDA-380, with parts legend.
		+	File:Browning BDA380 Auto.png|Another BDA-380 diagram
		+	File:Browning 380.jpg|Yet another view of the BDA380
		+	File:Beretta 85B 85BB Auto.png|Parts view of the 85B & BB variant.
		+	File:Beretta 81 84 Auto.png|Parts view of models 81 & 84
		+	File:Beretta_87_Auto.png|Parts for the model 87 (.22 LR)
		+	</gallery>
		+
		+	== References ==
	<references/>		<references/>
−	[[Category:Stevens]]	+
−	[[Category:American firearms manufacturers]]	+	==External links==
−	[[Category:Defunct firearms manufacturers]]	+	*[http://www.beretta.com/Pistols-Carbines/Defence/Compact/index.aspx?m=82&idc=14 Official Beretta Cheetah page]
−	[[Category:firearms manufacturers]]	+
		+	[[Category:Beretta semi-automatic pistols]]

---

Revision as of 09:06, 11 February 2014

Beretta Cheetah Series
The Beretta 84F.
Type	semi-automatic pistol
Land of Origin	Italy
Specifications
Length	172 mm 185 mm (86) 225 mm (87 Target) 173 mm (BDA)
Barrel length	97 mm 111 mm (86) 150 mm (87 Target)
Weight	685 g (81) 660 g (84FS) 620 g (85FS) 660 g (86) 570 g (87) 835 g (87 Target) 640 g (BDA)
Cartridge	.32 ACP (81 series) .380 ACP (84, 85, 86 series) .22 LR (87 series, 89)
Action	blowback, single action (most models), double action (mod. 87s)
Rifling/Twist	RH, 6 grooves (all) Twist rate varies by model
Feed	Mag size by model: 12 rounds (81) 13 rounds (84) 8 rounds (82, 85, 86, 87 Cheetah) 10 rounds (87 Target)
Sights	iron sights
Sight Radius	see tables
Service History
In service	1981-present
Used by	see Users
Production History
Design Date	1975
Manufacturer	Beretta, Browning
Produced	1976 - present
Variants	see text

The Beretta Cheetah, also known with its original model name of "Series 80", is a line of compact blowback operated semi-automatic pistols designed and manufactured by Beretta of Italy. They were introduced in 1976 and include models in .32 ACP (Model 81), .380 ACP (9 mm Short) (Model 84, 85 and 86) and .22 LR (Model 87, 89).

It is often believed to have been marketed in North America as the Browning BDA-380 from 1977-1997, but this is not correct. While the BDA-380 was manufactured by Beretta, it is in fact an independent design and not a variant of the Cheetah series (see below for more).

Contents 1 Models 1.1 81 and 82 1.2 83, 84 and 85 1.3 86 1.4 87 1.5 89 2 Versions 2.1 Base version 2.2 B version 2.3 BB version 2.4 F version 2.5 FS version 3 Browning BDA-380 4 Users 5 Resources 5.1 Images 6 References 7 External links

Models

81 and 82

These two models are chambered for the .32 ACP cartridge. The 81 has a double stacked magazine with 12 round capacity, while the 82 has a single stacked magazine with 8 round capacity and resultant thinner grips.

83, 84 and 85

These models are chambered for the .380 ACP (9 mm Short) cartridge. The 84 has a double stacked magazine with 13 round capacity, while the 83 and 85 have a single stacked magazine with 8 round capacity and consequently thinner grips. The 84 and 85 have a 3.81" barrel, while the 83 has a 4" barrel. Each has a light alloy frame.

86

In 1986 Beretta introduced the model 86 which differs significantly from other models in the series because it has a redesigned front end with a tip-up barrel that hinges in front of the trigger guard. This allows the shooter to load a cartridge directly into the chamber if they do not wish to operate the slide.

87

There are two distinct 87 models both chambered for .22 LR. The standard model (introduced in 1986) is similar to other models, but the 87 Target (introduced in 2000) has a longer barrel and slide (that can accept optical sights) and is single action only.

89

The model 89 is also chambered for the .22 LR and is designed for competition and range training, with a lightweight frame and ergonomic grips.

Versions

There are currently (as of Feb. 2014) potentially five versions for models 81 through 87. The features for each version in models 81, 82, 84 and 85 are consistent between models (i.e., the 81FS, 82FS, 84FS and 85FS all have similar features), buthis is not the case with models 83, 86, 87 and 89, which were not made in all versions.

Base version

Base versions of models 81 through 87 are noted for having a rounded trigger guard and generally fewer safety features than subsequent versions. Safety is ambidextrous and frame-mounted. The frame is alloy, the slide is blued steel and the standard grips are wood.

B version

The B versions of models 81, 82, 84, and 85 introduced an automatic firing pin safety, a shorter extractor and grooved front and back straps.

BB version

The BB versions of models 81, 82, 84 and 85 have more serrations on the slide, white dot and post sights and other subtle changes. Later BB models replaced the original wooden grips with black plastic grips.

F version

The F versions of models 81, 82, 84 and 85 introduced the "combat" trigger guard with a squared-off front (similar in appearance to current Beretta 92) that allows for a finger hold, plastic grips, a proprietary "Bruniton" finish, a chrome-plated barrel and chamber, and a combination safety and decocker lever, which when operated in the middle position disconnects the trigger bar from the hammer, and in the upper position lowers the cocked hammer.

FS version

The last production models of .32 ACP and .380 ACP Cheetah pistols were in the FS configuration (e.g. 81FS). In models 81, 82, 84 and 85 they included internal improvements over the F versions that are not visible during casual inspection.

Browning BDA-380

Historical data: Browning BDA-380^[1]

Date	Historical Information		Serial No. Data
1977-1997	In 1975 Browning standardized its serial number identification which it followed until 1998.		S/N Example: 425RR01001 This would be a BDA-380 pistol, made in 1977 with the serial number 01001.
	1. BDA-380 Type	425=BDA 380
	2. Date of Manufacture is a two digit code 3. Serial Number beginning with 01001 at the start of each year.	Z=1 Y=2 X=3 W=4 V=5 T=6 R=7 P=8 N=9 M=0

The Browning BDA 380 is a blowback operated, double action semi automatic pistol manufactured by Beretta from 1977 to 1997 and often mistakenly believed to be a variant of the Cheetah when it is not — thought to be essentially the model 84BB with a standard ejection port instead of an open slide, a slide-mounted decocker/safety and a spur hammer. It has aluminium alloy frame and steel slide. Ambidextrous slide mounted safety switch disconnects the trigger from the hammer when engaged. The pistol featured low profile fixed sights and was available in either polished steel or blued finish, with wooden grip panels.

The BDA 380 was introduced as a compact and lightweight pistol for police and civilian use. The gun was manufactured in Italy under contract from FN Herstal (Belgium) and marketed as FN model 140DA (in Europe) or Browning BDA 380 (in USA). Some sources said that BDA 380 is a copy of the Beretta 84, but close inspection shows some differences (i.e. the Beretta 84 has frame mounted safety while BDA 380 has slide mounted safety). The manufacture of the BDA 380 was discontinued in 1997. It was adopted by Belgian police.

The gun enjoyed a good reputation as reliable and comfortable to fire.

Users

• Algeria
• Belgian police use the BDA 380 which, as noted above, is not in fact a Cheetah.
• Italy
• Kazakhstan - since 2007 used as service pistol in private security companies^[2]
• Philippines (National Intelligence Coordinating Agency)
• Slovenia
• Venezuela

Resources

Template:Pistol manuals

• Beretta Series 81 Instruction Manual (Italian, English & French)
• Beretta Series 87 Target Instruction Manual (Italian, English & French)
• Beretta 89 Standard Instruction Manual (English only)

• There's also a Browning BDA-380 Owner's Manual, in case that's what you were looking for...

Images

• 

  The Beretta 84.

• 

  The Beretta 84 disassembled.

• 

  The Beretta 87 Target.

• 

  The Browning BDA-380. (aka Not A Cheetah)

• 

  Parts view of a Browning BDA-380, with parts legend.

• 

  Another BDA-380 diagram

• 

  Yet another view of the BDA380

• 

  Parts view of the 85B & BB variant.

• 

  Parts view of models 81 & 84

• 

  Parts for the model 87 (.22 LR)

References

1. ↑ Browning.com, BDA-380 Pistol
2. ↑ "Регистрационный номер: 3.1/003 Пистолет служебный BERETTA - 84" Постановление Правительства Республики Казахстан № 1305 от 28 декабря 2006 года "Об утверждении Государственного кадастра гражданского и служебного оружия и патронов к нему на 2007 год"

External links

• Official Beretta Cheetah page