Beretta Cheetah
| Browning BDA-380 | |
|---|---|
| |
| The Beretta 84 Cheetah. | |
|
| |
| 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 and BDA) .22 LR (87 series) |
| Action | blowback, double action |
|
| |
| Feed | Mag size by model:
|
| Sights | iron sights |
| Service History | |
| In service | 1981-present |
| Used by | see Users |
| Production History | |
| Design Date | 1975 |
| Manufacturer | Beretta, Browning |
| Produced | 1976 - present |
| Variants | see text |
It was also marketed in North America as the Browning BDA-380 from 1977-1997.
Contents |
Variants
BB models
Improvements to the original Cheetah resulted in the BB suffix (e.g. 81BB). These models have a loaded chamber indicator and firing pin safety. Later BB models replaced the original wooden grips with black plastic grips.
FS models
Current production models are in the FS configuration (e.g. 81FS). This includes a restyled trigger guard (notably square shaped) similar in appearance to current Beretta 92 models that allow for a finger hold on the front of the trigger guard. Previous models have a rounded trigger guard. A decocker was integrated into the safety; when the safety-lever is manipulated to safe, the hammer is also lowered.
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.
84 and 85
These two models are chambered for the .380 ACP (9 mm Short) cartridge. The 84 has a double stacked magazine with 13 round capacity, while the 85 has a single stacked magazine with 8 round capacity and resultant thinner grips. It has a four inch barrel, and has an ambidextrous frame-mounted De-cock/safety. The frame is alloy. It is available in both black and satin nickel finishes, with plastic or wood grips.
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.
Browning BDA-380
| 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. 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 sightst and was available in either polished steel or blued finish, with wooden grip panels.
The Browning BDA 380 pistol was introduced in 1977 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
- Belgian police (BDA 380)
- Italy
- Philippines (National Intelligence Coordinating Agency)
Resources
 |
Gun Owners' Resource has the following relevant documents available for free download for the Beretta Cheetah and/or its variants: |
- Beretta Series 81 Instruction Manual in Italian, English & French (10 pgs, 464 KB)
- Beretta Series 87 Target Instruction Manual in Italian, English & French (10 pgs, 484 KB)
- Browning BDA-380 Owner's Manual (31 pgs, 853 KB)
The Beretta 84.
The Beretta 84 disassembled.
The Beretta 87 Target.
The Browning BDA-380.
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)
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External links
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