Beretta Cheetah

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).

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

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.

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.

Model 89 Standard

Cartridge	.22 LR
Operation	Semi-auto, blowback
Hammer	Exposed, single-action
Length	240mm (9.4")
Height	135mm (5.3")
Weight (approx)	1.16 kg (40.9 oz) empty
Barrel Length	152mm (6")
Rifling	RH, 6 grooves, pitch 350mm (13.8")
Front Sight	Interchangeable blade (3 sizes)
Rear Sight	V-notch, adjustable for elevation and windage
Sight Radius	185mm (7.3")
Safeties	Ambidextrous manual thumb safety locks the sear and slide in the closed position
Magazine	8 round, single line
Frame	sand blasted and anodized light alloy
Slide	Brunion coated steel
Barrel-counterweight	Brunion coated steel
Other features	Fixed barrel counterweight Semi-anatomical grips Micrometric adjustment of trigger after-run 3 sizes anatomical walnut grips (on request)

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

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
• Philippines (National Intelligence Coordinating Agency)
• Slovenia
• Venezuela

Resources

• 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)

External links

• Official Beretta Cheetah page