Beretta Cheetah
Compact blowback pistol series from Beretta, revived in 2023.
The Beretta Cheetah, also known as the 80 Series and originally known as the Series 81, is a line of compact blowback operated semi-automatic pistols designed and manufactured by Beretta of Italy. Introduced in 1976, the series includes models in .32 ACP, .380 ACP (9 mm Short), and .22 LR. Production paused in 2017, but the marque was revived in 2023 with the release of the 80X.
Quick Facts
- Origin
- Italy
- Is Ranged
- yes
- Wars
- Lebanese Civil War / Algerian Civil War
- Manufacturer
- Beretta
- Production Date
- 1976–2017 / 2023–present (80X only)
- Weight
- 81FS: 685 g / 82FS: 630 g / 83FS: 640 g / 84FS: 660 g / 85FS: 620 g / 86FS: 660 g / 87BB: 570 g / 87 Target: 835 g / 89: 1160 g / 80X: 709 g
- Length
- 172 mm: 81, 82, 84, 85, 87 / 177 mm: 83 / 185 mm: 86 / 225 mm: 87 Target / 240 mm/9.45 in: 89 / 175 mm: 80X
- Part Length
- 97 mm: 81, 82, 84, 85, 87 / 102 mm: 83 / 111 mm: 86 / 150 mm: 87 Target / 152 mm: 89 / 99 mm: 80X
- Cartridge
- .32 ACP: 81, 82, 80X / .380 ACP: 83, 84, 85, 86, 80X / .22 LR: 87, 87 Target, 89
- Action
- Blowback
- Feed
- Detachable box magazine of capacity: / 7 rounds: 83 / 8 rounds: 85, 86, 87, 89 / 9 rounds: 82 / 10 rounds: 87 Target / 12 rounds: 81 / 13 rounds: 84, 80X
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Beretta Cheetah line began in 1976 with the Series 81, offering models in .32 ACP and later .380 ACP and .22 LR. The 81 and 82 are chambered in .32 ACP, with the 81 using a double-stack 12-round magazine and the 82 a single-stack nine-round magazine. The 84, 83, and 85 are chambered in .380 ACP; the 84 holds 13 rounds in a double-stack magazine, while the 83 and 85 use single-stack magazines holding seven and eight rounds respectively. The 86, introduced in 1991, features a tip-up barrel that hinges at the muzzle, allowing loading without operating the slide; it was discontinued in 2004 due to low demand. The 87, introduced in 1977, is chambered in .22 LR and includes a Target variant with a longer barrel and slide, single-action only, and optical sight capability; it was discontinued in 2013 with a brief production in 2017. The 89, produced from 1984 to 2012, is also .22 LR, designed for competition and range training.
Reader's Guide
The Beretta Cheetah series is notable for its compact blowback design and long production run from 1976 to 2017, with a revival in 2023. The series includes multiple versions (base, B, BB, F, FS, and X) that introduced incremental improvements such as automatic firing pin safeties, squared trigger guards, Bruniton finish, and improved decocker mechanisms. The 80X, introduced in 2023, updates the model 84FS with a Vertec grip, Picatinny rail, optics-ready slide, and captive recoil guide rod. The series also spawned the Browning BDA 380 and FN 140 DA, built by Beretta from 1977 to 1997, and Turkish clones from Girsan and Tisas. The Cheetah has been used by Italian Guardia di Finanza and Kazakh private security companies since 2007. Its variety of calibers, versions, and the rarity of models like the 86 and 87 contribute to its collector interest.
Did You Know?
- The 80X, introduced in 2023, is an updated version of the model 84FS with a Vertec grip and Picatinny rail.
- Beretta built the Browning BDA 380 from 1977 to 1997, essentially a model 84BB with an enclosed slide.
- The 87 Target model is single action only and can accept optical sights.
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