Why I Bought a 40 Year Old Italian .380 [Beretta 84 Cheetah]

[@revolverDOOMGUY]

This is still a VERY popular gun in Italy, because 9mm parabellum is not available to the civilians, only 9x21 IWI, and if you want a small gun but familiar to people who used the m9 in service, this is a nice alternative. But James, please, never say "gnocchi" again like that in front of an Italian...

[@junichiroyamashita]

At the beginning i was "ma che sta a dì?"

[@11shiroineko]

The cheetah is also very popular in Mexico for legal ownership, every time there’s stock in the national store they flew really quick out the store, 9mm parabellum is also illegal for civilians here

[@WaterZer0]

"Sorry no military calibers." "Okay, we'll use something stronger." 🤦‍♂️

[@paulll47]

@@WaterZer0 Basically this, we can use .45, .357, .44 mag, .308 and most big boy calibers but somehow the 9mm parabellum and the 556 are off limits while we can still use 9x21 and .223 which are virtually the same, go figure what went into the head of the legislator at the time.

[@11shiroineko]

@@paulll47 You are lucky, we cant use big boy calibers, on handguns we only can use up to 38 special and 380 acp, also using for selfdefense +P ammo or hollow points is a federal crime, even just having that ammo in your carry gun without even shooting it will get you on prison

[@davidbock8282]

"To me, a Walther PPK is 'snappy,' a Makarov is 'snappy,' my wife is 'snappy,' the Cheetah is not." made me laugh out loud.

[@Rumpleskin]

Then mine asked" what's so funny" nothing honey

[@flawidajack2335]

@@Rumpleskin Don't forget? "That's my story, and I'm sticking to it!"

[@powerboon2k]

same

[@gonzob9609]

Not much muzzle rise, but the impulse is "snappy".

[@jackwalsh5270]

“Stereotypes are wrong and hurtful.” James, this whole video: hold my marinara

[@nicholaspayne8005]

Hello

[@First-Name_Last-Name]

I't a me!, -Mario- Beretta!

[@chrissewell1608]

@@First-Name_Last-Name I thought you said Mario Batalli, LOL.

[@chrissewell1608]

Did it make your marinara boil?

[@progunliberal]

Oh, and Jinx, Hallie Berry's character in Bond had a suppressed nickle 84, which is possibly one of the prettiest guns ever made.

[@brandonbowerstx]

Gunbroker analytics: " What's up with all these 84 Cheetah searches? "

[@Merk-Legend]

huh?

[@brandonbowerstx]

​@Merk-Legend : James reviews an obscure weapon and it immediately generates spikes of searches on GB.

[@darrellowings2343]

This gun was in every gun and pawn shop in the 80's and early 90's. I always liked it and wondered if it offered something we're missing. A larger .380 for personal defense that gives you more barrel length and gun in hand to fight with without excessive recoil.

[@emu314159]

I'd say so, with the rise of actually viable .380 ammo. You could probably find thin grips to keep it even thinner and more concealable, since the butt is the problem, not the barrel. I mean, you shouldn't compare performance to 9mm with 4in barrel because those are thicker, you have to compare to say, p365. And if this is going to be easier for some people to make follow up shots, then you are absolutely right, this is the missing link.

[@danielkane5646]

I'm watching a video now cause there's one in a pawn shop in my neighborhood I'm thinking of buying

[@darrellowings2343]

@@danielkane5646 You can't go wrong with that gun.

[@johnsanko4136]

Oh sure, you'll run around shirtless for the die hard guns, but when you review Trinity's pistols you won't put on the skin tight black leather pants

[@rickc2102]

9:47 still giving you gratuitous butt shots

[@michealvega1373]

Leather shorts.....mhhhh

[@Manco65]

ROFLMAO!

[@Valorius]

Don't encourage him.

[@jeffcaldwell2991]

When I began my law enforcement career in 2000 the man who hired me, the chief of police, carried a Beretta 84 with wood grips. It was always amusing to walk into the arms vault and see all the boxes of 9mm and 45ACP (we had a choice of pistols from an approved list, I carried the SIG P220 at the start of my career) and a small group of 380 hardball and hollowpoints for the chief.

[@durayenterprisesllc4440]

One of the depts I tested at, the guy doing the test carried an HK P7. Said he got grandfathered in.

[@johnelder9919]

The Beretta 84 is a beautiful gun. It is a fine self defense weapon that has such a classic cool factor that it makes carrying it simply joyful. It's like carrying a classic revolver, except with a more practical capacity. Great acquisition!

[@icarusflight2396]

Screams in Clint Smith.....

[@blueheeler4807]

+1 if a gun could be sexy; the Beretta 84 is smooth and sexy. And beautiful with the walnut grips!

[@el34glo59]

Bingo

[@friedrichjaeger367]

Make classicool a word please

[@tomcleave2622]

I’ve been wanting one for years and just found a sore the other day, my dream will come true!

[@maxfederman9291]

He’s not perverted, he’s just Italian

[@chrissinclair4442]

Damn Cuomosexuals. KZbin will probably nuke me for this comment. Nice how social media comes after you for trying to protect yourself from your predators. Then if you expose who is or has abused you, they ban you completely. Thanks @Dani_Lever

[@nekokyun]

As a 1st Gen American Italian I can confirm

[@dtogo4286]

😄 I saw that. I can see that being thrown around a lot

[@justinhorn2864]

Like that Cuomo guy

[@FinalLugiaGuardian]

"He's just a 63 year old Italian American male. And he does it to everybody, not just women. That makes it okay." No, that makes it worse.

[@feldwebel5]

My first pistol purchase (and for off duty) was a Beretta 84 base or first model (no letter suffix) with smooth wood grips. My department required that off duty semiauto pistols be double action. The 84 met the requirement, but as James mentioned, I could carry it cocked and locked due to frame safety. I loved the 84 from the moment I first held it. If fit like the first girl I ever danced with in 8th grade, and she was Italian and beautiful like the 84. Sold it for some stupid 20-something reason. A few years ago I found a 84 base model manufactured within a year of my first one in perfect condition for great price. I will never let her go.

[@Nnnope]

Also: you can buy two cheetas, a black leather trenchcoat, 90s sunglasses and cosplay as Trinity from The Matrix

[@zaitcev0]

Oh, so that's where I saw them. I thought it was Black Lagoon, but every source says Remy had 92s.

[@srjdog]

You just made me buy one. I’m pretty stoked about it

[@alexanderkoufodontis2092]

The pronunciation in the beginning was absolutely the correct way to start any review in my opinion

[@JacksonWalter735]

This was the first pistol I ever shot. The memories man. Thanks James for making a video highlighting the Cheetah!

[@proffitt72]

It always amazes me that you can give a thorough review mixed with the perfect dash of sarcasm and pinch of comedic backhand. Thank you for getting my Wednesday started off right. Now I have to find a Beretta 84 for myself.

[@tfbtv]

Thanks, I do it for you guys.

[@greatestkiller13]

I have one I've been meaning to sell for a while.

[@VMEMotor5]

You won't regret it.

[@MrGibsonguy335]

Thanks for the video. I have had an 84F for a number of years now. It ALWAYS draws attention at the range. People believe it is a pocket 92. My gun has the squared trigger guard and I replaced the black plastic grips with a beautiful set of Beretta wood grips. Result; one of the most aesthetically pleasing guns anywhere. (and it's made in Italy)

[@Bhakhanda1369]

Funny story about the 84. Long past when the department wailed about you having anything more powerful than a 380 as a backup, and pointedly expecting you to choose a 6-shot palm sized AMT or Jennings because they afeared you might feel a mite frisky and maybe would be able to actually WIN a fight……I verified that as long as it was a 380 then we could carry it. Sooooooo. Imagine the pissy purple they turned in wrath at how I got the best of them with a 13-shot 84. It was glorious and i outshot at 25 yds the blowhards with their P220’s. The 84 is worthy. Those magazines shown are quality and recommended. Loves me your channel, and enjoyed this video. I bought another decades later just for historical and sentimental value. Ir runs. My first day in Festung Europa during the Cold War I witnessed a polizei grease a deserving fuq-stick with a 380 using ball. The caliber works.

[@markshippoli8918]

Very informative story 👍😎

[@MelodusDethicus]

Yep, .380 is perfectly capable of getting the job done in most civilian circumstances. The caliber elitists going on like ".45 ACP is a man's caliber" and other such trite bullshit are completely forgetting that a woman dropped a grizzly with a single-shot, .22 mag rifle in the 50s. If a guy isn't "turned off" after being shot by any caliber, then he's still a possible threat. Caliber helps, but it's shot placement that matters most. A guy can be shot a dozen times and not be stopped if he wasn't hit anywhere that kills or incapacitates him "right now". Some guy's "man gun" won't mean much if he can't use it effectively. After all, the human body can withstand some crazy things especially when doped up on substances. I look to pop the delusional bubble of those elitists by sharing the story of a Skokie PD officer (Illinois) shooting a guy 17 times with his .45, with the last three shots being the ones that ended the encounter because they were shots to the face. Gotta hit where it matters.

[@Narcan885]

@@MelodusDethicus There was also a female serial killer that killed various people and her gun was a .22 pistol. She killed a truck driver with two (2!) .22 shots. She killed another man using 4 shots but he was likely dead with the first 2. .45 fetishists are just wankers.

[@MelodusDethicus]

@@Narcan885 Reminds me of Colion Noir's video poking some fun at .45 ACP truists. ".45 doesn't just kill your body; it kills your soul." It's somewhat paraphrased, but he says something real similar to that. It really is pretty funny.

[@mirkotrabocco9967]

Fun fact : Here in Italy it is more expensive to get your gun permit (around 400/500€) than to buy a beretta 84 (150\350 € depending on condition)

[@chrissewell1608]

I looked into buying a Beretta, while vacationing in Italy, a few years ago. But that damn VAT TAX and the paperwork, plus the gun's price, just wasn't worth it! It was cheaper to but one, already here in the USA.

[@francesco3772]

@@chrissewell1608 no shit, who tf buys guns during a trip?

[@friedrichjaeger367]

It cost me less than 200€ to get my gun permit and I've never seen a Beretta go for less than 400€. Not saying that you're lying, maybe things are just different in Lombardy ahah

[@BösendorferGrinzing]

Not if you live in Italy

[@hans4379]

Two years things change ​@@friedrichjaeger367

[@barryblu_space-bar3x]

The more I watch your videos and see all the work you put into the verbiage and the editing and the comedic satire I got to say I see why you have so many subscribers. Great videos great job keep it up bro

[@laurencealvarado9958]

Get strong Brad Pitt saying “bonjourno” vibes from this one.

[@GTFBITK]

Gorlami

[@poseyk01]

Gor-LAMI. Say it with some music 😂

[@mazkact]

@@poseyk01 Gratsee.

[@kmieciu4ever]

@@mazkact riverderchief

[@hillsman9199]

Averee detchi

[@nevertrumpfromthejump]

He has such a way with words. So articulate and poetic that even a gun hater could understand and appreciate such content.

[@methodical.millennial]

As a third generation Italian, I just want to say that I really appreciate this video. Beretta makes some overlooked pieces that are as elegant and reliable as my Gramma’s Alfredo sauce.

[@theeasternfront6436]

Where’s your family from before Italy?

[@danielebesozzi3764]

sorry to tell you but Alfredo sauce is not a thing in Italy, it's an American invention

[@umarmars47]

Alfredo's isn't italian

[@methodical.millennial]

@@umarmars47 are you saying my Gramma lied??? How dare you dishonor her memory.

[@vm-snss4910]

@@danielebesozzi3764 no, it isn't American, it's Italian

[@tmsek8155]

A cheetah was also used to shoot Chucky in the first Child's Play by Andy's mom, good close up. Been a while since I've seen it so not sure which model

[@bobshaw07]

I carry a 92 compact for most of the year, but in the summer months with light clothing, I carry the 84. Extremely similar grip angle/thickness and trigger makes the transition between the two completely seamless. With underwood extreme defenders, I don't feel under gunned at all with a 380. The 84 is a severely underrated pistol.

[@whiterabbit201]

Same here, Underwood ammo is a man stopper and what I'd consider mandatory .380 ammo for sure! I'm liking the ARX Inceptor ammo performance stats too.

[@burkholdst.rudderberg3574]

Never complain about a gun being underrated! Underrated guns tend to be less expensive than "popular" guns. If you want a great gun that is actually underrated, take a look at the Hungarian FEG PJK-9HP ( Hi-Power ).

[@rickybev3078]

My wife carries .380 and I always hear “it’s not enough round”. God forbid she ever has to use her firearm for defense, the person getting hit isn’t going to pause and say “that was only .380 wasn’t it”

[@sgtbrendan289]

Same, my winter carry is a 9000s, and summer carry is an 84.

[@MrScar665]

Hey if 380. was enough to kill archduke it is enough to stop a threat

[@j.c.bustamante3255]

Thanx for the video! I've had and carried my 84 off duty for many years and never had any issues with it. I'm now going to seriously start looking for a 84 BB or 84 FS to add to my collection. Well done and again Thanx.

[@tsoioleg]

As a designer I always loved the 84 design. Gorgeous shapes and curves and famous silhouette

[@yankeesfan1985]

Nice Review, Just placed a order for a Italian LE Used 84BB from Sportsmans Warehouse yesterday, I've wanted one for a long time since I was a kid and saw my Uncle's Nickel plated 84 he used to carry to his coin collecting meetings. The used ones are a great value at under $500 as opposed to nearly $900 for a new 84FS and only a once a year importation from Beretta.

[@chrislambert4986]

Atlantic has a bunch surplused out of Israel, want one myself for a long time...excited for the 80x also.

[@Brazilian.Off.Duty.Cop.]

The only thing bad about the 85 is that the 84 is just better.

[@BOB-wx3fq]

I got both, the 84 is wider at the grip but they are the same width overall at the safety notches

[@clplusp8762]

@John Doe .. I’m with you. I prefer the 85. Last year i saw a 95% nickel model 85 selling for 800.

[@SeaHoundM]

1

[@BOB-wx3fq]

@@clplusp8762 that's really expensive man

[@Tomekkplk]

@@clplusp8762 Same type is going for 800 on GB right now lol

[@jacobackley502]

I have the 81 in 32. Excellent pistol, shoots like a 22. Great for small game hunting, and with my reloads I can launch 88gr (32 long cast bullets) at about 850fps. It's a sweet little gun, highly recommend for someone who wants to go a little further than buying cheap fmj at a big box store.

[@MarcJaxon]

Your Italian pronunciation is absolutely spot on, James. If I didn't know any better I'd swear you were from Tuscany.

[@tfbtv]

I've been there twice, I'm basically an eyetalianno now

[@MarcJaxon]

@@tfbtv I bet they have the best Franzia money can buy.

[@mattfleming86]

I get more of a Naples vibe.. the dirty gritty part of Naples.

[@tfbtv]

I went to Naples the first time during the mob-related trash pickup strike over 10 years ago and holy shit was that dicey. Mountains of trash everywhere.

[@Seanomatic57]

Are you telling me there is not one house to rent in all of Tuscany?

[@markjohnis1872]

I have 2 Model 84 Cheetahs, love shooting them both… super accurate and reliable. Mine have de-cocker safeties, which is why I like to carry them…super safe. Excellent technical review and entertaining as usual James! Thank you!

[@bunnymud1972]

Fun Fact: In "The Matrix" when Trinity says "Dodge this" and shoots the agent she is holding a Cheetah due to the 92 FS being too big for her hand.

[@officerfuzz5-050]

Nope, she uses 84s throughout the whole movie. Look up GIMDB

[@bunnymud1972]

@@officerfuzz5-050 More like a yes/no "Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) carries a pair of Beretta 84FS Cheetahs as her sidearms in the film. These were selected because Moss has small hands and full sized Beretta 92Fs would be gigantic in her hands."

[@chrissewell1608]

Looked like the 92 to me!

[@guitarjediwarrior]

Thanks man, thought about that too, but I think it was a BB, wasn't it? (Round trigger frame?)

[@Trains-With-Shane]

@@chrissewell1608 the 84fs looks almost identical to the 92fs without comparing them both side by side. Easiest way to tell a difference between a BB and a F is the trigger guard which is squared off like the 92fs.

[@peewee102100]

I bought a set of Lok Grips for my Beretta 81, it totally changed the feel of it. A lot slimmer and it fits my a hand like a glove.

[@chrissinclair4442]

I always wanted a Cheetah. Unfortunately when videos like this are made, they just get harder to find and more expensive.

[@burkholdst.rudderberg3574]

When you think about it, yewtube videos have not improved our lives! Example: some clown makes a video about your favorite fishin' hole and then the next time you go there, everybody and his brother, are there.

[@jameskazd9951]

@@burkholdst.rudderberg3574 it is a double edged sword.

[@puddintame6310]

I acquired a M81 in .32 ACP. It's a righteous little combat pistol, impressively accurate at combat distance and very easy to shoot. Obviously hobbled by it's caliber, but definitely an option worth considering.

[@CeltKnight]

Way back when I started my LE career (dispatch/corrections at the time) I bought a Beretta 84BB and carried it all the time. Time, youth, and bad trades went by and I was writing a novel wherein the main character carried a Beretta 84 (there was a good reason for the character's choice). I began to miss my old gun and after much hunting and bargaining, I found one for ridiculously cheap (I think I got it for under $250 including shipping and transfer fee). Shoots like a dream, carries so easily I find myself toting it pretty darn often.

[@michealvega1373]

Is the novel out? I'm intrigued.

[@texasstadium]

When I win the lottery I will purchase all the guns I foolishly sold or traded.

[@notforsaletoday1895]

250? Sweet Jesus man you robbed them blind!

[@thebullmoose8316]

Has it been published? I’d like to read it.

[@ShredderSensei]

Man left us hanging on the hook

[@AF-py9iw]

This is one of my all time favourite pistols ever made!

[@chlebowg]

Beretta made the BDA 84 for Browning. Difference is enclosed slide and slide mounted safety. Mags interchange.

[@glennsammon4465]

DON'T EVER SELL IT. and if you do, sell it to me.

[@33Luger]

I prefer the Browning version but they are handy with a nice capacity.

[@VMEMotor5]

Personally I prefer the open slide and frame mounted safety of the Beretta version, but both are fantastic pistols.

[@martinf2740]

I sold a bunch of these while working in a gun shop in the late 70’s. I’ve always regretted not buying one myself. Thanks for the memories.

[@craigsavarese8631]

Modern .380 round technology has truly improved its performance. In particular, I really like Lehigh Underwood’s Extreme Defender/Penetrator for defense (definitely too expensive for range shooting).

[@MrShortanswer]

The humor is so good. Everytime it keeps me watching.

[@lordhijinx]

James obviously speaks third most Italian among the TFB TV crew. Now all he's missing are the hand gestures.

[@averydrew478]

🤌🏼

[@ratagris21]

Just remember it's all in the wrist.

[@marcusg8419]

"I don't speak Italian" "Like I said, 3rd most."

[@AF-py9iw]

I want to puke by his pronunciation lol although he might be joking!

[@shannonbarattini5772]

Bravo my friend. I have a Beretta 92fs centurion. Now I'm going to look for a 84. KISS ALWAYS and OLD DEVIL DOG. From The Big EASY

[@Negasta]

My dad has a low serial no. 84 (with wood grips) that he inherited from my grandfather. It is a wonderful little gun that has light recoil, a very good 13 round capacity and fantastic accuracy for what it is and on guys the size of my father and I it is fantastic for CCW.

[@TheMacj90]

Watching the Glock ad with Italian music made me chuckle

[@elmoreoocyte]

I couldn't wait to buy one to add to the mouse gun collection since they've been hard to find here for a long time. I added some wood grip panels to mine and it's quite handsome.

[@redswift31]

I already have a Beretta 92FS and love it...might have to keep an eye out for a Beretta 84.

[@vlogfriendsutopia]

I'm at the hospital because my wife is in labor. But a new TFB video? Always time for that.

[@mrmicro22]

Don't forget your snacks. Everyone looks after the mother. You might starve before they remember you.

[@vlogfriendsutopia]

@@mrmicro22 Good advice

[@PeteyMcSkeet]

If you ever find a P238 Legion in stock, snag it up. That subcompact 380 is a joy to shoot with that trigger and the reliability makes it a great carry option.

[@CutlassOutdoors]

One of my first handguns was a Browning BDA 380, which is basically a Beretta 84 without the open slide. I’ve always loved the 84 and its variants. I intend to own one someday.

[@AF-py9iw]

Browning BDA was made by baretta as well under contract from FN back in those days! I love both of those pistols!

[@filianablanxart8305]

Likewise the Browning marked versions of SIG P220 in 9mm , .38 Super , and .45acp in the same era .

[@itsnodawayitustabe5654]

And it was apparently an FN contracted engineer that designed the Decocker/safety which Beretta ran away with while FN stagnated

[@theoriginalemim]

My dad has carried a BDA since the 80s. Beautiful gun and is a tack driver.

[@jackvaughan7540]

I was shopping for a full size pistol, a friend suggested a Beretta Storm. Since then I've never looked back. Now, thanks to you I'm after the 84 !!! Thank You !!!!

[@shafty9147]

I just showed the first minute of this to my grandpa (1st Gen italian immigrant). Word for word: “maybe Mousellini was the safer choice”.

[@rexnihilum7822]

kek

[@07thunderhawk]

Based

[@Matt-xc6sp]

4 gen Italian AMERICAN, and I remember we fought the fascists

[@CM-dp5mw]

LOL

[@CM-dp5mw]

He’s not wrong..

[@dcpanam]

You had me at “no slide-mounted controls”…😍

[@djolsen13]

My wife is extremely recoil shy, and so for a couple of years this was the only centerfire pistol she enjoyed shooting. It recoils lightly, big enough to fill the hand but not too big, and has excellent capacity for 380. I wasn’t sure about her carrying a police surplus beretta 84 though, so after a lot of research ended up getting here a walther CCP in 380, which IMO provides much the same benefits except the high capacity. The walther is now her new favorite pistol.

[@alexz5336]

Love the CCP, just hate the trigger.

[@conductorcammon]

My mom is the same. Also she has trouble pulling the slide on most autos, the tip up barrel fixes that problem.

[@djolsen13]

@@alexz5336 yeah I think the CCP could be better. The sights aren’t great, and the trigger could be better, but holy Moses the recoil is soft yet the gun is nice and light.

[@chrissinclair4442]

I hope they also make in 9mm. They need to start making with higher capacity mags like all the micros. That and a version without a safety, as I think it had a safety and that may have been the only reason I didn't get one.

[@djolsen13]

@@chrissinclair4442 they do make the CCP in 9mm. But yeah I am generally not a fan of safeties on my striker fired handguns, but my wife liked it and I find the safety on the CCP to be really well designed.

[@Sadcryingdolfin]

Never stop doing what you do bro. You are great at it. Always love your videos, fun and informative. 😎

[@phconnolly1]

Great to see you showing the 84bb some love. These are GREAT pistols for all the reasons you’ve described, and the bb is definitely the way to go. Size inefficient is 2021? Yes. For a sensible self defense gun when you don’t feel the need for a red dotted, threaded barreled, Glock 19 wearing a mag funnel, these will score 14 hits and get you home safe!

[@Renaldo135]

They also had a "flip top" .380 cheetah for women and handi-cap people. It was a single stack. Like in 1991-92 i recall them on the shelf. They were excellent shooting guns. I loved the nickel ones with that tinge dull finish vs shinny chrome crap. As always, thank you James. Excellent job and love your humor as well.

[@dr.a.w]

That's a Model 86. Mine is from 1996.

[@statiklingon]

I liked watching the Glock spot with the classic Italian music more than I thought I would.

[@lewnetoons]

Fun Fact: The 81 and 84 are the same frame and slide, just different barrels. I have a couple of 81s and bought a couple of 84 barrels on GB for cheap, Swapped them out and they function perfectly. The 32 mags will feed the 380 ammo without issue.

[@calv279]

Looking damn good with the mustache and now a lil Beretta. Looks like our boy shorts wearing friendo is going back to the 80's in style and carry! Nice!

[@Chevelle3285]

I picked up a 84b years ago from a good friend of mine and man I love it. Told him I would never let it go.

[@dylanwarmuth5727]

A little known fact about Berettas is that you are supposed to lubricate them with extra virgin olive oil

[@MJA5]

The operator should choose ammo made somewhere between the Iberian peninsula and the Levant, Mediterranean diet, you know.

[@ThomasHendrickson]

I would like but it’s at 69

[@WinterInTheForest]

Add a dash of oregano for taste.

[@chrissewell1608]

This is true... a Sicilian would approve of this.

[@Narcan885]

@@WinterInTheForest The oregano goes in the cartridge cases

[@richard66754]

I never ever wanted anything made by Beretta until I watched your videos. Now I can’t live without one.

[@tfbtv]

By the way, the Cheetah does have some modern competition: I forgot to add the excellent Bersa Thunder Plus as a competitor. Not as refined as the Beretta but they make extremely underrated guns, and this one is within the same spec as the Cheetah: bersa.eagleimportsinc.com/bersa/firearms/thunder-plus

[@OakCliffK9]

I own two Beretta 85's and a Bersa Thunder. I like the Cheetahs slightly better overall, but the Bersa is a better work carry due to certain aspects of my job. The trigger is as good as or better than most factory triggers of its type, and the ergonomics are great. Many compare it to the PPK, likely due to its looks and fixed barrel, but to me its more like a budget Beretta. I like pineapple on pizza.

[@Sig_P229]

I actually carry the Bersa TPR9C over a Glock, Beretta, or Sig. James, get one and try it out. Its a nice gun for under 400

[@JoJoJoker]

The Thunder is actually closer to the Sig P230 than the 84 & PPK.

[@jimr5703]

The ergonomics of the Bersa Thunder 380 Plus are better in my hand. It can be carried safety off with the hammer back a single 'click' to prevent discharge if dropped, and yes, I EDC the Bersa. I've been tempted to get an 84 or 85 just 'cause I think they're cool lookin', but every time I take a closer look, the Bersa scores as the better gun for me.

[@tfbtv]

@Joel D, Thunder PLUS, not regular ass Thunder

[@raginshaw2020]

Glad to see you have caught up with the 84. I have been using one for a EDC in a shoulder rig, sporting rap around Pac. grips since the early 90's.

[@staywoke2198]

Damn dude, I was literally looking for one of these yesterday. Now they are going to skyrocket in price.. thanks dude

[@tfbtv]

:[

[@staywoke2198]

@@tfbtv all good. I just picked up a model 20 chambered in .25 auto instead

[@PanamaJack556]

I find it great that people call it snappy, but here my man is just having zero recoil because he's actually good at shooting.

[@John_Malloy]

You are confusing "recoil" with muzzle flip. For the weight of the gun and the caliber this pistol is definitely "snappy." There are better options available. I think it is also worth mentioning that the gun is difficult or at least tricky to reassemble after cleaning.

[@PanamaJack556]

@@John_Malloy Weird, I don't feel confused. Considering muzzle flip is caused by the action cycling and is dealt with by efficient recoil management. But yeah, somehow the impulse of a weapon cycling and the shooter having to mitigate the physics-based problem that is referred to as recoil (no quotations because it's a scientific term regarding the conservation of momentum) Thanks for @ing me with some pretentious semantics for no reason bro.

[@John_Malloy]

@@PanamaJack556 The gun, which I own, weighs 23.3 oz, but probably because of the "blow back" operation it feels "snappier" than a 9mm of similar or heavier weight, to me, and many others if you go ask other owners or check out other reviews. The recoil of the beretta tends to come straight back into the hand and how that is registered as "felt" recoil depends on the person.

[@PanamaJack556]

@@John_Malloy that's cool man, I've used the single stack 84, I carried a 92FS, an M9A1 and now an LTT RDO over these last 16 years. In that time I've shot at local matches, used a variety of other guns to see if I needed to make any changes, and uh, yeah man. Have a good day chief.

[@shootersresourcechannel642]

I’ve had my eye on the 84 for a while now, I might just scope one up. Great review James.

[@MrJeb2100]

The BB series of Beretta's shoot high at less than 25 yards because the factory zero is set for a longer distance.

[@vgnlda]

Yep. In training they taught us to bottom hold our target. First time I shot the Beretta 85 i placed 9/10 in the black circle (10 cm - 3,9 inch) from 9 m (around 10 yards). Love at first sight.

[@jamescarrino3696]

Just bought one this summer second hand (overpaid, but not nearly as much as I thought I did prior to seeing this video) and loving it already. Pretty much everything this video said is true to life and I love my Beretta 84 and hope to start carrying it soon. Quite frankly, the only issue with the gun is trying to find ammo for the darn thing in the Midwest!

[@jimmymcclure4549]

James, its a pretty gun. However just a few years ago you could pick up CZ-82's surplus for about $200 bucks. They shoot a better round in the 9X18 and are 12 plus one in that caliber. Look just as good and conceal just as well, have a great reputation for reliability and were much more affordable. That Beretta is pretty though and a good gun.

[@byronhamilton6061]

I had one wish I never sold it. They were so cheap about 10 years ago

[@mastercat381]

I have one of those myself; it was my first ever gun, in fact. They're actually still pretty cheap, around $300 last I checked. Nice gun but it's hard to find good magazines, and while 9x18 range ammo is pretty cheap compared to .380, defensive 9x18 is nearly impossible to get. They are also not drop-safe if they fall on the back of the gun with the hammer down. Not a huge deal to some people but something to keep in mind when handling one.

[@traumajock]

Is 9 x 18 'better' if availability is craptastic? It's much easier to find 380 JHPs , and that's not saying much. I found one stinking box of 380 hollow points in the last year. 380 is a second-string/deep concealed caliber for me. I will admit I've been carrying my LCP Max at work the last three days because its smaller and lighter than my micro 9s. There, I've shamed myself into going out to my vehicle and getting my P365 XL.

[@mojoguzzi6407]

I have a Beretta 84 and a CZ 82 and although both are great guns, the CZ is my favorite. I've had a bunch of Berettas (1934 and 1935 32 and 380, 1948 22lr, 1951 9mm) and the only knock on any is that occasionally the open slide will throw hot spent brass back at you. Not fun if it rolls down an open collar.

[@JonahVex]

Almost the exact same round with less options.. 9x17 vs 9x18

[@nebraskarooster9244]

Great review - thanks for doing it! The 81 series is one of my favorites.

[@claudioroberto6554]

james is so good that i watch every single one of his videos, and i dont even own a gun.

[@tombartley6228]

I pulled a couple of guys away from a lynch mob, back in Iraq in 2003 carrying one of these, None of the crowd seemed to care that it was only a 380. As a concealed carry, defensive pistol it was superb!.. Your comments echo my own sentiments. Effective, reliable and easy to use. The Holy Trinity of all handguns. A little fat assed, but shoots straight!

[@kentonhammond8938]

I have a pre- Cheetah marked model 84 b, from Italy. Mine has original wooden Beretta grips with the Trident medallion inbedded in the grips on one side, & the PB medallion on the other grip. It has a rounded trigger guard, vs the squared off ones of the later Cheetah's. The bluing on mine is flawless. Not sure what year mine was made in. I carry that pistol a lot ! I'm old now, expanding belly etc. So I always carry OWB. I would never get rid of mine, & it will eat any round I put in it. I keep some pretty HOT loads in it when it's on my belt. Bullet placement, bullet placement, bullet placement. Did i mention they are absolutely beautiful like Sophia Loren also ? I Put blaze orange "Neon Pop" fingernail polish on the front sight & man what a difference !

[@moveoutdrawfire]

I've got one like that too. Hurts my hand to shoot, even after I installed a new spring. By contrast, my M9 is VERY comfortable to shoot.

[@Satchmoeddie]

Itsa nine-a mm-a Corta, or 9mm Browning. I have a Beretta 86F I got for my mother because she can no longer rack the slide on most guns. She usually carries a Charter Arms Pitbull 9x19mm revolver, and a 25 round stick magazine. That's 4 or 5 reloads. She has 6 or 7 maybe 8 Beretta 86 mags, so that's 7 or 8 reloads. I think we have 7 of those. The Beretta 81-86 series is like owning a baby 92. I am NOT a straight blowback fan at all, but I love the Cheetah series, but I am a total sucker for delayed blowbacks.

[@Manco65]

Back in the day an acquaintance of mine, college class mate, carried one of the Browning BDA variants for off duty and sometimes U C. work. I need to mention the degree program was Criminal Justice so many current and future LEO's there.

[@fabriziobrazzale416]

Man, you rock! Your videos always are informative and love the humor! Keep it up!

[@swimmmy]

"a fistful of prosciutto" my god james what have you done

[@theosprey7111]

They’re not spaghetti westerns anymore, they’re prosciutto westerns.

[@larryburch2675]

“Fun to shoot” is an understatement! I’ve never enjoyed plinking more than with my 84F and some fmj, that includes all the 22lr stuff.

[@thetobaccoguy1751]

I bought one of the model 81's when they were bringing them in for under $250. Wish I had bought 5. Awesome little pistol.

[@pilgrim357]

same, they were an amazing deal

[@nicholasnissen1547]

Yea didn't get 5 but ended up with 3 of them my pops has one.

[@MrPCApps]

I have had one 84 .380 for over 12 years, have had lots of offers but no takes. thanks for the video.

[@AMX86]

Got a 1991 made Mod 84fs. It's a comfortable gun to hold. A bit heavy, nicely accurate and reliable. Sights are fixed and tiny but can be gotten used to.

[@ericm1839]

Theres something to be said about these older guns and the thick grip that really lets you hold it. I feel like a lot of the thinner subcompacts get criticism for their "recoil" because the flat, tiny, over-angled grip is hard to get two hands cleanly wrapped around

[@MrJeb2100]

LOK grips has a an excellent set of g10 grips for this weapon. These grips are much thinner than the factory grips. I highly recommend

[@brettheiner7125]

I bought some, but can’t get the factory grips off.

[@bret5676]

I own one of these, fantastic firearm, great shooter! Excellent quality.

[@tracybudesa7263]

We need the new pen-15 video uploaded can’t wait to see you running some drills with in your short shorts

[@chicorodriguez3964]

I've owned an 84F for years and it has always been an excellent gun

[@Zundfolge]

The 86 with the tilting barrel is also awesome for ladies that complain about racking the slide. I don't think it comes in double stack though.

[@VMEMotor5]

Correct, only a single stack available with the tip up barrel unfortunately. They have also gotten stupid expensive, especially when compared to the other Cheetah .380s.

[@kennethrosequist8963]

I have an 84FS in nickel, it's a great little gun, very accurate.

[@coreymoyers]

Damn it, I’ve been looking for one of these for two years now. After this video I can rest assured I’ll never find one at a decent price. Thanks!

[@stoegerstewie8351]

If you prefer new production, Tisas makes a 84bb clone for less than 400.

[@Apocolovids]

"Unless you're built like a cave troll..." Thank you for acknowledging us. Very progressive, J.

[@KevinHullinger]

Excellent video. I would buy the cheetah in a minute no questions ask. As far as 380 goes my edc is bodyguard 380. With HST and practice enough for good shot placement. It’s 2021 fellas.

[@eddietat95]

I fell in love with it after watching "Scarface" - the scene where Tony Montana gets shot at in the club and when he gets his revenge a bit after.

[@indiangunner]

Believe it or not, these sell for $30,000 USD in India 🇮🇳 nowadays after the 1986 importation ban in our country.

[@jonathank7394]

Wow

[@indiangunner]

@@jonathank7394 Yeah, I know. Crazy!

[@LaneB16]

All beretta handguns are great guns. My dad had a cheeta 82 in 32 acp. One of my top 5 handguns. My 21a bobcat in 25 acp is my favorite handgun.

[@el34glo59]

Agreed

[@codyryan1027]

The "the 380 is too underpowered compared to the 9" of today is the same as the 9 vs 45 of yesterday. 9 worked yesterday and 380 works today.

[@tfbtv]

I agree with this statement

[@marcellone1986]

_Human skin hasn't being become hardened yet_

[@tonyromano6220]

380 yourself upside the head…. Exactly.

[@andrewshagoury2288]

Just have to be more careful with self-defense carry ammunition selection. Several meet FBI protocols if that is your standard.

[@realtalk4real243]

32 acp fmj also meets fbi penetration requirements in gel

[@phil4986]

The blue finish on these is just gorgeous. The wood grips shine. And the groups you shot at 7 yards are wonderful. That , in a bad guys chest , will make him rethink his life decisions for sure. I really cannot overstate the quality of the blued finish on these guns.