Beretta 85FS Cheetah

[jimbar]

Anyone have any experience with this one. I've been looking at one, and I really like the trigger pull, and the overall looks and size, especially with wood grips.
I don't know anyone who shoots Beretta's, so any input would be helpful.

[jlottmc]

I have a PX4 in 40 and work with a guy that has your same pistol. He is a convert from the Browning BDA, and seems to like his Beretta a bunch. You should be good to go with one of those.

[JFootin]

Berettas are very high quality, dependable guns. And that one is a beauty with the wood grips! Kind of unique that Beretta has found a niche market for that gun over many years now. A lot of money for a large 380, IMO. The 380 round was designed for compactness in small concealable handguns, which is where you see it primarily used. It is a step up from 32acp, 25acp, 22lr and 22mag, and can be put in guns just about as small. But if you are going with a gun that large, step up to 9mm at least, IMO. It is a caliber more fitting for that size gun, and the ammo is way cheaper and much more readily available. Beretta is a fine brand, though. :)

[DriveMyKahr]

Whenever I find a handgun that fits my hand like a glove, it is difficult to find fault with it. I have had the opportunity to shoot several hundred rounds through a well-maintained Beretta 85FS that belongs to my son. I have always felt that a gun that provides a comfortable and confident shooting grip has an edge over any other. With a barrel length just under four inches and a sight radius just under five, the FS85 is not a hard gun to shoot. Accuracy at combat distances (7 yards or less) is excellent and better than I expected. It holds its own at longer range distances easily grouping 3 inches or less at 50 ft. One of my favorite features is the easy field-strip. Simply push the breakdown button, rotate the takedown lever 90 degrees and remove the slide assembly.

The size of the 85FS is larger in every dimension than my Kahr PM9. The additional weight is hard for me to justify as I like to carry in the front pocket of my jeans or khakis. Because of its larger size and additional weight it does not “melt-away” in my pocket like the PM9. My son carries with an ISWB holster or in the larger pockets of cargo style khakis so this is not an issue for him. Beretta is a 500 year old gun manufacturer who will stand behind its products and do whatever it takes to make the consumer a life-long customer.

[ripley16]

A world class pistol. I really like the Beretta 84/85 models. I carried a 84 for many years. I shot the gun very well and it was utterly reliable. I also bought the slimmer M85 but never carried it. I like the trigger, the accuracy is very good. I admit the sights are only OK. One of my two 84s had Trijicon night sights which I thought were an improvement over the standard dot on post, similar to Kahr sights.

The wood sights were nice looking but I prefered a different grip for carry. I used Pachmyer and Farrer rubber grips.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i186/ripley16/Pistols/Beretta/004.jpg

[jimbar]

I'm still thinking about the 85fs, I still have reservations about stepping down from 9mm to .380 cal for a a daily carry. I know it's how well you shoot, and where you put the rounds that count, but, still......I love my 1911, and how accurate, and easy it is to shoot, but it's just too bulky for a carry, at least for me.
Guess I'll have to look at the Beretta a few more times, like I have done with every gun before, then make a decision. Thanks for the input, guys.

[BrewerGeorge]

I've had a Model 84FS for almost 20 years - from before it was called a Cheetah. It is a super high quality weapon and I carried it extensively in earlier years. Ergonomically it is wonderful, and has a lot of the qualities of the 92. The grip feels like it was made to match your hand which is a huge change from the modern, polymer guns and recoil is gentle. The trigger is nice, though the magazine disconnect is a PITA. Accuracy is very good. I liked it so much that I had Robar put an NP3 coating on it back in the early 90's.

However, I haven't carried it in many years except for a few days recently when my CM9 was away for Cerakoting and the Glock was down in Smyrna for a refurb. It's just...huge now, comparatively. It has been technologically surpassed, and you can get 9mm, .40SW and even .45ACP pistols that are smaller AND lighter, not to mention a lot cheaper. Form is fantastic, but it just no longer measures up in function.

I was discussing this recently on another forum (a brewing forum's off-topic area, actually) and I took several pics to illustrate my points:

Here's the beauty all by itself. Notice the lovely NP3.
http://www.brews-bros.com/index.php?app=core&module=attach&section=attach&attach_rel_module=post&attach_id=595

Here are a few pics comparing the size to my CM9
http://www.brews-bros.com/index.php?app=core&module=attach&section=attach&attach_rel_module=post&attach_id=596

http://www.brews-bros.com/index.php?app=core&module=attach&section=attach&attach_rel_module=post&attach_id=597

http://www.brews-bros.com/index.php?app=core&module=attach&section=attach&attach_rel_module=post&attach_id=598

http://www.brews-bros.com/index.php?app=core&module=attach&section=attach&attach_rel_module=post&attach_id=599

[JFootin]

I've had a Model 84FS for almost 20 years - from before it was called a Cheetah. It is a super high quality weapon and I carried it extensively in earlier years. Ergonomically it is wonderful, and has a lot of the qualities of the 92. The grip feels like it was made to match your hand which is a huge change from the modern, polymer guns and recoil is gentle. The trigger is nice, though the magazine disconnect is a PITA. Accuracy is very good. I liked it so much that I had Robar put an NP3 coating on it back in the early 90's.

However, I haven't carried it in many years except for a few days recently when my CM9 was away for Cerakoting and the Glock was down in Smyrna for a refurb. It's just...huge now, comparatively. It has been technologically surpassed, and you can get 9mm, .40SW and even .45ACP pistols that are smaller AND lighter, not to mention a lot cheaper. Form is fantastic, but it just no longer measures up in function.

I was discussing this recently on another forum (a brewing forum's off-topic area, actually) and I took several pics to illustrate my points:

Here's the beauty all by itself. Notice the lovely NP3.
http://www.brews-bros.com/index.php?app=core&module=attach&section=attach&attach_rel_module=post&attach_id=595

Here are a few pics comparing the size to my CM9
http://www.brews-bros.com/index.php?app=core&module=attach&section=attach&attach_rel_module=post&attach_id=596

http://www.brews-bros.com/index.php?app=core&module=attach&section=attach&attach_rel_module=post&attach_id=597

http://www.brews-bros.com/index.php?app=core&module=attach&section=attach&attach_rel_module=post&attach_id=598

http://www.brews-bros.com/index.php?app=core&module=attach&section=attach&attach_rel_module=post&attach_id=599



Wow! It has an invisibility cloak like Wonder Woman's jet! :rolleyes:

[BrewerGeorge]

Wow! It has an invisibility cloak like Wonder Woman's jet! :rolleyes:
Pics not working? :32:

[JFootin]

Pics not working? :32:

Need help?

[BrewerGeorge]

Need help?
Just wondering if you guys can see the pics after your invisible comment. (I can see them, but mine could be cached...)

[JFootin]

Just wondering if you guys can see the pics after your invisible comment. (I can see them, but mine could be cached...)

Nothing but blank areas. Do you use photobucket? And do you use the Photo Insertion button (http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee486/John_England/Miscellanious%20Guns%20and%20Holsters/PictureIcon.jpg) to add pics to your post? If so (or not), I have a tutorial.

[Barth]

I'm still thinking about the 85fs, I still have reservations about stepping down from 9mm to .380 cal for a a daily carry. I know it's how well you shoot, and where you put the rounds that count, but, still......I love my 1911, and how accurate, and easy it is to shoot, but it's just too bulky for a carry, at least for me.
Guess I'll have to look at the Beretta a few more times, like I have done with every gun before, then make a decision. Thanks for the input, guys.

For a compact gun with a nice crisp 5 lbs trigger and serious accuracy?
I'm really liking my Glock G27.
Fitted with a Ghost Rocket 3.5 connector and a Storm Lake 40-9mm conversion barrel.
The Tupperware staple gun turns into a crisp, tack driving, SD machine.
At 19.75 oz and 10+1 (plus takes 15 round reloads) that's a lot
of 9mm +P firepower. And super comfortable to carry.
I'm thinking it's about the same size as that Beretta.
I'm just saying...
https://www.t-mobilepictures.com/myalbum/photos/photo31/da/5d/99e409e6e6c2__1328383198000.jpghttps://www.t-mobilepictures.com/myalbum/photos/photo36/f8/97/f32bb8edff48__1329324119000.jpg

[gb6491]

Just wondering if you guys can see the pics after your invisible comment. (I can see them, but mine could be cached...)
I think that's it. I checked out the brewer's forum (very nice by the way), but wasn't able to see them here until they were in my browser's cache.
Hope you don't mind me putting up a shot of your Beretta for the folks here (it is a nice piece):
http://i39.tinypic.com/14kwq4h.jpg
Regards,
Greg

[ripley16]

Just wondering if you guys can see the pics after your invisible comment. (I can see them, but mine could be cached...)

All I see are tiny red Xs. I do see the beretta and Glock right above my post.

[BrewerGeorge]

Ok, lemme try the comparison photos again...

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/429188_192481964186939_100002754103524_240166_9866 30280_n.jpg

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/417408_192482074186928_100002754103524_240169_7535 65719_n.jpg

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/424827_192482004186935_100002754103524_240167_4536 27104_n.jpg

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/404309_192482040853598_100002754103524_240168_1596 127637_n.jpg

[BrewerGeorge]

Let me know if you can see these, please.

[ripley16]

Let me know if you can see these, please.

:D

Crystal clear

[crazymailman]

Nice pics. I have a model 84 that I really like. Haven't shot it much, but it's been perfect when every time.