Beretta Cheetah

Beretta Cheetah
The Beretta 84F Cheetah.
Type	Semi-automatic pistol
Place of origin	Italy
Production history
Manufacturer	Beretta
Produced	1976–Present
Specifications
Weight	81FS: 685 gm/24 oz 82FS: 630 gm/22 oz 83FS: 640 gm/23 oz 84FS: 660 gm/23 oz 85FS: 620 gm/22 oz 86FS: 660 gm/23 oz 87BB: 570 gm/20 oz 87 Target: 835 gm/29 oz 89: 1160 gm/41 oz
Length	172 mm/6.77 in: 81, 82, 84, 85, 87 177 mm/6.97 in: 83 185 mm/7.28 in: 86 225 mm/8.86 in.: 87 Target 240 mm/9/45 in: 89
Barrel length	97 mm/3.82 in: 81, 82, 84, 85, 87 102 mm/4.02 in: 83 111 mm/4.37 in: 86 150 mm/5.91 in: 87 Target 152 mm/5.98 in: 89
Cartridge	.32 ACP: 81, 82 .380 ACP: 83, 84, 85, 86 .22 LR: 87, 87 Target, 89
Action	Blowback
Feed system	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

Magazine of capacity;

The Beretta Cheetah, also known by its original model name of "Series 81", was 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 (Models 81 and 82), .380 ACP (9 mm Short) (Models 83, 84, 85 and 86) and .22 LR (Models 87, 87 Target and 89). Beretta has discontinued the manufacture of certain models and versions, but Cheetah pistols in .22 LR, .32 ACP and .380 ACP are still being manufactured and sold.

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 nine round capacity and resultant thinner grips.

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 seven and eight round capacity respectively, and resultant thinner grips. The 84 and 85 have a 3.81" barrel, while the 83 has a 4" barrel.

The model 86 is chambered for the .380 ACP (9 mm Short) cartridge, but differs significantly from other models in the series, because it has a redesigned front end with a tip-up barrel that hinges at the muzzle to open the breech. This allows the shooter to load a cartridge directly into the chamber and not have to operate the slide.

There are two distinct 87 models both chambered for .22 LR. The standard model is similar to other models, but the 87 Target has a longer barrel and slide, can accept optical sights, and is single action only.

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.

There are 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). This is not the case with models 83, 86, 87 and 89, which were not made in all versions.