I lust after one. One of the older ones with the rounded trigger guard. This is for two simple reasons: I'm a Beretta fan and I think it's one of the sexiest pistols made. It's nothing I'd every carry, but life shouldn't be only about practicalities.
Aren't the Browning BDA and the Beretta Cheetah more or less, not counting some whistles and bells, the same gun? I always thought they were pretty much the same (okay, there are visible differences and the BDA has lovely wood grips).
I wanted one for years and happily acquired this one some time back - it's a fun gun, just kind of a giant for a .380.
Then, again, it's fun to shoot and a quality handgun for all purposes.
This is a Star Model S - another fun .380 that's big but tons of fun to shoot:
I can say the same for my Beretta Model 70 .22, among other large .22s. Sort of big but fun to shoot.
Someone has a Beretta Model 84 32 ACP for sale on the Forum today, actually. I was and am looking for a larger .32 than my Seecamp but I am not ready to spring for 600 plus dollars. But it's sure a looker!
IIRC the BDA is an EE with a 'typical' (instead of skeleton) slide. A friend had one in .380. It is a piece of practical art. Beretta seems to value aesthetics highly. At this time I had Star S models in .32 and .380. We both agreed the BDA was prettier, but the JMB locking breech made either Star more pleasant to shoot.
I have two Berettas, a 70S .22LR and an 85BB .380. Both are really sweet little pistols. Can we never own and shoot anything that is "Not suitable for CCW" ?
Scott
I would not say either of those is 'not suitable' neither would be my first choice, but that is a far different opinion than 'not suitable'.
I happened to see a nickel and a blue BDA at a LGS today. Wanted $999.99 apiece.
Handguns are all a compromise................... TTSH buy it if you like it...... in the long run you won't lose any money..........
My first CC was a Beretta 70s single stack,single action .380..... always thought the 84 had a 'fat butt" and wanted/preferred the single stack 85(?).
but in the mid-80s the 70s was replaced first with a .380 PPK/s than a PPK...... as I transitioned from single action to DA/SA autos..............
Truth is the 380 Beretta's are pretty close in size to the S&W 3913 so I never pursued getting one......
I've got a couple of the single stack 9mm Beretta 92 Compact Type-Ms.... including two of the older SB models..... w/ the round trigger guards in Beretta's polished bright blue finish and wood grips......about the size of at 39 .
Beretta's from the 70s-80s ooze Italian sex appeal.....................
In a "By Gone Era" I was issued a Browning Model like this one for a "Special Assignment". I was a "Bigger Is Better" caliber guy. On the advice of a "Experienced" officer I used .380 PMC 88 grain JHP ammo.
I had nothing but positive results with this combo.
My Man! You were convinced in less than 50 posts. You usually agonize a bit longer...
Ha!!! The main difference this time is that I happened to have a little cash left unspent in my wallet after a series of local disappointments... 3rd Gen possibilities that, for one reason or another, didn't work out. Funny thing about individuals selling 3rd Gens: They often change their minds and decide to keep them. Gee, I wonder why?
It was also clear that I had to move relatively fast on this Beretta. It's not like there are a dozen other shops with the same gun at the same attractive price sitting in their display cases. This is a relative unique find in my area.
In a "By Gone Era" I was issued a Browning Model like this one for a "Special Assignment". I was a "Bigger Is Better" caliber guy. On the advice of a "Experienced" officer I used .380 PMC 88 grain JHP ammo.
I had nothing but positive results with this combo.
This one IS bigger! (They issued our Narco teams the 21a.)
Congrats! I too lusted for a 84 for many years. Some thing about its size, sleek and sexy lines, I finally broke down and bought one. Found a used Kramer scabbard holster, cheap, and loaded it up with buffalo bore +P 90 gr and carried it many a days. The gun was accurate but the sights were small. Had a gunsmith mill in a dovetail and put a hi viz night sight on the front and open the rear sight opening up. A little less accurate but much faster on target.
Congrats! I too lusted for a 84 for many years. Some thing about its size, sleek and sexy lines, I finally broke down and bought one. Found a used Kramer scabbard holster, cheap, and loaded it up with buffalo bore +P 90 gr and carried it many a days. The gun was accurate but the sights were small. Had a gunsmith mill in a dovetail and put a hi viz night sight on the front and open the rear sight opening up. A little less accurate but much faster on target.
It is one sexy little beast! I don't think the sights are any worse than on some of my older 1st & 2nd Gen and early 3rd Gen S&W pistols. I prefer the Novak style, but the sights on the 84FS seem to fit with the character of the gun. I might not think that way if I were carrying it... ... but this is a "conversation piece", safe queen and sometimes range gun for moi. No hard duty for my little Italian work of art.
I'll be posting pix of my new Italian beauty sometime tomorrow, assuming I can finish my tax returns by tonight! 
Funny thing about individuals selling 3rd Gens: They often change their minds and decide to keep them. 
Gee, I wonder why? 
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