Beretta 84BB

[45Smashemflat]

I’m not super hunting, but the tip up barrel (86?) has always been of interest. Seems it would be handy for weaker grips.

 

[Igiveup]

Warren Sear, Thank you. I had to go check and I have a CZ M 83, my mistake. Actually my Beretta is a M85BB double stack .380. How does that differ from M 84BB?

 

[Warren Sear]

Warren Sear, Thank you. I had to go check and I have a CZ M 83, my mistake. Actually my Beretta is a M85BB double stack .380. How does that differ from M 84BB?

The M85BB has a single column 8 round magazine, and a 3.81" barrel. This pistol is in .380 ACP caliber.

 

[Warren Sear]

I’m not super hunting, but the tip up barrel (86?) has always been of interest. Seems it would be handy for weaker grips.

Yes, I kind of like them too. You are referring to the Model 86. It is built quite differently than other 80 Series Berettas in order to accommodate the pivoting barrel. This model was only made for a few years, so it can be hard to find, and expensive. It did not sell well, which is hard to understand, since I think it was a great idea, although I was not interested in them way back then. They had a single column magazine, but I don't know the capacity, and I don't know if the M83 or M85 magazine is compatible or not.

Girsan makes a very similar model that is currently in production called the MC-14T. It uses a double column 13 round magazine, so that would be kind of nice. I saw these for sale earlier tonight on the www. I don't remember the price.

edit to add: The world of 380 ACP pistols is relatively new to me. I didn't take the caliber seriously, but then bought my first one about two years ago, a Glock Model 42. I like Beretta pistols, and I stumbled across this thread recently, which got me interested in the Beretta M84BB. I looked around and found one on the PSA website and ordered it. It was supposed to arrive at my local gunshop today, but got delayed until tomorrow. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, so I would imagine I can get it Friday. I am excited to shoot it.

I hand load 102 grain round nose home cast lead bullet ammo for 380 ACP caliber.

 

[Igiveup]

I give up. I think i better order one of the m84BB while they are available. I carry my 85BB sometimes, like the caliber, but a few more rounds is nice. Thank you Warren Sear.

 

[Warren Sear]

Well, half of the fun is just finding out exactly what it is you are looking for!

 

[Warren Sear]

My M84BB arrived today. I am very happy with it, although I have not shot it yet. Mine was supposed to be "very good" condition, but really should be rated "excellent ". There are some very slight cosmetic exterior flaws, but like new inside. Obviously shot very little. Fantastic bargain at $299.

Mine was made in 1986. The slide is not blued, but is painted with something that resembles Cerakote.

I hope to get it to the range next week.

(edited for better pictures)

 

[Warren Sear]

M92 and M84BB compared.

 

[VictorLouis]

Fantastic gun/s, though snappy in .380
I have the .32 version and it's really sweet.

 

[Igiveup]

I caved. Drove the 30 miles to town and ordered an 84BB from local gun store. I plan to carry it some and just ordered the $299 version, as it will start showing holster wear in short time. I ordered with insurance, should ship Monday, two day air. Hope to have it by Thursday.

 

[Warren Sear]

I caved. Drove the 30 miles to town and ordered an 84BB from local gun store. I plan to carry it some and just ordered the $299 version, as it will start showing holster wear in short time. I ordered with insurance, should ship Monday, two day air. Hope to have it by Thursday.

What holster are you going to use?

Congratulations on a wise purchase. That has to be the best deal ever on a high quality, classy, well built pistol.

 

[.38SuperMan]

I bought one of the original 84’s several years ago. It was an Israeli police surplus pistol and was mechanically excellent and cosmetically very good with some edge wear but not excessive. I’ve shot quite a bit with it and never had a malfunction and it’s very accurate. It’s a bit larger than some of the new 9’s but I find it fits my hands very comfortably and I really like the 14 round capacity. Recoil is lighter than 9mm which is a plus with arthritis in my hands and wrists. Another plus, I like an all steel construction and the additional weight buffers recoil.

I carry it when traveling some and carry it in a Fanny pack. Actually I’d like to carry it more and am thinking of getting a custom leather belt pouch made for it.

 

[Moo Moo]

When discussing the Beretta Cheetah line of handguns, I always find myself heading back to this table to refresh my memory.

 

[desi2358]

I just picked up an 84 from AIM Surplus, went with one of the X-Grade as I wasn't concerned with finish wear. Since I live close by I was able to go into their showroom and give the gun a good going over. Mechanically it seems to be excellent, great bore and little internal wear. Exterior was actually better than I expected. Hoping for a nice day so I can get out to my friends range and try it out. Been cold and windy, not good weather for my bones!

 

[Igiveup]

Warren Sear, I won't know the holster until I receive the pistol. I have one I use for 84BB and CZ83, and one that only fits CZ83. Go figure. I also found in safe tonite a Beretta 81 (?) In .32 acp. This has been fun!

 

[ladder13]

When discussing the Beretta Cheetah line of handguns, I always find myself heading back to this table to refresh my memory.

Thanks for that guide Moo Moo.

 

[Guevera]

I’m a huge fan of the 84 and its more svelte sibling, the 85. Here is one of these accurate and dependable pistols beside that standard of concealed carry, the J Frame:

 

[Warren Sear]

I shot my new-to-me Beretta M84BB for the first time today. Temperature was 18°, which is a little cold to be shooting bare handed.

The pistol functioned perfectly with Remington factory hollowpoint ammo, and my cast bullet handloads, although the slide did not always lock back on the last shot. My handloads are just under maximum listed in the Lyman 4th Edition cast bullet manual. I used Bullseye and HP-38 powder with 102 grain round nose bullets cast from a LEE mold.

I shot about 200 rounds, at which point my hands got too cold. Not a single malfunction, other than the slide did not always stay open after the final shot, which is not a concern to me. I could try increasing the powder charge to see if that makes a difference.

edit to add; A UpLULA magazine loader is a must for loading this pistol!

 

[Warren Sear]

Fantastic gun/s, though snappy in .380
I have the .32 version and it's really sweet.

Yes, definitely "snappy in .380"!

Also, even with the added serrations to the slide (compared to the previous model), the slide is still hard to grasp and pull back.

 

[Igiveup]

Good information, Warren Sear. I am getting arthritis in my lower thumb joints and find it more difficult to rack slides. I have a few of the Magula loaders and am impressed with how easy they make reloading magazines, from ar-15, 45 auto, just all of them. We have been below 15 degrees recently, warming up to 34, know what you mean about shooting in the cold.