Opinions & Thoughts on Beretta 84FS?

[sigp220.45]

Practicality is over-rated. Buy that thing.

I have an even less practical version - the Model 81 in .32 ACP. Not only is it less powerful, it holds one less round than the .380, thanks to the semi-rimmed case.

I carry it all the time. It shoots great, has never jammed, and I have faith that a swarm of those little FMJs will do just fine in the face of adversity.

And its not THAT big........

 

[Guevera]

I really don't know why all the beefing and moaning about the size of these pistols - of course, I carry either a 84 or an 85 most of the time, so I am hugely biased. Sure, I have small 9mms, and even smaller 380s, but the 84 and 85 are the best combination of safety, accuracy, and dependability for me. Improvements in 380 ammunition make for an even better defensive arm. I can put several accurate shots on the target astonishingly quickly with these pistols, far more so than a 9mm and needless to say am very pleased and satisfied with these Berettas.

Here's a couple of comparison photos. Note in particular the one with that enormous J frame Smith.

HUGE, eh?

 

[diyj98]

At one time I owned the 84, the Browning version, and the more rare FN version. They were all well made guns, but didn't really fit any of my perceived needs so I sold them.

 

[Grayfox]

I have a 84FS and like it a lot. Mine had been originally bought by a friend for his wife. However, she had trouble racking the slide and never shot it. It sat in his safe for quite a few years until I got it from him in NIB condition.
I readily admit that I have no practical use for it what-so-ever. I have much smaller .380s for carry. But it is a classic and as someone pointed out earlier, there is a certain pride in ownership that goes with it. It feels good in my hand, shoots great and just reeks of "class". What other reason do you need?

 

[petepeterson]

Practicality is over-rated. Buy that thing.

I have an even less practical version - the Model 81 in .32 ACP. Not only is it less powerful, it holds one less round than the .380, thanks to the semi-rimmed case.

I carry it all the time. It shoots great, has never jammed, and I have faith that a swarm of those little FMJs will do just fine in the face of adversity.

And its not THAT big........

Are they the same size? I always though the .32 held 12 because it was a single-stack.because

 

[petepeterson]

I really don't know why all the beefing and moaning about the size of these pistols - of course, I carry either a 84 or an 85 most of the time, so I am hugely biased. Sure, I have small 9mms, and even smaller 380s, but the 84 and 85 are the best combination of safety, accuracy, and dependability for me. Improvements in 380 ammunition make for an even better defensive arm. I can put several accurate shots on the target astonishingly quickly with these pistols, far more so than a 9mm and needless to say am very pleased and satisfied with these Berettas.

Here's a couple of comparison photos. Note in particular the one with that enormous J frame Smith.

HUGE, eh?

I sold the only Beretta I owned (21a). Those pics are making me re-think that...

 

[sigp220.45]

Are they the same size? I always though the .32 held 12 because it was a single-stack.because

Yep, same size, double stack. They had to do some Italian magic to prevent the dreaded "rim lock" where one tiny rim gets in front of the one on top of it. Whatever they did worked - the thing runs like a Swiss watch, but its at the expense of one round.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

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!

 

[TTSH]

Well, my absolute best offer is in, and I broke the house rules in order to make it. Since it was below the tagged price, I have to wait for the consignment owner to give it a thumbs up or thumbs down. Unfortunately, I won't be back in town during the shop's open hours until next Thursday night, so even if the consignment owner goes for it, he won't get his money for a week unless I can weasel a "by appointment only" meeting before then.

Anyway, gave it my best shot. Stay tuned to see if I scored it!

++++++++++

EDIT: Score!!! As it turned out, I had missed the shop's voicemail message that the owner had accepted my offer. I changed my weekend plans and was able to pick it up yesterday. Pix to be posted when I'm back home mid-week.

 

[StickShift]

Practicality is over-rated. Buy that thing.

I have an even less practical version - the Model 81 in .32 ACP. Not only is it less powerful, it holds one less round than the .380, thanks to the semi-rimmed case.

I carry it all the time. It shoots great, has never jammed, and I have faith that a swarm of those little FMJs will do just fine in the face of adversity.

And its not THAT big........

I too have a Beretta 81, picked up for $195 from Sarco in PA in late January. It's a 1978 production gun and looks like it was barely fired, despite being a surplus gun with no box, papers, and only one magazine.

I lusted after an 84 for years for many of the reasons above - the 'just right' size and racy looks - but the recoil of a blowback .380 kept me from buying one. When I found out about the .32s, I kept a look out, but was scared off by their obscene price (frequently $600 for beaters, $700+ for new ones). When I saw that one at Sarco, I jumped on it since I knew I'd never find one that cheap again.

Recoil is interesting - it's mild, but very sharp due to the blowback design and small caliber. It's fun and easy to shoot rapidly, but I can't shoot too many rounds through it before something in my hand stings a little. The sights are terribly small, but the gun is very accurate. The trigger is surprisingly good, with a short and distinct reset. I agree that it would be a much better locked breech 9mm than a blowback .380, but it's a boat load of fun in .32. Here's a picture below comparing it to my CZ75 pre-B.

 

[Trooper224]

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.

 

[TomkinsSP]

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.

 

[TomkinsSP]

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.

 

[BAM-BAM]

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.....................

 

[TTSH]

Handguns are all a compromise................... TTSH buy it if you like it...... in the long run you won't lose any money..........

Oh, I did Bam. I'll be posting pix of my new Italian beauty sometime tomorrow, assuming I can finish my tax returns by tonight!

 

[jimmyj]

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.

 

[petepeterson]

Oh, I did Bam. I'll be posting pix of my new Italian beauty sometime tomorrow, assuming I can finish my tax returns by tonight!

My Man! You were convinced in less than 50 posts. You usually agonize a bit longer...

 

[TTSH]

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.

Pix this afternoon... I promise!

 

[Guevera]

I guess you folks have seen the Beretta 85s that are available on the Classic Firearms site? Just sayin'.

 

[TomkinsSP]

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.)