Models
81 and 82
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.
83, 84 and 85
These three models [1] 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.
86
Introduced in 1991, 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. The 86 uses a single-stack magazine like the 85. Due to low demand, the 86 was discontinued in 2004. Because of its rarity, the 86 demands high prices on the collector's market. In 2023, EAA released a clone of the 86 called the Girsan MC-14T. [2] The MC-14T is very similar to the 86, except it uses a standard 84 double stack magazine instead of the 86's single stack, and has an accessory rail.
87
Introduced in 1977, 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 87 was discontinued in 2013, although it was produced again briefly in 2017. The 87 is considered one of the rarest models.
89
Produced from 1984 to 2012, 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. [3]
80X
"80X" redirects here. For other uses, see
80x.
Introduced in 2023, the 80X is an updated version of the model 84FS chambered for the .380 ACP (9 mm Short) cartridge. It has a Vertec (straight back) grip, reshaped trigger guard, a Picatinny rail on the frame for accessories like a white light or laser, and an optics ready slide. It also has an improved adjustable trigger, an easier-to-rack slide with forward serrations, and lightened recoil from tuning of the slide weight and spring rates. This gun uses a captive recoil guide rod assembly instead of having separate guide rod and recoil spring parts. Beretta ships the 80X with magazines that do not have a metal strip across the follower lip that engages the slide catch (similar to MecGar's magazines for the 84). This design helps hollow point bullets feed reliably. Beretta 84 magazines can be used with the 80X, but FMJ bullets should be used in such instances. In 2024, the Beretta 80X Urban Tactical was introduced, which features a threaded barrel and two 15-round extended magazines. [4]
Versions
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.
Base versions (no letter suffix)
Base versions of models 81 through 87 are noted for having a rounded trigger guard and generally fewer safety features than subsequent versions. The safety lever is ambidextrous and frame mounted. The frame is alloy, the slide is blued steel and the standard grips are wood. Also, the guide rods and recoil springs are thinner than subsequent versions. The backs of the guide rods are flat, whereas the backs of the guide rods for later versions have a small "nub" or bump.
B versions
Introduced in 1980, the B versions of models 81, 82, 84, and 85 introduced an automatic firing pin safety, a shorter extractor and grooved front and back straps. The "B" designation means "Brevettato", meaning "patent", referring to a new alteration on the design.
BB versions
Introduced in 1982, the BB versions of models 81, 82, 84 and 85 have more serrations on the slide as well as white dot and post sights. The guide rod and recoil spring are slightly wider than in previous iterations, and the guide rod has a small "nub" or bump on the back. The "BB" designation means "Brevettato Brevettato", meaning that it is the second alteration to the design. Beretta also produced nickel-plated versions of some of the BB generation.
F versions
Introduced around 1988, the F versions of models 81, 82, 84 and 85 introduced the "combat" trigger guard with a squared-off front that allows for a finger hold, plastic grips, a proprietary "Bruniton" finish, a chrome-plated barrel and chamber, and a combination safety and decocker lever. Because the F version incorporates Bruniton, a chromed barrel and a squared trigger guard, much like the Beretta 92F, which had been released around the same time, Beretta added the similar F designation to the 84. The "F" means "Federale", or "Federal" in Italian, which was added to the 92 to denote its entry into United States federal government testing.
FS versions
Introduced around 1990, Beretta improved the decocker mechanism in models 81, 82, 84 and 85 to avoid the levers getting stuck in a "half" position. (The "F" versions could still be fired if the decocker levers were in the "half" position, and the frame area near the levers could be chipped.) The 81FS, 84FS, and 85FS were occasionally available in nickel finishes. The "FS" designation signifies either "Scivolo" (meaning "slide") or "Sicurezza" (meaning "patent" or safe") in Italian, due to the design's improved safety mechanism.
X versions (currently only the 80X)
The 80X uses a captive recoil guide rod assembly, a larger beavertail on the back of the frame (to protect against "slide bite"), and a Vertec (straight back) grip.
Beretta has sold factory-painted Bronze and Olive Drab Green models of the 80X in addition to the standard blued model. The "X" suffix is added to the model number to signify its use of the Xtreme-S trigger system, much like the 92X. Beretta has also released a Tactical Urban model with a threaded barrel for suppressor use and an extended 15 round magazine. [5]
The Beretta 92 is a series of semi-automatic pistols designed and manufactured by Beretta of Italy. The Beretta 92 was designed in 1975, and production began in 1976. Many variants in several calibers continue to be used to the present.
The CZ 75 is a semi-automatic pistol made by Czech firearm manufacturer ČZUB. First introduced in 1975, it is one of the original "wonder nines" and features a staggered-column magazine, all-steel construction, and a hammer forged barrel. It is widely distributed throughout the world and is the most common handgun in the Czech Republic.
The Beretta 3032 Tomcat and Beretta 3032 Tomcat Inox are semi-automatic pocket pistols designed and manufactured by Beretta. They are chambered in .32 ACP and are small pistols, designed for concealed-carry and use as backup weapons. The Beretta 3032 Tomcat builds on a long line of small and compact pocket pistols for self defense manufactured by Beretta. The allure and popularity is commonly attributed to the loading procedure, which does not require the user to "rack" the slide to chamber a round, but rather place a round in the tip-up barrel before the magazine is inserted. This is especially popular for those with weaker or smaller hands.
The Walther PP series pistols are blowback-operated semi-automatic pistols, developed by the German arms manufacturer Carl Walther GmbH Sportwaffen.
The Thunder 380 is a lightweight, relatively small semi-automatic pistol series chambered in the .380 ACP caliber made by Argentine firearms manufacturer Bersa, S.A.
The Ruger P series is a line of centerfire semi-automatic pistols made by Sturm, Ruger & Company produced from 1985 to 2013. The P-series pistols were designed for military, police, civilian and recreational use. The designs are largely based on the Browning action found in the M1911 pistol, but with minor variations, generally related to the safety mechanism and the barrel-camblock interface. Reviews have considered them rugged, reliable, and strong, though this strength comes at the price of bulk and a blocky appearance.
The FN 140DA was a semi-automatic weapon manufactured by Beretta of Italy on behalf of FN Herstal of Belgium. The pistol was sold as the Browning BDA 380 in the United States and Canada.
The Thunder 9 is a full-size semi-automatic handgun manufactured by Bersa at the Ramos Mejia production plant in Argentina. It is also sold under the name Firestorm or FS 9.
The Beretta Px4 Storm is a semi-automatic pistol intended for personal defense and law enforcement use. It is available in full size, Compact, and Subcompact versions. The Px4 uses a trigger and safety system similar to the Beretta 92 and the Beretta 8000 series, though it is distinguished from its predecessors by its light-weight polymer construction with steel inserts, standard Picatinny rail, and swappable grip backstraps. The full size and Compact versions use the same short-recoil, rotating barrel action as the Beretta 8000 series, whereas the Subcompact uses the tilt barrel system.
In American English, a pocket pistol is any small, pocket-sized semi-automatic pistol, and is suitable for concealed carry in a pocket or a similar small space.
The Beretta 8000 (Cougar) is a family of rotating barrel semi-automatic pistols that were designed and manufactured by Beretta of Italy.
The Colt Model 1900 is a short-recoil operated "self-loading", or semi-automatic .38 caliber handgun introduced by Colt's Manufacturing Company at the turn of the 20th century. The M1900 was the first firearm to be chambered in .38 ACP and was the first handgun to utilize short-recoil operation.
The Taurus PT92 is a double action/single action, double-stack-magazine fed, short recoil-operated, semi-automatic 9mm pistol manufactured by Taurus in the Beretta factory in São Paulo, Brazil.
The Beretta 90-Two is a series of semi-automatic pistols designed and manufactured by Beretta of Italy. It was released in 2006 as an enhanced version of the Beretta 92, and is produced in 9×19mm, 9×21mm IMI and .40 S&W versions.
The Smith & Wesson SW series, most commonly referred to as the Smith & Wesson Sigma, was Smith & Wesson's first venture into using synthetic materials in pistol construction, with high-strength polymer material for the frame.
Bersa is an Argentine arms manufacturer, located in the city of Ramos Mejía in Argentina.
The Taurus Millennium series is a product line of double-action only (DAO) and single-action/double-action hammerless, striker-fired, short recoil operated, semi-automatic pistols manufactured by Forjas Taurus S/A in Porto Alegre, Brazil. The Millennium line was designed to contend in the civilian concealed carry firearms market, and to be sold as backup weapons for law enforcement officers.
The Savage Model 1907 is a semi-automatic pocket pistol produced by the Savage Arms, from 1907 until 1920. It was chambered in .32 ACP and, from 1913 until 1920, in .380 ACP. Although smaller in size, it is derived from the .45 semi-automatic pistol Savage submitted to the 1906-1911 US Army trials to choose a new semi-automatic sidearm. After several years of testing the Savage pistol was one of two finalists but ultimately lost to the Colt entry, which became famous as the Colt Model 1911. A total of 181 of these .45 ACP pistols were returned to Savage after the testing and sold on the civilian market.
The Beretta 70 is a magazine-fed, single-action semi-automatic pistol series designed and produced by Beretta of Italy, which replaced the earlier 7.65mm Beretta M1935 pistol. Some pistols in this series were also marketed as the Falcon, New Puma, New Sable, Jaguar, and Cougar. The gun is notable for its appearances in film, and is also the first compact Beretta pistol to feature several improvements commonly found in Beretta pistols for the rest of the century.
The Bersa Thunder 32 is a lightweight, relatively small semi-automatic pistol chambered in .32 ACP caliber made by Argentine firearms manufacturer Bersa, S.A.
