Model 84 and 85

[michbob]

OK, Beretta fans, I'm planning to get either a M84 or M85, haven't decided which on yet.  Need feedback from any owners out there.  Comments?

Michbob.

[THIOKOL]

I've owned an 85F for many years and have put thousands of rounds through it. Regardless of the ammunition I used, I've never had a problem with it. I chose it over the 84 because it fit my hand better. Try them both to see which one feels better to you. No matter which one you choose, you'll have a first class weapon that will last a lifetime.

[Mikey]

michbob:  Are they the 380s?  Is one of those the double stack and the other the flip-up bbl?  Just about any Beretta is a primo piece but there are a couple I fancy and I just don't know what the model numbers are.  Mikey.

[michbob]

Mikey:
Yes, both are .380's.  The 84 has a double stack 13 rd mag while the 85 has a 8 rder.  The 86 is the model with the tip up barrel.  In Europe, they offer models in .32 (M83), probably due to caliber restrictions.  The pictures I've seen of those have a slightly longer barrel.  They look like a shrunken M92.

Oh!  The M87 comes in .22.

I just want one because they look like neat toys.  Plus, I have yet to hear anything bad about this series of guns.  Now, if they would introduce them in 9mm Makarov....

Michbob

[Mikey]

michbob - thanks for the clarifications, I 'ppreciates it.  For my part, I am kind of glad Beretta doesn't chamber it's autos in the 9mm mak cartridge, it's too close to the size of the 380 not to allow for mistakes to happen.  In addition, I really don't see any functional advantage to the 9mm mak over the 380.  Yes, you can purchase inexpensive milsurp 9mm mak rounds for less than American factory fodder but what you get is milsurp 9mm mak ammo.  With 380s, S&B makes a very nice round that they sell rather inexpensively.  

I have an older Beretta Model 70S that chokes up on dirty Russian/ComBloc 380 ammo, but just ticks right away on the S&B, US studd and handloads.  Just my 2 cents worth here.  Mikey.

[michbob]

True, they are pretty close in appearence, but the Mak has just enough extra umph to make the possibility interesting.  With most of the big ammo companies loading for the Mak, ammo isn't too hard to find, at least around me.

I wonder if the Model 80 series is stong enough to handle the extra pressure generated by the 9 Mak?  With all of the Warsaw Pact PM's and PP clones in that caliber on the market, the ones I've seen didn't look overly beefy.

Anybody know?

Michbob

[Gregory]

I've got a Model 84 coming my way, picked it up on auction on gunbroker.  I'll report back after I've had a chance to play with it.

[Gregory]

I've got a Model 84 coming my way, picked it up on auction on gunbroker.  I'll report back after I've had a chance to play with it.

Picked up my Model 84 today and had a chance to run some rounds through it.  It functioned well with 3 different types of ammo (WW white box FMJ, CCI Blaser JHP, Fiocchi JHP)  but had FTF problems with WW Ranger JHP Law Enforcment ammo.

The CCI ammo shot into about 2" group at 12 yds and shot to point of aim.  I'm very pleased with the gun.  It fits me well and controls are easy to master.  Takedown is a snap.

I need to add, that I'm a lefty and this gun is very lefty friendly, with a reversible mag release and ambi safety.