Beretta 80X Cheetah
The Beretta 80X Cheetah is Beretta’s return to one of the most beloved compact pistols in their catalog — the original Cheetah line ran from 1977 through the early 2000s and developed a devoted following for its quality, ergonomics, and the distinctly Italian character of its design. The 80X is not a simple reissue but a genuine modernization: a 13-round magazine (versus the original’s 13-round single-stack), an updated aluminum frame, a reversible magazine release, and optics-ready options, all wrapped in the Cheetah’s signature aesthetics. For shooters who want a quality .380 with genuine European craftsmanship, the 80X Cheetah stands apart from everything else in the category.
Read our full Beretta 80X Cheetah Buying Guide ↓
The Cheetah Legacy: What Made the Original Special
The original Beretta Cheetah series — the Model 84 in .380 ACP — earned its reputation as one of the finest compact pistols ever produced. The double-action/single-action trigger was smooth, the aluminum frame kept weight manageable, and the open-slide design provided reliable ejection. It was issued to military and law enforcement agencies across Europe and carried by discerning civilian shooters who wanted a quality compact without the blocky polymer look of American contemporaries. The 80X preserves everything that made the original beloved while updating the platform to meet modern expectations for capacity, ergonomics, and optics compatibility.
80X vs. Original Cheetah: What’s New
The 80X Cheetah improves on the original in several meaningful ways. The 13-round double-stack magazine (original was 13-round single-stack in some variants) provides improved capacity in the same frame footprint. The ambidextrous manual safety and reversible magazine release suit both right and left-handed shooters without modification. The picatinny rail allows light and laser attachment. The Vertec-style grip angle improves natural point of aim for American-trained shooters compared to the original’s more traditional European geometry. The optics-ready variant adds a factory slide cut for micro red dots. The external design remains unmistakably Cheetah — the improvements are all functional.
DA/SA Trigger: The Cheetah’s Character
The 80X Cheetah’s DA/SA trigger is central to the pistol’s identity and appeal. The double-action first shot and single-action follow-ups, combined with a visible external hammer, provide a carry condition that many experienced shooters prefer for the additional safety margin and tactile feedback it provides. The 80X’s DA pull is smooth relative to many DA/SA pistols at its price point — Beretta’s experience with the platform over decades shows in the trigger quality. For shooters transitioning from a Beretta 92FS or M9, the 80X Cheetah provides an immediately familiar manual of arms in a much more compact package.
Aluminum Frame: The Quality Difference
The 80X Cheetah’s aluminum alloy frame is what separates it fundamentally from the polymer .380 market. The aluminum construction provides a quality of feel that polymer cannot match — the gun has weight, presence, and a solidity under recoil that changes the shooting experience. At just over 25 oz unloaded, the 80X is heavier than pocket .380s but produces noticeably milder felt recoil as a result. The anodized aluminum finish is corrosion-resistant and durable for carry use. For buyers who find the polymer .380 market’s lightweight, snappy-shooting guns unsatisfying, the 80X Cheetah’s metal construction is a meaningful differentiation.
Who the 80X Cheetah Is Built For
The Beretta 80X Cheetah serves buyers who want a quality compact .380 with European craftsmanship, shooters who prefer the DA/SA trigger system’s familiar manual of arms, and collectors and enthusiasts who appreciate the Cheetah lineage. It’s not the lightest or most pocket-friendly .380 — buyers who prioritize minimum size and weight are better served by the S&W Bodyguard 2.0 or Ruger LCP Max. The 80X is for the shooter who wants a quality metal-framed .380 with genuine character, 13-round capacity, and Beretta’s warranty and service network behind it.
Related Pages at Impact Guns
See the full Beretta brand page including the 92FS and APX A1. Compare .380 carry options with the S&W Bodyguard 2.0 and Ruger LCP Max. For ammunition see our .380 ACP ammo page.