Beretta 80X Cheetah 380ACP Brz 101
About this product
The Beretta 80X Cheetah revives Beretta's classic Cheetah line in a modernized package, and this listing is the Bronze finish at $649. It pairs a compact .380 ACP DA/SA pistol with a 13+1 capacity that's genuinely high for the caliber, plus an optics-ready slide out of the box — features the original Cheetah line never had.
What made the original Cheetah worth reviving?
Beretta's Cheetah series ran for decades as a slim, reliable DA/SA pocket-to-compact pistol favored for its smooth trigger and Beretta's open-slide reliability. The 80X brings that same general layout back with modern manufacturing and a genuinely useful capacity bump, while keeping the smaller Vertec-style grip profile that made the original Cheetah comfortable for a wide range of hand sizes.
What are the core specs on this model?
The 80X Cheetah in .380 ACP carries 13+1 rounds, runs a 3.9-inch barrel, and measures 6.8 inches overall at about 25 ounces unloaded — genuinely compact but not a micro pistol, with enough weight to help manage recoil in a caliber already known for being easy to shoot. It uses Beretta's X-treme S double/single trigger, a skeletonized hammer for a lighter and faster reset, and comes optics-ready from the factory, letting owners add a compact red dot without gunsmithing.
What does the Bronze finish add over the standard black model?
Beretta introduced the Bronze finish as part of a Launch Edition color option alongside the standard black 80X Cheetah, giving the pistol a distinct look without changing anything about its mechanical function. Buyers choosing between finishes are making a purely cosmetic decision — the trigger, capacity, barrel, and optics cut are identical across color options.
Who is the .380 ACP 80X Cheetah built for?
This pistol suits shooters who want a proven DA/SA manual of arms — a longer, heavier first trigger pull for a deliberate first shot, followed by a lighter single-action trigger for fast follow-ups — in a caliber known for mild recoil and easy shooting for a wide range of hand strengths. It's a strong fit for a home-defense nightstand gun or a comfortable range/carry pistol for shooters who find 9mm recoil less pleasant, without sacrificing much in capacity thanks to the 13+1 magazine.
What should California buyers confirm?
Confirm current California handgun roster status for this specific Bronze-finish 80X Cheetah configuration with your FFL before ordering, since roster approval applies to specific factory configurations and colorways aren't automatically covered under a base model's listing. As a firearm, it transfers through your chosen licensed FFL dealer rather than shipping to your home, along with the required background check and any state waiting period.
How does the 80X Cheetah compare to a modern striker-fired micro 9mm?
Shooters cross-shopping this pistol against a modern striker-fired micro-compact 9mm are really choosing between two different philosophies: a slightly larger, DA/SA .380 with a proven decades-old open-slide design and genuinely soft recoil, versus a smaller, harder-hitting 9mm with a shorter trigger reset but sharper felt recoil in a compact frame. Neither choice is objectively better — it comes down to whether trigger feel and shootability or maximum cartridge energy in the smallest package matters more for your specific carry needs and hand strength. Neither is a wrong answer, and plenty of experienced shooters own examples of both for different roles, reaching for whichever one better matches the outfit, holster, or season.
FFL transfer required
This item is a firearm and ships only to a licensed FFL dealer, never to a home address. At checkout, enter your preferred dealer as the shipping address, or leave it blank and we will assign a licensed dealer near you at no extra cost. You complete the background check and paperwork with the dealer when you pick up.
California buyers: handguns must be on the California roster for delivery to a California FFL, a Firearm Safety Certificate (FSC) and DROS are handled at the dealer, and the 10-day waiting period applies. Out-of-state buyers receive the firearm through their own local FFL under their state's rules.
Specs at a glance
Pros & cons
What works
- High 13+1 capacity for a compact .380 ACP pistol
- Factory optics-ready slide, no gunsmithing needed for a red dot
- Proven Beretta open-slide DA/SA reliability
- Distinctive Bronze Launch Edition finish
Trade-offs
- .380 ACP carries less energy per round than 9mm
- DA/SA trigger requires more practice to master than a striker-fired trigger
- California roster status for this specific finish should be confirmed before ordering
Key attributes
| Transfer | Ships to your FFL dealer |
| Caliber | .380 ACP |
| Capacity | 13+1 |
| Barrel Length | 3.9 in |
| Action | DA/SA |
| Finish | Bronze (Launch Edition) |
Frequently asked questions
- What's the magazine capacity?
- 13+1 rounds, which is high for a compact .380 ACP pistol.
- Is this optics-ready?
- Yes, the 80X Cheetah ships optics-ready from the factory for mounting a compact red dot.
- What's different about the Bronze finish?
- It's a Launch Edition color option — purely cosmetic, with identical trigger, capacity, and barrel specs to the standard black model.
- What kind of trigger does it have?
- Beretta's X-treme S double/single (DA/SA) trigger with a skeletonized hammer for a lighter, faster reset.
- Is this good for a home-defense gun?
- It's a reasonable option for shooters who prefer .380's milder recoil and want a proven DA/SA trigger, though it carries less energy per round than 9mm.