Beretta 85, 87 grips
Beretta 85, 87 grips
The Beretta 85 and 87 are iconic single-stack members of the Beretta Cheetah (80 Series) compact blowback pistol family, sharing DNA with the Beretta 92 open-slide design for reliability and low recoil
The Cheetah series debuted in 1976 as Series 81—starting with Model 81 (.32 ACP double-stack) and Model 84 (.380 ACP double-stack)—targeting European law enforcement and concealed carry with high capacity for the era
In the early 1980s (around 1980), Beretta introduced single-stack variants for slimmer grips and better concealability: Model 85 in .380 ACP (8+1 rounds, 3.81" barrel), offering a thinner profile than the 13-round 84 while retaining DA/SA trigger, ambidextrous safety/decocker, and excellent ergonomics. It evolved through 85B/BB (added safeties, improved sights) to 85F/FS (enlarged trigger guard, 92F-style upgrades like chrome-lined barrel and finger-step guard)
The Beretta 87 followed in 1977 (some sources note standard model ~1980s), chambered in .22 LR for affordable training and plinking—mirroring the 85's single-stack frame and controls. It includes the standard 87 (DA/SA, identical to 85 layout) and the distinct 87 Target (longer 6" barrel, weighted slide, adjustable sights, optics rail, SAO only for precision shooting)
Both models earned praise for smooth shooting, accuracy, and low recoil—popular for backup, civilian carry, and range use. Production of classics paused in 2017 (brief 87 revival ~2017), but the line lives on via the 80X Cheetah revival (2023+)