Beretta continues to release innovative variants of its .380 ACP Cheetah series, with the newest model sporting a factory-mounted compensator, extended magazine capacity, and other goodies.

The company had long marketed the 80-series Cheetah platform, going back to the 1970s, and debuted the modernized 80X in 2023 to bring the model into the 21st century with more contemporary features than were available during the Disco era. 

The newest 80X Cheetah Tactical variant is a special-edition model that retains the pistol's double-action/single-action trigger system, two-slot Picatinny accessory rail, svelte profile via a Vertec-style alloy frame, and fully ambidextrous controls –including a frame-mounted safety with decocker and a reversible magazine release. 

Specific upgrades to this model include extended 15+1-round magazines (ships with three), a red dot mount hidden under a removable optic cover, a built-in compensator on an extended threaded (1/2x28 TPI) muzzle, aggressive G10 grip panels, and a bronze-anodized frame. 
 

The new Beretta 80X Cheetah Tactical Special Edition
The new Beretta 80X Cheetah Tactical Special Edition sports a two-tone blacked-out slide and a compensator that would give the AL/GI/MEC-equipped Model 92s seen in "The Professional" a run for their money. (Photos: Beretta) 
The new Beretta 80X Cheetah Tactical Special Edition
Note the extended beavertail, skeletonized hammer, and combat-style trigger guard as well as the black G10 grip panels and slim Vertec frame. 
The new Beretta 80X Cheetah Tactical Special Edition
The slide includes a red fiber-optic front sight, a blacked-out rear sight, and an optics cover plate. It runs a lightweight recoil spring, making it easy to rack. 


Launched first in Europe with an MSRP of €1,099, which works out to ~$1,300, the model wasn't supposed to start shipping in the States until June, but we are already seeing availability for it. 

Chris Eger

Chris Eger is an NRA-certified firearms instructor in multiple disciplines with a background in law enforcement and as a security contractor to the federal government. He has been writing badly since 2006 and has a number of poorly-received books in print.

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