Gun Help?

[pjrocco]

Hey all,

I know we have some hardcore gun guys on this forum, so this question is for you. I'm in the market for a new pistol, after searching around for a while I came acrossed the Beretta Cheetah, I have read good and bad things about this gun (mostly good) but I was curious if anyone has owned or handled the gun. If so, can you give me a brief review. I am also open to suggestions. I'm looking for something compact, light and a good amount if stopping force.

Thanks in advance!

[d.g.g]

I don't think you can go wrong with it if you are looking for a decent small pistol. I have a Beretta Bobcat with .22 stingers in it. Very concealable and even though only .22 it can crank out alot of damage very quickly as it is very easy to hold on target.

[WORKER#9]

I have never owned a Cheeta, but currently own a 92D in 9mm and would rate it as one of the most reliable guns ever made. it is my third 92 series pistol and all have been excellent, in terms of accuracy, reliability and handling characteristics.

[J Smith]

Nice pistol.
If you go with it be sure to load it with mag safe ammo in the .380.
I have heard that it had the best one shot kill in testing,better than any other caliber of any brand except magsafe 45 acp.

[d.g.g]

I was thinking about this and another pistol came to mind. It is the Bersa mini in either 9mm or .40S&W (I like this caliber).

http://world.guns.ru/handguns/hg159-e.htm

[coltsguy]

As far as ccw pistols go i would recomend a Bersa 380, I am a le officer and that is my choice of gun for off duty based on performance of the smaller handgun, There are guns a heck of a lot more $$$$ out there and i have probobly owned most of them but just cant seem to find anything i like better than my bersa 380 with a plastic tactical holster :)

[Dr. Snubnose]

Nice pistol.
If you go with it be sure to load it with mag safe ammo in the .380.
I have heard that it had the best one shot kill in testing,better than any other caliber of any brand except magsafe 45 acp.

I would be a little leary of currently made Mag-Safe ammo...When the late Joe Zambone owned the comapny, every round was made by hand, and I would spend my time testing the rounds for him...(in you guessed it... meat) they worked superbly back then...since his death the quality control has gone down the toilet and I would not advise anyone to carry this round in any caliber from the current makers....stick with factory made ammo...
THat being said .380 is not considered a good man stopping round....I like the Berreta, they are sexy looking, I like the way the Cheetah handles and it is well made....just don't trust the round to get the job done......Doc :D

[zenheretic]

I would be a little leary of currently made Mag-Safe ammo...When the late Joe Zambone owned the comapny, every round was made by hand, and I would spend my time testing the rounds for him...(in you guessed it... meat) they worked superbly back then...since his death the quality control has gone down the toilet and I would not advise anyone to carry this round in any caliber from the current makers....stick with factory made ammo...
THat being said .380 is not considered a good man stopping round....I like the Berreta, they are sexy looking, I like the way the Cheetah handles and it is well made....just don't trust the round to get the job done......Doc :D

This is the second well known gun person to state the above, the other will chime in should he choose.

If you have any thoughts at all of using this pistol in self defense, I would pick a larger caliber. The .380 is the bare minimum to get that job done...no matter the magic ammo chosen.

If you have to get a .380, look into the Sig Sauer 232:
http://www.sigarms.com/Products/ShowCat ... egoryid=10
You would be very pleased with that purchase. I own two or three Berettas, nothing wrong with them/they are great guns. The Beretta Cheetah is a bit big for a .380 IMO, which really eliminates the one possible selling point of the round. That being the pistols tend to be smaller, thus more concealable. However, there are several new products that put a 9mm (Kahr) and even a .45 (detonics, new!) in a smaller or similar size package to the Cougar. One advantage to the Cougar being large with an anemic round however, is that your chances of shooting it accurately are greater than the same caliber in a smaller pistol. Confused yet?

[Hannibal Lecter]

My Dear Rock,

I suggest something other than the Beretta. The 92FS is a modern marvel of engineering, but the smaller calibers suck.

I worked at a gun store for ten years and you would not believe the number of small-calibre Berettas we returned for broken parts. Even Beretta Corporate indicates that the useful service life of their much-acclaimed .32 Tomcat is only about 1000 rounds.

Yes, you read that right. A total of 1000 rounds before things start breaking.

If I might, Kel-Tec is a good alternative. :D They have better triggers than the Berettas, and I would just like to see you try and break one.

--------
Hannibal

[DAYWALKER]

Aloha Rock!!!

Man, where ya been? Great to see you.

Anyway, I handled one of those before, and yes, I too have read some good reviews on it...however:

I say Glock 26 or 27. 26 chambered for 9mm, 27 for .40cal. Even though this has no grip for the pinky, it shoots VERY well, as most Glocks do. They also sell pinky shelves you attach to the clip, but...no need.

I have always agreed about the caliber debates. What good is that .50 you launch outta that Desert Eagle if you cannot hit your target? Then there comes that perp with his .22 pistol turning you into Swiss cheese...Please don't get too caught up in caliber.

Again, Glocks shoot well, eat all kinds of ammo well, very, very low maintenance, and the finish tolerates sweat, salt, etc...

Just my thoughts, Rock. You take care and God bless :)

[zenheretic]

They don't call Spydercos the Glocks of the knife world for nothing...turn that head and Glocks are the Spydercos of the gun world...

Vs. Caliber. It is two am and a loud crash souds like someone broke a window down stairs and is in the process of entering. You happen to have two loaded pistols on the night stand: a Glock .40, or .22 Target pistol. Your wife is scared and your child is crying...which do you pick up before you go to investigate? :eek:

[smcfalls13]

You happen to have two loaded pistols on the night stand: a Glock .40, or .22 Target pistol. Your wife is scared and your child is crying...which do you pick up before you go to investigate? :eek:

The shotgun :cool:

I need one of those too.

[peacefuljeffrey]

I don't think you can go wrong with it if you are looking for a decent small pistol. I have a Beretta Bobcat with .22 stingers in it. Very concealable and even though only .22 it can crank out alot of damage very quickly as it is very easy to hold on target.

My brother had a .22 Bobcat and it was pathetic in the reliability department.

I would NEVER bet my life on that gun.

If I were buying a pocket Beretta, I would start with nothing less than a .32 Tomcat -- which you should know is not a whole lot bigger than the Bobcat, really, but a 1000 times better.

That said, I don't know much about the Cheetah, sorry.

Take this post as a recommendation to get the Tomcat.

edit: Now that I read the claim that Beretta suggests a lifespan of 1000 rounds for the Tomcat, I rescind my recommendation, and replace it with a recommendation of the GLOCK 27, which has served me well for about 10 years now. Doesn't even cost all that much more. (I would also check into the 9mm and .40 cal. Taurus Millennium series.)

-Jeffrey

[J Smith]

I myself would never carry anything under a 9mm for self defence except maybe a very accurate .22.
Heres my carry piece with a new set of Busse grips I got at Blade.

[yablanowitz]

My old Kel-Tec 9mm has been a very reliable piece for several years now, and is very easy to carry and conceal. That said, if I was serious about carrying a gun (and I am) I would pack along my Glock 20 with Winchester Silvertips, or if I needed something smaller, Glock 29 with Cor-Bon 135gr screamers. Be advised, I am NOT recoil sensative, and I have shot several thousand full power 10mm rounds to master these guns.

[pjrocco]

[quote="Hannibal Lecter"]My Dear Rock,

I suggest something other than the Beretta. The 92FS is a modern marvel of engineering, but the smaller calibers suck.

I worked at a gun store for ten years and you would not believe the number of small-calibre Berettas we returned for broken parts. Even Beretta Corporate indicates that the useful service life of their much-acclaimed .32 Tomcat is only about 1000 rounds.

Yes, you read that right. A total of 1000 rounds before things start breaking.

If I might, Kel-Tec is a good alternative. :D They have better triggers than the Berettas, and I would just like to see you try and break one. ]

My good Doctor,

1000 rounds!!!!! I had to read that a couple times. That's a real eye opener.

[pjrocco]

Aloha Rock!!!

Man, where ya been? Great to see you.

Anyway, I handled one of those before, and yes, I too have read some good reviews on it...however:

I say Glock 26 or 27. 26 chambered for 9mm, 27 for .40cal. Even though this has no grip for the pinky, it shoots VERY well, as most Glocks do. They also sell pinky shelves you attach to the clip, but...no need.

I have always agreed about the caliber debates. What good is that .50 you launch outta that Desert Eagle if you cannot hit your target? Then there comes that perp with his .22 pistol turning you into Swiss cheese...Please don't get too caught up in caliber.

Again, Glocks shoot well, eat all kinds of ammo well, very, very low maintenance, and the finish tolerates sweat, salt, etc...

Just my thoughts, Rock. You take care and God bless :)

Chad,

New house, busy job and kids... That's where I have been. :o

After taking a look into the Glock, I think I have made my desicion. The Glock 30 looks like it's for me! Thanks for pointing me in the right direction brother.

Stay safe. :)

[pjrocco]

Beautiful Piece! :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

[coltsguy]

I also agree with alot of the guy's you cant go wrong with a Glock, Although if you have bigger hands stay away from the sub compact like the 26 but the compact seems to work good for me......I still like my Bersa Thunder 380, People talk about how small the round is but shot placement is the key :D

[zenheretic]

Chad,

New house, busy job and kids... That's where I have been. :o

After taking a look into the Glock, I think I have made my desicion. The Glock 30 looks like it's for me! Thanks for pointing me in the right direction brother.

Stay safe. :)

I'd say you made a good choice. Here is mine complete with a Glock 21 mag. and the obligatory Ronin of course. ]http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/9653/i ... ium4wo.jpg[/IMG]