Beretta 80X Cheetah .380 ACP 3.9″ Optic-Ready Compact Pistol
About this product
What is the Beretta 80X Cheetah .380 ACP 3.9″ Optic-Ready Compact Pistol? It is a modernized, optics-ready iteration of the classic Beretta blowback .380 platform, engineered for discreet daily carry with electronic sight capability. This redesign incorporates an X‑Treme S trigger system, ambidextrous manual safeties, and forward slide serrations absent on its predecessor, the Model 84. The 80X represents Beretta's definitive answer to the compact, suppressor-host adjacent segment of the civilian carry market, blending legacy mechanical architecture with contemporary mounting standards.
What is the Beretta 80X Cheetah used for?
This pistol is engineered for comfortable, reliable, and optics-capable daily concealed carry in the .380 ACP chambering. Its 6.8-inch overall length and reported unloaded weight of approximately 23 ounces make it holster-friendly, while the hammer-fired, double/single-action design with a manual safety provides a defined manual-of-arms preferred by many shooters transitioning from larger-frame duty platforms. The optic-ready slide directly supports the mission of first-shot precision under stress, allowing for a clean, repeatable sight picture with a red-dot, a significant advantage over competing .380 designs like the Browning Black Label 1911-380.
How does the Beretta 80X compare to similar concealed carry pistols?
The Beretta 80X Cheetah distinguishes itself from direct competitors like the Sig Sauer P365-380 through its all-metal frame and traditional double-action/single-action trigger system. The Sig P365-380 is a striker-fired polymer compact weighing roughly 15 ounces, favoring a consistent trigger pull and lighter overall carry weight. The Beretta 80X, with its 23-ounce frame and DA/SA trigger, provides a heavier first pull for deliberate holster work and a shorter, lighter follow-up shot, trading some weight savings for mechanical redundancy and a shooting dynamic similar to a larger service pistol.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The Beretta 80X Cheetah has an unloaded weight of approximately 23 ounces (652 grams) due to its metal construction, with an overall length of 6.8 inches and a height of 4.8 inches with the flush magazine installed. Its 3.9-inch cold-hammer-forged barrel provides a balance between ballistic efficiency from the .380 ACP cartridge and overall concealability, contributing to a slide width of 1.4 inches, which accommodates standard optic plates without exceeding typical IWB holster dimensions.
Who is this NOT for?
This is not the pistol for a shooter seeking the absolute lightest, thinnest micro-compact available, nor for those philosophically opposed to a manual safety or a hammer-fired action. At 23 ounces, it is materially heavier than polymer-frame .380s like the Glock 42 (14.5 oz), a significant consideration for all-day appendix carry. Furthermore, shooters who exclusively train on striker-fired systems and desire an identical trigger pull for every shot should look at dedicated striker options, as the DA/SA transition of the 80X requires specific practice to master.
What's in the box?
Beretta ships the 80X Cheetah with two 13-round steel magazines (one with a flush basepad, one with an extended finger rest), a polymer hard case, the necessary optic mounting plates, a cable lock, and owner's documentation. This contrasts with some budget-friendly imports, like the Stevens 334 Rifle, which typically includes only a single magazine and a simpler container. The inclusion of two mags and optic hardware is a complete, mission-ready package from the factory.
Is the Beretta 80X worth it at $617.99?
At a street price of $617.99, the Beretta 80X Cheetah represents a justifiable investment for the shooter who values a refined, all-metal DA/SA platform with modern optic-ready capability. You are paying for Beretta's machining, finish quality, and a proven blowback action that has served in various forms for decades. If your priority is maximum capacity and a striker-fired system at a lower price point, the market offers alternatives. However, for a specific user who appreciates the tactile feedback and mechanical safety of a traditional design, and plans to mount an optic, the 80X delivers at this price. For hunters or long-range shooters considering a different application entirely, our review of the Stevens 334 Rifle in .308 Win provides context on value in that segment.
Specs at a glance
Video review
Pros & cons
What works
- Optic-ready slide with NOVA mounting system ships with plates — a $75-$100 value added versus non-optic models.
- All-metal frame (approx. 23 oz) provides stable, dampened shooting feel compared to polymer .380s.
- Ambidextrous manual thumb safeties enable secure carry for left- or right-handed shooters.
- Includes two 13-round magazines — double the capacity of many micro-compact .380 pistols.
- X-Treme S trigger offers a 10-12 lb double-action pull and a crisp 4.5 lb single-action break.
Trade-offs
- No accessory rail — mounting a weapon light requires a clamp-on solution that adds bulk and potential snag points.
- Unloaded weight of ~23 oz is nearly 50% heavier than polymer competitors like the Glock 42 (14.5 oz) for all-day carry.
- Factory barrel is not threaded, requiring a $150+ gunsmithing job for suppressor use.
Expert review
Key attributes
| upc | 082442969428 |
| manufacturer | Beretta |
| manufacturer part number | J80XBLK10 |
| action | Double / Single Action |
| atf type | Pistol |
| barrel length | 3.9" |
| caliber/gauge | .380 ACP |
| capacity | 10 + 1 |
| color | Black |
| length | 12.0500 |
| number of magazines | 2 10 rd. |
| package height | 2.5 |
| package width | 8.2 |
| product type | Semi-Auto Pistol |
| safety | Manual Thumb |
| shipping weight | 2.75 |
| sights | White 3-Dot Sights |
| sights type | Fixed Sights |
| slide description | Optic Ready/Serrated |
| state restriction (or) | NO SALE TO OREGON |
Frequently asked questions
- What optics plates are included or required?
- The Beretta 80X slide is cut to accept the Beretta NOVA mounting system. The pistol ships from the factory with adapter plates for popular micro red-dot footprints, including the Shield RMSc and the Trijicon RMRcc. You must use the supplied plate; direct mounting of an optic to the slide's integral posts is not supported.
- Can the Beretta 80X Cheetah be suppressor-ready?
- No, the factory 3.9-inch barrel is not threaded, and Beretta does not currently offer a threaded barrel option for the 80X model. Hosting a suppressor would require third-party barrel threading, which is a gunsmithing operation costing approximately $150-$250 and may affect warranty status. For a suppressor-host pistol, consider a platform designed for it from the outset.
- Does it have a rail for a weapon light?
- No, the Beretta 80X Cheetah frame does not incorporate an accessory rail (Picatinny or MIL-STD-1913). The design prioritizes a sleek, snag-free profile for concealed carry. If low-light capability with a dedicated white light is a non-negotiable requirement, you will need to seek a different compact pistol model that includes a rail.
- How long is the transfer process for an online order?
- Once your order is placed with Ironclad Armory, shipping to your selected Federal Firearms License (FFL) holder typically occurs within 1-3 business days. The FFL will then conduct the mandatory NICS background check upon your arrival; this process can be instantaneous or take up to 72 hours. Plan for a total timeline of 5-10 business days from online purchase to physical pick-up, dependent on FFL workload.