Review and 1,000 Round Test of the Beretta 80x

The Firearm Blog has published their "TFB Review: 1,000 Rounds On The Beretta 80x" (Part 1) (Part 2).

    The Beretta 80x, as you might remember, is a modernized version of the Beretta 84 with the most significant differences being improved sights, that it has a slide cut to accept a pistol red dot, and it has an accessory rail to mount a laser and/or flashlight. There are some other modifications to the handgun, but it still shoots .380, it is still a DA/SA action, and it still retains a frame mounted safety/decocker (the decocker feature was added beginning with the F models with some improvements in the FS model). Although my understanding was that there were some modifications to the magazine, the magazine is still 13-rounds and the 80x can use the magazines for the older Beretta 84 handguns.

    Part 1 goes over the history of the new design, using the safety/decocker, and mounting the red dot, before addressing why someone might want a larger .380 pistol. (As I've noted before, although the 80 series pistols are smaller than duty sized 9mm handguns, the 80 series were duty sized .380 pistols intended to be carried by uniformed police and guards). And, the author contends, it comes down to felt recoil: unlike the small .380s which can be "snappy" the larger pistols like the 80x have both the weight and the larger grip that absorb and distribute recoil making them easier to use for the recoil shy. I would also add that the extra barrel length also allows you better performance from the cartridge than you get with the pocket sized .380 pistols. I hadn't shot much .380 before getting my Beretta 84bb, and I have to say that I've really come to like the .380 the more I have shot it. 

    Part 2 is the actual 1,000 round test as well as some comments on some of the different types/brands of ammo used in the test, what the author believes is the target demographic (women) and thoughts on concealed carry with this weapon. 

    First, just to get it out of the way, other than a single failure to lock back that the author associated with using an older 84bb magazine, and a couple user induced hang-ups, the weapon performed flawlessly. 

    The ballistic information on the ammunition showed that the Remington Ultimate Defense (Full Size) Golden Sabre using a 102 grain bullet was particularly close to performance to some standard 9mm loads. 

    As for carrying it concealed, the author writes:

Beretta was kind enough to provide an ANR Design IWB holster to use in the review. I carry every day and much of my time at my day job I dress in business casual. The 80x is very easy to carry. It’s not very heavy, and it doesn’t have any sharp edges or pointy bits that are annoying. It’s always disappointing when a new carry gun has an obtrusive feature that only makes itself known after three or four hours of a 14-hour day. Thankfully that did not happen with the 80x.