Sunday Showcase Recap

Recap on The 7/21 Sunday Showcase

The Beretta Cheetah, also known as the "Series 81" or "80 Series", is a series of compact semi-automatic pistols designed and manufactured by Beretta of Italy. These pistols were first introduced in 1976 and are available in various models, such as .32 ACP (Models 81 and 82), .380 ACP (9 mm Short) (Models 80X, 83, 84, 85 and 86), and .22 LR (Models 87, 87 Target and 89). Beretta temporarily stopped production in 2017 but brought back the brand in 2023 with the release of the updated 80X, which is an improved version of the 84 model.

The Beretta 81 and 82 models are compact and lightweight pistols that are chambered for the .32 ACP cartridge. While both models are quite similar, they have some differences in terms of features. The Beretta 81 model offers a double-stacked magazine, which provides a high capacity of 12 rounds. On the other hand, the Beretta 82 model comes with a single-stacked magazine that results in a thinner grip and a capacity of just 9 rounds. 

The pistol is marketed in the United States as the Baby Desert Eagle. Since Magnum Research offers the Desert Eagle—a self-loader chambered for Magnum handgun cartridges—the Baby Desert Eagle moniker makes sense. The present rendition of the Baby Desert Eagle is offered in both steel frame and polymer variations and in 9mm, .40 and .45 caliber.Although the Baby Desert Eagle is based upon the CZ 75 design, the original CZ 75 is a rule beater in many ways. Designed and manufactured while Czechoslovakia was still under communist control, the CZ 75 proved a reliable, well-made pistol with many vocal supporters. This handgun certainly shows inspirational design.

The CZ 75 features a double-action first-shot trigger. A long initial trigger press both cocks and drops the hammer. After the first shot, the CZ 75 is cocked for subsequent single-action fire. The pistol features a safety that allows cocked-and-locked carry, which is hammer cocked and safety on. The author feels the primary advantage of this safety is the pistol may be placed on safe during tactical movement. After the first shot is fired and you are in a gun battle, you would not wish to decock the pistol. The CZ allows a superior tactical safety and features a slide design that rides inside of the frame rails rather than outside the frame rails. This allows for greater contact between the long bearing surfaces and greater accuracy potential. These design features are maintained in the Baby Desert Eagle pistol, which is a close clone, although not exactly the same as the original.

The Glock 17 Gen 4 in 9mm introduces revolutionary design changes to the world's most popular pistol. The Modular Back Strap design lets you instantly customize its grip to adapt to an individual shooter's hand size. The surface of the frame employs the new scientifically designed, real-world-tested, Gen 4 rough textured technology. Internally, the new Glock dual recoil spring assembly substantially increases the life of the system. A reversible enlarged magazine catch, changeable in seconds, accommodates left or right-handed operators. The G17 Gen4 also retains the Glock accessory rail for your attachments.

A perfect backup gun specifically designed for concealed carry, the GLOCK G27 Gen 3 Subcompact Semi-Auto Pistol delivers the same safety and reliability as a full-size GLOCK in size previously occupied only by snub nose revolvers. Like larger GLOCKs, the G27 pairs a corrosion-resistant, ergonomic, stronger-than-steel polymer frame with a durable cold-hammered steel slide and barrel coated with GLOCK's high-tech Tenifer 64 HRC surface treatment. The Safe Action trigger system teams a trigger safety, trigger bar, and firing pin lock that automatically deactivates one after another as the trigger engages. GLOCK barrels feature rounded interior profiles for easier cleaning and longer-lasting precision. Loaded chamber indicator. Double action. Fixed sights.