It won't be long now: next week starts IWA 2025, one of the most important firearms trade fairs in the world, and Beretta, the legendary Italian firearms manufacturer, will, of course, be there (Hall 3A / booth 3A-116). I will probably find the three new models there, whose product information arrived in my mailbox today: the APX A1 Tactical FDE and the two 80X Cheetah models, one "Tactical" and one "Grey" version.
“With the new Beretta pistols, you are always ready for action!”
What do the new models offer? The APX has been on the market for a while, has undergone several updates and is now available in the “Tactical FDE” tech/color combination. Beretta says: “The APX A1 Full Size Tactical was inspired by and developed for special operations. It has technical details for those looking for maximum performance in their pistol. It was designed to meet the needs of sport and defense shooters.” And it looks as if this promise has been kept, at least based on the core facts: 13mm longer and slightly raised sights, FDE as a color, RDO ready, classic caliber 9mmx19, with a decent 19 cartridges in the magazine.
The barrel has a length of 121mm, which is slightly longer than the barrel of the APX A1 Full Size (108mm) and the weight is 840 grams, which is also a few grams more than the full-size version. Of course, handling is much more important and if special forces are interested in the gun, then the dimensions are a minor matter anyway. And sport shooters will certainly find a suitable discipline for the device (in Germany - think about our complex laws regarding guns and their usage). The gun is therefore an interesting option for anyone who wants to look around Beretta for more tactical equipment. This could be people who are not convinced by the alternatives, for example. One point that Beretta emphasizes, and which could be very important in this regard: “The APX has a unique system that allows the user to deactivate the internal firing pin before disassembly without having to pull the trigger.”
But, of course, there are also fans who cherish the classics, and Beretta has come up with two new solutions for them: the 80X Cheetah Tactical and the classic version in “Grey”, as a “new splash of color for the most stylish .380 pistol of all time”, according to the Italian manufacturer. Both models have a Vertec-style frame, an extended beavertail and a skeletonized hammer, among other features. They are also Optic Ready, and both have a “combat-style trigger guard” and an ambidextrous thumb safety with decocking function. According to Beretta, the “Tactical” version offers a 1/2 - 28 threaded barrel (like the APX A1 Tactical FDE), which should lead to greater precision through recoil reduction. The magazine holds 15 cartridges.
The smaller sister in gray can load 13 cartridges. Sure, it has also everything that has already proven itself in the other variants and makes these weapons so popular. The range of the 80X family has thus been significantly expanded. If you don't fancy the tactical solution, you can take a look at the grey version - or one of the other colors: Black, Bronze or Green. The price tag of these models already available on the market is around 1000 euros. The same applies to the APX-A1 variants. Of course, there is no shortage of accessories: various magazines, grip panels, holsters and fiber sights are available directly from Beretta.
Beretta is thus expanding its portfolio in a small but fine way and will certainly be able to inspire both fans of modern striker-fired weapons and old-fashioned enthusiasts worldwide with these pistols. And, as I said, it's trade fair time next week: at Enforce Tac, government officials will be examining the gun and at the IWA, the civilian shooting world will be keeping an eye on the new range. Let's see what feedback we get from these trade fairs. And, last but not least, how the guns ultimately shoot.
