With a price point that’s not quite “high maintenance wife/girl friend” but certainly is NOT in cheap date territory – you gotta ask yourself – Is it worth it?

( SPOILER ALERT! Yes, yes it is. )

One good looker . . .

For a .380 – or even some of the micro 9’s – a little on the large size and at 25 oz empty weight you won’t mistake it for a Kel-Tek P3AT – but it sure is a smooth shooter . . .

Beretta carried their 90 series take down method right into this one – push the pin and hold it down . . .

Turn the lever down – off comes the slide – just that simple . . .

Comes apart easily for cleaning – AND a captured recoil spring – YAY!

Putting it back together is a little finicky – it’s considered a fixed barrel but it is not pinned to the frame so there is a head scratching moment if you don’t pay attention to what you are doing – SOOTCH00 shows this really well at about the 18:00 minute mark in <<<THIS VIDEO>>> . . .

Firing pin block of course . . .

The cool factor with Beretta? – the machining and finish on the places you don’t see normally are as good as or better than 90% of the exteriors of pistols out there on the market . . .

The 80X comes with two 13 round magazines when it’s sold in America – I believe 10 round magazines are supplied in communist enclaves – if your communist overlords even allow you to buy it . . .

I brought flat points to shoot – if it will run them it will run just about anything . . .

Optics ready – the plate comes off and the optic and or mount plate goes on – the only negative to that? – the rear sight is part of the plate – the factory sights are three dot white sights – the front sight is dove tailed and can be replaced – the rumor mill says that various front and rear sights – tritium types etc. are forth coming – simply replace the optic plate with your new rear sight as part of the plate – who knows?

Sitting on top of a Government model 5″ 1911 . . .

The Beretta 80X is smaller – but not by much . . .

The 80X is sorta kinda closer to the S&W 637 size wise – kind of betwixt and between – but the height really doesn’t work for pocket carry . . .

Some numbers for you folks –

Overall length – 6.8″ / Overall height – 4.9″ / Overall width – 1.4″ / Grip width – 1.25″ / Barrel length – 3.9″ / Unloaded weight – 25oz / DA/SA trigger – smooth pull through on double action – crisp break single action / The safety de-cocks the pistol when engaged then down to fire – first shot is DA / Beretta states it is a “Micro Compact” frame size – my question on that is – “micro” compared to what exactly?

The aluminum frame adds a little weight vs a polymer frame – the heft feels good and really smooths the recoil impulse out – the checkering on the front and rear of the grip really anchors the pistol in your hand – but it’s not so aggressive that it irritates – makes for a real soft shooter that you can get a good grip on . . .

C’mon Bruce – enough BS! – How does it shoot??

Here’s 25 rounds – fresh out of the box – 10 yards – point and shoot – forgot my UpLULA Loader – could only get 12 rounds in one of the magazines – liked to ruined my thumbs trying to load these magazines as the new springs were incredibly stiff – I brought 200 rounds of ammo with me and only shot 25 rounds – LOL!

It shoots GOOD . . .

When I get caught up with all the “projects” – you really should see my “honey do” list – I’m about ready to go back to work for a break – LOL! – I can get a little time at the range and really see what this “little” darling can do – I believe there is some considerable accuracy potential here . . .

The bottom line? If the size of it – and only being a .380 for the size of it – if you can work that out in your head – and a $799 MSRP doesn’t freak you out – the only thing I can say is to get one and enjoy it – it’s great little shooter!

Have Fun! – Run the Gun! – and remember – Fish Heads are Cheap!!