Most modern concealed-carry pistols follow a common recipe. The majority are striker-fired pistols chambered in 9mm, and virtually all of them have polymer frames.
But Langdon Tactical took a completely different approach with the Beretta 80X Cheetah in .32 ACP. There is very little about this pistol that is commonplace, and that is what makes it such a compelling carry option.
Hook & Barrel previously covered the pistol in our first look at the LTT 80X Cheetah .32 ACP. For this review, we took the black, threaded-barrel configuration with a direct-mounted Holosun EPS Carry to the range, measured its double- and single-action trigger pulls and fired five-shot groups at 15 yards with Remington UMC 71-grain FMJ ammunition.
- You want mild recoil and fast, accurate follow-up shots
- You value premium trigger work in a distinctive carry pistol
- Prices range from $755 to $1,375 depending on configuration
- .32 ACP ammunition is scarcer and costlier than 9mm
LTT 80X Cheetah .32 ACP Quick Takeaways
- Best feature: Langdon Tactical’s refined DA/SA trigger
- Trigger pull: 6 pounds in double-action and 4 pounds in single-action
- Accuracy: Five-shot groups of approximately 1 inch or less at 15 yards with Remington UMC 71-grain FMJ ammunition
- Recoil: Minimal, thanks to the .32 ACP chambering and aluminum frame
- Weight: 25.1 ounces unloaded
- Capacity: 12+1 rounds
- Optics: Available with a low-mounted Holosun EPS Carry cut
- Best suited for: Shooters looking for a refined, low-recoil concealed-carry pistol that is comfortable to shoot
- Main drawbacks: Premium pricing and the higher cost and limited availability of .32 ACP ammunition
The LTT Beretta 80X Cheetah is accurate, exceptionally soft-shooting and equipped with one of the strongest DA/SA triggers available on a .32 ACP pistol. It is expensive, but the trigger work, handling and custom features distinguish it from more conventional carry guns.
LTT Beretta 80X .32 ACP Design and DA/SA Trigger
Let’s begin with the chambering. Over the last few years, 9mm has dominated the concealed-carry market. A handful of new .45 ACP and .380 ACP pistols hit the market each year, and revolver fans still swear by the classic .38 Special. But you don’t see many .32 ACP pistols, which is rather surprising.
The .32 ACP, or .32 Auto, was designed by John Browning specifically for pocket carry, and multiple self-defense loads are available. The .32 ACP is rather light for personal protection, but its modest recoil and minimal muzzle rise allow for fast, accurate shooting.
The LTT pistol is based on Beretta’s 80X Cheetah, which is effectively a scaled-down Beretta 92. Lest we forget, the 92 served as the military sidearm in this country, replacing the M1911, which was no easy task. The 92 proved to be a rugged, reliable and accurate pistol, and the same can be said of the 80X Cheetah. Like its larger cousin, the 80X is a double-action/single-action design.
Like other DA/SA pistols, the 80X .32 by LTT offers a heavier initial trigger pull followed by lighter subsequent pulls.
Langdon Tactical’s trigger job on the LTT makes an already good trigger pull even better. In DA mode, the test pistol had a trigger pull weight of 6 pounds. In SA mode, that weight dropped to 4 pounds—a quarter-pound lighter than Langdon Tactical lists in its specifications.
The trigger has substantial take-up, but it’s light and even, with a well-defined wall and a clean break. It’s certainly one of the best DA/SA triggers ever found on a .32 ACP pistol.
For another example of the company’s DA/SA work, Hook & Barrel’s LTT Beretta PX4 Compact Carry 2 review covers its tuned trigger in a 9mm carry pistol.
LTT Beretta 80X Aluminum Frame and Recoil
You won’t find a polymer frame on the LTT pistol. Instead, it features a forged 7075-T6 aluminum frame.
That adds a bit of weight, but the overall unloaded weight of the Langdon Tactical 80X .32 is just 25 ounces, which makes it very manageable to carry every day.
Having that extra weight in the frame further helps keep the gun planted, making this one of the softest-shooting semi-auto self-defense pistols available today.
LTT Beretta 80X Holosun EPS Carry Optic Cut
Modern shooters want red-dot sights, so Langdon Tactical offers an optional slide cut for Holosun’s EPS Carry.
That’s a great optic for concealed carry, and the slide cut allows the optic to ride 0.15 inches lower than the Beretta factory option. The Holosun’s wide window and easy-to-use controls make it a natural fit for this pistol.
LTT Beretta 80X 15-Yard Accuracy Test
The red-dot also helps with accuracy, and the 80X by LTT proved to be quite the shooter.
With Remington UMC 71-grain FMJ ammunition, it printed five-shot groups at or under 1 inch at 15 yards.
That’s better accuracy than is required of a concealed-carry pistol, but no one ever faulted their EDC gun for shooting too well. It’s also a testament to the workmanship and quality you can expect from a Langdon Tactical gun.
LTT Beretta 80X Finish and Carry-Bevel Options
The 80X is available in all black or with a bronze frame and black slide, both of which look great.
You can also choose the carry-bevel option, which includes a dehorned frame and slide.
No matter how you spec out your 80X .32 LTT pistol, you’re going to love the way this pistol feels and shoots.
Federal Hydra-Shok Deep .32 ACP for the LTT Beretta 80X
The compact 80X .32 LTT pairs nicely with Federal’s Hydra-Shok Deep self-defense load. The 68-grain bullet features an enhanced center post for deeper penetration and reliable performance from .32 pistols.
With specially formulated propellants and reliable primers, you can expect consistent performance from your LTT pistol.
MSRP: $39.99 per 20-round box
Should You Buy the LTT Beretta 80X Cheetah .32 ACP?
The LTT Beretta 80X Cheetah .32 ACP makes the most sense for shooters who value low recoil, a refined DA/SA trigger and strong practical accuracy more than minimum size or low ammunition cost. Its measured trigger pulls and 15-yard groups support the premium positioning, but buyers should account for the pistol’s price and the cost and availability of .32 ACP ammunition.
LTT Beretta 80X Cheetah .32 ACP Review: Final Verdict and Score
- Five-shot groups at or under 1 inch at 15 yards
- Measured 6lb DA and 4lb SA trigger
- One of the softest-shooting semi-autos made
- Optic cut sits 0.15 inches lower than factory
- Forged aluminium frame, not polymer
- 12+1 capacity in a true pocket calibre
- .32 ACP ammunition is scarce and pricey
- MSRP spans a $620 range
- No magwell flare slows reloads
- Product Origin
- Manufacturer Sample
- Test Type
- Range — five-shot groups at 15 yards
- Ammunition Tested
- Remington UMC 71-grain FMJ
- Malfunctions
- None
- Instrumentation
- Trigger measured at 6 pounds DA and 4 pounds SA — a quarter-pound lighter than Langdon Tactical's published specification
- Accessories
- Holosun EPS Carry on the optional LTT slide cut, which sits 0.15 inches lower than the Beretta factory option
- Tested By
- Brad Fitzpatrick
- Note — Specifications
- The published specification list repeats the Weight, Sights, Capacity, Finish and Optics-ready rows twice; duplicates have been removed here.
- Caliber
- .32 Auto
- Action
- SA/DA semi-automatic, blowback
- Barrel
- 4.4 inches, threaded 1/2x28
- Overall Length
- 7.3 inches
- Weight
- 25.1 ounces, empty
- Frame
- Forged 7075-T6 aluminium
- Sights
- Holosun EPS Carry
- Capacity
- 12+1
- Finish
- Black nitride as tested; Cerakote available
- Optics Ready
- Yes
- Options
- Carry-bevel dehorned frame and slide; bronze frame with black slide
- MSRP
- $755 to $1,375
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