First appearing in 2000, the Beretta 87 Target it based on the Beretta 87 Cheetah, which had already gained much respect for its accuracy.
Specifications
The Beretta 87 Target was designed as a competition and training pistol. Its accuracy is enhanced through its longer barrel and adjustable sights. It is also fitted with a weaver rail so that optics can be fitted.
Intended market
The Beretta 87 Target appeals to sports shooters for bullseye, practice and combat shooting.
Design advantages
Very reliable, light, accurate and affordable. One of very few .22 LR pistols that have a double-action trigger mechanism.
Limitations
The Beretta 87 Target lacks the high quality trigger pull found on more expensive .22 LR sports pistols.
This includes a restyled trigger guard similar in appearance to current Beretta 92 models that allow for a finger hold on the front of the trigger guard.
In 1986 Beretta introduced the model 86 which differs significantly from other models in the series, because it has a redesigned front end with a tip-up barrel that hinges in front of the trigger guard.
The standard model (introduced in 1986) is similar to other models, but the 87Target (introduced in 2000) has a longer barrel and slide (that can accept optical sights) and is single action only.
Marketed as a dedicated action shooting target pistol, it might be considered a little on the long side but this is not a consideration when gripped, as it sits very snugly in the hand due to a very filling ergonomic profile.
Sights are clean and provide nice target acquisition, though I swapped to the narrower of the two supplied foresight blades, which gave a better sight ratio and cleaner definition when up against paper targets.
The wide, flat profile at the muzzle allows the Target87 to remain upright when set down on a flat surface, ready to be gripped, loaded and fired, which may be of some advantage in certain practical competition events.
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