The Beretta 92 has long been the gold standard for those who appreciate the mechanical soul of a double-action/single-action (DA/SA) system. However, for shooters with smaller hands or those who find the heft of a full-sized duty pistol a bit much for daily carry, the "Wonder Nine" can feel like driving a dually truck in a compact parking garage. Enter the Langdon Tactical (LTT) 80X Cheetah. It is, quite literally, the venerable LTT 92 left in the dryer a bit too long, emerging as a sleek, concealable masterpiece chambered in the soft-shooting .32 ACP.

The choice of .32 ACP isn't a retro-styled accident, but it is a calculated nod to physics. While the .380 ACP version of the Cheetah is a fine firearm, the .32 caliber variant offers a shooting experience characterized by remarkably low felt recoil and a slide that cycles with the effort of a sliding glass door. This makes it an ideal candidate for individuals with reduced grip strength or newer shooters who want to focus on trigger press and sight alignment rather than wrestling with snappy muzzle flip. It provides the safety of a heavy first pull without the physical tax usually associated with blowback-operated subcompacts.

These are available in the US solely through Langdon Tactical. Buyers can choose between a classic Black finish or a Bronze aesthetic. It is worth noting that the "Factory Bronze" tends to lean toward a rose-gold hue in certain lighting conditions, while the LTT Carry Bevel Bronze is a more traditional, earthy Cerakote. If you opt for the Black model, you’ll find a threaded barrel ready for a suppressor, whereas the Bronze ships with a standard Inox (stainless) barrel for a clean, two-tone look.

The real magic, however, happens on the gunsmith’s bench. Every LTT 80X receives a bespoke trigger job that redefines the platform’s potential. The factory trigger is respectable, but Langdon’s technicians refine it into a 5.5 to 6-pound double action that feels like glass, followed by a crisp 4 to 4.25-pound single action. To ensure the performance lasts, the gunsmiths also properly adjust and Loctite the factory overtravel screw, preventing the "mush" that can plague less refined DA/SA pistols.

For those who believe iron sights are a charming relic of the past, LTT offers a direct-mill optic solution for the Holosun EPS Carry. Unlike the factory Beretta mounting system, which can sit high enough to feel like a skyscraper, the LTT cut brings the optic approximately 0.15” lower. This creates a much more robust interface and a more natural point of aim. Because of the specific recoil lug locations required for such a deep seat, this cut is strictly compatible with the EPS Carry—it won't play nice with other K-series or RMSC footprints, so plan your glass accordingly.

One of the more common complaints regarding the legacy Cheetah design is "slide bite," where a high, modern grip can lead to the slide reminding your hand who’s boss. Langdon addresses this via the "Carry Bevel" package. A gunsmith meticulously dehorns the frame and slide, smoothing out every sharp edge that might snag on clothing or skin. If you select this option, the frame is refinished in Cerakote while the slide receives a durable black nitride coating, ensuring the gun is as comfortable to carry as it is to shoot.

The attention to detail extends to the internal components. In the Carry Bevel configuration, all small parts and the magazines are treated with NP3. This nickel-PTFE plating is famous in the firearms world for its high lubricity and corrosion resistance. It effectively makes the action feel "permanently lubed," ensuring that the magazine release, safety, and slide cycle with a buttery consistency that is hard to find in mass-produced pistols.

Out of the box, the LTT 80X comes with two 12-round magazines, providing a respectable payload for a "pocket" pistol. For those looking to maximize their control, LTT also offers optional LOK Grip wraparounds. These provide a much more aggressive texture than the factory panels, ensuring the gun stays anchored in your hand even if things get sweaty. It’s the kind of ergonomic upgrade that makes a small gun feel like a much larger, more controllable service pistol.

In the end, the LTT 80X Cheetah in .32 ACP is a tool that refuses to compromise. It takes the sophisticated DNA of the Beretta 92—the hammer-fired reliability and the tactile feedback of a DA/SA system—and distills it into a package that anyone can master. Whether you are looking for a low-recoil trainer, a sophisticated deep-concealment piece, or just a beautiful example of Italian-American engineering, this "Micro-92" delivers in spades.