In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.

Bersa .380?? Help me! Need answers...

hillbillyhippiechichillbillyhippiechic Member Posts: 97 ✭✭
edited August 2002 in General Discussion
Looking into getting my concealed carry permit, so I needed a gun smaller than the revolvers that I love so much. I shot a new Walther PPK a couple weeks ago and just fell deeply in love with the thing!
Well, $300 is alot of money for a 3-kid family. My husband happened to be in the gun shop the other day looking at them (my birthday's in a few weeks) and the Gunsmith pulls out a Bersa .380.
Needless to say, my husband has "SUCKER" written across his forehead and now he swears up and down that I would be better off with the .380.
Never heard of Bersa, is it any good? It's so much cheaper, it makes me wonder. I would appreciate any info.

Comments

  • dheffleydheffley Member Posts: 25,000
    edited November -1
    HBHC,

    I've had two Bersa .380's. One old model 83, and a new Thunder. I really think the old 83 is a better quality, but the Thunder is a very good gun for the price. I've put in the neighborhood of 2000 rounds through the Thunder, and over 8000 round through the 83. Never had a malfunction or a misfeed. I would not hessitate to buy another. I do, on occasion, carry the Brsa as a back up, and I never carry anything that I wouldn't trust my life with.

    Save, research, then buy the best.Join the NRA, NOW!Teach them young, teach them safe, teach them forever, but most of all, teach them to VOTE!
  • dads-freeholddads-freehold Member Posts: 1,361 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    greetings, hillbilly(hope you don't mind me callin' you by yer front name),have the sucker check out a ruger p- series for you , same price range and twice the gun+ ( the p-95 or P93 might be the best for small or medium hands). respt submitted dads-freehold

    rodney colson
  • COONASSCOONASS Member Posts: 2,068 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Went to the sporting store last Dec. with a friend to pick
    up his boat............Well my eyes got to wondering , and
    saw a thunder .380........Well I got it for my wife as a stocking
    stuffer...She had not idea me either..........................

    She loves it and has shot a few hundred rounds thru it with
    no problems.....................

    We Live in a World of Give And Take, But A Lot Of People Won't Give What it Takes.
  • offerorofferor Member Posts: 8,625 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    The Bersa is imported, I believe, by the same people who import the Llama line. They are not cheap zinc guns like the Jennings, but are real, honest-to-gosh metal guns. You should see it in person though, I'm not sure that it isn't maybe a little bigger than the PPK. In any case, here it is.



    According to the literature:


    BERSA THUNDER .380 LITE
    The ultimate compact .380 D.A. Pistol. Weighing only 23 oz., this is the perfect .380 D.A. you want for personal protection. It's slim, trim and always ready for immediate action.

    It out-performs, out-features and out prices all others in it's class. Compare against all other .380's.. nothing even comes close to this Thunder .380. Absolutely nothing. BERSA gives you the most value for your shooting dollar.

    Features:
    New Improved 9-shot Magazine
    3-dot sight system
    Combat style trigger guard
    Extended Slide Release
    Micro-polished bore with sharp,deep rifling
    Extended finger rest magazine bottom
    Lifetime service contract


    - Life NRA Member
    "If cowardly & dishonorable men shoot unarmed men with army guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary...and not by general deprivation of constitutional privilege." - Arkansas Supreme Court, 1878

    Edited by - offeror on 08/04/2002 23:16:47
  • offerorofferor Member Posts: 8,625 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    By the way, the same group is also now importing a somewhat customized version of the gun called the FIRESTORM, shown below:





    - Life NRA Member
    "If cowardly & dishonorable men shoot unarmed men with army guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary...and not by general deprivation of constitutional privilege." - Arkansas Supreme Court, 1878
  • E.WilliamsE.Williams Member Posts: 1,101 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I beleive they are imported from Argentina.The Bersa and the Firestorm are made on the same assembly line from what I have read.The Bersa is pretty good but I have no experience with the Firestorm but I figure they woud perform the same.If youwant a good cheap carry gun get a Kel-Tec P-11 or a Taurus PT-111 both are 9mm and alot better than .380acp If you are dead set on the .380 then take a look at the Taurus PT-138 its small and is 10+1 .380acp pretty accurate and lifetime guaranteed.

    Eric S. Williams
  • hillbillyhippiechichillbillyhippiechic Member Posts: 97 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I think that I should add that I need the smaller size for conceal carry, not for handling. (I love to handle big guns!!! [HA HA])
    But seriously, I'm pretty curvy, so bulky guns really stick out alot. That's why I was thinking of a .32.....

    PEACE..., through superior firepower.
  • offerorofferor Member Posts: 8,625 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    The Firestorm emphasizes a smooth trigger pull, and of course you can see the gripper grips and duotone is available. If you want the 25 oz. gun, be sure to specify the Lite version of either gun. If you'll take a look at the thread regarding the merits of the .32 caliber, a lot of complaints about rough trigger pull on the Kel-Tecs came out of the woodwork. I do have a Taurus PT145, and tho' I need a few bucks right now I hate to part with it because I do like the PT line very much. Trigger pull is 8-9 pounds on those a true LDA type feel, and very acceptable to me. The Taurus PT line comes in a number of calibers in similar sized frames, including 9mm.

    - Life NRA Member
    "If cowardly & dishonorable men shoot unarmed men with army guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary...and not by general deprivation of constitutional privilege." - Arkansas Supreme Court, 1878
  • E.WilliamsE.Williams Member Posts: 1,101 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If its a .32 you seek go Kel-Tec.The Taurus PT-138 is even smaller than the Bersa.The Accu-Tek line is also very small.And offered in .32acp.The smallest .32 I know of is the Autauga Arms Autauga 32 its a little pricey but VERY concealable and of good quality.Its even smaller than the See Camp.If the smallest possible is what youre looking for get the Autauga it has a 2" barrel weighs 12 ounces and is 7 shot.

    Eric S. Williams
  • Rafter-SRafter-S Member Posts: 2,173 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I'll catch hate-mail on this one, but my suggestion for your concealed carry gun is to stick with revolvers (you love so much). If you don't have a small revolver, buy an airweight S&W Model 37, or 38.

    My wife has carried a gun for over 30 years. She's a former state champion rifle and pistol shooter and loves to shoot the 45 caliber 1911 Colt. But her carry pistol of choice is a S&W Model 38. You can't beat it for practicallity.

    I carry a model 38 too when not carrying the Glock 27 or Browning Highpower.

    OK, guys. Have at it.



    Edited by - Rafter-S on 08/05/2002 00:50:27
  • hillbillyhippiechichillbillyhippiechic Member Posts: 97 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Rafter,
    I haven't checked out any 38's because I have an old police special that my Dad had since I can remember. It's too bulky, and the trigger pull sucks.
    Are the new ones thinner? And how is the trigger pull?

    PEACE..., through superior firepower.

    Edited by - hillbillyhippiechic on 08/05/2002 00:55:30
  • stanmanstanman Member Posts: 3,052
    edited November -1
    Hippiechic,
    I don't care what you decide on, but whatever it is, you absolutely must post a picture of yourself wearing it concealed.
    That way we can all evaluate your curv ,,,,uh,, I mean,,, your concealment strategy.
    OK?

    Just kidding.
    Seriously though, if you like wheel guns?
    Take a good look at something in a Taurus 85, or a Lady Smith.
    I believe both manufacture a model with a completely enclosed hammer also. That way, if the need arose, you could fire the weapon from inside your purse or jacket pocket without worrying about the hammer, or (in the case of an autolader), the slide getting tangled up with anything. Which would of course be a real problem!
    Good luck.
  • Rafter-SRafter-S Member Posts: 2,173 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Chic,

    The Smith & Wesson Model 37 and 38 are small, lightweight revolvers with 2-inch barrels--no larger than the Bersa you are asking about, and lighter in weight. Being a revolver, they are 100% reliable and require minimal maintainance. You won't be sorry if you get one.

    I am amazed someone hasn't taken me to the woodshed on this subject. Most guys think you need 15 rounds of a large caliber to be adequately protected. I can assure; one round from the little 38 will stop anyone from molesting you.

    Rafter-S
  • HizzonerHizzoner Member Posts: 106 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    hilbillychic: I wouldn't buy ANYTHING from S&W -- those traitors! ANyway, a friend of mine has three or four Bersa's. He loves them! Good, cheap guns -- easy to conceal.

    And I concur: You MUST post a picture of yourself so we can evaluate your carry technique.
  • EducatorEducator Member Posts: 27 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    As its been stated many times in this thread, Bersa is a good 'price point' gun. Its not junk and you can rely on it...but...I also agree with the last few posts that if you like revolvers you would do a lot better with a .38 than you would with a .380, it goes without saying which one is a more effective stopper. There are a great many really nice revolvers in the price range that your looking at. If you want to spend a little more...look at the Taurus titanium line. These are well made revolvers with a good trigger. I believe you can get them for around 450...we have one for 449 and you may be able to find them cheaper. Good luck..
    D

    "When in doubt...whip it out!"
  • Shootist3006Shootist3006 Member Posts: 4,171
    edited November -1
    While the Bersa is a decent gun, they are WAY overpriced for what you get. Look for a Makarov for about 1/3 the money and equal (or a little better) ballistics.

    Quod principi placuit legis habet vigorem.Semper Fidelis
  • RosieRosie Member Posts: 14,525 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hold out for the Walther. Tell your hubby he won't get any.... uhh, Rest until you get a walther!!
    Rosie the helpful one
  • snarlgardsnarlgard Member Posts: 1,310 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If you dont want to buy smith & wesson
    Try a Taurus 38
    small, light,
    only downside is only 5 shot
    put it in a fbi cant holster worn just behind your hip center line
    will hide very well
    that is the way my wife wears hers.also only cost 279. dollars new
    and accurate too

    SMILE...MAKE EM WONDER WHAT YOUR UP TO
  • offerorofferor Member Posts: 8,625 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Good grief. I'm sorry, but where defense is concerned I can't afford to be over-polite. Accu-Teks are not my idea of a real gun. I'd lump those in with the Jennings and the Lorcin. But that's just my personal opinion (!)

    As for the Autauga, that's only marginally better. It's another Seecamp/Guardian clone that didn't fully realize its potential. The gun mags have reviewed them all, and none but the Seecamp got a really good rating. It could be the Autauga would turn out to have too heavy a pull, or a stovepipe now and then. I just don't recall which guns got which black marks against them. I still have high hopes for the Guardian .380, but I'd have to check the trigger pull before I'd consider buying one, and then I'd be prepared to have a bit of gunsmith tuning to smooth it out. Sometimes these offbrands are okay in operation except that the magazines suck. So what good is it? Be careful about these dark horse off-brands.

    Rafter's idea is one good one, not the only good one, but a good one, if you like revolvers. There are now lots of small frame revolvers that are very thin except in one place -- the cylinder. Some have a covered hammer. The little guns hold 5 rounds instead of 6 to minimize the cylinder width problem. The whole Charter Arms line is tiny, not only because they're thin, but because their LARGEST factory grip is the size of Pachmayr's Compac! -- and they go DOWN from there.

    I agree that a small revolver, either a Charter or a Taurus with a Pachmayr Compac grip, could be the perfect choice in your favorite caliber. I have a Charter Bulldog Pug .44 Special that is so small I can carry it easier in my front pocket than my G27. Talk about plenty of stopping power in a little gun. And no, I'm not doing double entendre. I don't joke about the "Magnificent 7." (HEheheheheh!)

    Look, if you want a semi-auto, don't buy cheap. Get the Beretta or the mini-Colt or the PPK used if necessary -- it'll still have thousands of defense rounds left to serve you. There's a guy here in town selling a PPK in .32 right now, "asking $350 obo." That means $300, I'll betcha. Maybe $275 depending upon how much they care about guns. But if you don't need a small caliber, I'd go for a mini-9 or .380, or your favorite revolver caliber, maybe .38 in +p.

    - Life NRA Member
    "If cowardly & dishonorable men shoot unarmed men with army guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary...and not by general deprivation of constitutional privilege." - Arkansas Supreme Court, 1878
  • punchiepunchie Member Posts: 2,792
    edited November -1
    Did I miss it or did no one mention the SIG 230/232? Wifey carries a S&W 649 in 357 with Hogues on it. Big grips, little gun, go figure but she loves it and shoots it very well. The only correct answer to her was "Yes Dear".

    AN ARMED SOCIETY IS A POLITE SOCIETY
  • nunnnunn Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 36,085 ******
    edited November -1
    Did I misunderstand you, or did you say that you found a PPK for $300?

    I need one or six at that price, so if it is so, please pass along to me the dealer's information.

    You can email me at davidnunn@texoma.net.

    Thanks.

    SIG pistol armorer/FFL Dealer/Full time Peace Officer, Moderator of General Discussion Board on Gunbroker. Visit www.gunbroker.com, the best gun auction site on the Net! Email davidnunn@texoma.net
  • interstatepawnllcinterstatepawnllc Member Posts: 9,390
    edited November -1
  • offerorofferor Member Posts: 8,625 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Nunn --
    I did say I found an ad in this weeks classifieds for a war-era PPK in .32 caliber for $350 obo, which I assume means one might take it home for $300 or so. I don't have the bucks. If you want me to try to get it, and you have a PayPal account, feel free to e-mail me and I'll make a phone call and see if it's still available. PayPal would take a little slice of the pie, so it would cost you whatever my cost is to get it, but I would be willing to make the effort.

    - Life NRA Member
    "If cowardly & dishonorable men shoot unarmed men with army guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary...and not by general deprivation of constitutional privilege." - Arkansas Supreme Court, 1878
  • nunnnunn Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 36,085 ******
    edited November -1
    No thanks. I cannot use a .32 PPK. Gotta be a .380.

    SIG pistol armorer/FFL Dealer/Full time Peace Officer, Moderator of General Discussion Board on Gunbroker. Visit www.gunbroker.com, the best gun auction site on the Net! Email davidnunn@texoma.net
Sign In or Register to comment.