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Browning BDA .380 ACP

tacking1tacking1 Member Posts: 3,844
edited June 2005 in Ask the Experts
I would appreciate any help or opinion about the different .380 ACP small autos.

I am trying to decide between: Bersa .380 thunder, Walther PPK/S, Sig 230 and the Browning BDA.

To be honest I have found plenty of info on the first 3 but have not heard much about the Browning.

Thanks all for the advice and opinions

THP
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    nunnnunn Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 36,008 ******
    edited November -1
    My personal favorite is my Colt Pony Pocketlite. If you allow for single action pistols, the Mustang Pocketlite would be in there. Either one would be followed closely by the standard all steel models. The Colts are out of production but available on the used market.

    Then there is the NAA .380, and the Kel-Tec P3AT. Both are very small and the Kel-Tec is light as well.

    Of the larger .380s you mentioned, I like the Walther PPK for its compactness. I don't have beefy hands, so the slide doesn't cut me. The recoil is punishing for a small gun. The SIG shoots nicer but is a little more bulky, even though lighter due to the aluminum frame.

    I believe the Browning BDA .380 was/is made for Browning by Beretta. Beretta has a nearly identical pistol.

    I haven't seen a Seecamp .380. If the Seecamp .32 is any example, it will take a long time to get one and it will be twice MSRP.

    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 gpd035@sbcglobal.net
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    CS8161CS8161 Member Posts: 13,595 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The Browning is made by Beretta. It is a fine weapon but why pay Browning prices when you can buy two Bersas for the same price!

    I put about a thousand rounds thru my Bersa, all types of holow points, FMJ's and not a single failure to feed, cycle or extract.

    I carry Mag Safe or Glaser Safety slugs in my Bersa, you want to maximize the effectiveness of the 380 caliber if you should ever need to use it to defend your life.

    Chris8161
    Admit nothing, deny everything, demand proof!
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    NwcidNwcid Member Posts: 10,674 ✭
    edited November -1
    I am putting another vote for the Colt. I have carried a Mustang for many years now and love it. Just keep in mind the smaller the gun the more imporntant ammo becomes. I am fan of the Corbon, I have it in all my carry guns.

    John
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    nunnnunn Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 36,008 ******
    edited November -1
    I would recommend the Bersa ONLY if money is a serious consideration. Some of my officers use them. Reliability is a problem with some of them, when using good ammo.

    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 gpd035@sbcglobal.net
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    iluvgunsiluvguns Member Posts: 5,351
    edited November -1
    Nunn..not to doubt your word at all, but my Bersa has eaten ANYTHING I have put through it. I even went back and bought another for my mom. How's that for trusting a gun! I agree, the Colts are nice, but not for the money they seem to command nowdays.
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    nunnnunn Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 36,008 ******
    edited November -1
    I don't think price should be a major factor when selecting a handgun with which you may have to defend your life or that of a loved one. That said, I also don't think you have to spend $2G for a custom Wilson combat pistol, either.

    There are a lot of really good guns in the moderate price range that offer better reliability, longevity, sights, and trigger.

    Someone before me got the Bersa approved for off-duty carry here. If it were up to me, from what I have seen of them, they would not be approved.

    They are decent guns for the money, but you can spend another hundred bucks and get a much better gun. For a lifetime of service, a hundred buck isn't much to spend.

    JMHO

    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 gpd035@sbcglobal.net
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