Bersa .380

[drmitch]

I'm looking at the Bersa .380 as a carry. Having a very hard time locating one in stock locally. Any tips? Thanks. Oh, I'm going to NV next week, I know there is a dealer there with one in stock who can ship to L.A. dealer; that's perfectly OK, yes?

And anyone with experience with the Bersa, feel free to put in your two cents. THANKS!

[CCWInstructor]

Yes you can have a Bersa shipped to a LA dealer. Their are none at the wholesale level. Bersa have been in short supply for 6 months now.

You get what you pay for. It is one of the cheapest guns made. Was that a polite way of saying it?

[NSP]

I bought my wife a Bersa thunder .380 a few years back, it was her first gun. And yes, you get what you pay for, I wasn't impressed by the quality et all. And kind of a funky kick to it I might add.

[OCResident]

Bersa

.380 for primary carry

[Howard Hough]

Same here. I bought my wife a "Firestorm" .380, made by Bersa. I also found it to be lacking in quality. Great price and it had some good reviews, but I would never buy another one. I would never want her to depend on it in a crisis. I keep it in a box with some other junk, now.

[CCWInstructor]

I have never had a Bersa survive my basic handgun course which requires you to fire 250 rounds. Most last about 100 or 150.

[repins]

Bersas seem to get mixed reviews on reliability and "life span". I like the Sig P232 as a .380. Sigs, in my limited experience, are ultra-reliable. They eat any decent ammo, are accurate as hell, and I think my Sig (P232), loaded w/ HydraShok is ample at 5 meters, if you can hit what you're shooting at. Now the P232 costs a bit more, but what's it worth to not have to wonder if the gun will perform?

Lots of compact .40 cals out there, and that's why I prefer the .40 over any .380. My 1st choice is the HK USP Compact in .40 cal. It's not really much bigger or heavier than the P232, packs a much greater punch, and holds 10+1. But, what do I know? I am just a junior member, and opinions are alot like lebows.....everyone has a couple.

[X-ffdo]

I think the H&K USP compact is a good handgun. I found it somewhat top heavy and did not like the LEM trigger. Some people swear by the H&K LEM trigger!
As usual test drive before you buy!
I thought their mags were overpriced for civilians.
I never had any issues or malfunctions with it. It worked everytime! Im my opinion, it did not shoot as much on point as other weapons. I wonder why they keep coming out with newer, improved models, like the P2000, and now the P3000. Their trigger feel is different to me than the older LEM USP Comp. Just a perception. I had the .40 S&W Cal. It got sold with a bunch of other guns to buy newer toys.

[Spicy McHaggis]

Originally Posted by X-ffdo

I think the H&K USP compact is a good handgun. I found it somewhat top heavy and did not like the LEM trigger. Some people swear by the H&K LEM trigger!
As usual test drive before you buy!
I thought their mags were overpriced for civilians.
I never had any issues or malfunctions with it. It worked everytime! Im my opinion, it did not shoot as much on point as other weapons. I wonder why they keep coming out with newer, improved models, like the P2000, and now the P3000. Their trigger feel is different to me than the older LEM USP Comp. Just a perception. I had the .40 S&W Cal. It got sold with a bunch of other guns to buy newer toys.

My primary carry right now is my HK USPc .40 v1. Best gun I ever shot. It is top heavy, but only when it's unloaded. Once you have a full mag in it, it's perfect. I prefer the USPc over the P2000, since it fits my hands better and it is actually smaller than the P2000. I never shot one with the LEM trigger, since I prefer the v1 with decock/safety.

[IAmASensFan]

Originally Posted by drmitch

I'm looking at the Bersa .380 as a carry. Having a very hard time locating one in stock locally. Any tips? Thanks. Oh, I'm going to NV next week, I know there is a dealer there with one in stock who can ship to L.A. dealer; that's perfectly OK, yes?

And anyone with experience with the Bersa, feel free to put in your two cents. THANKS!

If the bersa is all you can afford right now, then thats what It will have to be, but you really should look at something with a bit more "umph".

CCWI often calls the .380 "a 9mm set on stun". Personally, I'd be leary of a 9 for primary carry as well....I have a .45 that I carry out of state, and am looking at something a little more tactical for home and local carry (like a .40)

[THaves]

Originally Posted by IAmASensFan

If the bersa is all you can afford right now, then thats what It will have to be, but you really should look at something with a bit more "umph".

CCWI often calls the .380 "a 9mm set on stun". Personally, I'd be leary of a 9 for primary carry as well....I have a .45 that I carry out of state, and am looking at something a little more tactical for home and local carry (like a .40)

Sens

Stay with the .45 for home and local carry. Trust me on this one it is by far the best way to go

[K-dog.v3]

Originally Posted by THaves

Sens

Stay with the .45 for home and local carry. Trust me on this one it is by far the best way to go

Sens dont give in to the .45 peer pressure. .40 is the way to go.... Glock 23

[Justaguy]

Originally Posted by CCWInstructor

I have never had a Bersa survive my basic handgun course which requires you to fire 250 rounds.

That's why the only .380 I have wears the name "Colt"...

[UNSUB]

Dear drmitch,
This thread is probably long in the tooth. But this is my dimes worth and I'm a calling. .380 auto is a marginal sub caliber. It is called 9mm kurtz in some places in Europe. Loosely translated 9mm short. I think the Germans developed it to shoot the French, because they lay down easily and they didn't want to waste gun powder on them. Sorry, I am not PC, but I laugh at my own jokes. And don't get me started on .40 S_hort & W_eak, get a 10mm ladies. Back to the Bersa, PLEASE DON'T. .380 only to my enemies, not my friends. If you are investing in a CCW and your life PLEASE DON'T cheap out. You'll only make that mistake once with NO do overs, when it counts.