[Pistol Packin' Momma]

Well, folks, I have a Springfield XD-9 Service 4" and love it BUT...I fear it won't work well as my CCW. A bit too long, perhaps and definitely too "chunky" for my aging frame! Anyway, after much looking, holding, etc., I've about decided to get the Bersa 9. What are your thoughts?

Are there any OTHER women out there? :confused:

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's and A Big Hearty Welcome To THR-

While I'm not female, nor can I address issues of the 9m/m Bersa,
I can tell you that the Bersa .380 ACP Thunder Duotone is a very
popular and reliable piece here amongest us THR folk's.
Many are owned by our member's; many have written very good
detailed range reports about them. With concealment a concern
I'd definitely consider picking one up; as we sell them in the
shop for $199.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

[Pistol Packin' Momma]

Perhaps the 9 is newer? I've read LOTS of good things about the .380 but I think the minimum for CCW is a 9. (Well, at least it is in MY book!) It's a happy medium.

I appreciate your post. Perhaps some one who actually HAS the 9 will reply eventually. There's nothing like some first hand experience. That's what I'm lookin' for. Actually, my guns...have guns! From a Ruger Single Six...to a .357! Yup! I think I need just one more! My hubby doesn't KNOW about THIS particular possibility, however. Oh, well....

Since I've not joined a forum before, this will be a learning experience! ;)

[Flashpoint]

Welcome Pistol Packin' Momma,

I'll tell what I know about them. A friend bought one to carry and I got a chance to test-drive it. The Bersa seems to be a good little gun for the price, very nice trigger, a lot like my Sig. It's about the same size as my p239 and it feels good in the hand. It shoots more accurate than I do, and out of about 75 rounds it didn't FTF/FTE once. I think that it would be a pretty nice little range/carry gun. One thing though, I'm a little apprehensive about the finish, but if you can get a stainless one I think it would serve you well. Also the sites are a little large for my taste, but not terrible.

[Pistol Packin' Momma]

Thanks, Flashpoint! That's the stuff I need to hear. As to the finish, well...my XD-9 4" has a questionable finish, too, BUT...that puppy shoots!! Soft and accurate and I love the grip & trigger safety combo! It just makes a big, 'chunky' print (when carried on my person)! Guess I wouldn't have that problem if I wore a belt and holster all of the time BUT...with middle-age...well, I'll just say that it's changed my 'attitude' so my shirt tail is usually OUT (when my husband's is IN) AND...I rarely wear belts. I'm FAR more casual than he!! ;)

The XD is WONDERFUL in IDPA practice shoots.

Anyway, I was already thinking that the stainless (which I can get for...$399) would be the way to go. Hey! it's only $39 more than the matte/black/whatEVER ya' call it! That's a no brainer to ME!

Really appreciate your input, Flash!

[hksw]

Welcome aboard.

I have an original full sized Bersa Thunder9, a couple Mini FireStorm 9s and a Mini FireStorm 45. (The Mini Firestorms are build by Bersa. Bersa also sells (essentially) the same gun under thier own name as the MiniThunder9 and MiniThunder45. Some cosmetic differences but otherwise the same.) The guns are basically indirect copies of the older Walther P88, a fine gun in its own right. Some differences between the Walther and Bersas but action-wise, the same.

The Bersas have shot very well for me. Can't definitely recall any failures but there might have been one or two when I first got the .45. It has shot well since. They are a bit wide due to the double stacked mags but otherwise very compact. One problem that might crop up as it did for me was hammer bite from the .45. Trigger is (at least mine) relatively light and pretty smooth for the price you pay.

[Pistol Packin' Momma]

I really do appreciate your input, hksw! Yes, it's wide...but at least it's more rounded than the XD-9! Sounds as though, so far, folks are in favor of the Bersa 9 idea. Still haven't received my Kangaroo holster to try the 4" XD in that...BUT, I fear both the length and 'huskiness' of the 'Service' XD will still be a problem and I'll be FORCED ;) to get the Bersa...because it's a bit less bulky, shorter, and NOT rectangular-barreled! Carrying should be as comfy as possible so thanks for your help! :D

[OpenRoad]

I agree, the Bersa is a great gun for the money. For the most part, the older ones tend to be nicer examples though.

[Pistol Packin' Momma]

OpenRoad, you're appreciated! Thanks to you guys (literally), I think I have what I need. Now it's just a matter of one last conceal attempt. Then, I'll order the stainless Bersa 9!

[rde]

xd-9 sub compact with slainless upper. Same platform as the service...but smaller. Well, just a thought.

[wardog]

Almost bought one for no reason at all except for price. A local shop had one in what looked to be like new condition for $225 a couple of weeks ago. It may still be there.

Green Mountain Guns
11078 W Jewell Av B-4
LAKEWOOD, CO
(303) 985-7240

[Pistol Packin' Momma]

I know the XD subcompact is EXCELLENT! I just advised my friend who is a new CHL to get one BUT...she'll carry in a fanny pak. That will better 'hide' the pistol's..."huskiness." I'm preferring to carry on my body — and think, like it's 4" brother, it wouldn't do terribly well. I'm thinking a Defender (belt), perhaps.

My body, in middle age, has become less...attractive with changes. Had a double mastectomy 2 years ago and they made the new breasts out of my belly! Quite phemonenal, actually. But the front part of me is not shaped the way it used to be. Anyway, consealing the XD with a 4" just isn't working and it's because of it's huskiness AND squareness of the barrel.

Thanks for your input. I'd LOVE another XD but fear that it, too, wouldn't work because of the above. The stainless, though, is needed, though, I think!

I appreciate you and MAY buy a belt and try HER pistol to see how it works! A good thought! :p

[Jiml3]

I don't know if you have considered some other options. The CZ Rami or CZ P101. Feels great in the hand and they are resonably priced. I have the PCR which is the earlier model of the P101 and it is my favorite. In the used department, the S&W 3rd generation guns are some great buy's, namely the 3913 and the 6906.
What ever you chose, good luck and welcome to the board.

[Pistol Packin' Momma]

Thanks, JimL3. I'll drop by the shop on my way to tactical shooters this afternoon/tonight and take a look and ALL of the options one more time. I appreciate your suggestions.

What I need to do now, probably, is close the thread, I suppose. Let's see....

[P95Carry]

PPM .... welcome!! :) Late to the thread here and hardly much need to add anything.

Just to add tho - I have the Thunder .380 and find it is a very good gun .. seems well reliable, even eating Russian ammo! I have handled and shot the 9mm.... and found that also very acceptable. I'd even also consider the possibility of an inexpensive Mak ... not quite 9mm as per 9x19 but as 9x18 still quite effective, if on heavy side.

Your other choices tho are still wide .... such as Karh and KelTec etc. It'd certainly be good if you could handle as many options as possible - even better, shoot some.

Just to decorate this page - here are pics of my .380 Thunder and the Mak.


http://www.acbsystems.com/boards/thr/cb_gun2/bersa_02_s.jpg


http://www.acbsystems.com/boards/thr/cb_gun2/mak_s.jpg

[rde]

S&W 908S. Makarov. :)

[horge]

I really ike my Thunder 380, and wish I had a Mak like Chris' as well.
The Mini Thunder 9 is a decent gun with only two small complaints from me:

1. The trigger pull is not as smooth as in some other (more expensive pistols), although for personal defense it's plenty adequate.

2. The number of corners on it. With almost any gun, there's a period of getting used to the corners that press into your hand, finger joints,et cetera. The Mini Thunder seemed to have more of them than I'd expected, but, you get used to 'em like you would the shape on any other small pistol out there.

Small enough, shoots reliably and with acceptable accuracy for a defense weapon.
Also, there are many aftermarket add-ons for a MiniThunder 9,
like grips, tac lights or laser aiming devices (below, from CAT):
http://mabma.thereeftank.com/postpics/prod1_1.jpg

[albanian]

I really like Bersas but I have not fallen in love with any of there larger than 380 cal versions. Their .380s and .22s are very impressive but the Thunder Nine doesn't fit my hand that well and it has a safety which I think is a bad thing on a CCW.

I would recomend that you at least check out a Kahr. I like the Kahr K-9. It fits me like it was made for me and it is slimmer than the Bersa 9mm. It cost more but if it fits you better and you can shoot it better, it is worth it.

I have over 100 guns and there are only a few that I get really excited about, the Kahr K-9 is one of my all time favorites. I am waiting to pick up my third one on Friday. I had one and then sold it, now I have one and I am getting another just because I like them. I intend to try the plastic Kahr soon but they are hard to come by lately.

[Pistol Packin' Momma]

Hey! Thanks for the info. Love the pic, too. I've ordered the Stainless Bersa 9 and should have it Monday or Tuesday. I hadn't even thought of those after-market things.

Can't help but get tickled at the guy who owns my fav shooting range. He's REALLY pushing the "pocket pistols"...BIG time! Says it's "better than a stick" — which is true but I think the minimum CCW is a 9 mm. So, now I'll have my CCW, my XD-9 4", and my Beretta 92FS. Oh! How could I forget the Ruger Single Six and the.357 mag?! ;) Time to stop gettin' pistols?

I'll stop buyin' guns just as soon as I get the shotgun for SKEET!

I just thank God that my hubby is continuing to work...so I can play!!

[horge]

I'll stop buyin' guns just as soon as I get the shotgun for SKEET!

Ri-iiiight. ;)
You'll "stop buying guns" as soon as ...what?

As good investments; as a responsibility; as a noble passion...
So long as it dunn't interfere with our true job of being good, decent, responsible persons,
So long as guns defend, rather than define us...
In'nt nothing wrong with buying guns.

Congrats on your new purchase!
May there be more to enjoy in the future!

:) :) :)

[Pistol Packin' Momma]

I see you caught my humor, horge. :D

To date, I've bought 4 over the past...4 months? Since the Beretta shotgun is NEXT, I'll HAVE to wait a while before doing any more damage with pistols. (Retired teacher, ya' understand.) However, the quest for the perfect carry method simply MUST continue! ;) (I think you'll agree.)

Have a blessed wkend, horge!

P.S. I'll be lookin' for thos "corners" on the Bersa 9mm that you referred to!

[Flashpoint]

I've ordered the Stainless Bersa 9 and should have it Monday or Tuesday.

We'll be waiting a lengthy review. We need more reviews on this gun for the search engine to pull up.

[Pistol Packin' Momma]

Sure! I can manage that. It may be a couple of weeks or so. Perhaps even a bit longer — for I have some photo sessions lined up which require lots of customization.

Consider this thread closed for the time being, folks. The deed has been done and I appreciate all of your contributions to my overall decision-making process.

I'll return, at a later date, with an evaluation of the stainless version of the Bersa Thunder 9

[wally]

If you want a 9mm thats small and easy to carry look at the Kahr PM9 or PM40 if you want even more pop. Not cheap, but price should be the least important factor for a CCW.

--wally.

[Pistol Packin' Momma]

Well, Wally, the deal is sealed. Women have a BIT more trouble finding suitable carry (for ON PERSON) than do men. I had to consider my 57-year-old shape. I think the Bersa 9 will work well. AND, at $399 for the stainless, I really didn't think 'price.'

My quest is NOW carry holster. Don't need advice, however, for I've done and AM doing lots of methods. I'll continue the saga when I get something that's exactly right...for me!

Enjoy the up-coming November!

[orangeninja]

Pistol Packin Momma, I have a stainless Kahr K40 for $350 + ship.....better than a Bersa...

Okay Okay....shameless plug.