Is a Bersa Thunder .380 the best centerfire auto pistol I can buy for under $300?

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bestseller92

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Having sold my Smith 18 to my brother for $300, I'm now looking to replace it with another handgun, though not a .22, because I already have two Ruger Single Sixes (which is why I sold the Smith in the first place).

My research seems to point to the Bersa Thunder .380 as the best centerfire auto pistol I can get for under $300, keeping in mind that I don't really NEED this gun and that, if I do get it, I'll use it mainly for an IWB gun when I'm walking my dog, or as a complement to my Taurus 85 or Ruger SP101.

So, am I correct in thinking that the Bersa Thunder is the way to go, so far as replacing my Smith 18 without kicking in any more money?
 
Does it have to be a new gun? Many good deals can be found for that price in a way better defensive round. I would not like to bet my life on a .380, though I suppose it's better than nothing.
 
Hmmm, $300.00 to spend, looking for small CCW while waqlking the dog? Sounds like a Kel-tec is what the doctor ordered. $300.00 will get you the PF9 or P3AT NIB from most any dealer. Both designed with CCW as the main function. The gen 2 P3ATs are super reliable and "minute of bad guy" at 15 yards.
 
you could sure do a lot worse

The Bersa's are damned fine little guns. As for the Kel tec's they are light and easy to carry but I made the same choice and came home with a Bersa. Love It. It is way more fun to shoot that the sponge trigger toy pistol (sorry that's what they feel ike to me).
 
S&W Sigma should be available around $300. They take a lot of criticism for the heavy trigger, but it is a good solid SD piece in 9mm or .40 S&W.
 
The Bersa .380s are stone-cold reliable, accurate, controllable and comfortable to shoot. I love mine and would not part with it. Kel-Tecs are good little guns, but don't get one unless you already have a range gun. They are designed to be as small and light as possible and are not very pleasant to shoot for extended periods of time. 50 rounds through a Kel-Tec and my hand is sore. I get no such fatigue from the Bersa.
 
I have a Bersa .380 and I really like it. It's fun to shoot and it's pretty darn accurate.

I was at the range playing around one day and one guy ask me if they were good. I loaded up a mag and leveled it at the target 25 yards away and put one dead center in the X-ring.

He was impressed. So was I. LOL!!!
 
I bought my wife one and I fell in love with it. very accurate and with the inline feeding makes it reliable.

thun380lt_dt_lg.jpg
 
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Ditto to M2Carbine. I've got both and they're both excellent. Bersa is better and easier to hold. The Makarov is stone cold reliable with JHP's, Ball ammo, or semi-wadcutters. Either way, you're good to go.

Ron Cole

When asked by a reporter why he is the only gangster who carries a .45 automatic, John Dillinger replied, "I shot a man with a .38 once and he shot back at me."
 
You might want to look at the CZ-82 or CZ-83. They are good guns. A little wider, but also more rounds. They come in .380 or 9mm Mak.
 
eldon519, +1! My Bersa is a fine weapon but if it isn't for carry I would opt for a used CZ82/83 because it has higher quality and it holds more bullets. Regards, Richard:D
 
Bought a duo tone today for $219 brand new. Have only put 35 rounds through it so far, but thus far it shoots like a dream.

And, just to add, this isn't a gun I really need, but one I wanted. I already have an SP101, a Taurus .38 and a Glock that'll do for "dog walking guns". I just wanted another.
 
They're neat guns. My nickel version was about $270. When I bring new shooters to the range, they really take to the little Bersa. Its compact size makes it unintimidating but it's still big enough that a newbie can shoot it well.

Mine's been very reliable (about 580 rounds fired) and has a nice trigger. Only two annoyances:
(1) the grip panel screws will loosen up after 20-30 rounds fired. Doesn't tie up the gun, and you can just tighten them again with a screwdriver. Many Bersa owners recommend using blue Loc-Tite on the threads to fix this glitch. I'll probably try that.
(2) Spare Bersa magazines are scarce. The pistol only comes with one.

For .380 plinking I like Magtech 95 gr FMJ ball. Affordable and good quality. (Magtech is made in Brazil -- fits the theme of the South American pistol, FWIW.)
 
If you were going to consider an alternative to the Bersa the Mak would be a good choice. However, the Bersa is a good gun, especially for the price. The only complaint I have with them is the finish. It doesn't seem to hold up to well to rust. If you are going to carry it IWB while walking the dog it could be a concern. It may just need a little extra maintenance.
 
I have a Bersa 380 that I purchased new from Academy Sports for about 230.00. It has proven absolutely reliable, accurate and fun to shoot. I carry it when I need a thin, small gun for light summer clothes. Hard to beat.
 
I brought a bersa T380 last week for $217 locally, so far I had 100 rounds through it. I like (not love) the gun, very accurate in that price range and more accurate than pistols twice the price. The recoils need some getting use to. I also needed to adjust my grip for the bersa, otherwise my thumb will get in the way for the slide lockup. Quality is OK, the edges are too sharp, but very tight on everything else. The parkerized finish on the slide is not very durable, looks like it is going to wear off easily. It fits in my front pocket of all my cargo shorts very well without a holster. It is not too heavy to drag my shorts down either.
If you don't mind the size and used, the CZ82 is a very also a good pistol to consider for $200+.
 
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