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

[rantingredneck]

You can get used (and sometimes new) Ruger P95's for that much. A bit bigger, but you're getting a hi-cap 9mm instead of a .380. Just another option.

 

[bestseller92]

I already have a Ruger P95 that I bought in 1998. Great gun.

 

[bestseller92]

More shooting today, this time with Remington 88 grain JHP. Superb little gun so far -- fist sized offhand groups at 15 yards, dead on center.

 

[wnycollector]

I have only shot 2 clips out of a bersa .380 so I cant really speak to long term durability It seemed like a nice enough pistol for the $$$! I can speak about buying a mak though. I purchased my mak a few months ago and have ~1250 rounds through it without one ftf or fte! I have only cleaned it twice (once before the 1000 rounds and once after!). I dont think thats to bad for a sub $200 gun. If I wanted a .380 I would take a russian mak in that caliber over a bersa! Check out Stephen Camps webpage www.highpowersandhandguns.com he has a nice side by side comaparison of the two pistols!

 

[ANVILFIRE]

I have found extra magizines at Academy for $15 bucks.

 

[mrmeval]

Kel-Tec P3AT

Froogle link, yea Google eviscerated the name Froogle but I still use it.

Review

 

[Breakdaddy]

I love my Bersa Thunder 380CC model, its been reliable and was under 300 dollars. Load it with Cor Bon DPX and dont worry about it. The CC model holds 1 more round than the standard Thunder 380 and is still under 300 and a bit smaller, so see how you like that one as well.

 

[Shipwreck]

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.

I've seen WAY too many newbies complaining after they get sucked in on the price of the Sigma. Their next post 90% of the time is "how dod I lighten the trigger." I wouldn't buy one.

I'd get the Bersa. They are great guns for the money. And, I'd rather have one over the Sig 232 - the sig is over prices when compared to the Bersa.

I got one and ended up selling it to my mom because she liked it so much.

 

[Desperado]

I think the Bersa is a good buy for what it is, but I prefer my P3AT. Internal hammer and very easy to conceal make it an ideal .380 for me

 

[Black Adder LXX]

I'd seriously look at the CZ82 or CZ83. They feel like 'real guns' to me. CZ has a great reputation for reliability, too.

 

[birddog]

My Bersa Thunder has been an excellent gun.

 

[Frog48]

I bought a brand new Ruger P95 a few years ago at Academy for $320. Its the most reliable gun I own, thus why I keep it on my nightstand.

 

[Crow61]

I have owned a Bersa .380, (one of the older one's) and my son has a newer Bersa now. They are very nice little pistols. I hate that I sold mine.

But, for $300.00 I think that I would go with the S&W Sigma in 9mm. What I like about the Sigma is that it is very streamlined and perfect for concealed carry. You mention that you already had Double-Action revolvers, so the Sigma would not be that different in operation. The Sigma comes with two hi-cap mags. The Bersa only comes with one mag.

Just some thoughts.

 

[KrankyKraut]

I never shot the Bersa, but handled it at the store. To me the Makarov felt better and seemed better made. I don't regret making the purchase. The Mak is a lot of fun to shoot and utterly reliable. Also, the 9X18 round is more powerful than the .380.

 

[Ala Dan]

Oh MY~!

You really didn't mean to sell your Smith model 18 did you~? Sorry friend,
that was a bigtime mistake; as the .22LR model 18 is a very highly sought
after piece amongest us handgun guru's. The last one I saw, a minty 98
per center with NO box or docs sold for $509 at a shop near Birmingham.

To answer your question, the little Bersa Thunder .380 duo-tone is a good,
inexpensive CCW piece. I have owned one for nearly three years now, and
have NEVER had a problem with it. Back when we sold them for $199 NIB;
I paid $160 + tax for mine. I don't use it as an everyday CCW piece; but
it certainly would fill that bill very well.

 

[ANVILFIRE]

Getting back to the topic. If possible hold the $300 and save another $200 or$300 and get something you can shoot alot. Though I have a bersa and it's prefect for it's intended use (PP). I will not use it for a range gun, 2 clips and back in the case or wifes purse it goes.

Look at a Glock $499 and up or one of the quality High power clones.