Looking for Handgun

[JohnWayneSaidSo]

I just received my conceal/carry license and I am looking for a handgun, mainly for self-defense. I am in private practice as a clinician and want something as a back-up. I am also new to handguns in general. I have been doing some research and am looking for a handgun around $350 and under. I have just a few questions.

1. What would some of you good people suggest in that price range (besides save your money for something more expensive)?

2. I am considering a SCCY CPX-2 9mm or a Bersa T380MC Thunder Combat. If I were to narrow my choices to these two, what would be your recommendation?

3. Is there a major difference between a 9mm and a 380 if we are talking 10-15 feet? I have read the FBI research on it and am looking at other members' opinions.

Thanks.

 

[Ed Ames]

Is $350 your entire budget or just for the gun?

Around here you can regularly get an s&w shield for $359. Of course you will then pay another $50+ for a belt, $40+ for a holster, $200 for initial practice ammo to get used to it, maybe range fees, etc.

Have you looked for used guns in your area?

There is a significant difference between 9mm and .380, but that can cut both ways. With smaller guns 9mm gets somewhat hard to manage, and even .380 is a handful but easier.

 

[astocks2622]

If you can swing $375, you can pick up a Smith and Wesson MP Shield, which is by far my favorite subcompact 9mm. I found the Sccy to be fairly harsh in recoil in comparison. You could also consider the Taurus 709, which runs just over $200. Another quality option for right about that amount are the Kahr cm or cw 9. I like the shield over the cw9, but not by much.
The 9mm is quite controllable in the shield and cw9, and is a significant power increase over the 380. A 124gr bullet moving 1150fps vs a 90gr bullet moving 1000fps. The 380 has come a long way, and I use one on the rare occasion when I can't carry my Shield, but some advice I've repeatedly heard is to carry as large a caliber in as small a firearm as you can consistently hit a pie plate at 10 yards. Stopping power in a handgun is for all intents and purposes nonexistent.

Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk

 

[FL-NC]

I'm not familiar with either of those guns. There is a considerable power difference between 380 and 9mm, but the biggest difference to be concerned with (esp. for a new shooter) is the cost of ammo, since you SHOULD be using a bit of it for practice. Cheap 9mm ball is plentiful, and there are infinite choices in 9mm HPs for CCW, etc. I also agree with the recommendations on the S&W shield.

 

[MICHAEL T]

The Bersa Combat is hard to find at present. Bersa factory running at max at present and can't keep up with orders .
I have 2 Bersa Thunders and like them . One made 2003 and other is 2011 . Got both new. I have no trouble with a 380 for carry a lot of people do. In price range your looking at could get a KelTec PF-9 with money left over. My PF-9 is nearing a 1000 rounds and not one problem . Its Light weight and I can carry IWB or pocket. It is a bit snappy on recoil weight under 1lb loaded .

 

[bannockburn]

There are some other fairly decent choices out there in your price range. You might want to check out Bud's Gun Shop for prices and availability. Currently they have the Bersa Thunder Combat at $288, SCCY CPX-2 for $249, S&W Shield for $381, Kahr CM9 for $364, Kahr CW380 at $319, and the S&W Bodyguard .380 at $339. Any of these guns should work quite well for what you want it for and are relatively easy to carry concealed.

 

[MedWheeler]

The SCCY CPX-II is pretty well-respected. It's a more-refined version of the Kel-Tec P11, and features a trigger action that is double-action every time, even if the gun does not fire. This makes for a longer trigger pull required to fire it, and that means that no safety lever is needed (if you want one, the earlier version, the CPX-I has one.)

I have the Bersa Thunder in .380, but not the MC version. I love this gun, but don't carry it regularly as I have a slimmer and more-powerful gun in my Kel-Tec PF9. I did carry it for the two years between when I got it and when I got the KT. The PF9 is certainly less pleasant to shoot, though, and I would not recommend it to anyone as their first gun. It's just too slim and light for its power. I enjoy range time with the Bersa.

The Bersa differs from the SCCY in two significant regards. First, it's in the less-powerful .380ACP round which, in my opinion, can still certainly be an effective threat-stopper when wisely deployed. Ammo is about 20 percent more expensive than 9mm Luger, though. The other difference is its trigger mechanism, which has a hammer that is left cocked each time the slide cycles. So, when the gun is fired from the hammer's "at-rest" position, the trigger pull is longer, negating the need for a safety's use. But once fired, each subsequent round is fired using a much-lighter trigger pull since the hammer is already cocked. To return the pistol to a "safe-to-carry" state, the hammer is manually lowered using a decocking lever on the slide.

 

[ProPhetiQ]

I highly recommend the Walther PPS M1 (classic)9mm, probably one of finest concealed carry guns made.
You can find these for $375-$400. I've yet to find anything better for the money....or if $350 is absolute maximum, then the S&W Shield.....

 

[Hillbillyz]

I have the Taurus 709 and the S&W shield. Both of them are quality guns. I like the Smith a little better, better trigger.