Looking for first CCW handgun. .380 vs. .40.

The Ruger LC9 is to me a fine CCW. It's accurate out to 25yds, at least I can hit pop cans out that far which is plenty good for a carry gun. Small and light, not all that much larger than the LCP which I also like as a carry gun in summer when wearing shorts and T shirts. Being DAO both guns are safe to carry with one in the chamber ready to go. The trigger pull is much like DA on a revolver, long but reaonably smooth so there's no chance of a ND. I've fired over 800 rounds through both guns since I got them a couple years ago and haven't had a problem. Both eat any brand of ammo I've tried and the various powder and bullet configurations of my handloads as well. Best of all you can buy both of these American made pistols for the price of some of the big name imported guns. One thing about Ruger too is that they do stand behind their products, excellent customer support if you do have a problem. Some of the others not so much.

Well I carried an LCP for a while, and it wins in terms of size and pocketability, but personally I don't care too much for the .380.

Now I currently have, and really like, the Kahr CM40. It's a 3" barreled .40 with 5+1 capacity. It's very accurate and packs a much bigger punch and it's still small enough to pocket. It's really a great shooter, and yes it recoils more, but it's not unmanageable. Even with 180gr bullets at 1100 fps or 200gr JHP's at 1000 fps, the recoil isn't terrible. More stout than factory loads for sure, but not bad. You don't lose a lot of velocity with the 3" bbl either, some obviously, but not a whole lot. Factory 165's hover around 1100 fps.

Can I ask why? Again, that's me truly wanting to know why, not trying to come off condescending.

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Because you specifically mentioned it is for concealed carry.

I don't consider them nearly as reliable as your other brand choices. They are bargain basement and your life is worth more than a bargain basement pistol. They also have a mixed reputation for reliability. They are also way larger than they need to be for concealed carry. There are a lot of better, smaller .380's on the market. You can get a compact 9mm that is smaller and more reliable. Don't cut corners when you're going to trust your life to a tool. By the same token, don't take out a second mortgage on your home for one either...

I am sure there are plenty of Bersa owners who will argue otherwise, that is just my opinion. YMMV IMBFOS

I would pick the Khar or the Sig over the Bersa every day of the week.

Edit: For the record, since the OP didn't mention a model of Bersa I was referring to the larger framed Bersa .380 not the newer CC model.

The Sig is a better and much higher priced pistol but the Bersa isn't unreliable from the experiences of a couple guys in my club they are satisfied with it's reliability and performance. That said it's a rather large and heavy pistol for concealed carry compared to what's available now that polymer guns are available. The Bersa is larger and heavier than a Ruger LC9 which offers more firepower in a compact package. It's also contoured better for a concealed carry with no sharp edges or hammer to hang up on clothing. Prices are very similar. Both are good pistols but in my opinion for the use the OP wants the gun I think the LC9 is better for the money.

exavid said:

The Sig is a better and much higher priced pistol but the Bersa isn't unreliable from the experiences of a couple guys in my club they are satisfied with it's reliability and performance. That said it's a rather large and heavy pistol for concealed carry compared to what's available now that polymer guns are available. The Bersa is larger and heavier than a Ruger LC9 which offers more firepower in a compact package. It's also contoured better for a concealed carry with no sharp edges or hammer to hang up on clothing. Prices are very similar. Both are good pistols but in my opinion for the use the OP wants the gun I think the LC9 is better for the money.

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Must not be referring to Bersa BP9CC?
Barrel Length: 3.2"
Overall Length: 6.35"
Width: 0.94"
Height: 4.8"
Weight: 21.5oz
Capacity: 8+1
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Ruger LC9
Barrel Length: 3.12"
Length: 6.00"
Width: 0.90"
Ht: 4.50"
Wt: 17.10 oz
Cap: 7+1
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Looks close to me

Put 'em side by side and heft both like I have and then tell me. Not to mention I prefer a US made pistol to an Argentine one. Plus Ruger has excellent customer service.

exavid said:

Put 'em side by side and heft both like I have and then tell me. Not to mention I prefer a US made pistol to an Argentine one. Plus Ruger has excellent customer service.

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LOL, guess you think Glocks are no good, too.

Nope, you're wrong. I didn't say anything other than I prefer US made firearms. I own a Walther P1, which is a delightful 9mm to shoot. I've had a three or four Taurii (plural of Taurus) three pistols and one revolver. I currently own a very nice Italian made Beretta 92FS. I've handled the Bursa in .380 and 9mm versions, I've shot the .380. They are nice shooting guns and very reliable as I'm told by the owner of the one I shot. I have no reason to doubt him.
In fact I don't much care for Glocks. Not because of where they were made but because I don't much like their looks. They are fine handguns but they don't appeal to me. Add that I've been a Ruger owner for over 55 years.
The whole point of my OP was that I believe the LCP was a better concealed carry than the Bursa. It's my opinion and I'll stand by it.

No one has mentioned the Ruger sr40c (and sr9c) as a possibility. Its not the smallest or lightest gun, but the 40c carries 9+1 in the shorter mag that comes with the gun, which is a fair amount of firepower in a small package. I've only had mine for a relatively short time, and so far it is extremely reliable and fires everything that I have tried. There is a degree of snappiness to this caliber, which makes it less than a true pleasure at the range, but we are talking about self defense. I also own a Ruger LCP which is really easy to carry concealed, including pocket carry in shorts in the hot weather. I just have a bit more confidence in the stopping power of a 40 over the 9 mm and that's why I bought the 40c rather than the 9c. Plus, like most Ruger guns, the price is reasonable. I paid $439 NIB with two mags just a few months ago. A final consideration: the new Rugers are very easy to take down for cleaning and then to reassemble. Much simpler, in my opinion than many of the competitor guns.

Id love to have a WAlther PPs in 40, small thin and easy to shoot. A tad heavy at 19 oz, but good and small. Also a bit pricey.

I have the SR40c and do like it's compact size for a .40S&W but it is a bit much for a summer carry. I carry mine when I'll have a coat on to cover it sometimes in the winter but overall I prefer the LC9 for most of the time. I do like to shoot the .40, some don't like the recoil which is a bit snappier than in my full sized P345 .45, but it's not all that bad. To me it's similar to firing a medium framed .357 revolver. I'd still recommend the LCP and LC9 for someone who hasn't carried much, they are much easier to conceal, are reliable and hold their value. It takes a while before some of us settle on a particular weapon so it's disheartening if you choose a pistol you're not satisfied with and have a lot of money tied up in. In the end it's up to what a person likes, go for what pleases you and expect that it won't be your last pistol buy.

The bersa is a great gun for the price. I have had one for years and I don't think I ever had a failure. There is a bersa forum with many happy customers trust me. I carry mine and yes trust it for protection. They are known for reliability and they don't flinch on any kind of ammo. I buy the cheapest stuff I can find and it cycles great.

No matter how much advice you get, it will still boil down to what will you carry every day? Any gun, regardless of caliber, won't do you any good if it's left at home or left in your car. Handle and fire as many variations as you can until you find what feels right for you.
I personally rotate between a S&W Bodyguard .380, Sig P290 9mm and S&W 360J revolver. That's because I can't stand a heavy a$$ gun hanging on my belt. I carry guns that I KNOW I will carry comfortably (for me) day in and day out.

Exactly, comfortable carry is very important if you really carry every day like I do. That's why I carry my LCP and LC9. I have other guns I could and do carry once in awhile but the two Ruger LCs are pretty much my only carry guns unless something unusual causes me to take along something with a larger capacity magazine. This time of year I wear jeans and polo shirts mostly with IWB in appendix position. I can take my coat off without exposing the pistol which is nicely covered by the untucked polo shirt. The gun is hidden well with no printing, no one has ever noticed it. But best of all I hardly ever notice it myself. That's good on a couple of points, one that it's nice not to be poked by your gun or holster and second that it prevents you from touching or adjusting the gun which might bring attention to it. It's surprising how a gun that feels okay when you first wear it can be come a burden before the day is over. Comfort to me is the most critical thing even over firepower because if it isn't comfortable eventually you won't be carrying it. Concealed carry is worthless if the gun is in the car and not on you. The safest place for a loaded gun is on your person or in the safe.

Sig P938

I just got one of these for Christmas after looking at the P238 for about a year. My D-In Law CC a 238 and told me I should get the 938. I waited and got it! Now after 400+ rds since Christmas I can say it has performed like a champ. No FTF or FTE. This will probably become my EDCC due to its size, weight, conceal-ability etc. It is also very accurate at <15yds (not just <7yds), which is incredible given its size. As soon as my new holster shows up from Leather and Stuff and my new metal trigger (sig why plastic?), this baby should be ready to go.