bersa .380, what do you think?

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peteyru

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Recently I have been doing a lot of research on small, concealable firearms for a reasonable price. From what I have read in a number of articles the Bersa .380 keeps coming up and seems that they may actually be a quality inexpensive gun. Does anyone out there own one or has put it to the test?
I would like to know because in about a week I will be making a purchase. Thanks ......
 
Welcome to THR.

The best thing I can tell you is do a search here at The High Road on "Bersa" and you'll see countless threads about what a great gun it is.

I've had mine for a few years now and LOVE IT.
 
380 Bersa

To my mind the Bersa is rather large for a 380. I have a 9 mm that's smaller. There are other good 380's that are smaller. Aside from the question of size it seems to be a pretty good pistol. if you wanted to do a lot of plinking, the size would be an advantage there.
 
If you don't need a super small .380 like the Kel-Tec or North American Arms then the Bersa/Firestorm pistols are one of the best gun buys on the market right now.
News flash, Bersa and Firestorm double action pistols are made by the same Manufacturer in Argentina.
 
Excellent pistols, IMO.

I only own five Bersas in .22, .32 and .380, but they have all been problem free.
:D
 
I have one Bersa,a .380,and have had absolutely no problems with it,ever.I think it is a good quality gun for a little bit of money,and apparently,I am not the only one.
 
I've had one for ~5 years and never had a problem with it. I have been very impressed with it considering the cost.
 
The only complaint I have is the beaver tail corner is kind of pointed and sits right against my thumb base. After 50 rds shooting it breaks my skin and sore. the mag costs $32 is expensive for a $199 gun.Shoot well and acurate for that size of gun but recoil is snappy since it is a direct blow back gun.
 
Sapsan ammo + Bersa = Fun, light recoil :) Good for the range.

Federal ammo + Bersa = Serious recoil, but great for defense. Unfortunately, I now have a scar at the base of my thumb knuckle. :fire: Ah well. :)

I picked mine up used. No problems whatsoever (unfortunately, it's only been to the range once). I don't know what these yahoos are saying in regards to it being big--I find it easy enough to hide. ;)
 
I own a bersa series 95 .380... purchased used, i've put around 300 rounds through it my self with no problems of any kind, its a great functioning gun. Its my backup in the colder months, and primary carry for the warmer summer months. A great buy no doubt....
 
While we're Bersa-ing, does anyone have trouble with the nickle plate on those guns that have it coming off, if the gun is cleaned with Hoppe's No.9 powder solvent?

I've seen on forums that it's bad for nickle finishes. Never owned a nickled gun, and thought I should ask. Planning to get a Bersa...

Lone Star
 
Bought one a couple months ago and have had it to the range numerous times.
So far it's been reliable and accurate with a wide range of ammo.
Also easily concealed.
 
Bersa size

It's not that the Bersa is large as pistols in general go, it's that it's large as 380 pistols go. It's a tad smaller then the typical service pistol, but it's bigger than the typical 380.

The larger size makes for an easier pistol to shoot, allows more robust construction, etc. But if concealability is a major issue, there are smaller 380's out there.

BTW: The Bersa is a Browning clone. How does the Browning version compare?

I have a friend who packs a Bersa inside the waist band at dead center of the back, with a jacket over it. Once or twice in the coffee shop I had to tell him it was showing when he bent over. Needs a longer jacket I guess. The one I had was a Browning. I did not have it for very long, but it gave no trouble while I had it. (Friend was hard up, sold it to me. being a nice guy, I let him buy it back when he was seeing better days.)
 
Don't know about the .380, but I have recently acquired a Bersa Mini Firestorm in .45 and truely enjoy shooting it.

I am seriously thinking of getting the .380 for the wifey.
 
They're good guns, but too big for the calibre.

If you just want to plink at the range, get a .22. If you're serious about self-defense, look at a 9mm.

If its got to be a 9x18 or .380, then get a Mak -- or a Kel-Tec P3AT (which is substantially smaller and far more concealable.)

The Bersa in 9mm, however, is worth considering.
 
This pistol is going to be be used mostly as a training tool for my wife and a concealed carry for me when dressed light. I own a Walther P990 .40 and in my opinion its not a good starter gun for a lady, especialy one of her stature. I need something she can get a good feel for at the range, something comfortable, small but not to small and a dependable shooter .. and for me when I carry it I need to know that I can trust it. I dont have a lot of money to spend and I cant really seee going out there and buying something for her to use that she and I may find out she has no interest in later down the road. I am about to buy a bersa .380 from someone off this site next week for $185 in great shape ... thats affordable to me .. so just looking to see what everyone thinks ... but THANKS for all these posts they are really prooving to be very valuable to me.
 
Looks kinda...

like a Walther PPK/s...wonder if they got the old machinery from Walther like Taurus got from S&W...

I have a West German Walther in 380 acp and a East German Makarov in 9x18...both serve me well....let us know what ya pick !!

:evil:
 
I think I've read maybe one person who had a problem. If you feel comfortable with the ballistics of a .380, the Bersa has alot going for it. I wouldn't feel underprotected with one. They're economical, reliable and reasonably accurate for the job.
 
As many people stated, its a quality gun...

I had no complaints about mine, but for the size of the gun, it should be 9mm.

It doesn't make sense to me to carry that large a gun, in .380
Its like trying to find a .380 glock subcompact, when a 9mm glock subcompact would be the exact same dimensions.
 
I guess I'm one of those "yahoos" that think the Bersa is rather large when compared to a KelTec P-3AT that also shoots a 380 cartridge.
profile_2.jpg
I do think the Bersa is a fine pistol with mild recoil, a very good trigger, is very reliable and has good sights and is a very accurate shooter.
If you want to carry in your pocket, get a KelTec.
 
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