Bersa, Firestorm or Keltec .380

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cidirkona

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Ok... I've narrowed my selection down. I'm going to keep my .45 1911 for primary and pick up a second (insurance pay off coming this week). I tested out a Glock 27 this weekend and the muzzle flip was more than I wanted to deal with - and that was with a 3rd finger extension on it as well...

My favorite options are:

Bersa Thunder .380

Firestorm .380

Keltec p-3AT .380

Anyone own more than one of these and can compare them?

Are the firestorm and bersa the SAME firearm with different finger groves and trigger gaurd milling - or are the manufactured seperately, like all the 1911 manufacturers out there..?

Thanks
-Colin
 
I believe the Bersa and the Firestorm are manufactured in two different plants. General opinion seems to be that the Bersa is of better quality.

I love my Bersa, and it seems like the Kel-tec is getting pretty good reviews.

You probably can't go wrong with either. Stephen Camp has good reviews on the Bersa and the Kel-tec, I think.....can't remember for sure.:confused:
 
For the money you just can't beat the Bersa. I have the 9X19 and the .45, I love em' both. They are two of my best guns while at the same time being the least expensive. The .380 is also excellant. The Keltec guns are fine but they have very rough triggers and many need alot of TLC to get them carry reliable. You can check out ktog.org for information on the KT's and what many people had to do to their guns. There also alot of really good mods and tips there for KT owners. My vote? Hands down, the Bersa.

Bo
 
Bersa and Firestorm are made in the same factory......very minor differences in the guns. Llama and Bersa are pretty much the same company as of the last couple of years.

Either will do you fine.

The KT is a different gun than the other two..usually the bersa question comes up with a Mak or Sig 230...but for pocket carry as a BUG...Id vote on this one.

Shoot well.
 
Llama brand is owned by Farbinor Vitoria of (naturally) Vitoria, Spain
BERSA owns BERSA brand, out of Ramos Mejia in Argentina.

The allied US importers for both brands decided to create a new brandname 'Firestorm', to give sales a novelty boost, swapping out some parts for distinction.

The Firestorm .380 and the original Bersa Thunder .380 are virtually identical, the most visible difference being the wraparound finger-grooved grips on the Firestorm.

I made an attempt at a review/write-up on the Bersa Thunder .380 not too long ago:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=51948


Solid, reliable gun.
Heavier than the Kel-Tec, which I am not familiar with, reliability-wise.

:)
 
Are the firestorm and bersa the SAME firearm with different finger groves and trigger gaurd milling
Click to expand...
Yes.
Easy. The BERSA, excellent reliability (100% even w/ HPs), accuracy & trigger. (Or the Firestorm BERSA.)

:cool:
 
I have the firestorm 380 made in Argentina, not for sure if the grips will fit on a thunder or not.... One thing i found out is extra mags are hard to find is when i got mine i had to order it from the manufactor.

highway
 
85 Cheetah?

Could the 85 Cheetah be considered (although likely well above the price range of the above mentioned models).

I bought one as a .22LR (87 Cheetah) for a range plinker to practice with comparitively inexpensive ammo. I've found I liked it so much, I'll probably
step up to the 85 Cheetah as a summer CCW carry.

Yeah, I know, its a .380...maybe a bit on the light side for self-defense. But with lots of practice and maybe the Cor-Bon .380 rd it would be better than just harsh language.

If its as reliable as my 87, then I think I won't be terribly undergunned.
 
I love my Bersa Thunder .380!

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Can I stir the pot?

Have you considered a .32? Friend of mine just decided on a pocket rocket. Criteria was continual carry (never without). Considered a lot of pistols. Decision = NAA in that new caliber. He hopes the cartridge will catch on. But would have taken a .32 over the .380 (because of better penetration, many consider this most appropriate trait in a mouse gun).

The lucky dawg also picked up a kahr.

So readers of this thread maybe able to answer a question for me. Does any ammo manufacturer make a lightweight fast .380 load? Idea being to maximize penetration. ? I think that might put the .380 back on the map for me.
 
****Go to your friendly neighborhood gun dealer and hold the Bersa and the Kel Tec ****

There is no comparing the two; only the caliber is the same. The Kel Tec is tiny and weighs nothing; I am talking +/- 10 oz LOADED, and is about the size of a pack of cigarettes.

The Bersa is larger, heavier and more solid and has a lot more features.

If you want a .380 you can shoot comfortably, and has a lot of nice features, well made, etc, go for the Bersa. It's easily carried in a good holster and with appropriate clothing.

If you are looking for a realiable (in my case, anyway) "always" gun, then go for the Kel Tec.
 
I know this wasn't included in the original thread, have you you considered the CZ-83 in .380 ACP? I looked at the Bersa and Kel-Tec and both weren't as well built or finished as the CZ-83. Also, the CZ had a MUCH better trigger than either. Not trying to start a flame war, just adding my $0.02 worth. Shoot well and often.
 
CZ-83 is too large ....

IMO. Double stack, all metal, great trigger. That describes the CZ, but it also describes several good 9mm choices.
 
As has already been mentioned, the Firestrom .380 and the Bersa Thunder .380 are the same. I love my Bersa. Accurate, reliable, well made and a bargain price. You can't afford not to have one.

As for the Bersa/Firestorm or the Kel-tec, it depends on how you want to use it. The Bersa/Firestorm is basically the same size as a J-frame. It is easily pocketable but not really a pocket gun (about as large and heavy as you can get for practical pocket carry). It is a very good belt gun when you want something a little downsized and I figure it should work fine in an ankle holster. The Kel-tec is truly a pocket gun sized and should work very well as an always/backup role in the pocket.

The Bersa should be far more comfortable at the range and is "doable" in the pocket. The Kel-tec is better suited to pocket carry, the kind of gun that you can probably pocket and forget about. Whichever is better suited to your needs is the way you should go.
 
Wife and I went to a gun show this weekend and she bought a .380 Bersa. We went to the range Sunday and she has a ball with it. She shoots a Walther P-88 normally and thats what she carries, she wanted something a little lighter for her pocketbook. She did much reading before she bought the Bersa. By the way she pait 199.00 at the show..:)
 
Yeah, I paid 230 for my Firestorm from a local shop, and they threw in a box of ammo and a brush too (gotta love the haggle). There weren't any much cheaper at the gun show this past weekend anyways. They have a nearly new Firestorm 380 at a pawn shop here for 199 that I might pick up with my Christmas bonus - but I'll probably just wait and save up to get the Keltec as well.

-Colin
 
I just bought a KEL-TEC P-3AT

My primary need was for an ultra-light, thin, small pocket pistol and the P-3AT covers the bases like no other .380 I've handled. In my situation, I have the absolute need for total concealability in professional attire.

If your situation is perhaps different and you don't need light, small, or thin, then I've heard nothing but amazing testimonials for the Bersa.

As for me, I'm truly amazed that Kel-Tec could build a platform this small for the .380 round. And yes, it shoots and handles quite well.
 
I just (last week) picked up the Kel-Tec .380 P-3AT as a pocket gun to stick in a suit coat. I read some good reviews but was a little skeptical. The first 125 rounds have been flawless; very decent accuracy, too. And inexpensive ($253). This gun is VERY light-about 10 oz. But that's what I need for concealed carry in a suit coat.

Had a AMT .380 single action before; a decent performing small gun, but heavier and less accurate than the Kel-Tec; also one less round in the mag. An adjustment getting used to Kel-Tecs DAO.

My Kel-Tec compliments a Kimber CDP .45 that I use for hunting, home protection and taking on car trips.

So far, I couldn't be happier with the Kel-Tec. Stay tuned.

Hope this helps.
 
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