Bersa thunder 380 vs. kel-tec - to trade or not to trade?

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billyp

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I have a Bersa Thunder .380 that I never shoot it is just to big to carry as my primary carry gun is a Kahr MK9. I know everyone says never trade a gun but that Bersa just sits on the shelf and never gets shot. I have been looking at the P3AT for a while but it never really impresses me with anything but its size. However, that is the exact reason that I want to pick it up. Sometimes the Kahr is just too heavy for all situations and the P3AT would make a good alternative.

The questions is really would you guys sell the Bersa to get the Kel-Tec - mind you the Bersa has not been shot in over a year.

Thanks,
Billyp
 
If you don't use the Bersa I don't see the problem in trading it in. I personally favor the ppk/makarov clones (or originals for that matter) but use whatever works for you, and it sounds like the Bersa isn't.
 
Depends on your needs. I like Kel Tec, great company that backs their stuff 100 percent, though I've not had to use the warranty. The P3AT is a good shooting gun as well as very compact. That said, I don't really need a gun that small, carry a P11 (9x19) in a pocket or a snubby .38 alternatively. I've thought of picking up a P3AT, but I don't like carrying .380 as a caliber for a primary so I don't know how much use it'd get. I'd like to pick up a Bersa, too. Seems a lot of folks like 'em. Again, I don't know if it'd get carried all that much, but it sounds like a neat pistol.

IMHO, though, if you'll USE the P3AT and you don't carry the Bersa, well, go for it. OR, keep the Bersa and buy the KT. I mean, ain't like they're that expensive and the more carry options I have the better.:D I really don't like trading good guns anymore. I find myself missing the gun I traded even if I love the gun I got for it. A certain Security Six I traded for a Blackhawk or a certain Rossi 971 I traded for a .45 Blackhawk come to mind. Well, I don't miss the Rossi all THAT much, but that Security Six was my first center fire handgun and I'd like to have it back even though I have a better shooting 4" medium frame revolver now.

So, think about that, you might wish you'd just BOUGHT another gun. :D
 
I agree, the Bersa is a great gun that shoots very well. I have thought about it a little more. I think im just going buy the P3AT and keep the Bersa...you can never have to many guns right :).
 
+1

You won't get much, or what it is worth on a trade anyway.

If you decide later to sell it, you would probably be money ahead.

rcmodel
 
I just got a Taurus PT145 and put my bersa 380cc on consignment. Thinking about going back and getting it. For what? Sit in the gun box? This gun collecting has an element of irrationality to it.
 
i have 1 question... do you know the difference between blowback, and locked breach?

kel tec "was" the only gun of its size to utilize the much more reliable locked breach system (until ruger copied kel tec )

the kel tec is a much more reliable gun, however you will feel more recoil in the kel tec... so if you have poor recoil management skills you may still want to stick with the bersa..
 
the kel tec is a much more reliable gun,...
Click to expand...

I never thought I'd see that particular phrase in a post. ;)

If you are looking for a smaller alternative to the Kahr, then definitely the Bersa isn't the gun for you. Whether you keep or sell the Bersa is dependent on your finances and gun collecting goals. If you collect and can afford it...keep the Bersa. If you don't keep any guns other than CCWs and/or need to sell in order to buy, then sell the Bersa and don't look back.

Many people have several CCWs on tap for whatever the occation calls for. I keep three ready for the appropriate style of clothes I'm wearing, or not wearing as the case may be. The Kel Tec may fit the need you've identified...now go fill it.
 
usp9 i find it amusing that you speak of kahr in the same sentence as talking about laughing about the reliability of a kel tec...


or to talk about if you can afford to keep the bersa (a less expensive gun than the kel tec...)

and to most serious ccw people you may have 3 guns to carry depending on your wardrobe but the more serious ccw holders will be carrying all 3 at all times....

3 types of people... those who change what they carry to fit their wardrobe...

and the other is... those who change their wardrobe to carry what they feel is necessary..

and the final is victims.... those who choose not to carry anything..
 
usp9 i find it amusing that you speak of kahr in the same sentence as talking about laughing about the reliability of a kel tec...


or to talk about if you can afford to keep the bersa (a less expensive gun than the kel tec...)
Click to expand...

hotshotshoting,
The Kahr in question that the OP owns is a MK9, a very reliable pistol and the question isn't about my finances...that's up to the OP, not me. I was just agreeing he should fill his need, however that is accomplished.

And as to multiple CCWs, I would be surprised if only a minority of people had only one gun unless mandated by law or permits.

Just for the record: I have a low opinion of both the Kel Tec and the Bersa...just my opinion, but neither is the type of pistol I'd carry, but that's up to Billyp, not me. The Kahr MK9 I would carry...fine gun.
 
usp9 that is your choice.. either way it doesn't matter what someone says online... people don't believe forum warriors in general anyway they trust things to their own experiences...

so either way neither of us will really change anyones mind anyway...

ps i wasnt talking about owned guns i was talking about carried guns... how many of you carry multiple or at least 1 backup firearm?
 
i have 1 question... do you know the difference between blowback, and locked breach?
Click to expand...
A blow-back barrel is fixed in position to the frame.

A locked-breach gun has a movable barrel operated by a link (1911) or cam (Kel-Tec, Glock, etc) on the bottom of the barrel that drops it down out of engagement with the slide lugs after a short distance.

If the barrel is fixed to the frame = Blow-Back.
Generally, if the barrel moves down or rotates when the slide opens, and can be taken out for cleaning = Locked Breach.

Also, the slide alone weighs as much on a blow-back as most complete locked breach guns weigh all together.

rcmodel
 
Actually on the MK9 it has been pretty reliable. However, the slide cracked and the frame right below the trigger guard has some stress cracks. It has been back to Kahr once and it look a little over a month to replace the slide.

I did purchase the P3AT, and have it in my back pocket as I type this. It is a very concealable piece and am pleased with my purchase at this point. I am not sure if they upped the QC on these guns but the gun I purchased has a decent trigger with no grit and very little over-travel.

I ended up keeping the Bersa because...well I collect guns and what is one more right :).

Also, in my experience the lock back breach has been more reliable as it moves down and can lessen the chance of a FTF to get the feed ramp closer to the next round.

I only carry one gun at a time, where it live in Louisiana it is too hot to wear much extra concealment clothing and I carry a gun for piece of mind and personal protection. If I feel confident that I can use the tool I am carrying to the best of my ability and the chance of actually have to use that tool is so slim why burden myself with the extra weight of another sidearm. That however is just my $.02 on that topic.

Thanks again for everyones input on this question.

Billyp
 
I own both the P3AT by Kel-tec and the Bersa Thunder 380 Concealed Carry model.

Both guns have been 100% for me, but 90% of the time, I feel more comfortable front pocket carrying the Bersa.

The Bersa is a little bigger and heavier, for sure, but the plus side is that I can hold it properly without thinking. It falls into the hand and points naturally.

The P3AT is so small, I find myself having to think about where to place it in my hand, and grasp it just so, so that I won't pull my aim off the target while pulling the trigger.

With the Bersa CC, I pick it up and there is no shifting the firearm around to ensure a correct grip. Reach into the pocket and it's there.

With the P3AT, there is that 1-2 second (or longer) period where you need to settle the handgun in your hand, get your trigger finger situated just right, before that handgun is ready for action.

I won't sell the P3AT, because there are some slacks I have that will only accept such a small firearm, but most days, the Bersa CC rules for me.
 
Exactly the reason, that I bought P3AT in the first place, but it soon showed me how all around it was. Very accurate and dependable.
 
I was in the same situation. I had a bersa .380 and i just never carried it as much as i wanted to because it was just too big for me, even though i loved the gun.

I swapped it for a KT P3AT and have never looked back, i carry the p3at all the time now. Its so comfortable in all situations, and it makes me feel better to know ill most likely always have it with me, rather than just "some" of the time with the bersa.

I say go for it.
 
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