Changing my CCW to ?

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Ravenwolf

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Thought I'd seek some advice from this site. I have a Bersa 383 7 shot 380 acp. Beautifully accurate little pistol. I Like the sights (3 dot), like the DA/SA action, like the size and weight (25 oz), but would like a more effective caliber. Can anyone recommend a "comparable" handgun but in a more effective caliber? By the way this little jewel is also the wife's and she is about to get her permit so am going to lose it to her anyway...Thanks...RW
 
Oooh, me first me first!

The Kahr K9 is approximately the same size and weight as the Bersa, but in 9mm. The K40 is a tad wider and heavier, but obviously in .40 S&W. Only drawback is that it's striker fired, so light DAO trigger.

There's the S&W CS9 that's DA/SA, but the grips are much thicker than the Kahr's.

If rumor holds true, the new "RAMI" from CZ should be out this year. It's in your size range, as well as being DA/SA, in 9mm and .40.
 
For a slightly smaller size and about the same weight, you may want to look at the Kahr K9 and K40. For lighter weight, you can go polymer with the P9 or P40. The MK9, MK40 and PM9 which are even smaller are nice choices too but the slide may be difficult to rack for your wife.

The Glock 26 and 27 are good choices too as well as the Springfield XD9 subcompact. These will be a little wider than the Kahrs but offer more round capacity.
 
Ravenwolf

NY is one of those states where you have to list your CCW pistol on the license?
How many can be listed? If you change the listed weapon, does it cost money?
It seems that if you're safe with one, you'd be safe with another. Can you carry two pistols? Sorry for all the questions, but I just want the information.
Being in Kentucky, I switch carry weapons according to the clothes I wear.
However, I always carry two.

KR
 
Kentucky Rifle, we must list all our handguns on our permits. There is no limit to the amount and you can carry more then one if desired. Every time we list a firearm or take one off our permit it is a $3 charge.

My wife is from KY, around Grayson and I've hunted several times down there with my hunting handguns. Probably will retire down there some day or at least pickup some hunting land.

Everyone else, The Kahrs are nice but I really like the DA/SA option. I've heard that Bersa is coming out with a 45 acp but don't know anything about the size or action style. Nothing against Glocks but just don't like them...
 
I always like to suggest any of the Smith 3900 series, or the 908's. Very handy, reliable, and accurate little 9mm's. Some of these pistols have shorter grips than others.
In any case, there are quite a few good little 9mm's (and more powerful rounds) these days. In small .38/ .357 revolvers, the J frame Smiths and used Detective Specials are also very good.
 
You might look at the following. All are sa/da. I think they are all bigger than what you currently have.

Beretta:
9000s
Cougar

HK usp compact

SIG 239

There are also rumors of a compact version of Walther's P99.

Again, these are bigger than what you have, but they are the some of smallest sa/da's in 9mm or bigger that I can think of.
 
Take a long look at a Kel-Tec P-11!

It is a DAO 9mm with a 10+1 capacity. Weights just 14 ounces by itself and a loaded magazine adds another 6oz. or so. Twenty ounces total makes it at least comparable to the Bersa in terms of weight and the 9mm makes for a somewhat more imposing caliber. Bought one recently NIB with a hard chromed slide and one extra mag for $270 total. I have put somewhat over 100 rounds through it with nary a problem yet. Accuracy is more than acceptable for the kind and purpose of this pistol. I am, in truth, not wild about its trigger but it did not take too long to get used to it. So far a really nifty small carry pistol in a decent caliber at a decent price. Good shooting;)
 
In a semi-auto, 9mm is next step up from your .380 Bersa. In a revolver that would be a .357 magnum. How much do you want to spend? Do you want new or used? Do you want it to be about same size and weight as your Bersa? Do you want auto or revolver?

Your Bersa may be more caliber efficient than you think. Is it 100% reliable with hollowpoints like the 90 gr. Federal Hydra-Shok or 90 gr. Federal Hi-Shok or 90 gr. Corbon. I personally feel these loads make a .380 a little better than a .38 special snubby, and not too far behind a .44 special snubby. However, 9mm and .357 magnum are much better choices.
 
tbed, I would like it to be similar to the Bersa in terms of size, wt and operations. I would also prefer an auto. I do have an SP101 that is our house gun and that is what I prefer for that role as it is easy for all members of the family (and they have been trained) to use in an emergency, but would like an auto for myself for concealed carry. New or used does not matter much as long as it meets my criteria, even though new would be easier as to a warranty if not reliable. Cost, well I don't want to spend as much as a sig, so I would say up to $400.00 would keep it in the ballpark.

The Bersa is a great gun, but it will be my wife's carry gun when her permit comes through. It has been totally reliable with everything I've fed it except Wolf ammo. Cor-bon 90 gr bullets produce groups that are centered about 2" above POI and in the 2.5 - 3" range at 25 yards and that is its preferred carry load.

Everyone is giving me some interesting choices. I've looked at the Kahrs but still like the DA/SA option better. Glocks just don't fit me well at all. SA 1911 styles are great but I don't prefer them in a carry gun though I do enjoy them as a non-concealed holster gun for target and plinking. I like the Astra 75 and RAP 440 pistols as they are close in function to my Bersa but don't honestly know anything about either pistol to draw a conclusion and none of the gun shops in my area carry them.

Keep the ideas coming.....RW
 
I think Bersa is coming out with a slightly bigger Thunder in 9mm, .40 and .45acp. I know they have that same gun currently out as a Firestorm. Check on Gunbroker, some of the listings give the specs (I think they are 24-28oz depending upon caliber and about 6 1/2-7" total length). They have the exact same manual of arms, should have the same quality and certainly have the same value and bargain prices. If the Bersa is MD compliant (the one in the picture in the ad in The Shotgun News appears to have a built-in lock) or should I move to another state for grad school I'll probably buy one as soon as I can myself (for carry if in a CCW state, simply because I love Bersa otherwise).
 
You didn't mention a price range but I think the Sig 239 is the best concealable auto in a major caliber. You can get it in 9mm, .40S&W or .357 Sig.
 
S&W model 3913-9mm, stainless, 3.5" barrel, overall length is about 6 3/4", empty weight is about 25 ozs, DA/SA (no hammer spur though), 8-shot magazine. S&W 3914-same as 3913 except blue.

For example, last year kyimports.com was selling used very good 3913's for $320. They were selling 3914's for: new-$350; and used very good-$300.

These are very accurate and reliable pistols.
 
I saw three used in great condition Smith 3913's a week or two ago at our last gunshow here. Prices from $350-450. And our prices tend to be a lot higher than most places in the States. You simply can not go wrong with one of these pistols, new or used. Extremely reliable, accurate, and handy 9mm's. One of these might surprise you. For more info, I'd suggest the auto section of www.smith-wessonforum.com
 
Ravenwolf...

Is that Grason county? Most of my family is from Grason county.
As to your question...I carry mostly wheelguns these days. S&W 636 Bodyguard AirWeight (.38 Special) on my hip and a S&W 331 AirLite Ti (.32 H&R Magnum) on my ankle.

KR
 
Take a look at the G-26 9mm Glock. Keep in mind that you can easily add a finger extention to the mag if you wish.
 
Kentucky Rifle, nope that is the Grayson, a town in Carter County.
I to enjoy my revolvers but they are mostly for hunting and target shooting. I do use an SP101 for our home defense handgun, but really want to keep with a compact auto for personal defense.

Berg01, that CZ 75 looks interesting. Do you or anyone else have any experience with this pistol. It may be a tad larger than I want but can't tell without seeing one.

Anybody seen the new Bersa DA/SA in the larger calibers. I heard they introduced them at the shot show.

Keep the recommendations coming. I am narrowing down my choices.....RW
 
The CZ75 PCR is going to look and act like a larger Bersa.
World reknown company. A police issue model that is also
a CCW favorite. Light and compact/// decocker for safety.
Very reliable..a trendy little brother to the 75B.

Even if CZ didn't make it. i'd still like it. Think of it as a
Czech P228:)
 
H&K USP compact series, S&W Chief's special series, SIG 239 in 357sig, or almost any S&W 20 ounce and up .357 magnum snubby. (If you get a 11 ounce one, you'll prolly shoot .38 specials in it.) Then there is always the G29 with pearce grip extenders, and night sights!!
 
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