Help Picking a .380 Pistol

[tgrillo]

I voted bersa t380. But the CC version is a fine firearm also....

 

[Geronimo45]

CZ 83's a (kinda) big 'ol gun with pretty good reliability. Same goes for the doublestack Beretta .380 - 84 or 85.
The Sig seems good, but way overpriced.
Walther seems to be the prettiest gun for the money. Heard good things about the Bersa, though. Doesn't look to bad, either.
Another pair of .380s to think of: Astra Constable (don't think it's made anymore - looks a lot like a Walther, generally cheaper), Mauser HSc (also not made anymore. Sig 232 resembles it - but falls short).

 

[Sundles]

If your going 380, you need a light and small pistol. I vote for the Colt Pocket Lite. It is actually a very good little 7 shot 380 and only wieghs ten OZ.

 

[ugaarguy]

Missing The Point

Folks, I think we're missing the point.

It's not for my wife, it's for a friend's wife. No, she isn't a bada$$ and doesn't like too much felt recoil.

It sounds like she doesn't want a .380 for concealability as much as she wants it for low recoil. Pistols like the Beretta 84/85/ Browning BDA, Bersa/Firestorm .380, and CZ-83 take a great advantage in terms of recoil over the Kel-Tecs, Seecamps, and NAAs. These large for a .380 pistols (by today's standards) are still small and concealable though.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

ugaarguy is correct, I think I should have left the Kel-Tec P-3AT off the list. I own a P-32 and think it's a good shooter but it's a .32, not a .380. The KT in .380 is very snappy.

I'm not surprised there are so many votes for the Bersa but I'm very surprised there are no votes to speak of for the Taurus PT-138 Pro. At ~$300 it's a good value and a solid pistol. (I own the PT-111 Pro)

 

[Mac Attack]

The Kel-tec is the lightest out there which makes for a very easy EDC CCW. However, it has been my experience shooting the Kel-tec is not very pleasant.

Therefore my vote was for a Colt Mustang which is a fine shooting, fairly accurate and reliable firearm.

 

[camper]

Colt Mustang Pocketlite vote here as well.

 

[MrBorland]

usaarguy - yup, that's the point I was trying to make in my earlier post. Sounded like low recoil was priority over concealability, so I was suggesting a heavier gun, rather than the lighter ones most are suggesting. If she's recoil shy, she may not practice much (if at all) with a tiny little pocket gun.

 

[Bobo]

The two that are highest on the poll (Bersa or Kel-Tec P-3AT) would be my picks.

If she wants to spend a lot of range time with the gun the Bersa would be the better choice as long as she can be comfortable with the additional size and weight for carry purposes. It's usually much more difficult for a woman to carry a larger, heavier gun so this could be a bigger factor for her.

If the gun's main purpose is for concealed carry, and range use would be limited to maintaining confidence in its ability to provide protection, I would choose the Kel-Tec. The Kel-Tec's snapiness should not be a big factor if only a magazine or two is shot at the range, or as is most likely during a real-life situation. If this gun is just too uncomfortable for her to shoot with confidence and accuracy, then it may not be the best choice.

Bottom line…
The Bersa would be a better range/carry compromise because it shoots more comfortably, but the Kel-Tec would better for purely concealed carry purposes due to its very small size and weight.
She should try them both.

 

[scurtis_34471]

Bottom line…
The Bersa would be a better range/carry compromise because it shoots more comfortably, but the Kel-Tec would better for purely concealed carry purposes due to its very small size and weight.
She should try them both.

Make sure she checks out the CC version of the Bersa too. They are significantly enough different from the "regular" model that the bear examination on their own, although they can be harder to find. The CC is not just a Thunder with low-profile sights and a bobbed hammer. It weighs a good 5oz less and is a bit smaller across more than one dimension. IMHO, it conceals significantly better with the trade-off being inferior sights.

 

[TexasP226]

I voted for "other" and recommend the P232. The non-stainless version is significantly cheaper too.

 

[MrDig]

I voted Walther PPK since the CZ 83 wasn't on the list. If you are not considering it rethink that these are great .380 acp pistols.

 

[magripa]

I love my Makarov in .380 and keeping loaded for protection. So far I fired hundreds of rounds without a single problem. That pistol will work with all ammo including cheep Blazer rounds. I bought mine at gun show for $150

 

[boalex207]

If the gun's main purpose is for concealed carry, and range use would be limited to maintaining confidence in its ability to provide protection, I would choose the Kel-Tec. The Kel-Tec's snapiness should not be a big factor if only a magazine or two is shot at the range, or as is most likely during a real-life situation

.​

+ 1 Kel Tec P3AT

It's a gun you carry a lot & shoot a little

 

[HeedJSU]

Sig 232. I let one slip through my hands about 6 months ago. still makes me sick to think about.

Justin

 

[ArchAngelCD]

OK, thank you for all the help and the pages of discussion.

She is going to try the Bersa .380 and .380CC, Taurus PT-138 Pro, CZ 83, and maybe the Sig 232 and Walther PPK but the price is high on the Sig and Walther.

 

[106rr]

I voted "other" because the best one was left out -- the CZ 83. This pistol has the greatest likelhood of producing a first round hit and fast repeat hits. The Bersa is the "best buy" of modern 380s. The caliber is just fine, no explanation necessary.

 

[XDKingslayer]

I can't tell you which to get, but I can tell you which one NOT to get. And that's the Taurus PT138.

Mine is the biggest piece of garbage I have ever had the honor of purchasing. It's the most inaccurate pistol I've ever owned and even keeping it "Minute of Pie Plate" at 15 yards is a chore. The rear sight is hanging over the edge of the slide because I had to adjust it that far to be close to on target.

 

[imatt]

The Bersa Thunder is more comfortable to shoot at the range, but less concealable than the Kel-Tec P-3AT. I have fired both back-to-back.

 

[scurtis_34471]

Bersa Thunder .380 CC shooting off hand at 10 yards with Remington UMC 88gr JHP ammo.

 

[Lonestar]

I own a Beretta Cheetah and a Kel Tec P3at. Both are good guns, but your list is all over the place. Here is my take.

Full Size = Cheetah
Mid Size = Bersa
Pocket size = Kel Tec

I personally would stay away from the Highpoint, the Taurus, and the Walther.

 

[Sox]

Eventhough some of those listed are lighter, they acutally have more tolerable recoil due to their action type. All the fixed barrel designs are going to recoil more briskly even if "bigger" and "heavier". Try a pocketlite .380 gov't beside a ppk and you will see what I mean. The pocketlite weighs 13oz. and the ppk 23 oz., yet the recoil colt is much easier to shoot well.

 

[Gustav]

Browning BDA or Beretta's version of it or for a smaller hand a Colt Mustang pocket lite or one of its variants.
Also check into an older Colt 1908 model in .380 ACP its hammerless and many women resonate well with the feel and balance of this model.
Walther PPK PPK/S is also a decent pistol to see if you like the Heckler & Koch HK-4 with optional .32 ACP and .22LR conversion parts.
Go to a place that rents and try before you buy if at all possible.
Best of luck

 

[ArchAngelCD]

XDKingslayer,
I'm a little surprised to hear you say the Taurus is inaccurate because we have the same pistol in 9mm Para and it's very accurate. I find it hard to believe the same pistol in a smaller caliber is so much worse than the one we have.

OK, it's done....
She shot the Bersa Thunder .380, the Taurus PT-138 Pro, the Sig 232 and the Walther PPK.

She liked the Sig but the price was too high for them. (too bad because that a good pistol)

She shot well with the Taurus but she didn't like the look or feel. She said it felt cheap.

She didn't like the Walther at all for some reason. She didn't shoot well with it either.

That left the Bersa. She liked the Bersa and shot well with it too. Funny thing is, it's a Walther Clone so I don't know why she liked the Bersa but not the Walther. I think the price had something to do with it. She is going to buy a Bersa Thunder 380 but not before she looks at a Bersa 380 CC.

Too bad they didn't have a CZ 83 available for her to shoot. I'm betting she would have liked that one the best from what I have heard in this thread..

 

[varoadking]

If you click "other" please explain why you made your choice.

.380 is a mistake...weak ballistics, limited choice of platforms, and expensive rounds compared to 9mm...