Help Picking a .380 Pistol

[romma]

I put down Walther, because I own one. But there are several on that list that are excellent... The Keltec would be a wise choice for concealability.

 

[Omaney]

My $0.02 on the Bersa

I just put the first 100 rounds through my brand new $229 Bersa Thunder .380 I am in awe of this pistol. It is so far 100% reliable (100rounds-0 malfunctions) and a real pleasant accurate shooter at defense ranges.

$229.00!!!

 

[Headless]

Browning Hi-Power A good friend of mine has one chambered in .380 and it is a really nice pistol. I found the recoil to be less than my 9mm model 659, which isn't too shocking since the 659 weighs 50oz or so, hehe.

 

[MrAcheson]

That .380 probably was a Browning BDA, not a BHP.

You essentially have 3 sizes of 380s give or take. You have the pocket pistols like the Keltec, Seecamp, or NAA. These are card-table guns and self-defense pieces but generally aren't much fun at the range. Then you have the small blowback service pistols like the PPK, P232, Bersa which will do ok at CCW, but are still large enough (and accurate enough in many cases) to do well at the range. Finally you have the large service pistols like the beretta 84/54 and browning BDA. These are actually pretty big guns. You certainly can use them as a CCW, but it will take more work. The latter are often higher capacity too.

If you want a good general use 380, it is hard to go wrong with a Bersa Thunder. They're inexpensive, accurate, and reliable. They don't weigh a lot, but they're not too light. It is really a good compromise gun at a very good price.

If you want guns to avoid, I'd put the PPK at the top of the list. The new ones are supposed to be pretty good, but a lot of the older guns just aren't. The triggers can be really heavy, they can bite, they can jam a lot, etc. If you don't know the pedigree of the PPK you're looking at, then just skip it.

 

[Headless]

Good catch - you're right, MrAcheson - it was a BDA, not BHP - thanks for the correction. 13+1 and looks identical to this picture from world.guns.ru

It was quite easily concealable even on my excessively rail-thin friend...i was impressed.

 

[DawgFvr]

I think the Bersa is a fabulous weapon. Having said that, I choose P3AT. If one is going with the diminutive .380 caliber, it had to be selected for the smallest concealment package...yes? In that case, the P3AT is the smallest and easiest concealable weapon of that size. If you are going to carry anything larger, then why not go to 9mm. I mean, why carry a larger weapon is such a tiny caliber? What would the point be?

 

[glockman19]

Of the manufacturers you list I would only buy from:
Beretta, Bersa, Kel-Tec, NAA, Walther, Other??

I voted for Kel-Tec but I'd get a Sig P-232, or a Glock 25/28

 

[usp9]

DawgFvr
I think the Bersa is a fabulous weapon. Having said that, I choose P3AT. If one is going with the diminutive .380 caliber, it had to be selected for the smallest concealment package...yes? In that case, the P3AT is the smallest and easiest concealable weapon of that size. If you are going to carry anything larger, then why not go to 9mm. I mean, why carry a larger weapon is such a tiny caliber? What would the point be?
__________________

Using that arguement your choice would be the Seecamp LWS380, which is the smallest .380 made. That is a fine choice for a CCW, but it is certainly not a gun one practices with a lot.

 

[JJE]

DawgFvr
... If you are going to carry anything larger, then why not go to 9mm. I mean, why carry a larger weapon is such a tiny caliber? What would the point be?

The .380 is no .22. It has some recoil to it. I'm not sure how many people actually enjoy shooting sub-micro polymer .380s and 9mms, but I know that I wouldn't get much range time on a .380 that weighed significantly less than the PPK/S.

I look at it this way: If a gun the size and weight of a steel PPK/S is carryable, concealable and challenging to shoot, why would I want a lighter gun to make shooting a chore rather than a pleasure?

 

[Steve C]

"blowback" autos are cheaper but the recoil is greater.

I keep reading this blather and its simple nonsense. The laws of physics do not change for a blow back action or a locked breach action. MrBorland hit it on the head as recoil is a product of proportional bullet weight and velocity vrs gun weight. Locked breach guns are chambered for higher powered ammo and are themselves heavier than most .380's. The Walther is an all steel gun and a little heavier than say a Bersa thus its recoil is milder.

I voted for the Walther as its a quality pistol that will retain and eventually appreciate in value over the years. Another option on the relatively high priced side would be a Sig. A CZ is as good a quality pistol as the Walther and Sig but they don't have as good a track record of value retention and appreciation. If size and ability to conceal isn't an important factor a used Beretta 84 or Browning BDA would offer a high capacity (13 round) magazine and little larger size.

The Bersa is a low priced gun that's very reliable, has quite a following and would be a very good choice if initial cost is a factor.

 

[Smoke]

again....

Colt Gov't 380

 

[cosmonick]

Sig P232. I just find the Sig to be the nicest 380 I've ever handled. In my opinion the only negative to the Sig is the price. If that is an issue, I'd go with the Bersa.

Mo

 

[BevrFevr]

Bersa but I clicked on firestorm in confusion. LOOOOOOOOOVE my bersa/firestorm.

very reliable, very accurate, great ergonomics, on and on...

she will love it and the two tone black w/ silver controls is just plain sexy.

 

[sansone]

do the research.. locked-breech guns have less felt recoil. simple fact of pressure drop BEFORE slide slams rearward into the frame-stop. I have no problem with blowback guns. the original poster said the lady wants less recoil
----------------------------------------------------------------
edit: maybe this gentleman explains better:**Locked breech pistols usually have less perceived recoil acceleration (snap) because the slide velocity is lower, because it gets slowed down by the weight of the barrel for a short distance, and the action of unlocking**

 

[scurtis_34471]

Its a bad assumption that all blowback operated guns have less recoil than all locked-breech guns. The P-3AT has way more recoil than the Bersa Thunder. It would be more accurate to say that given two guns of similar size and weight, blowback has more recoil than locked-breech.

 

[Plink]

My vote goes to the Bersa/Firestorm guns. They're surprisingly easy to shoot, reliable, accurate and very affordable. I think they're one of the best values on the market today.

 

[Quiet]

Colt Mustang.

 

[420Stainless]

Love my PPK/S. It is as accurate as most of my service pistols. The only criticism I've ever had is that it is quite heavy for the size.

 

[P5 Guy]

Another Colt vote. Even though they are not made anymore the Colt Mustang or Pony would be my pick if 380 Automatic Colt Pistol was the only caliber.

 

[denfoote]

'Nuf Said!!



Bersa's are nice, but why hoof a copy????

 

[browningguy]

I voted Bersa, because it's an absolute bargain for the price. Mine is accurate and has been 100% reliable. However the Beretta is better finished, and will be just as reliable, albeit for twice the price.

Try both and see what fits her hand better.

 

[Lonestar49]

Breakdown and Mag release

...

Hey AA,

It's not on your list, but many of the ones that are, are like the Sig P232 SL 380 I bought my wife.

Great gun, BUT;

Very hard to break it down for inspection for the little lady, and it has no slide release lever, instead, it stays open with last shot, and then it has no side grip mag release button, rather, it has a heel release at the bottom of the grip, to release the mag, along with insertion of a fresh mag does not go straight in, but rather, a slight angle first, then it pops in and then goes straight up and in, and then you have to pull the, already, open slide, back just a little and release it, and your back in SA mode.

This, IMO, involves far too many skills, and could work against the little lady in a reload situation, let alone, a jam and clearing of such.

Look for one that is, Easy to clean, breakdown, has a slide release, and a mag release on the grip side, along with mags that go straight up and in.

Only thing that keeps the Sig in the family is, the decocker is 2-hand grip perfect, and I do the cleaning and inspection of the gun. She's learned the heel release, and angled insertion first, then straight up and in for the mag, but I'd hate to see her try that in a heated moment of fear and try doing that fast, without messing up.

Good luck


LS

 

[Green Lantern]

I love my P3AT, but I think she would find the Bersa suited her needs better.

I have experience with those two guns, and was thinking the EXACT same thing.

It would be ideal if she could shoot some different ones before she bought one.

My (female) cousin fired one shot out of my P3AT, and HATED it. Recoil was way too 'snappy' for her taste.

But...the P3AT sure conceals better than the Bersa. Ahhhhh.....but now, they have the Bersa Thunder .380 Concealed Carry model, that's trimmed down a bit...

The only trouble I EVER had with my Bersa was when I shot Wolf ammo through it. So, I guess if I was the 'go-to' guy, I'd suggest the Bersa Thunder .380 CC.

 

[Sox]

Find a used colt goverernment .380 pocketlite if you could. It is around 13oz. Has an easy single action trigger, is a very slim petite weapon, easy to chamber a round, low recoil compared to your other choices, decent barrel length. Great gun.

 

[rde]

380 seems to be becoming a pet caliber for me. Not because of the caliber per se'..but because there are some nice 380 platforms/designs. I voted Beretta 84/85 because..well, I want one (I have a variety of Beretta's and am pleased with what they have to offer). The Beretta 86 with the Tip Up barrel would be cool and eliminates the need to rack the slide to load the first round...but it is large and I have never found one for sale.

I have a commercial Bulgarian Makarov (Arsenal) that is absolutely reliable, very accurate, and due to the all steel weight has very mild recoil (the weight may make CCW an issue). Not on your list..so I thought I would mention it. The CZ-83 would probably be very similar.

Also have a Bersa Thunder. These are an excellent value...make no mistake about that. STORY ALERT: ==> I took a single Mother that I work with to the range that wanted to get a firearm for self defense after someone tried breaking into her house in the middle of the night. Brought a lot of different firearms for her to try. To make a long story short (safety training, etc.)...she went right for the Bersa Thunder immediately. Did not want to handle anything else..larger OR smaller. Had no problem at all with recoil..and got to the point where she was knocking the steel plates down at 25 yards about 80%...on her FIRST DAY firing a hand gun ever. She bought her own Bersa the next day and I got her signed up for a professionally trained firearms course which she completed without problem.