Kel Tec 380 v. Bersa 380

[Pharley]

Am trying to narrow things down for a couple new guns. I have decided on:

Smith and Wesson 431PD / .32 H&R Magnum / 6 shot / J Frame

but need input on:
Bersa .380 vs. KelTec .380 Pocket

Both seem to be around the same price, $215 or so. Any input on either would be helpful. Also where is the cheapest you have been able to find each?

Thanks a bunch.

 

[dawg23]

1. I own a Kel-Tec .380

2. Buy the Bersa. Talk to any range owner who rents out the Bersa's - you'll find they are almost indestructible.


But the Kel-Tec ONLY if your SOLE concern is to own an extremely small weapon.

 

[denfoote]

I assume you are looking for a concealed carry weapon.
All of the calibers you have chosen are marginal at best.
I have the Kel-Tec P3AT. The sights are primitive and it is, for practical purposes, an "across the retail counter" gun. Although it is possible to get very good with it. Another chap from your neck of the woods, Flyer by name, can knock a fly off the wall at 5 light years distance with his P3AT!! But, it takes a LOT of practice!!
The recoil is also a bit stout!!!!
The gun is generally very reliable and Kel-Tec's service is top notch.
It would be a good choice as a BUG to another primary CCW weapon. In fact, that is it's designed function!!

Now, having dispensed with the Kel-Tec question, let's return to the caliber problem.
The .32 H&R mag was designed to give a rather anemic round, the .32 S&W, more oomph. It almost succeeds. However, I would recommend the .38spl +P as a better choice. .38spl ammo is available everywhere, even Wallyworld...and cheap too!! The smaller caliber round is going to be a gun shop only item at gun shop prices!!

I would suggest the S&W M37 or M442.
If price is a consideration, then I would give a hard look at the Taurus M85.
They make a whole slug of different versions and it has been on the market for enough time to have worked out the bugs!!
In fact, I'm looking at getting the M85MULTI, which is an aluminum framed version with titanium cylinder and barrel sleeve that weighs 13.5 oz!!

I do hope this little hastily compiled dissertation is of some use.

 

[horge]

The polymer-and-metal Kel-Tec 380 owns the corner on pocket-size carry-ability, but can require work to make it reliable. It's light weight and slimmer rearstrap make perceived recoil sharper, and maintaining reasonable accuracy through sequential shots will take some practice.

The all-metal BERSA Thunder 380 isn't a pocket gun, but can be carried IWB. It's weight and broader rearstrap allow a lighter perceived recoil and much-reduced muzzle-flip --this eans easier-controlled, more rapid shooting on-target. It is reliable out of the box.

I suspect the BERSA's Achilles' heel is really a philosophical issue:

"If I can justify a .380 ACP gun this size and weight, why don't I get recently-available, similar-sized gun chambered in the stouter 9mm Parabellum, or even .40 S&W? ."

It is a good question to ponder, and perceived-recoil vs. rate of effective fire are key parts of the pondering.

 

[VaughnT]

I fell in love with a friend's Bersa Thunder .380, but I just couldn't get over the size. Like Horge says, the wider backstrap and all-metal construction really make this pistol feel like a spitball shooter. They are nearly indestructible in their design and have wonderful accuracy because of the fixed barrel, but they are big guns for the little bullet they run!

The KelTec P3AT is sized more appropriately for the caliber. I'd bet, though, that it hurts a bit when shooting and accuracy is going to be very poor....due mostly to the primitive sights and lack of grip surface. Of course, you can get very good with anything if you practice enough.

As an on-duty backup weapon, I'd definitely consider the Kel Tec before the Bersa. Size does matter and in this case, smaller is better.

As an every-day-in-my-pocket weapon, I'd still choose the Kel Tec. It's just sooo convenient you couldn't come up with an excuse to not carry it.

But I like the Bersa better in terms of looks, function, accuracy and durability. They just need to make it in 9mm luger or the like to make the size/caliber ratio more realistic.

 

[MICHAEL T]

Get the Bersa its the best for the money. I carried mine every dayIWB till I replaced it with my Mustang. Still have the Bersa just always wanted a Mustang. Myself I don t feel undergunn with either one. I know you can always get a 9 but then again I can get a 40 same size or move on up to a 45 only a little larger. In wheel gun I think 38 /357 way to go.When all said a done you are the one who must decided.

 

[Fronka]

Bersa .380 is an excellent choice. Don't own a P38T, but do own a P32. The Bersa is the way to go.

 

[DougB]

I have a Bersa .380 that I like a lot. I also have a couple of Kel-Tec P32s that I like very well (they are nearly identical to the P3AT except in caliber). The Kel-Tecs will fit in a wallet holster, along with a spare mag, and fit comfortably in the back pocket of my jeans (completely concealed). But, I must confess that I don't shoot the Kel-Tecs very accurately (I need to practice more with them). The Bersa, on the other hand, is a lot more fun and accurate to shoot, and is still quite light and compact. The Bersa is about the size and weight of typical .380 (Walther, Sig, etc.) - maybe even a bit lighter. None of these are close to the Kel-Tecs in size and weight however. One thing in favor of these larger .380s over small 9mms is that they have single-action capability (which is a big plus to me). The small Kahr, Kel-Tec, and other 9mm and .40 pistols are all double-action-only.

I would get the P3AT if you want something you can easily carry in your pocket. I'd get the Bersa if you can live with a little larger size, and want a gun that is more fun to shoot at the range and provides more accuracy. I'd say the Kel-Tec is at its best within 10 feet. The Bersa is fine out to three times that distance (or farther). And a 9mm or .40 compact like a Kahr or Kel-Tec wouldn't be a bad choice either (significantly more power in about the same size).

Doug

 

[pinetree64]

I had a Bersa. I was really impressed by the gun. I shot it very well and didn't have any mishaps. I sold it because I thought it was too big. I replaced it with a Keltec p-32 that has been 100%. I gave up power for concealabilty. I bought the 32 probably 4 months before the 380 was available. I already had a 38 snubby and wanted something even smaller. I'll never sell the snubby. It's too versatile.

There is a poll on this board about the new Keltec's performance. After reading it, I'm gladd I did not trade-in my 32.

 

[azrael]

Buy both...lol

Seriously....Get the KT for DEEP concealment..then get the Bersa...I conned one away from a customer (use as a pattern) for a couple of weeks, and I am very impressed with it's "carryability" and quality...Shot where I aimed it and was 100% reliable even with Wolf...For the money it is hard to beat...Although I prefer my P-11...

just my .02 peso's

 

[lbmii]

I have a Kel Tech .380 and it is very good for concealed cary. However it is a bear to handle. The spent shells can hit you in the forehead very hard if you do not hold onto it hard.