Kel-Tec vs. Bersa

Status
Not open for further replies.
N

Norb

Member
Joined
Aug 28, 2006
Messages
43
Hello all!
I am looking for a compact 380, I have narrowed it down to these two.
Any suggestions?

Kel-Tec Micro 380 P-3AT
or
Bersa 380 Thunder lite matte

Hmmm?
I love doin' this,
it is so great to be in a country where I can go buy a gun, and wear it.
Thanks to all our vets!
 
Thunder.. lite ? Do you mean the Thunder .380 CC ?
It really depends on what size and action you are looking for. Many people love the P3AT, but personally I would never buy one because I can't stand anything with a DAO action. I don't think I'd buy the berca CC model either, for much the same reason. Although it is a DA/SA, the hammer is much too small for a manual cock and a single action trigger pull on the first round. Also, the bersas, even the new cc model, are not as small as you might think. Both are still much larger than a P3AT. For me though, having very big hands, that would be a plus.

it is so great to be in a country where I can go buy a gun, and wear it.
Click to expand...
Depending on where you are located, thats not necessarily true.
 
P3AT is by far a superior firearm from a superior company. They are all lifetime guaranteed and Kel-Tecs customer service is above and beyond. I tell you what go take a look and feel what you like in your hand and what you are using it for.

My guess is that you will find the Kel-Tec a great feel for its size and with the way it is designed my big mitts cant get pinched in the slide when firing... That is important as I HATE a firearm that bites when shot hehe.

On a side note I was just out shooting it this morning at the range here (Garden of the Gods) and there as a blue cooler out at around 50 yards ... I was hitting it every time with my little P3AT! Yep it was kind of amusing for everyone that was standing around w/ their SKS/M4s (and yes I let a couple of em shoot it b/c its one of those guns that gets too much attention when you pull it out from your line-up) :D

images

At .78" wide, 5.2" long, and 11oz loaded with 7 rounds... hard to beat it!

Good Luck!
 
I own a Bersa .380 and a KT P32. No personal experience with the KT 3AT. I have been disappointed with the Kel-Tec due to light strikes and an overall plastic / cheap type feel. The Bersa has never had a misfire and feels good in the hand. I would recommend the Bersa.
 
I have been disappointed with the Kel-Tec due to light strikes
Click to expand...

Other than debris/gunk in the firing pin channel, two other things that can cause light strikes in a P-32 are 1) not allowing the trigger to go forward all the way to fully reset before pulling the trigger again and 2) ammo like S&B that has harder primers than most.
 
I have both, and like both for different reasons.

The Bersa .380 is one of the best values in a smaller semi-auto firearm. Mine has had zero failures of any type, is very accurate, and is ergonomically excellent (point, fit, feel). My Bersa .380 is MUCH better than the Walther PPK .380 I once had, and the Bersa costs much less - I wouldn't trade my Bersa for a PPK.

The KelTec P3AT (.380) is not nearly the same firearm quality/value as the Bersa. It is, however, one of the smallest, thinnest, and lightest semi-autos out there. I have no gripes with my KelTec other than the trigger pull and lack of an external safety. The KelTec is so easy to carry and conceal that I find myself carrying it more than the Bersa. (I added a pinkie-finger rest to the KelTec magazine, and it improved my shooting the P3AT).

Best bang for the buck: Bersa; easiest to carry/conceal: KelTec.

They are different pistols in about the same price range, so the choice will probably be based on use/carry, how it fits you, and your personal preferences.
 
I feel qualified to give my $0.02 on this since I own both. WELL...I own the regular Bersa Thunder .380. But I figure they can't have trimmed a WHOLE lot of size and weight off of it for the CC model.

While I wouldn't be thrilled to part with EITHER of them, If I had too I would get rid of the Bersa.

I love them both, but the ridiculously small size and weight of the P3AT make it far, FAR more useful as a backup gun or "light duty" carry gun.

I guess the answer might depend on what is the "purpose" of this purchase?

If it's for backup or an "always with you" gun, then the Kel-Tec 100%.

If it's for a primary carry gun...hmmm...well, probably STILL the Kel-Tec! :D
 
I have had two P3ATs (one worked and one didn't), and a Bersa Thunder CC. I would choose the Bersa, no question. Far more accurate, far more reliable in my experience, and you can whup a bad guy with it if you run out of bullets. :)

P3AT is easier to to conceal by far tho. I once got wanded at a ballpark by a security guard who didn't find it. (it was under my cap - they never seem to look there). You couldn't do that with a Bersa.

So.

If you are going to shoot more than carry - Bersa.
If you are going to carry more than shoot - Kel-Tec P3AT

(But if you want to get the best of both worlds, get a Kel-Tec PF-9. 9mm just slightly larger than P3AT and far more powerful. I barely notice carrying mine)
 
Both are fine firearms, but the P3at gets the nod as a bug. For the size and weight of the Bersa, I could carry a PF9 or a 642 and get the benefit of the larger caliber. Just my .02.
 
For really-concealed carry, the P3AT.

The T380, even in Concealed Carry miniformat, is heavier and a bit bulkier
although I've found it shoots better and faster, under stress.
You just have to train harder on the P3AT.

Not knocking the BERSA... after all, check out my sigline
 
Kel Tec or Bersa

Bersa hands down. I have very small hands and the Kel Tec is still too small. The Bersa is ergonomically correct and I agree with the above post that said the Bersa is better than a Walther PPK. I admire the Kel Tec for it's size, but not for the grip, the sights, or the reliability that the Bersa has. I know of several police officers who are friends of mine who carry the Bersa for just that reason as a back up gun. I urge you to hold both, attempt to draw both, and see what you think.
I've fired close to a 1000 rounds without any difficulty in my Bersa. Try that with a Kel Tec and let me know how your grip feels at the end of a long range day.

Ron Cole :cool:
 
I have the Olive Drab KelTec, with Hard-chromed slide & barrel (the P3AT). It's awesome! I have fired around 500 rounds. I no longer try to keep exact counts with it. But, what is important is it has never failed.

Get the hard-chromed model. The action works more smoothly than blue or parker. It has been alleged by many that the chrome lends itself to greater reliability.

Never had a Bersa, so I cannot rightly give an opinion of it.

Good luck. Oh yes, the little P3AT has some serious snap to its recoil. They are very light.
 
I've got a Bersa Thunder 380. It is dead bang reliable, and it has great ergonomics. The trigger is smoother out of the box than any other gun I own. I've got about a thousand rounds through mine with no failures.
 
Get the hard-chromed model. The action works more smoothly than blue or parker. It has been alleged by many that the chrome lends itself to greater reliability.
Click to expand...

I have heard this and even called Kel-Tec and asked them... turns out they deny that as being a wives tale but it still does make sense as Chrome has a hardness of 60+ I believe. Not sure if I want to pay the $80 + shipping to get mine done or not :(
 
Quote:
Get the hard-chromed model. The action works more smoothly than blue or parker. It has been alleged by many that the chrome lends itself to greater reliability.
Click to expand...

I have heard this and even called Kel-Tec and asked them... turns out they deny that as being a wives tale but it still does make sense as Chrome has a hardness of 60+ I believe. Not sure if I want to pay the $80 + shipping to get mine done or not
Click to expand...

The finish on the chrome is very slick so it tends to perform a bit better out of the box and when lube starts to wear off. No scientific evidence to support this but just an observation from following the KTOG forum for many years. The slide just slides a bit smoother in some cases due to the slickness of the chrome. It's no better than a broken in and properly lubed blue version but a bit better otherwise.
 
So is it worth the $80 + shipping to get it done on your P3AT that is well taken care of and broken in? (A little off subject) but I do love my Kel-Tec :D
 
Here's a cheaper option than the hard chrome. Nickel plating by Jack Fuselier for $25, a great deal. Jack has done 4 of my 5 Kel-Tecs, the other one is KT chrome. If you get the blue version with the intent to send the slide to Jack, test it first for reliability before sending it to him. He doesn't do barrels, nickel plating doesn't work well on those. But if you send him the barrel, he will polish it nicely for you. Send the assembly pin too, he'll do that. Enclose an itemized list of what you send.

http://www.gunsmith.fuselier.com/slideoffer.html

http://www.gunsmith.fuselier.com/
 
Here's a cheaper option than the hard chrome. Nickel plating by Jack Fuselier for $25, a great deal. Jack has done 4 of my 5 Kel-Tecs,
Click to expand...

Nickel plating huh? I never even thought about that. My Kel-Tec is brand new and when the bluing starts to wear I will definitely check it out.

It just worries me to do anything to the firearm that is not factory (other than add-ons). But I will check it out! Thanks!
 
I just got a Bersa. The accuracy is impressive for a low end gun. I pocket carry in my front pocket of my cargo shorts (no holster), very comfortable and it conceals very well. KT was in my consideration for a few seconds, but the fact that it is a polymer frame gun and the amount of complains from members of Kel-Tec forum. Be your own judge, try both, visit both forums and look for reliability issues for both.
 
KT was in my consideration for a few seconds, but the fact that it is a polymer frame gun and the amount of complains from members of Kel-Tec forum. Be your own judge, try both, visit both forums and look for reliability issues for both.
Click to expand...

I did read alot of stories on the Kel Tecs. In the end I went with it and I love it. The little gun has a life-time warranty and they stand behind their firearm.

There is nothing wrong with a Bersa though. And in no way would I bash it as it is a fine firearm! :D Its just my vote will stand for the Kel Tec P3AT (2nd Generation) b/c of its 11oz weight and .78" thickness. It amazes me that this little thing is so tiny and accurate! Good Luck!
 
I think the two fit different niches. The Kel-Tec, being very small and light, can fit into places the Bersa won't. I would also point out the availability of subcompact 9mms (a more powerful cartridge) about the size of the Bersa, but they do cost more.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

B
  • Locked
Looking for a new CCW that won't break the bank
Replies
8
Views
644
aaronrkelly
A
F
  • Locked
BERSA THUNDER or KEL TEC P3-AT ?
Replies
3
Views
503
kokapelli
K
F
  • Locked
Bersa Thunder or Kel Tec P3-AT
2
Replies
45
Views
2K
kokapelli
K
R
  • Locked
Kel Tec P-3AT 380
2
Replies
36
Views
8K
alamo
A
M
  • Locked
.380 ammo questions
Replies
12
Views
569
MikePGS
M
Back
Top