Lookin at a couple .380s...

[Desperado]

Hi all. Ive been thinking about getting a .380 and I think Ive got it narrowed down. Im looking at the Bersa Thunder and the Kel-Tec P-3AT. Ive fired both and they both feel real comforatble in my hand. I figure since its smaller, I may carry it more than my 9mm because of size and its easier to conceal. I know the Thunder is a little bit cheaper but Ive heard a lot of good things on the Kel-Tec's reliabbility. Anyone here use one or either of these? And if anyone has any others that they think I may have overlooked, feel free to suggest them. Thanks

 

[Badger71]

I've heard good things about both guns but in terms of reliability, I would lean towards the Bersa Thunder. Here are some reviews of the Bersa...

http://www.gunblast.com/Bersa_Thunder380.htm
http://www.geocities.com/bersa_thunder/
http://www.handgunsmag.com/featured_handguns/bersa_thunder/
http://www.chuckhawks.com/bersa_380.htm

Good Luck!

 

[hso]

Can't say anything about the Bersa, but I've run my P3AT pretty hard without any problems.

 

[Desperado]

Im leaning a little toward the Bersa but that Kel-Tec sure is slick lookin. Ill probably end up firing both a couple more times, I can always use an excuse to got to the range

 

[Soybomb]

keltec. The bersa is a fine gun but if you're going to have a .380 it might as well be a pocket gun and it might as well be the smallest and lightest possible.

 

[Desperado]

Soybomb

Ya, thats one of the reasons I was considering it. My friend used to have a Thunder and he loved it plus that was the last one I shot. I really like the look, size and reputation of the keltec though.

 

[Flopsy]

I've only heard good things about the Bersa, but I'm going to suggest you at least take a look at the Beretta Cheetah before buying. I don't really think there is a better .380 on the market, but it's going to cost you twice as much as the Bersa if you buy new.

 

[EdLaver]

I love my lil Bersa .380, probably around 600-700 rounds and not a single problem. It eats all ammo, +p, +p+, EVERYTHING. If you go that route, be sure to pick up a rubber grip from condorsflight.com. Academy actually sells the Bersa WITH the rubber grips already installed but only blued, no bi-tone.

 

[EdLaver]

OH YEAH,

Did I forget to mention that the Bersa is an all steel frame pistol, so you can pistol-whip someone effectively with it.

 

[Bobo]

If you want a light-weight, carry anywhere/anytime, pocket gun get a P-3AT.
If you want something heavier and more "substantial" to carry IWB or OWB get a Bersa.

 

[Desperado]

Thanks for all the advice. And Ill take a look at the Cheeatah, Flopsy. thanks for the advice

 

[CZ-100]

I have over 2,000 rds thru my P3AT. It has been a great little gun

 

[edison]

Desperado wrote...
Ive been thinking about getting a .380 and I think Ive got it narrowed down. Im looking at the Bersa Thunder and the Kel-Tec P-3AT. Ive fired both and they both feel real comforatble in my hand. I figure since its smaller, I may carry it more

Since you've shot the P-3AT and it feels real comfortable in you hand, that pretty much says it all. I find the Wee Beastie shootable, but not particularly pleasant after several mags. That said, I'm sure it's designed to be carried much and shot little. At that it excels. Even 380 ammo is snappy out of a pistol weighing less than 10 ounces. I own both and they're my two most carried pistols. The KT pretty much goes everywhere its legal to carry. The BT380 gets carried occasionally, but it gets shot frequently (even bought one recently for the wife). The KT only has rudimentary sights, but up close and personal that may not be a problem. Darn 380 ammo is more expensive than 9 mm, unfortunately. For carry, get the KT, for shooting, get the Bersa.

edison

 

[ugaarguy]

Desperado, for maximum carry capability the Kel-Tec is the way to go. A $12 DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster makes it disappear both visibly and from you even remembering its there. Comp-Tac's Centerline Neck Holster makes it easy to carry even in with light summer shorts where you may not have a belt. I realy like my P3AT and I think you'll enjoy one too.

 

[usp9]

The best .380s on the market today are the Beretta or the Sig P232. They cost more because they're higher quality. If you want a cheap gun, or can't afford more money, get a Bersa or Keltec.

 

[MICHAEL T]

Come over here and ask. we have a KT sec also.
I have both and KT gets carried most.
http://bersatalk.com

Oh ,if anybody finds any factory +P+ or even +P in 380 please let me know. The MagTec isn't +P no matter what box say Not as hot as Corbon. Since SAAMI never set requirments for a +P let alone a +P+ I still looking It must be a ninja ammo. and I don't know the handshake
Bersa 380 Thunder frame isn't steel its alloy and if you pistol whip some one I hope you can prove it was in SD.

 

[birddog]

I have a few thousand rounds through my Bersa and it's has been utterly reliable and enjoyable. It was my first CCW, incidentally. Though I now carry either a .357 (Taurus 651B) or .45 (Ruger KP345) as my primary carry weapons, I have carried the Bersa Thunder more than either one of them, and would recommend it highly in terms of reliablility and functionality. It's definitely one of my favorite guns.

 

[Green Lantern]

I actually own BOTH of these guns!

Both have been 100% reliable for me. But I gotta tell ya, if I HAD to get rid of one of them? I would lose the Bersa and keep my P3AT. Like Soybomb says, if you're gonna get a .380 you may as well get one that's an ALWAYS-GUN! As in, you can ALWAYS have it with you because it either disappears or looks like a small wallet, depending on your clothes (with a good holster like the aforementioned Nemesis). The Bersa may be technically in the "pocket pistol" class, but it's better in theory than in practice, at least for me!

Now, don't let usp9 go scaring you off of either of these unbeatable gun bargains! Bersas are quality arms, and I've not heard any complaints lately about current production P3ATs. And just in case you didn't know already, the Kel-Tec is the smallest and lightest .380 out there today.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Considering the price of either, buy both.

The P3AT is a far better carry gun, but they aren't much fun on the range. I own both a P3AT and a P32, and they only get fired often enough for confidence.

BTW, if you reload don't bother picking up empties from the P3 (at least not the first gens). They do a number on the rim.

 

[Desperado]

Im gonna go check em both out again but Im thinking I might get the Keltec. I dont know, well see. Thanks for the advice, yall have been very helpful, as always

 

[DougB]

I have a Bersa .380 and like it a lot - no problems with it at all. My only minor complaint is that spare magazines are a little pricey relative to the cost of the pistol. I also own a couple of Kel-Tec P32s, which I think are nearly identical to the P3AT (I live in CA, so can't get the P3AT - I've had the P32s since before all guns had to be approved by the state). Anyway, I like the P32s a lot as well. For CCW, I think the Kel-tecs would be a lot easier to carry (you can put one, along with a spare magazine, in a wallet-sized holster), but if the size of the Bersa is okay for your purposes, I don't think you'll go wrong with it and it will be more fun to shoot at the range.

Doug

 

[Soybomb]

The best .380s on the market today are the Beretta or the Sig P232. They cost more because they're higher quality. If you want a cheap gun, or can't afford more money, get a Bersa or Keltec.

Its not always about cost and quality. I actually didn't care about price at all. The sig might well last 80 years longer than the kel-tec. It also weighs 2-3x as much as the keltec. Its also more than an inch bigger in every direction. Quite a difference if one wants to put it in their pocket. Sometimes best is more about how well something will do the job than how likely it is to last 500k rounds. Ymmv.

 

[usp9]

Its not always about cost and quality. I actually didn't care about price at all. The sig might well last 80 years longer than the kel-tec. It also weighs 2-3x as much as the keltec. Its also more than an inch bigger in every direction. Quite a difference if one wants to put it in their pocket. Sometimes best is more about how well something will do the job than how likely it is to last 500k rounds. Ymmv.

No it isn't always about cost, but a CCW is always about quality, IMHO. My answer was based on the original poster asking for other suggestions. I offered the two highest quality pistols as alternatives. I didn't think he was looking specifically for a pocket gun because he mentioned the Bersa Thunder, which is not a pocket gun either.

 

[browningguy]

The best .380s on the market today are the Beretta or the Sig P232. They cost more because they're higher quality. If you want a cheap gun, or can't afford more money, get a Bersa or Keltec.

The Beretta is a very good gun. The Sig costs more simply because it says Sig, in my opinion it is a piece of overpricd c**p. Every test you will ever find shows that the Bersa outshoots the Sig, the Bersa has better ergonomics for me, and it has better sights.

The Keltec in my mind is suitable for a deep hideout gun, the sights aren't great, and it kicks like a mule. I've shot both, but I bought a Bersa. I own Keltecs, a Sub2000 and a SU16 so it's not like I'm anti-Keltec.

 

[usp9]

The Beretta is a very good gun. The Sig costs more simply because it says Sig, in my opinion it is a piece of overpricd c**p. Every test you will ever find shows that the Bersa outshoots the Sig, the Bersa has better ergonomics for me, and it has better sights.

Can you reference some of these tests please.