Opinion on 380's
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Ashendale
Member
Colt 1908
Ian
Ian
horge
Member
Hi mastinson 
You really should consider one of the many small packages chambered for the more potent 9mm cartridge, including the excellent Kahr micros...
If you really want a .380 (9mm 'short') which has less recoil for the shooter to deal with, then I feel there are few deals out there to match the Bersa Thunder 380, or its alter ego the Firestorm 380, for reliability and accuracy. So long as you stay away from weakly-loaded cartridges, it should serve you well.
The North American Arms (NAA) Guardian 380 is another all-metal handgun worth looking into. I have not fired enough rounds through such a pistol to really assess it, though others have posted here on issues with how the gun behaves upon expending a magazine.
The Kel Tec P3AT is another .380 platform of note --it is very light and so is exceedingly 'carryable'. I might note that some dislike its trigger, and that the very lack of weight can mean the gun gets pushed around more by recoil. It involves partial polymer construction.
I'm sure there are other pistols that may be pointed out to you.
Good luck!
hth...
You really should consider one of the many small packages chambered for the more potent 9mm cartridge, including the excellent Kahr micros...
If you really want a .380 (9mm 'short') which has less recoil for the shooter to deal with, then I feel there are few deals out there to match the Bersa Thunder 380, or its alter ego the Firestorm 380, for reliability and accuracy. So long as you stay away from weakly-loaded cartridges, it should serve you well.
The North American Arms (NAA) Guardian 380 is another all-metal handgun worth looking into. I have not fired enough rounds through such a pistol to really assess it, though others have posted here on issues with how the gun behaves upon expending a magazine.
The Kel Tec P3AT is another .380 platform of note --it is very light and so is exceedingly 'carryable'. I might note that some dislike its trigger, and that the very lack of weight can mean the gun gets pushed around more by recoil. It involves partial polymer construction.
I'm sure there are other pistols that may be pointed out to you.
Good luck!
hth...
alwims
Member
horge, on a serious note, what did you say is the main difference between the Thunder and the Firestorm. I was trying to explain to a buddy and went blank except for the sights and trigger gaurd.
EDIT; Please just disregard. I found my answer in another post of yours. I've got an excuse though, I'm getting old, (50), and I take too many pills per day.
EDIT; Please just disregard. I found my answer in another post of yours. I've got an excuse though, I'm getting old, (50), and I take too many pills per day.
horge
Member
denfoote
Member
BERSA!!!
In a word.... Makarov!
I have three Bersas, but if you're concerned about construction materials, the Mak is the way to go. Its also a much simpler design, and 9x18 ammo can usually be found for less than .380 as well... and don't even think about lots of extra mags for the Bersa... they're about $30 each! Mak mags usually go for less than $10 each. Grip options favor the Makarov as well, though the sights are small, and harder to see for aging eyes.
PS: there are also Maks out there originally chambered for .380!
I have three Bersas, but if you're concerned about construction materials, the Mak is the way to go. Its also a much simpler design, and 9x18 ammo can usually be found for less than .380 as well... and don't even think about lots of extra mags for the Bersa... they're about $30 each! Mak mags usually go for less than $10 each. Grip options favor the Makarov as well, though the sights are small, and harder to see for aging eyes.
PS: there are also Maks out there originally chambered for .380!
CDNN has bersa 380 magazines for $11.99. Made by ProMag and they function perfectly.
Makarov is a great pistol, but it's heavier, a little bigger, has poor sights (for my 71 year old eyes) and not nearly as good a trigger as the Bersa!
Makarov is a great pistol, but it's heavier, a little bigger, has poor sights (for my 71 year old eyes) and not nearly as good a trigger as the Bersa!
Kilroy
Member
Be careful with that caliber, you could put an eye out.
Gunmeister
Member
I agree with HORGE on the Kahr micros. Save your pennies and buy a new or used (if you can find one) Kahr PM9, which is a 9mm. It conceals much more easily than a Bersa, is lighter than a Bersa, more powerful than a Bersa, more durable than a Bersa, I could go on and on. In my opinion the Kahr will last a lifetime and is worth the extra money you will have to pay. Kahr PM9's can be found for around $400 to $450 if you look hard enough and IMHO you will be much happier with the Kahr.
robctwo
Member
I took my Bersa to the range yesterday and shot 150 new reloads through it. My friend put 100 rounds down range. Never a glitch. Very accurate. The felt recoil makes extended shooting uncomfortable. I'd much rather put high volume through one of my full size 9mm's. I use the Bersa for carry when I want the small size. Need to exercise it now and then so it doesn't get pouty.
Bersa. It is one of the best .380s on the market and it is often under $200. The accuracy will shock you and with good ammo, it is very reliable. I had a few problems with Wolff Silver Bear ammo but that didn't overly concern me because some guns just don't like Wolff.
Those Bersas are slick little shooters that have better triggers and sights than either the Makarovs or the Walthers (the two main competitors). It is also lighter then either the Mak or the PPK and it is much less expensive than the Walther or the SIG. The Sig is probably the very best .380 you can get but the Bersa is a good second choice. If someone else was buying a gun in .380 or 9x18mm for me to carry, this is my order of preferance:
1. Sig 230/232
2. Bersa
3. Beretta 84 Cheata
4. CZ-83
5. Walther PPK
6. Makarov
.
.
.
114. Kel-tec
That is all I can think of now.
Those Bersas are slick little shooters that have better triggers and sights than either the Makarovs or the Walthers (the two main competitors). It is also lighter then either the Mak or the PPK and it is much less expensive than the Walther or the SIG. The Sig is probably the very best .380 you can get but the Bersa is a good second choice. If someone else was buying a gun in .380 or 9x18mm for me to carry, this is my order of preferance:
1. Sig 230/232
2. Bersa
3. Beretta 84 Cheata
4. CZ-83
5. Walther PPK
6. Makarov
.
.
.
114. Kel-tec
That is all I can think of now.
Bersa. It is one of the best .380s on the market and it is often under $200. The accuracy will shock you and with good ammo, it is very reliable. I had a few problems with Wolff Silver Bear ammo but that didn't overly concern me because some guns just don't like Wolff.
Those Bersas are slick little shooters that have better triggers and sights than either the Makarovs or the Walthers (the two main competitors). It is also lighter then either the Mak or the PPK and it is much less expensive than the Walther or the SIG. The Sig is probably the very best .380 you can get but the Bersa is a good second choice. If someone else was buying a gun in .380 or 9x18mm for me to carry, this is my order of preferance:
1. Sig 230/232
2. Bersa
3. Beretta 84 Cheata
4. CZ-83
5. Walther PPK
6. Makarov
.
.
.
114. Kel-tec
That is all I can think of now.
Those Bersas are slick little shooters that have better triggers and sights than either the Makarovs or the Walthers (the two main competitors). It is also lighter then either the Mak or the PPK and it is much less expensive than the Walther or the SIG. The Sig is probably the very best .380 you can get but the Bersa is a good second choice. If someone else was buying a gun in .380 or 9x18mm for me to carry, this is my order of preferance:
1. Sig 230/232
2. Bersa
3. Beretta 84 Cheata
4. CZ-83
5. Walther PPK
6. Makarov
.
.
.
114. Kel-tec
That is all I can think of now.
Bersa. It is one of the best .380s on the market and it is often under $200. The accuracy will shock you and with good ammo, it is very reliable. I had a few problems with Wolff Silver Bear ammo but that didn't overly concern me because some guns just don't like Wolff.
Those Bersas are slick little shooters that have better triggers and sights than either the Makarovs or the Walthers (the two main competitors). It is also lighter then either the Mak or the PPK and it is much less expensive than the Walther or the SIG. The Sig is probably the very best .380 you can get but the Bersa is a good second choice. If someone else was buying a gun in .380 or 9x18mm for me to carry, this is my order of preferance:
1. Sig 230/232
2. Bersa
3. Beretta 84 Cheata
4. CZ-83
5. Walther PPK
6. Makarov
.
.
.
114. Kel-tec
That is all I can think of now.
Those Bersas are slick little shooters that have better triggers and sights than either the Makarovs or the Walthers (the two main competitors). It is also lighter then either the Mak or the PPK and it is much less expensive than the Walther or the SIG. The Sig is probably the very best .380 you can get but the Bersa is a good second choice. If someone else was buying a gun in .380 or 9x18mm for me to carry, this is my order of preferance:
1. Sig 230/232
2. Bersa
3. Beretta 84 Cheata
4. CZ-83
5. Walther PPK
6. Makarov
.
.
.
114. Kel-tec
That is all I can think of now.
cratz2
Member
For a gun to carry everyday, the P3AT would pretty much be my first, primary and only 380 recommendation.
For something to have fun with and carry sometimes, I can't think of any 380 I'd recommend over a Mak... cheaper ammo, more powerful, very comfortable to shoot, decades of proven reliability...
If you must have a fuller weight 380, the Bersa is a good option for a very reasonable cost. The SIG 230/232 is OK in its own right, but I can't see opting for one over a CZ83. Plus, both of these are getting into the 'why aren't you carrying a 9mm' range... In my opinion anyway.
And if your budget allows, I'd try to compare a blowback 380 to a locking 9mm... you might be interested to see how the recoil compares... Not as different as many people think initially... And in the 9mm, you can shoot cheap ammo, or not so cheap ammo, or exotic ammo or +P+ ammo... Much more versatile in my opinion.
For something to have fun with and carry sometimes, I can't think of any 380 I'd recommend over a Mak... cheaper ammo, more powerful, very comfortable to shoot, decades of proven reliability...
If you must have a fuller weight 380, the Bersa is a good option for a very reasonable cost. The SIG 230/232 is OK in its own right, but I can't see opting for one over a CZ83. Plus, both of these are getting into the 'why aren't you carrying a 9mm' range... In my opinion anyway.
And if your budget allows, I'd try to compare a blowback 380 to a locking 9mm... you might be interested to see how the recoil compares... Not as different as many people think initially... And in the 9mm, you can shoot cheap ammo, or not so cheap ammo, or exotic ammo or +P+ ammo... Much more versatile in my opinion.
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