WardenWolf
member
Well, I got to shoot a guy's Bersa .380 at the range on Saturday, and let him shoot my P-64. I'd like to give my impressions:
First of all, the P-64 is quite a bit smaller than the Bersa, although it is the same weight. Both weigh in at 23 ounces. The Bersa uses an alloy frame, and thus is lighter despite its physically larger size. The Makarov and Bersa are nearly identical in physical dimensions, with the Makarov being slightly smaller yet weighing in at 27 ounces. The Makarov is slightly more compact, maintaining the same barrel length despite slightly shorter overall length.
Now, physical dimensions aside, let's compare:
The Bersa fires the .380 ACP round, a common round for carry handguns.
The Makarov and P-64 fire the 9x18 Makarov round, which moves the same 95-grain weight bullet as the .380 100 FPS faster, roughly equivalent to a .380 +P. Much more powerful 9x18 rounds exist and can be fired safely from the full-size Makarov. Buffalo Bore makes a 115-grain +P Makarov round that fires at a higher velocity as well. This obscene round far outclasses even the best .380.
The Bersa has a magazine capacity of 7+1, assuming you get the magazine with the pinky extension.
The P-64 has a magazine capacity of 6+1, and the Makarov has a capacity of 8+1.
The Bersa is a newer commercial design, and some people have reported problems with them.
The P-64 and Makarov are proven military designs, noted for their reliability and durability.
Now, stats aside, let's talk performance:
The Bersa .380 is noted by many for being very accurate, and is considered one of the more accurate .380's available. It has very good sights, which contribute to this accuracy.
The P-64 and Makarov have much smaller sights, but are known for exceptional accuracy. Indeed, both these pistols shoot like a finely tuned custom gun. Once you get used to their sights, you can easily make shots with holes touching.
Trigger pull:
Many people complain about the P-64's double action trigger pull, claiming that it is very hard. This can be largely alleviated with a spring kit. The result is a very reasonable trigger pull with a crisp release. It's still a bit hard, but it's not really a problem for your average man. The single action trigger is very short and light. The Makarov's double action pull is actually very easy, with the hammer moving smoothly back.
The Bersa honestly has the worst double action trigger pull I've ever seen. It's as hard as the P-64's, but much, much longer. You keep pulling and pulling, expecting it to break, and it never does until you've pulled so far that you start to lose pull strength due to the angle. Even the gun's owner was clearly having problems with this trigger pull. In an emergency, I have very strong doubts you could quickly pull the trigger on this gun for the first shot.
The P-64 and Makarov are very pleasant to shoot after a new recoil spring is installed.
The Bersa has a little more felt recoil, although it can also benefit from a replacement recoil spring.
Price:
Bersa .380: $260
Polish P-64: $160
Bulgarian Makarov: $200 to $260.
Ammo availability:
.380 ACP: Often hard to come by, and expensive when you can find it.
9x18 Makarov: Easy to find and cheap (starting at $10 a box for Silver Bear ammo).
My conclusion: the P-64 and Makarov are both superior to the Bersa in every category. There's absolutely no overall benefit to the Bersa. You lose out on size, power, performance, and price. You also sacrifice military reliability. Unless you really have a thing against surplus pistols, you'd be crazy to pass one of these up when looking for a carry piece. They're the equal or superior to many of the best-regarded compact pistols on the market, and the extra stopping power over the marginal .380 is always a huge plus. Due to the trigger pull on the Bersa, though, I will say this: whatever you get, don't buy a Bersa.
First of all, the P-64 is quite a bit smaller than the Bersa, although it is the same weight. Both weigh in at 23 ounces. The Bersa uses an alloy frame, and thus is lighter despite its physically larger size. The Makarov and Bersa are nearly identical in physical dimensions, with the Makarov being slightly smaller yet weighing in at 27 ounces. The Makarov is slightly more compact, maintaining the same barrel length despite slightly shorter overall length.
Now, physical dimensions aside, let's compare:
The Bersa fires the .380 ACP round, a common round for carry handguns.
The Makarov and P-64 fire the 9x18 Makarov round, which moves the same 95-grain weight bullet as the .380 100 FPS faster, roughly equivalent to a .380 +P. Much more powerful 9x18 rounds exist and can be fired safely from the full-size Makarov. Buffalo Bore makes a 115-grain +P Makarov round that fires at a higher velocity as well. This obscene round far outclasses even the best .380.
The Bersa has a magazine capacity of 7+1, assuming you get the magazine with the pinky extension.
The P-64 has a magazine capacity of 6+1, and the Makarov has a capacity of 8+1.
The Bersa is a newer commercial design, and some people have reported problems with them.
The P-64 and Makarov are proven military designs, noted for their reliability and durability.
Now, stats aside, let's talk performance:
The Bersa .380 is noted by many for being very accurate, and is considered one of the more accurate .380's available. It has very good sights, which contribute to this accuracy.
The P-64 and Makarov have much smaller sights, but are known for exceptional accuracy. Indeed, both these pistols shoot like a finely tuned custom gun. Once you get used to their sights, you can easily make shots with holes touching.
Trigger pull:
Many people complain about the P-64's double action trigger pull, claiming that it is very hard. This can be largely alleviated with a spring kit. The result is a very reasonable trigger pull with a crisp release. It's still a bit hard, but it's not really a problem for your average man. The single action trigger is very short and light. The Makarov's double action pull is actually very easy, with the hammer moving smoothly back.
The Bersa honestly has the worst double action trigger pull I've ever seen. It's as hard as the P-64's, but much, much longer. You keep pulling and pulling, expecting it to break, and it never does until you've pulled so far that you start to lose pull strength due to the angle. Even the gun's owner was clearly having problems with this trigger pull. In an emergency, I have very strong doubts you could quickly pull the trigger on this gun for the first shot.
The P-64 and Makarov are very pleasant to shoot after a new recoil spring is installed.
The Bersa has a little more felt recoil, although it can also benefit from a replacement recoil spring.
Price:
Bersa .380: $260
Polish P-64: $160
Bulgarian Makarov: $200 to $260.
Ammo availability:
.380 ACP: Often hard to come by, and expensive when you can find it.
9x18 Makarov: Easy to find and cheap (starting at $10 a box for Silver Bear ammo).
My conclusion: the P-64 and Makarov are both superior to the Bersa in every category. There's absolutely no overall benefit to the Bersa. You lose out on size, power, performance, and price. You also sacrifice military reliability. Unless you really have a thing against surplus pistols, you'd be crazy to pass one of these up when looking for a carry piece. They're the equal or superior to many of the best-regarded compact pistols on the market, and the extra stopping power over the marginal .380 is always a huge plus. Due to the trigger pull on the Bersa, though, I will say this: whatever you get, don't buy a Bersa.
