recommend a .380?

[gglass]

I know what you're thinking punk. You're thinking 'did he fire six shots or only five?'. Well, to tell you the truth, I forgot myself in all this excitement. But being as this is a .380 ACP, the most powerful handgun in the world, and can blow your head clean off, you'd better ask yourself a question. Do I feel lucky? Well? Do ya? Punk!

 

[stevereno1]

I would go with the browning bda. They're a good solid high capacity .380

 

[Oldgundog]

My first CCW pistol was and still is a little Bersa Thunder .380. It's small, can hold up to 9 rounds with the right mag. it comes with 7. I can tuck this thing in my coat pocket or pants and you can't tell it's there. Got me one of those Smart Carry holsters for my .45 and it works really will with the .380. Any of them are good, I looked for price and function, can't afford those $400 guns.

 

[glockman19]

Ok, I'll say what everyone else wants to...

A .380 is a horrible choice for a "first handgun" purchase.

That Bersa weighs more than many 9mm's. Ammo costs more while the power is minimal for defense.

There are but two reasons for getting a .380:

1) Because the gun that chambers it is small, light and concealable.

2) It's the largest caliber you can control. Because many .380's kick more than 9mm's, due to the straight blowback action, (such as the PPK) it would make sense to get a larger .380, such as the Beretta 84.

Me, I'd get a Glock 19, 17 or Springfield XD or Smith and Wesson M&P 9mm. In proper holsters, they conceal just fine.

I agree. I only have a Bersa .380 because it was cheap and my wife didn't like the recoil of other firearms I have.

For a first gun I'd go with a Glock 19 or a S&W 686.

 

[Bavarian_Motorist]

I owned a Beretta 85bb up until recently. Its alot like the 84fs but is a single stack mag (8+1) so it is considerably thinner than its cousin. Great little shooter, very solid. But for some reason currently I cant seem to find them, only the 84s'

 

[PRM]

I Vote Walther

I've owned four different .380s and all have been super guns.

1. Walther PP and PPKs - in a class all their own. Mine were 100% reliable and met what I was looking for in cc.

2. CZ83 - great gun - 100% reliable with all types of ammo, hi-cap, great accuracy, smooth trigger pull and ergonomics.

3. Colt Government .380 - again, classy little gun and was 100% reliable.

I know their is a lot of pros/cons and personal preference in calibre, but the gun I carry the most is a Walther PP in .32. It carries easy, has never malfunctioned, and the 8+1 (9 shot) capability makes it a nice package.