Ruger or bersa for a 380 or 9 compact?
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smalls
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My advice before looking for guns is always to decide on a caliber and price limit, then go looking at your options within that scope.
Both have their pluses and minuses. It will depend on use and personal taste. Bersa is the less expensive of the two, but based on my 380 has more features and is a fine gun.
As to caliber, I would want to go with the 9mm eventhough the 380 will do the job close up. As a matter of fact I did go with the 9mm, but in a CZ 75 P-01.
Jim
As to caliber, I would want to go with the 9mm eventhough the 380 will do the job close up. As a matter of fact I did go with the 9mm, but in a CZ 75 P-01.
Jim
Cactus Jack Arizona
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The .380 caliber ammo has improved greatly over the .380 offerings of the past. No need to worry about the quality. However, it's still more expensive than 9mm of the same brand and type.
Trad Archer
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I'm a big Ruger fan for it's revolvers, but I know there have been issues with their semi-autos.
I have a couple Bersas. Outstanding reliablity. I often carry a Bersa UC Pro in 40 S@W. That gun is amazing and obviously trust my life to it.
Best of luck on your choice.
I have a couple Bersas. Outstanding reliablity. I often carry a Bersa UC Pro in 40 S@W. That gun is amazing and obviously trust my life to it.
Best of luck on your choice.
weblance
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I have a Bersa Thunder 380, LCP, P95 and LC9. For a 380, I much prefer my Bersa over the LCP. The LCP is simply too small to shoot a relatively powerful cartridge like the .380 with any enjoyment. Yes, I know the LCP isnt made for enjoyment. The P95 is a perfect Service/Home Protection/Range gun. The LC9 is a great CC gun. If the question is, what is better, .380 or 9mm, The 9mm is much better than a .380
MedWheeler
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My Bersa Thunder 380 is rock-solid reliable, and a great gun to shoot. It is indeed a blowback design (barrel integral with frame; does not travel with the slide.) The Ruger LCP and LC9 are both recoil-operated guns, with "locked-breech" operation, meaning that the slide and barrel are locked together for at least part of the slide's rearward travel. That design reduces recoil over a blowback gun that is otherwise of equal size, weight, balance, and caliber. The two Rugers mentioned, however, are in 9x19mm caliber, so they'll still have some more bark and bite than the .380.
The Bersa Thunder series (9mm and .380ACP) are steel-framed guns. The Bersa BP9CC is a newer, polymer-framed model that looks pretty good; got to handle one recently at a gun show, but have never fired it. Unlike the Thunder series, which have external DA/SA hammers, the BP9CC is a striker-fired pistol.
The two Rugers mentioned are polymer-framed. Neither is particularly pleasant to shoot, but that's a part of "ultra-concealable" guns in service calibers.
The Bersa Thunder series (9mm and .380ACP) are steel-framed guns. The Bersa BP9CC is a newer, polymer-framed model that looks pretty good; got to handle one recently at a gun show, but have never fired it. Unlike the Thunder series, which have external DA/SA hammers, the BP9CC is a striker-fired pistol.
The two Rugers mentioned are polymer-framed. Neither is particularly pleasant to shoot, but that's a part of "ultra-concealable" guns in service calibers.
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RBid
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I handle these on a daily basis, own a Ruger SR9c, and had an LC9.
In .380, I would go Bersa. The DA/SA trigger and ability to get a full grip (even in the Thunder CC) is a huge advantage compared to the disgustingly long trigger of the LCP and LC9. The Bersa .380 pistols are very easy to shoot accurately. The DAO Rugers are designed to be easy to conceal, but try putting multiple shots on target in short order... Your trigger finger simply has too much distance to travel for each shot. I actually LIKE the Bersas in .380.
In 9mm... The Ruger SR9c is my concealed carry weapon. The trigger is awesome, it is easy to conceal, and I love having a 17rd spare mag. I have 1,700 rounds through mine, with zero failures. In fact, this thing slings casings about six feet to my right (rightward more so than back, btw). The trigger and ergonomics make this pistol very, very easy to shoot accurately, and the recoil spring is a work of art. This is extremely easy to control, and has almost no muzzle flip.
I don't have trigger time on the Bersa Thunder 9mm UC yet, but have handled it. It's kind of a value-focused take on a Sig. I like how it feels in hand. Pleasant DA/SA trigger. My gut says it's probably great.
In .380, I would go Bersa. The DA/SA trigger and ability to get a full grip (even in the Thunder CC) is a huge advantage compared to the disgustingly long trigger of the LCP and LC9. The Bersa .380 pistols are very easy to shoot accurately. The DAO Rugers are designed to be easy to conceal, but try putting multiple shots on target in short order... Your trigger finger simply has too much distance to travel for each shot. I actually LIKE the Bersas in .380.
In 9mm... The Ruger SR9c is my concealed carry weapon. The trigger is awesome, it is easy to conceal, and I love having a 17rd spare mag. I have 1,700 rounds through mine, with zero failures. In fact, this thing slings casings about six feet to my right (rightward more so than back, btw). The trigger and ergonomics make this pistol very, very easy to shoot accurately, and the recoil spring is a work of art. This is extremely easy to control, and has almost no muzzle flip.
I don't have trigger time on the Bersa Thunder 9mm UC yet, but have handled it. It's kind of a value-focused take on a Sig. I like how it feels in hand. Pleasant DA/SA trigger. My gut says it's probably great.
MutinousDoug
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The Bersa Thunder .380 is aluminum framed, not steel. It's pretty large for a .380 but dead reliable in my experience and not unpleasant to shoot a lot. It comes with only one magazine so plan on spending another $25-30 for a spare.
giggitygiggity
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I have the Bersa Thunder Duotone .380 and it is super reliable and well-made. Also, it if very inexpensive. As mentioned, you can find guns in larger calibers that are the same weight/size. However, my Bersa is a nice gun and can be comfortably all day.
I also have two Ruger LCPs (one with Crimson Trace laser, one without). For a concealed carry handgun, you cannot beat an LCP. Super small and light. The downside is the heavy trigger pull and it stings a little when you shoot it. However, the LCPs are also ultra reliable and accurate, more accurate than the Bersa if you can get used to the DAO trigger and do your part as a shooter.
I also have two Ruger LCPs (one with Crimson Trace laser, one without). For a concealed carry handgun, you cannot beat an LCP. Super small and light. The downside is the heavy trigger pull and it stings a little when you shoot it. However, the LCPs are also ultra reliable and accurate, more accurate than the Bersa if you can get used to the DAO trigger and do your part as a shooter.
xjsnake
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I love my Bersa .380 First gun I purchased due to the low cost back then ($179.99 brand new) and it's still with me today.
exdetsgt
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Don't limit your options. I EDC a Beretta Nano (9mm). Its fit and finish is first rate, the sights are 3 dot and excellent, and I've had zero issues. Since I bought it my G26 has become a shelf queen. Nano is a single stack (6+1) and thus narrower much easier to conceal.
MICHAEL T
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Bersa 380 is a great pistol mine is 8 yrs old and still a great shooter. The 9mmUC is also a nice carry pistol if you want a 9mm
There is another Bersa 380 you don't see much It is the Bersa Thunder Plus. This is a 15 round Bersa Thunder . Just like normal Thunder except slighty larger grip and hicap mag If 15+1 doesn't mess up some one's day Then your in big trouble.
http://bersachat.com
The Home of Bersa on the internet !!!
There is another Bersa 380 you don't see much It is the Bersa Thunder Plus. This is a 15 round Bersa Thunder . Just like normal Thunder except slighty larger grip and hicap mag If 15+1 doesn't mess up some one's day Then your in big trouble.
http://bersachat.com
The Home of Bersa on the internet !!!
I have Qualified with a bersa thunder, a glock 27 and an lcp. For me the bersa is the most pleasant to shoot, the 27 is the most accurate, and the lcp is the one I carry the most. If i wanted to go with 9mm would seriously consider the S&W shield. I think for close range .380 is just fine. The lcp is snappy to say the least but i was still able to pass the same course course of fire used for duty weapon and that is good nuff for me.
hardluk1
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No that the only fixed barrel of the pistols your looking at is the bersa thunder series 380. The 9mm's and ruger 380 are floating barrels like on larger pistols.
My daughters first pistol was a bersa 380 CC. She just claimed my taurus tcp 380 as here new carry pistol. Might want to add the cm9 kahr and keltec pf-9 to your small pistol mix in 9mm. And the way taurus tcp for a 380 to your mix. It has a slide hold open after last round fired and a great trigger for any pistol with 10oz weight . When looking at pistols the same and weight of a bersa thrunder series that also is in the same group of any other small subcompact 9mm. Shield, kahr, glock, berreta nano and kt p-11. All lighter than a single stack bersa 380.
My daughters first pistol was a bersa 380 CC. She just claimed my taurus tcp 380 as here new carry pistol. Might want to add the cm9 kahr and keltec pf-9 to your small pistol mix in 9mm. And the way taurus tcp for a 380 to your mix. It has a slide hold open after last round fired and a great trigger for any pistol with 10oz weight . When looking at pistols the same and weight of a bersa thrunder series that also is in the same group of any other small subcompact 9mm. Shield, kahr, glock, berreta nano and kt p-11. All lighter than a single stack bersa 380.
stickhauler
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I've shot the Bersa Thunder Ultra in 9mm, and own a Ruger SR-9 C. For shooting, I'll admit, the Bersa has less felt recoil. But, as it's a steel framed pistol, it's heavier than I want to use as a carry gun.
The Ruger has a tad more felt recoil, but to me the trigger is crisper, and I shoot it much more accurately. And it's a lot lighter pistol if you're carrying it as a daily carry.
Either are fine firearms, around the same price point, and you'll not regret your purchase.
The Ruger has a tad more felt recoil, but to me the trigger is crisper, and I shoot it much more accurately. And it's a lot lighter pistol if you're carrying it as a daily carry.
Either are fine firearms, around the same price point, and you'll not regret your purchase.
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