Trade a P-32 for a Bersa Thunder?

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RJ likeguns

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Hello all,

I am thinking on trading my hard chrome P-32 for a Bersa Thunder. The Kel Tec has been having some reliability issues lately that have me concerned. I like the P-32, but I am afraid I will need it and it won't fire. Suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!:)
 
get rid of it!!!!

not because its a kel-tek, but because you need to be confident in what you carry. and obviously youre not. it is just that simple.
 
If you do go with the Bersa, I think you'll like it. It is a very enjoyable little gun to shoot.
 
I'll second jerry on the sentiment that if you're not confident with your piece, you really should get another.

The overwhelming majority of people I've communicated with, those who own or have used a Bersa Thunder 380, give it high marks for reliability and accuracy.
 
You all know how I feel about Bersa's. Fourth one is on Layaway and who knows I'm going to a gun show this Saturday and there better not be a dealer there with a Bersa that takes plastic. ;) As for reliability, even if you don't get a Bersa get something you are confident in.
 
I don't know anything about P-32's but I do know about Bersas.

A year and a half ago I replaced a J-frame .38 with my Bersa .380. Absolute dependability, much better accuracy, seven rounds instead of five.

And most important of all, for you to know RJ, is I feel VERY confident with my ability to hit my target and the gun won't let me down.
 
The Bersa will probably be more reliable, but even they make an occasional lemon. :uhoh:

KelTec will get the gun working for you, but the other posters are right, you need to have confidence in your carry gun.

If you have a CCW permit, I can guarantee one thing:
A lot of times when you would have carried the P32, you will leave the Bersa at home.
If you were serious about belt or IWB carry, you'd be looking at a bigger gun, right?

That is the main thing a P32 or P3AT has going for it: The size and weight means you'll always have one with you.

It does need to be reliable though.

Something to think about.
 
RJ likeguns,

here is my .02c:

I would keep the P-32....send it back to Kel-tec and get it fixed...THEN if you want to, trade it.

Mine had a few bobbles when it was new...I did a F&B on it and all has been well for over 2 years and prolly 600-800 rounds...I carry it every day in my rear pocket loaded with S&B FMJ's...I now have 2 of them and love them...

The Bersa is a good gun and judging from the orders I am getting alot of people agree with me...however...The p-32 is one of those weapons that you can carry in pretty much any attire, the Bersa is not...
 
As anyone who knows me can attest, I love my Bersa. It is 100% reliable (man, a $215 gun and it is my most reliable auto because this one hasn't had even one bobble), it feels good in the hand, points well, seems well made, and it is very accurate. However, I'm not sure you should trade the P-32 for a Bersa. They simply don't fit the same niche.

The P-32 is a true pocket gun. It is tiny and very light. You can put it in your pocket and almost forget about it no matter what you are wearing. That means it makes a good backup to carry with another gun.

The Bersa is "pocketable" but not really a pocket gun. In size and weight it is comparable to a steel framed J-frame. That means you certainly can put it in your pocket, but in size and weight both it is pretty much at the limit for what can be pocketed. Thus, it doesn't really make a good pocket backup. For most body types and clothing styles, if you put it in your pocket it is heavy enough that it is going to be more a primary that is simply more deeply concealed, you probably won't want to carry it in pocket along with a belt gun or IWB gun.

As I said above, the P-32, with its small size and light weight, is more of a true pocket gun. Thus, if you aren't confident with it and want to replace it, then you should replace it with another pocket gun. There are good ones out there- Beretta Jetfire in .25acp, Beretta Tomcat in .32acp, NAA Guardian in .32 or .380, heck even the polymer 9mm Kahr PM9 is much lighter and noticably smaller and makes a better backup piece than the Bersa.

I love my Bersa. I may even pick up another someday. It is a great gun, and if it meets your needs (i.e. you don't carry in your pocket as a backup, you want a small primary that can completely disappear in pocket, on the belt or IWB) then get it. However, it doesn't really do the same things the P-32 does, so if you use the P-32 as a pocket gun you may want to go with something more comparable.
 
Thanks to all for the input. I decided today to take advantage of Kel-Tec's warranty. I sent it this morning. I like the thing and it truly is a great pocket gun.
 
You cant beat the P-32 and 3AT as deep conceal pocket guns, light and thin as can be. If Kel-Tec can make her work, that is the way to go. If not maybe try selling this Kel-Tec buy a new one.

-D
 
i agree in part with the last comment. i would not trust THIS particular p32. but if you were to sell it and buy a NEW one, and it was 100% out of the box, after 100 rounds break in..........than that would be a different story.

like i said before, you have to be confident in it to save your life. this is not something that has room for error. period.
 
Seems to me that if you can carry something as large as a Bersa, you can carry something in a more effective caliber. Glock 26, 27, Kahr, etc.

-D
 
I agree with Seldfenz. Keep the KelTec and get a Bersa just for fun. I'm glad you sent the gun in. I know a couple of people who work at the KelTec factory and I like to help keep them employed.

Regarding the comparison between the Bersa and a J-framed Smith, I have carried a J-Frame and it is a bit thick around the midrift. The Bersa is a skinny chick by comparison, and much easier to carry in a pocket. As for weight, I like a pocket gun to have a little specific gravity so I know where it is and that it is not slipping out of the pocket.

And Drone, there is a humdinger of a knock-down, drag-out squabble regarding .380 caliber guns on a different thread if you want to get in on that discussion.
 
Well, originally the gun came with a blued slide. I fired approx. 150 rds without one problem. I elected to do the exchange for the chrome slide and barrel back before Christmas.

After receiving the new parts, I was able to shoot 100 rds without a problem. On Monday, I went to the range and shot 7 rounds. On the seventh, the empty case was still in the chamber and the slide was stuck approx 1/4 back. The case moved freely and was not the cause. I tried and tired at the range to get the slide loose but it wouldn't budge.

I took the gun home and took a rubber mallet to the end of the exposed barrel. After lightly tapping the barrel, it finally came loose. I took out the spent shell out and the slide cycled fine by hand. I took it apart and did some cleaning along with some F & B. I put it back together and the same thing happened. I repeated my steps again, and then it would shoot 3-4 shells and then the next round would not fully go into the chamber. I then repeated my steps again,(cleaned etc) then tried her again. The first one fired and then it jammed. I have been using the same ammo and mags since I bought it.

I really like the gun and it's portability. I figured I'd send it back since Kel Tec has a good rep. for taking care of problems.
 
RJ I am going to probably end up with a Bersa 380 some day. I am in the process now of buying the P3AT, but it is strictly for deep concealment purposes only (same as the P32) . SELFDFENZ summed it up best..You can't go wrong with either,that is as long as the P32 is going bang when you pull the trigger..best of luck...
 
One comment that I would like to make regards the ammo you might be using.

I had some PMC 40 that was over sized diameter wise and would not completely chamber. Hence jammomatic but not due to the firearm.

I determine this during a cleaning session when I had the barrel out of the pistol and inserted a loaded round in the chamber to see how it fit. It went in about 1/2 way. Some ammo in the box chambered fine, some almost, some half way.

All that variation in one box. The pistol was a KT P40.

Just thought I would mention this.

When you get the KT running and if you also get a Bersa, you'll have the small sized end of the carry spectrum well covered with dependable (and in case of the Bersa-fun) tools and at a reasonable price. IMHO you get a little more than you pay for with the Bersa which is uncommon anymore.

Good luck with the KT.
S-
 
You need both, because the Bersa will not fit in your pocket like a P-32 or P-3AT. My Bersa and P-3AT below.
profile_1.jpg
 
you guys know something?? I am thinking of getting another Bersa...just to have 2...

Plus I can take it off of my taxes:D


Get both...you wont be dissappointed
 
If you get the Kel-Tec back and it works, get rid of it. That way you can at least sell it without feeling bad. Even if you tell someone that the gun has reliability problems, it somehow doesn't feel right to sell a gun that doesn't work.

I have two Bersas and I consider them to be first rate quality. Mine are older models with steel frames not the alloy that is popular today. The alloy makes for a nice light package to carry and I am on the lookout for one. I have a S&W 642 for CCW so I really don't need a lightweight pocket auto. I trust the S&W compleatly, no doubts, no regrets. I can hit with it at normal ranges fast and I feel that 5 shots is just about minimun. If I had bought a alloy framed Bersa, I doubt I would have bought a snubby but that is the way it goes.

I had a P-32 that had reliabilty problems also, I got rid of it. I would never buy another one again, I think they are a great idea but quality control needs to be improved before I would look at them again.
 
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