which is more concealable?

[The Burnside Ninja]

Is a walther ppk/s 380 more concealable than a bersa thunder? I checked the stats and they seem VERY close. I have a bersa, which feels thin and enjoy it's concealability. But, do you think the walther would be better for my fiancee who has smaller hands and is smaller than me?

 

[PlayboyPenguin]

I love my PPK (don't have a PPK/S) and it conceals very easily.

 

[Geronimo45]

IIRC, the Bersa is a tad longer - because of the beavertail tang. I seriously doubt that the size difference would be meaningful. The Walther has a tendency to bite the hand as feeds it, the Bersa seems to have solved that problem.

 

[browningguy]

The short answer is no it won't be better. As mentioned, Walthers have some reputation for biting the hand that feeds them, sights are not as good as the Bersa, and the triggers are not as good (on average). It's hard to find a DA trigger as good as the Bersa on any other factory gun.

 

[Jackal]

Or, you could just get a kel Tec P3AT and forget your concealment worries.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Or, you could just get a kel Tec P3AT and forget your concealment worries

My thoughts exactly. The PPK had it's hayday, but times change and guns in that size/weight range are now .40 or .45 caliber. Not that the PPK isn't a good gun, but it's quite large and heavy for a .380 by modern standards.

 

[scurtis_34471]

The Bersa Thunder Concealed Carry is a bit smaller than the regular Thunder .380. I like it because it is more pleasant to shoot than the P-3AT, but I will agree that it is nowhere near as small or light.

 

[MCgunner]

The Bersa Thunder Concealed Carry is a bit smaller than the regular Thunder .380. I like it because it is more pleasant to shoot than the P-3AT, but I will agree that it is nowhere near as small or light.

Wow, we're really becoming girly men when we start complaining about the massive recoil of the .380 ACP....ROFLMAO!!!!!!

 

[Lonestar]

MC ...recoil is relative to the shooter, but comparing shooting my thin ultra lightweight .380 Kel Tec and my S&W 60 .357 revolver or SA GI 1911 .45 it is no contest....the Kel Tec hurts my hands faster 50 rounds and I'm done.

 

[scurtis_34471]

MC ...recoil is relative to the shooter, but comparing shooting my thin ultra lightweight .380 Kel Tec and my S&W 60 .357 revolver or SA GI 1911 .45 it is no contest....the Kel Tec hurts my hands faster 50 rounds and I'm done.

Exactly my point. Its not that .380 has overwhelming recoil. Its the fact that an unloaded P-3AT weighs 8.5oz. Its light weight combined with its extremely thin profile is really rough on the hands. I shot about 50 rounds through my buddy's P-3AT and my hand was pretty sore. I don't get that with the Bersa. It weighs a bit more (17.5oz) and has a more substantial grip. If I owned other guns, I would have gone with the P-3AT. This was my first gun, however, and I wanted something I wouldn't mind shooting a lot.

Foolish me. Now I have the bloody gun bug and am shopping around for a CZ 75 PO1 with a Kadet .22LR conversion kit. After that I'm thinking a .45 ACP might be fun, although I also like some of the .357 Sigs I'm seeing on the market... My wallet will never be the same.

 

[MCgunner]

I don't know, I don't have a big problem putting 100 rounds through my 14 ounce P11 in 9mm. I don't have a P3AT......YET. Recoil ain't going to be one of my considerations in buying it, though. It'll be for deep concealment. I probably won't carry it all that much, just when I can't practially carry my P11, which ain't often. The P11 isn't physically as large or heavy as a PPK, don't think.

What I'm trying to say is, if you can carry a PPK, you can carry a more effective caliber easier. But, the P3AT has a real attribute, its tiny size. I have situations from time to time where I can't even carry the P11. In those times, I need a SMALLER gun, not a givver, heavier gun in a less effective caliber. The PPKs are just as effective as they ever were, but they've been eclipsed in CCW application by newer designs. If you don't like the PF9 or P11, there are Kahrs, the Taurus PT111, and I think even the G26 is smaller, or just as small as the PPK.

 

[Starter52]

I agree with browningguy. Don't buy your fiancee the Walther. Get her a Bersa.

 

[420Stainless]

I use the ppk/s for carry in hot weather and it conceals very well. Mine also shoots well and is very reliable. However, if you plan on pocket carry, it is quite heavy. I bought mine before the small polymer guns came to the market. If buying now I'd be looking to a P11 or PM9. In fact, I'm pretty sure I'll get a PM9 soon despite my love for the Walther.

For purse or holster carry, the PPK/s is still as good or better than anything else.

 

[cyco668]

What's more "concealable" also depends on body size and shape, also what clothing a person wears. I have a friend who carries an HK USP, another with a Glock 19, and one that sometimes carries a 4" 44mag. You couldn't tell at all that any of them could be armed. Smaller and slimmer guns are definitely easier to hide, but a 7' 300lb guy can conceal alot more than a 5'4 120lb guy.

What about Derringers? LM5= .25 or .32cal, 4 or 5 shots. The LM4 is a .45 w/ 5 shots. I didnt's mention the single or double shots because this is the "autoloader" forum.

 

[plexreticle]

I personally wouldn't trust my life to my PPK. I don't consider it reliable enough for CCW. That's just my opinion.

I've found length is less of a factor than thickness for easy of concealment.