Bersa Thunder .380

[bassman]

Anyone have any experience or knowledge/info on this gun?  Friend of mine is looking for a .380 for his wife to have around the house (not concealed carry) and this came up in a "group" discussion yesterday.  General concensus is that it's a pretty good gun for the $$$ - just wanted to check with the board to see if anyone has first hand knowledge or experience with one.  This is the caliber they both want for her.  She doesn't like or want anything larger so the plan is to get her something SHE will use.  He has several .38's and she doesn't like any of them.  So, within those limitaions, they have narrowed it down to a .380 and specifically the Bersa. 

TIA

[Evil One]

I have friends with this pistol, they all love it.
What I would suggest... is to take HER out to shop for HER gun.
Let her handle hundreds, she will find one, three, six... that fit her right.
Take her to a rental range so she can shoot them.
She will know what the best one for her is.

3 things I wont buy for people unless they have test driven them, cars, bikes, and handguns.


Jim

[Charlie McCready]

I have the Bersa and like it.......right now (since late 2008) ammo is not to be found in my area, southwestern VA or east Tennessee.

[Evil One]

Charlie, its like that almost everywhere.
I am on quite a few forums and they are all complaining about the availability of that ammo.


Jim

[Bagger John - #3785]

What I would suggest... is to take HER out to shop for HER gun.
Let her handle hundreds, she will find one, three, six... that fit her right.
Take her to a rental range so she can shoot them.
She will know what the best one for her is.

This.

If she's not comfortable holding the pistol, she will not be a good shot with it.

[bsnicely]

Bersa is a very reliable, mid priced semi auto pistol. Made in Argentina, basically a Walther PPK clone. Fit and finish is very good. The .380 is my minimum for a self defense piece, and at that, only high performance ammo. I have CCI Hydrashocks  for my Ruger LCP. >380acp is almost impossible to find around here. This is because of the new surge of new .380 pistols, Ruger LCP, mini Desert Eagle, Kel-Tec and the new SIG baby Gov. Model are just a few. Over the Bersa is a lot of bang for the buck.........

[bassman]

Thanks all - good input and will share with my friend to help he and his wife make a sound (for them) decision.

[Doc Moose]

Great little gun for carry or backup carry.  The ladies of the house love to shoot it when we go to the range.  Lightweight alloy, why the .380 ACP is a good round for it.  Nice with rubber grips.  Nice trigger.

Mojo's wife tried mine and fell in love with it.  He got her one asap. 

You can get 7 or 9 rd magazines for it.

But, ammo is tough to find right now, for nearly everything.  Can't even buy stuff for reloading.   Hopefully, it will cool down in awhile.

Cheers.

[fudgie]

I have the thunder .380 plus. Its a 15 shot magazine. I like it. Its small enough to hide. Kit has shot it before and likes it. Good gun for the price. Mine was $250 new at a local show. It has alot of safeties so if she gets use to it she will be fine.

[BamaDrifter64]

I have the Kel-Tec P3AT....it's the lightest and probably one of the smallest .380s out there...it's highly accurate, especially with the laser I have on it.  Fits in my front pocket and with my holster it doesn't leave any kind of imprint.  She needs to check it out too.

[bassman]

Doc - thanks for the input and agree on the availabilty of ammo...about the same around here AND I was surprised how expensive .380 is - WHEN you can find it !

fudgie - thanks for your input as well - didn't realize they had a 15 round mag - good to know !

BamaDrifter64 - I've always liked the P3AT as well as the Ruger LCP for concealed deep carry but these might be a tad too small for her (physical size) but will pass along your thoughts as well.

Thanks again guys !   

[Clark]

Doc - thanks for the input and agree on the availabilty of ammo...about the same around here AND I was surprised how expensive .380 is - WHEN you can find it !

fudgie - thanks for your input as well - didn't realize they had a 15 round mag - good to know !

BamaDrifter64 - I've always liked the P3AT as well as the Ruger LCP for concealed deep carry but these might be a tad too small for her (physical size) but will pass along your thoughts as well.

Thanks again guys !   
[/quote.....with a 380 she might need 15 rounds.. they have the stoppin power of a pea shooter.. take a look at the KAHR 9MM or 40.. reallly small and powerful.. and spendy tooooo

[Jack]

My wife felt more comfortable with a revolver.  I bought her a 38 special and a 44 special for myself.

[Evil One]

My wife felt more comfortable with a revolver.  I bought her a 38 special and a 44 special for myself.

As a HUGE fan of the .44 special... which one did you get?
An inquiring mind wants to know.


Jim

[PAVALKER]

Understand the 380 is what is being discussed and desired, but I have another possible suggestion....  a  Kel-Tec P-11 9mm.  Since it is not going to be concealed, but could be if desired, and since the cost of 9mm ammo is a bit less expensive than 380 and probably more plentiful IMO.  WalMart is having some ammo issues, like everyone else is, but occasionally gets a load of Blazer Brass 9mm that is very reasonable.  The Kel-Tec P-11 with the (now) lighter trigger spring, a wider trigger shoe adapter and magazine pinky rest is a much nicer gun to shoot , than it was before I made those changes.  The slightly longer trigger pull makes it easier to focus on aiming rather than just rapping a magizine full of ammo thru the barrel.  Nice for Home Defense, under the car/truck seat,  or CC if need be.   If you are just looking for home defense..... get a Remington 870 18" synthetic, or other light short shotgun where indoor aiming doesn't present an accuracy issue.  Not to mention, shotgun ammo is readily available, fairly inexpensive (for now).  They say a shotgun is the best home defense weapon......  but don't ask me who "they" are......

[Evil One]

If you are just looking for home defense..... get a Remington 870 18" synthetic, or other light short shotgun where indoor aiming doesn't present an accuracy issue.  Not to mention, shotgun ammo is readily available, fairly inexpensive (for now).  They say a shotgun is the best home defense weapon......  but don't ask me who "they" are......

for home defense my coach IS my go to gun.
If asked about a home defense "gun" and not a home defense pistol... I will suggest a shotgun 90% of the time.


Jim

[Doc Moose]

I have heard that the one sound an intruder truly fears is the sound of a pump scattergun being racked.  At least, I would! 

[fudgie]

Doc - thanks for the input and agree on the availabilty of ammo...about the same around here AND I was surprised how expensive .380 is - WHEN you can find it !

fudgie - thanks for your input as well - didn't realize they had a 15 round mag - good to know !

BamaDrifter64 - I've always liked the P3AT as well as the Ruger LCP for concealed deep carry but these might be a tad too small for her (physical size) but will pass along your thoughts as well.

Thanks again guys !   

Only the thunder .380 plus has the 15 rounder.

[fudgie]

Whats bigger, 9mm or .380? Looks to me, at least not side by side, is the .380. Or is the shell longer on the 9mm?

[Serk]

Whats bigger, 9mm or .380? Looks to me, at least not side by side, is the .380. Or is the shell longer on the 9mm?

Diameter (Or caliber) they're identical... The 9mm is longer, and is a much higher pressure round plus generally heavier bullets, and with the higher pressure, heavier bullets going faster as well...

The cartridge of the .380 is 9mm x 17mm long, and the 9mm is 9mm x 19mm long...

And sorry to semi hijack, but while you're out taking her gun shopping, don't overlook the Commie guns if you can find any... The 9mm Makarovs (Which is a third caliber, 9mm x 18mm long) is another fine round IMHO. It used to be hard to find anything in that caliber, but there are several quite good defensive loads in that caliber, the guns were made by the commies, so they're tough as nails, most are quite small but not itty bitty tiny, and very simple and reliable...

Not saying that's the best gun for her, just saying check 'em out, don't overlook 'em just 'cause they have a funny caliber, 9mm Mak's gotten a lot more common the last few years...

[Clark]

nother suggestion y'all might wanna consider is goin to concealedcarryforum.com   they cuss I mean discuss the stopping power of the 380 a lot.. I wish I had found this site B4 I bought my keltec 380 which I like but after readin the FBI stats on the 380 round I dont want my life dependin on it..  better than nothin but not by much

[Evil One]

I have heard that the one sound an intruder truly fears is the sound of a pump scattergun being racked.  At least, I would! 

OR... if someone is in your house looking to cause you harm, you have just sent them a hand written note letting them know EXACTLY where you are.
Mine sits by my bed loaded with the hammers down.
My wifes Benelli sits loaded with the safety on.
I prefer the element of surprise.

But... thats just me.


Jim

[VALK57]

Bassman, I have the Bersa Thunder .380 and carry it everywhere. It is very reliable, very light and very concealable if needed. Take her to shoot the gun if possible. It is a great gun made with very good material. Stays relatively cool and does not jam, and those are positives. The only negative right now with the .380, is that there is no ammo available. But if you decide on the Bersa Thunder, you won't be disappointed.

[V98]

A big +1 to Clark and EvilOne. I believe the Bersa Thunder series is a great value for the dollar, just PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, don't get it in the anemic .380 cal. Get it in 9mm or larger. If you get 9mm, use a quality 147 or 147+p hollow point. This is not my opinion, these are proven stats from FBI testing. The FBI calls a .380 loaded with ball ammo, "The best of a BAD choice". You would be better off with a .22 , at least it would penetrate. Also she should really pick her own weapon. Something that feels good in Her hand, not yours. Good Luck  .

[BamaDrifter64]

I agree with the above as far as home protection goes - I have a S&W .38 revolver at home for protection.  However, if you're looking for something for concealed carry, then you need something small and light.  I have a Keltec P3AT, .380, which I carry concealed b/c it is so small and light.  I alternate ball ammo and hollowpoints in my mags for as much effectiveness as I can get.  I'd much prefer a heavier, more powerful gun for concealed carry, but I found myself when I did that not carrying at times due to what I wearing, comfort, etc.  With the P3AT, I carry it all the time because alot of the time I forget it's even there b/c it's so light and small.  It doesn't matter what gun you have if you don't practice with it regularly and become effective with it.

[Evil One]

If you're looking for something for concealed carry, then you need something small and light.

I disagree... I carry a full sized 1911 daily.
I wear a waist holster and a shoulder holster depending on mode of dress.
Most of the time I dont notice that its there, you just have to decide that you are carrying... and make accommodations to ensure that you will have no issues.
I also carry a .44 snubby in my pocket... it may as well not be there either.

When deciding to carry, you need to decide on the minimum caliber you will be comfortable carrying.
For me, that is a .44 special.
You find the gun in that caliber that fits well, you try many holsters to see what will work for you.
You make the decision to carry and adapt yourself to that decision. After a short while it becomes a part of you.
I have left the house with a full size 1911 on my hip, a 1911 officers compact in my shoulder holster, and my .44 in my pocket.
No discomfort, and nobody noticed...even tho I had a few pounds of armament.
I have also concealed S&W N frame revolvers in .45ACP .44 special, and .44 magnum.


Jim

[Clark]

there is a 15 round clip available..with pinpoint accuracy if ya hit it the exact same place everytime you might be able to push the first slug in deep enough to do dome damage

[Duey]

I use a CZ 83 with Magtech Guardian Gold Series 380 auto + P85 GR JHP. 1082 fps at 221 ft lbs. They are notched hollow points.
They really tear things up but won't go through 2 sheets of drywall unless you are a foot away from them. The bullet shatters on contact  like any other hollow point. If 9 rounds don't stop them I guess I am in trouble.
And it is small enough to use as a cc.
It is the same pistol that has been issued to the Israely military . All steel. Only the grips are plastic.