opinions about buying a 380

michaelap · Post by **michaelap** » March 1st, 2008, 8:28 pm

I was thinking about picking up a bersa thunder 380. Nice price a few miles down the road, I have fired 380's in the past and they felt good but what do think? I hope nobody passes me up because of that "other 380 post" thanks

orchidhunter · Post by **orchidhunter** » March 1st, 2008, 8:55 pm

michaelap, Now your talking. The Bersa is a good choice. The new Ruger 380 looks good to me , as does the new Kahr. Going up town you have the Sig 232, or S&W Walther, but the Beretta is the top of the line 380. As you can tell I am a big 380ACP fan. orchidhunter

redfestiva · Post by **redfestiva** » March 1st, 2008, 9:05 pm

michaelap,
I don't think there is anything wrong with a .380 pistol. I don't own any but I like a few. The price of .380 ammo is a real down side. I like the Bersa and the new Luger. My favorite .380 is a Colt Mustang. For conceal carry purposes I wouldn't choose a .380. For the same price you can get a real small 9mm (more power & cheaper to shoot).

nbender · Post by **nbender** » March 1st, 2008, 9:32 pm

michaelap I'm a great fan of Stephen Camp. He wrote a good comparison of the Makarov and Bersa .380:

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/MakarovBersa.htm

orchidhunter · Post by **orchidhunter** » March 1st, 2008, 10:32 pm

michaelap I'm a great fan of Stephen Camp. He wrote a good comparison of the Makarov and Bersa .380:

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/MakarovBersa.htm

+1, orchidhunter

michaelap · Post by **michaelap** » March 1st, 2008, 10:33 pm

I can buy a new bersa for 195.00 new, just a thought.

nbender · Post by **nbender** » March 1st, 2008, 11:35 pm

One thing I look at when considering a new pistol is how it breaks down for cleaning. That's a real plus for the Makarov with ease of dissassembly and it's 27 total parts. I haven't owned or shot a Bersa but I understand that they are quite a bit more complicated and that puts some people off. So if I were considering the pistol I would want to see how easily it field strips, and how completely the lay owner can take it apart.

Hey, if Stephen Camp likes them I like them too. Our own Papabear helps moderate Stephen's forum.

michaelap · Post by **michaelap** » March 2nd, 2008, 12:39 am

thanks for the ideas! will look into that

gypsydavy · Post by **gypsydavy** » March 2nd, 2008, 12:41 am

I looked long and hard at the Bersa Thunder before settling on the p-64. What I heard again and again is that the BT has a definite shelf life. This is why resale price is low.

P-64=Tank
Bersa Thunder=Pick-up truck

Depends on what you want it for. For my $200 I'd buy another P-64. Duplicate parts/ammo/teardown.

I believe there are some good posts/reviews on the GunDirectory.com

gypsydavy

redfestiva · Post by **redfestiva** » March 2nd, 2008, 8:46 am

I've heard that Bersa magazines are about $40 each. If you like several magazines like I do you might take that into consideration.

michaelap · Post by **michaelap** » March 2nd, 2008, 10:27 am

Well I do love my P-64 and I do trust it for my primary carry, might just do that gypsydavy. Thanks I was unaware of the "complexity" nbender -Years back I was shooting a PPK and remembered only that it felt great. Anyway I'll keep on moving until I do some research but for now thanks for the tips.

doyle · Post by **doyle** » March 2nd, 2008, 2:00 pm

I refuse to buy an .380 as long as I own 9x18 guns. There is too much risk I will get the two mixed up.

michaelap · Post by **michaelap** » March 2nd, 2008, 6:10 pm

Now that makes alot of sense just think how easy it is for my wife and I to mix up our keys!

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