Is Bersa 380 a good choice for the daughter

[sarge736]

I have given my son, son in law, daughter in law semi automatic pistols as gifts along with range instruction classes. Last on the list for a self defense weapon is the daughter. The son and daughter in law got 9mm Glocks (19 and 17) and the son in law got a 45 caliber Glock that can hold 14 rounds.

There is a Bersa 380 Thunder (15 round capacity) up for auction. Here is the full description: Description: BERSA THUNDER+ 380 DA 15RD M Manufacturer: Bersa Model #: Thunder 380 Matte Plus Type: Semi-Automatic Pistol Finish: Matte Blue Stock: Black Polymer Sights: Rear: Notched-Bar Dovetailed Front: Blade Barrel Length: 3.5" Overall Length: 6.625" Weight: 23 oz Caliber: 380 Capacity: 15+1 Action: Double Action # of Mags: 1 S/N D41929

https://www.proxibid.com/asp/LotImag...935&url=27.jpg

I have never owned a Bersa. I believe a home self defense weapon should hold as many rounds as possible. That is why I usually only buy Glock 19's and 17's and when the S-I-L asked for a .45 I got him a Glock. However the daughter does not like the feel of any of the Glocks. She has small hands. Any thoughts as to this Bersa as a home self defense weapon for a 27 year old woman.

Can anyone tell from the Serial Number D41929 how old this particular pistol is?

Thank you in advance to anyone with any suggestions.

[JimmyR]

I have no direct experience with the Bersa line, but from filtering through internet rumor, opinion, and conjecture, it appears to be a suitable weapon for concealed carry. I am not sure I would really reccomend it for home defense. The .380 is a decent round, but I think I would look for a Beretta PX4, M&P, SR9, Sig, or CZ. I personally prefer the ergos of a PX4 or a CZ-75, and would reccomend them for carry or home use.

[Old Stony]

If she isn't a regular shooter, you might have some function problems with your Bersa. Women tend to limp wrist somewhat if they only shoot occasionally, and were it me...I would opt for a small revolver. I bought my wife a sig and she shoots it well, but she is a shooter. I also have a J frame S&W for her in .32 mag that she shoots well. A revolver will work for her and you can pretty much depend on it.

[Rey de Copas]

IMHO, If you are not a regular shooter its not a good idea to carry a gun. In any case, a revolver will be a better option for a non-regular shooter.

[superspirit]

I've got a Bersa 380, but it's not the hi cap version. it is ok but has had an occasional jam, I also have the Bersa Thunder 9 hi cap, and it has been flawless with over a 1000 rds through it. that being said I took the 380 out of my wifes purse and put an LCR 22 mag in. I feel a revolver is a much better choice for someone that doesnt shoot alot and is not mechanically inclined.

[Sparks1957]

...and what does your wife think about that?

[qwiksdraw]

My Bersa Thunder 380 is one of the easiest guns to shoot, has been 100% reliable and shoots consistently to allow me to be as accurate as my skill allows. Bersas are also very easy to clean and maintain. It is my primary carry gun because I can trust my life with it.

I have found that women really like this gun because of it low recoil and ease of operation. It's not a gun that easily fails to limp wristing and those shooters with less arm and upper body strength. Yet even bigger guys like me (6ft & 220 lbs) don't have to feel like we've checked in our man card to own this gun.

My Bersa Thunder 22 is a great plinker and practice gun. Just as reliable as the BT380.

[seeker_two]

Bersa makes good guns.....

....that said, you really should have your daughter try some different guns before buying her one. I'd suggest some of the single-stack autos like the S&W Shield or Springfield XDS....even the Ruger LC380. Then, let her pick what she wants. After all....if she doesn't like it, she won't carry it.

....and, if she picks a Les Baer Custom.....well, pony up!

[jackpine]

I'd look at a browning hi-power or a combat commander or a SIG 225 over a bersa 380 and the hi cap bersa mags are no that common at all.

[superspirit]

...and what does your wife think about that?

She actually likes the revolver better, the first time her Bersa jammed and she tried to clear it, she looked at me and said, I'd be dead. I said thats why I want you to carry the revolver.

[mxsailor803]

I too am a believer that for the reliability factor only, a revolver would be a better choice. I actually still carry a revolver on occation. My wife also carries a revolver. Both of ours are S&W 36's with hers being nickle and mines blued.

[lamarw]

Based upon my personal experience, I would recommend against a Bersa.

A Sig P250 sub-compact in 9mm would be my recommendation over a Bersa.

Attached is a picture of my two as a comparrison:

[kahrguy]

My wife and daughter both have a bersa 380CC and another smaller liter 380 that they carry. A TCP. Both get shot a minimum of 400 rounds by me before anything get carried. Both bersa's have been 100% reliable with fmj AND gold dot, XTP and DPX bullets. Because finding ammo was abit of a problem these had to be broke in with mainly HP ammo. I picked up a 500 round box of fiocchi 90gr XTP - hp ammo and slit that between the two bersa. Shoot great. Tried a 100 rounds each of corbon dpx and some underwood GD loads. They both CC the corbon now.

The trigger is heavy on the first pull but no worse than that ruger revolvers DA pull and the following shots are a nice short light SA pull. The 15 shot +P to me is pushing the weight to 20 oz empty and at that point many small 9mm's look good.

[bledsoeG19]

I had a bersa 380. It was a jam-o-matic.

[chaim]

I had a single stack Bersa Thunder .380 and it was a very good little gun, but I did sell it.

You got your other children/children's spouses more substantial calibers, but you are thinking about a .380 for this daughter. A .380 is obviously better than nothing and is an acceptable caliber for defense, but .38spl+P, ,9mm or better would probably be a better way to go. Get her to the range with you and have her try different guns, get her to a rental range if you don't have much variety. At least, she should go to a gun store and handle different guns to see which feel better to her. Then, get her a .38 revolver or 9mm-.45ACP pistol that is big enough to control and small enough to conceal that she chooses with you and you'll have the best gun for her. Anything from most of the major names should be reliable, though of course, she'll want to put a few hundred rounds through it to be sure before carrying it or putting it in her nightstand.

[Bluestarlizzard]

Well, food for thought.

This 29 year old woman would look at it in disgust and hand it back.

Sorry, but bersa brings on a gun snob moment for me.

Look at the poly subs in more substantual calibers.

[smee78]

If she does not like the Glock then I would have her try the Springfield or the Sig, if the guns are to big grip wise then mabe a single stack is in order. I have no experience with the Bersa but have heard they were ok, nothing special to write home about but not to bad either.

[qwiksdraw]

I had a bersa 380. It was a jam-o-matic.

I had a <<insert brand name here>>. It was a jam-o-matic. You'll find this type of response in any forum.

If you are looking for more information specific to Bersa handguns, you might want to visit http://www.bersachat.com/forums/forum.php

You'll find lots of friendly folk there who will give an honest answer to a sincere question. Oh, they may brag on their guns a little but that's the fun part.

[kahrguy]

They tend to be more reliable than many of the the walther ppk versoins.

[Hawg]

Take HER to the gun shop and let her pick what she wants. The Bersa is an ok gun for the money but I can't see anybody really wanting one for defense.

[B.O.F.H.]

What doesn't she like about the Glock? That will tell us what direction to move in. Numerous reasons to avoid the Bersa for home defense including caliber and da/sa requiring more practice to stay proficient with. If she is up for that challenge, it's a non issue but 380 is an expensive caliber to practice with.

Strictly for home defense, I would take 2 Maverick 88 shotguns for the price of that one Bersa, but to each is their own.

[Deaf Smith]

sarge,

With some good training it will do for your daughter.

Since it is a DA/SA she needs to be trained to decock the gun after firing (or not firing for that matter) so as to make it a reflexive habit.

Also she needs to practice DA/SA transitions. That is from a long DA pull to a short SA pull. And she needs drilling on reloading techniques and malfunction clearance methods.

The Bersa .380 is not a bad piece. Bit weak on power but it is an easy gun to shoot strait and that matters more.

Deaf

[michael t]

I wouldn't get the hi cap 380 . Its near as big as our 9mm pro.

bersachat.com

[PetahW]

.

I'm with Hawg Haggen - I'd no more pick out a gun for a woman, than I'd pick out her makeup, even if she's a seasoned shooter.

I would suggest a gift certificate to an LGS instead, because if she feels good about HER choice, she'll be more likely to shoot it, and shoot it well.

BT, DT - NTS. I USED TO have control issues, too - Until my youngest daughter made me see the light.



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[zincwarrior]

Bersa makes good guns.....

....that said, you really should have your daughter try some different guns before buying her one. I'd suggest some of the single-stack autos like the S&W Shield or Springfield XDS....even the Ruger LC380. Then, let her pick what she wants. After all....if she doesn't like it, she won't carry it.

....and, if she picks a Les Baer Custom.....well, pony up!
__________________

Agreed. Ancient Budha say, to make woman happy, take woman to gunstore and let her pick.