“Temporary” Carry Handgun

frjeff · April 19, 2025, 07:04 PM

Feel like an idiot for leaving my Bersa Thunder .380 in our RV when we left FL. It is now locked in my neighbor’s safe. It will be there when we return in the Fall.

Feel naked not having a carry piece for the next six months until we return.

I really do love the Thunder and could readily buy a second one. But there are now higher capacity Bersa’s and new brands and models to consider.

Do not want a lighter pocket gun. I am 80+ and tend to notice recoil of the lighter guns.

Suggestions please. Will try to find a used model if you suggest a super costly brand/model.

Jim Watson · April 19, 2025, 08:22 PM

Beretta has a new edition .380 and one of the Turks has a copy.

Nick_C_S · April 19, 2025, 10:00 PM

Your neighbor could send you your Bersa via FFL.

Shoots Left · April 19, 2025, 11:38 PM

I think that for the money it would be hard to beat another Bersa if you’re looking for something new.

Close to that price range is the Ruger Security 380.

I’ve not personally shot one but I have a friend that owns one and I haven’t heard any complaints about it from him. Also the Ruger reviews favorably…if the articles I’ve read and the videos I’ve watched are to be believed.

unixfool · April 29, 2025, 02:08 PM

Bersa Thunder Plus would work well for you.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

paknheat · April 29, 2025, 10:33 PM

S&W EZ in .380 may be worth a look for you.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

CajunBass · April 30, 2025, 05:16 AM

Another nod for the S&W EZ 380. I've use one as my EDC now. I've got other options but I keep coming back to that one. Reasonable capacity, good trigger, decent sights (the PC version has better sights, and in theory a better trigger). If mine has ever malfunctioned, I don't remember it. It just chugs along doing it's job.

jmr40 · April 30, 2025, 07:53 AM

Having an identical backup gun has advantages. You only have to learn one gun and magazines interchange.

**Aguila Blanca** · April 30, 2025, 02:02 PM

How are you going to buy another handgun if you are traveling outside of your home state? Do you own a vacation home in another state, where you are currently living?

**Mike Irwin** · May 3, 2025, 07:46 AM

I'm quite fond of my Walther CCP in 9mm.

Yeah, I had a nasty failure within the first couple of magazines that required it going back to the company, but it MAY have been caused by sketchy quality ammo.

I've not completely finished putting it through its reliability paces since the incident (life intrudes) but I now have a lot more time and I'm going to be getting to the range a lot more often.

I love how the CCP fits my hand... like it was made specifically for me.

Red Devil · May 9, 2025, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frjeff

Feel like an idiot for leaving my Bersa Thunder .380 in our RV when we left FL. It is now locked in my neighbor’s safe. It will be there when we return in the Fall.

Feel naked not having a carry piece for the next six months until we return.

I really do love the Thunder and could readily buy a second one. But there are now higher capacity Bersa’s and new brands and models to consider.

Do not want a lighter pocket gun. I am 80+ and tend to notice recoil of the lighter guns.

Suggestions please. Will try to find a used model if you suggest a super costly brand/model.

Have your neighbor field-strip and mail it to a post office ahead of your travel, care of you.

Red.

**JohnKSa** · May 10, 2025, 01:25 AM

That would be a federal felony. The receiver of a handgun is still a handgun per federal law, even when the gun is disassembled. Only FFLs can use the post office to mail handguns.

nuchie11 · May 10, 2025, 06:36 AM

I’d recommend checking out the Bersa Thunder 9mm or a Sig P239. Both have more capacity and manageable recoil. A used one could save you some cash.

Pumpkin · May 11, 2025, 07:33 PM

Unless you are a collector I would think a very similar model would be a wise
choice because of familiar controls, same type of ammo, same holsters/carry bag.
If you want something different then you have a vast array of options available.

April 19, 2025, 07:04 PM	#1
frjeff Member Join Date: April 19, 2009 Location: Northern MI, USA Posts: 67	“Temporary” Carry Handgun Feel like an idiot for leaving my Bersa Thunder .380 in our RV when we left FL. It is now locked in my neighbor’s safe. It will be there when we return in the Fall. Feel naked not having a carry piece for the next six months until we return. I really do love the Thunder and could readily buy a second one. But there are now higher capacity Bersa’s and new brands and models to consider. Do not want a lighter pocket gun. I am 80+ and tend to notice recoil of the lighter guns. Suggestions please. Will try to find a used model if you suggest a super costly brand/model. __________________ Fr. Jeff+

April 19, 2025, 10:00 PM	#3
Nick_C_S Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2013 Location: Idaho Posts: 5,614	Your neighbor could send you your Bersa via FFL. __________________ Gun control laws benefit only criminals and politicians - but then, I repeat myself. Life Member, National Rifle Association

April 30, 2025, 05:16 AM	#7
CajunBass Senior Member Join Date: May 6, 2005 Location: North Chesterfield, Virginia Posts: 4,789	Another nod for the S&W EZ 380. I've use one as my EDC now. I've got other options but I keep coming back to that one. Reasonable capacity, good trigger, decent sights (the PC version has better sights, and in theory a better trigger). If mine has ever malfunctioned, I don't remember it. It just chugs along doing it's job. __________________ For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (NKJV)

April 30, 2025, 07:53 AM	#8
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,966	Having an identical backup gun has advantages. You only have to learn one gun and magazines interchange. __________________ "If you're still doing things the same way you were doing them 10 years ago, you're doing it wrong" Winston Churchill

April 30, 2025, 02:02 PM	#9
Aguila Blanca Staff Join Date: September 25, 2008 Location: CONUS Posts: 18,992	How are you going to buy another handgun if you are traveling outside of your home state? Do you own a vacation home in another state, where you are currently living? __________________ NRA Life Member / Certified Instructor NRA Chief RSO / CMP RSO 1911 Certified Armorer Jeepaholic

April 19, 2025, 08:22 PM	#2
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 19,133	Beretta has a new edition .380 and one of the Turks has a copy.

April 19, 2025, 11:38 PM	#4
Shoots Left Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 2024 Location: Southeast Texas Posts: 100	I think that for the money it would be hard to beat another Bersa if you’re looking for something new. Close to that price range is the Ruger Security 380. I’ve not personally shot one but I have a friend that owns one and I haven’t heard any complaints about it from him. Also the Ruger reviews favorably…if the articles I’ve read and the videos I’ve watched are to be believed.

April 29, 2025, 02:08 PM	#5
unixfool Member Join Date: December 4, 2014 Location: VA Posts: 44	Bersa Thunder Plus would work well for you. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

April 29, 2025, 10:33 PM	#6
paknheat Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2006 Location: East Texas Posts: 383	S&W EZ in .380 may be worth a look for you. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

May 3, 2025, 07:46 AM	#10
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 14, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,637	I'm quite fond of my Walther CCP in 9mm. Yeah, I had a nasty failure within the first couple of magazines that required it going back to the company, but it MAY have been caused by sketchy quality ammo. I've not completely finished putting it through its reliability paces since the incident (life intrudes) but I now have a lot more time and I'm going to be getting to the range a lot more often. I love how the CCP fits my hand... like it was made specifically for me. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

May 10, 2025, 01:25 AM	#12
JohnKSa Staff Join Date: February 12, 2001 Location: DFW Area Posts: 25,525	That would be a federal felony. The receiver of a handgun is still a handgun per federal law, even when the gun is disassembled. Only FFLs can use the post office to mail handguns. __________________ Do you know about the TEXAS State Rifle Association?

May 10, 2025, 06:36 AM	#13
nuchie11 Junior Member Join Date: July 18, 2019 Posts: 9	I’d recommend checking out the Bersa Thunder 9mm or a Sig P239. Both have more capacity and manageable recoil. A used one could save you some cash.

May 11, 2025, 07:33 PM	#14
Pumpkin Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2020 Location: Seguin Texas Posts: 937	Unless you are a collector I would think a very similar model would be a wise choice because of familiar controls, same type of ammo, same holsters/carry bag. If you want something different then you have a vast array of options available.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search