Bersa .380

[couture]

I'm thinking about a Bersa for CC as an inexpensive alternative to the PPK.

Does anyone have any experience with Bersa?

Any other recommendations for anything similar for CC?

[P5Ret]

Another $100 or so and you can step up to a Ruger Max9 with a more capable round and more of them.

Bersas seem to be pretty solid guns, but .380 is pretty much the bare minimum to consider for defense. Plus ammo is a bit more expensive than 9 is.

[Bullwinkle]

If I'm not mistaken, the Bersa .380 only comes with one magazine. Prices vary dramatically from one retailer to another, but add roughly $35 (+ shipping) for each spare you want (https://talondistributing.com/produc...ound-magazine/). Availability is iffy at times.

Accessories (i.e. a holster) might be difficult to find, but they're out there. The Bersa .380 is pretty popular.

As for the pistol itself, it's a very solid, reliable workhorse (from what I hear). Apparently it can be finicky about ammo sometimes, so you're going to have to find what works best with your pistol (which you should anyway). A lot of owners pocket carry the pistol, so you have a lot of carry options.

If you want to get the scoop from people with real experience carrying the Bersa .380 on a daily basis, go to the Bersa forum (https://www.bersaforum.com/). You can even talk to the head of the Bersa Warranty Center in the USA there (user C Royce Hunnicutt). If you really want to know about Bersa firearms, that's the place to be. The members are friendly and will be more than happy to help you out, tell you what kind of holsters they use, the best place to get magazines, etc.

That said, since the majority of the forum members live in free states, they might not know about the Bersa Firestorm .380 in particular... but there are enough of them that do, and the differences between the "real" Bersa and the "FireStorm" Bersa are miniscule.

HTH

[sigstroker]

I had one for a little while. It's bigger and heavier than the PPK. It was easy to shoot though, I liked it. I think it's all steel.

[Flouncer]

Have had one for a few years now and can hit the ring at 15 yrds. FMJ round nose Reloads all shoot and no failures. Ammo is a little more expensive as 9mm is universal and ubiquitous. While it may be down on "power" it will easily shoot entirely through a human chest, haven't tried it yet but that what they tell me. I kept the magazines loaded and now the last round sometimes will not feed fire on occasion. I gather this is do to the mag spring being fatigued. As mentioned, additional mages are not inexpensive, I recall paying about $35 for my second one. See the attached ballistics chart for penetration info. I like the SA/DA operation with exposed but not obtrusive hammer and that is huge if you don't want a DAO like the Ruger. I'll wager the trigger is softer, better than the Ruger but I haven't compared directly yet.

https://rangehot.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/380-ballistic-updated-3.3.16.jpg

I doubt it is discernably bigger or heavier than a "PPK".

Walther sites claims 19 oz empty, my Bersa was 21+ with magazine IIRC. I would absolutely consider the Bersa in leu of the Walther if money is a factor. The Bersa is CA roster legal, the Walther is not.

[redbridge]

I had one way back. Carried it sometimes. Trigger was decent. Never failed to go bang.

[Ora Serrata]

I had one for a couple years. It was a good solid gun. Never had any issues with it and I actually preferred to shoot it than my Walther PPK (which feels heavier than the Bersa and gives me a little slide bite).

I never added the Bersa to my license because I had smaller .380s (LCP and P238). Because I have a real PPK in the collection I decided to sell the Bersa. But if I didn’t have a PPK I would have kept it at least as a range toy.

I haven’t shot a Ruger Max9 yet but now that it’s on the roster I’d seriously look at carrying one of those over the Bersa unless the Bersa is honestly all you can afford.

[mk2dave]

If you are good with the caliber limitations, I find it to be a decent little shooter. It's accurate and reliable. A bit on the bigger side for what it is, but it points and shoots well. The whole piece could use a finishing pass on the mill if it had a higher msrp, but for the price it is totally reasonable. I am a fan of the trigger. I felt one after 2000 rounds; I REALLY like that trigger.

[9Cal_OC]

I’d prefer a P238 over a Bersa. Shoots like an arrow and comes in a small package.

For inexpensive, if you don’t mind striker fired, perhaps a Shield or the Max9.

[Dan_Eastvale]

That Ruger Max9 is a sharp little pistol

https://www.google.com/search?q=max9&rlz=1C1RXQR_enUS1049US1049&oq=&aqs=chrome.1.35i39i362l8.2536j0j15&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:e8576b95,vid:R9Nsg0k8T-I,st:0

Probably a lot easier to source parts over time

[DanGunner]

I have two Bersa Firestorms, one of which is on my CCW. I have owned and shot them for years, gave one to my daughter, and don't hesitate to recommend them to others. Ergonomically perfect--outwardly almost identical to Walther PP (which I have) but operationally a little different. Accurate, reliable and very safe to carry with DA/SA and decocker.

[IVC]

Bersas have a good reputation, I don't think you can go wrong. But the question to consider is the choice of 380 over 9. Not so much because of the stopping power and whatnot, but because of the scarcity and the cost of ammo for practice.

[12pewpew]

I?d prefer a P238 over a Bersa. Shoots like an arrow and comes in a small package.

Came to say this. Not only is the P238 my favorite 380, it's one of my favorite pistols in general to shoot.

[hambam105]

Bersa is on par with Star, Highpoint, and Llama.

Bersa is inferior to Eastern Euro pistols such as Makarov, Zastava, or EAA.

The iconic small semi auto pistols with stellar reputations such as Walther, SIG, and Beretta, start with original designs and use high grade light weight steel.

Buy the best quality you can afford and cross your fingers.

[plumbum]

I really like my Firestorm, points great and perfect size. A person could do far worse for a lot more money. Magazines can be found cheap, ammo is more expensive for range fodder, but it isn?t the type of gun you?d go burn through a case at the range. In the real world there are better options, but for CA it?s a good value and a fun piece to collect.