.380 bersa ?????

[xxsleepyxx]

What's this I hear about 380 nowhere to be found? Really?

[Bug Splat]

What's this I hear about 380 nowhere to be found? Really?

Yup, very hard to find.

I should also add that the Bersa 380 is very different internally than the Walthers. They share a similar look but they are very different internally.

[xxsleepyxx]

Hopefully with Kahr P380 coming it might improve. Doubt it though.

[tonelar]

i've seen .380 on the shelves lately- bought 5 boxes from Sportsman's Warehouse in Rocklin and it was around $14 per box.

a friend has a Bersa and we shot it along side my HK4, the fun factor was right up there with both pistols (of course i prefer mines, it's able to swap to .22LR in a few minutes)

[Old4eyes]

Finding 380 is harder than getting a straight answer out of Obama.

Here's the link to the bersa talk page: http://www.bersatalk.com/forum/

Here's a link for accessories: http://www.condorsflight.com/

It's an economical gun with a few rough edges. The safety/decocker is usually stiff on them, takes a bit of work to smooth it out (basically clean it, lube it and then cycle it a lot manually, some have pulled it out & polished it).

I changed grips (wrap around with finger grips). It helped with the sting of the recoil. I know of two other owners and all us agree that it's not a big recoil, it just has a stinging component to it. I put thin gloves on to shoot it.
It's a blowback design so the barrel is fixed to the frame. It's is surprisingly accurate for the short barrel. I have not shot a Walther PPK but from what I have read, many prefer this pistol to it, better trigger, less chance of slide bite.

Be warned, the recoil spring is NOT symmetrical. The opening of one end is slightly smaller, that's the end that goes towards the breach, larger end to the muzzle. It's easy to check, slide the coil onto the barrel and which ever one feels tighter, that is the end that goes towards the breach.

It's large compared to the real small pocket pistols and it's not a gun that will stand up to 10,000 rounds. But for the price, it is a bargain. There are small 9mm pistols out there that might be better suited as a BUG than a 380, but it is a fun gun to own, and on that basis I would recommend it. It's easy to rack and with a small grip, it might entice those with smaller hands who would shy away from guns. The only down side is that sharp component of the recoil. A cheap set of padded weight lifting gloves from Walmart fixed that. By the way, it's my wife's pistol, she lets me play.

[Jerkdog]

+1

Love mine. Picked up a used one a couple years ago here on CG.

Great little shooter. My wife likes it and she's a small gal (and a lefty), it fits her hand well and the recoil is very manageable.

[MAK422]

I love my Bersa I bought it for the price and fell in love with it. I just bought a Kahr p380 and intended on selling the Bersa but cant let it go. I have shot about 500 rounds through it and not one single problem. It shoots great and you can shoot it all day long. Every gun store I have been to has had nothing but great things to say about it, when I took my CCW class even my instructor commented on it saying its a great gun and that he has one too. I dont think I will ever sell my Bersa she will stay with me forever. I'm not sure if its the fact of the reliability or the fact that it was my first handgun. But she's not going anywhere.

[too old for this]

Worldwide the .380 is a very popular gun because in many countries the public is only allowed to own handguns with a smaller caliber than what the police or military uses. In some cases, 9X19 is okay and in other places only a 9X17 is okay. Of course, Mexico has this type of law it doesn't seem to be effective.

Anyway I own a Bersa 380 which was my carry gun when I lived in a state that was a bit more reasonable on CCWs. However, I did have a problem with the gun. The de-cocker broke and the gun would then shoot only double action. However, Bersa was very quick to fix the gun for free and they say that all repairs are free for life. While the Bersa was in the shop, I acquired a Kahr KPM9 (i.e.. plastic gun with 3 inch barrel) which I hated. It jammed too much even after 500 rounds for break in. Sold Kahr.

My Bersa has never jammed on me and I have 1,000 plus rounds through it. I have compared it side-by-side with the Sig 380 and the Beretta 380. Strong perfer the Bersa to the Sig -- don't like trigger action on Sigs. The single stack Beretta was good, but not enough to justify its higher cost -- although in nickel platted version it is a very handsome gun.

Yes, the Bersa is a quasi copy of the famous german gun, the Walther PPK, which is now made in the US by S&W and has been the subject of recalls.

The Bersa is a great gun for the money. Also you can get 9 round clips which I don't think you can get with other single stack 380 that are on the Cal DOJ list.

[Clinton]

I love my Bersa. It did jamb some when it was new, but somewhere between 150-200 rds, it smoothed right out and hasn't given me any trouble since. Probably fired around 1000 rds now as my daughter loves to shoot it.

[javabum]

Thank you all for your time and information....I only asked because the magazine American rifleman did a side by side of 9 different .380's,and thought
it would fall in with the 9 discussed as having multiple issues.

Now,because of all the input i am thinking of getting one....the only issue keeping me from purchasing it is the lack of ammo supply.

Once again Thanks for your input.
Kevin

[Apocalypsenerd]

Ammo is getting easier now that the Obamaphobia is cooling a bit. Prices seem to be declining slightly as well.

[Shady]

I have 2 bersa thunders
on two tone and one in all black

they are awesome !!!


the only negatives I can come up with
is that it bites a little bit and the formentiond hard safety
my wife loves it too

[xxsleepyxx]

Anyone seen Nickel 380 in stores? That one look the best imo.

[neuron]

i usually pick up a box or two of .380 at one of the gun shows; the .380 ammo is seemingly becoming collectible....

-Brady-

It seems to have gotten better in the past few months. Up here in the SF Bay Area I've been able to get PMC Bronze, Blazer, and Fiocchi (Italian made) for $18-20/box of 50. I save all my brass for reloading.

[C_1]

Good gun for a good price. Too bad the 9mm version is not on the CA safe list. 380 ammo is somewhat expensive..