.357, .38 or .380?

L

LightHouse Lady

New member
You have been so generous and kind with helping me figure out which gun I should get.

Some history: My S&W .38 special (airweight) will not work for me. Too much recoil and the trigger is hard.

I tried a Glock 9mm but cannot work the slide part... rack?

I tried a .357 with 38 ammo in it and it was fine. But a friend just brought over a Bersa Thunder .380 for me to see. I could use the slide easily and it fit nicely. I did not get to shoot it but since it is smaller, it could only be easier, right?

My question is: is it big enough to do what I need to do. This is for self defense. I don't know enough about the calibers. If I need to use the .38 to "do the job" rather than a .380 then, I could do it, but the .380 seems easier to use.

Thanks,

LL
 
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Yes, the .380 is enough to do the job. Many consider the .380 the minimum caliber for serious self-defense purposes, though any gun is better than no gun. The Bersa is a solid, reasonably priced pistol. I have a lot of choices in what I carry and I often carry a Bersa .380 in the summer. The main point, though, is that it works for you.
 
I owned a Bersa 380 and sold it - foolish. It was spot-on. I thought I needed something smaller to CC but should have kept this gun. It is a little snappy to shoot but much easier to control than a 38 snubby. Also the trigger is a lot easier to pull - at least after the first shot unless you thumb cock the first one or leave it cocked.

I think you'll be happy with the Bersa.
 
I too have a Bersa 380 and agree with KyJim's assessment.

I'm surprised that you have an easier time with the Bersa's slide than the Glock's. I find the Glock is easier to rack due to the better gripping area.

The 380's penetration is borderline with hollow point bullets through heavy clothing. I'd suggest just sticking with FMJ ammo if you go that route.

Another good route would be a bigger 38 or 357 revolver. Sell the Airweight and get a S&W Model 10, or Ruger SP101. Although they are bigger and heavier than the Airweight, they will have less preceived recoil because the weight of the gun helps deaden it.

My choice is a Ruger SP101, 357 Magnum, with 3" barrel. I keep it loaded with 130 gr. 38 +P hollow points. Small enough to be handy, heavy enough to absorb some recoil, and with powerful enough ammo that I don't have to wonder if it will work should it ever come to that. I don't know the weight specs off the top of my head.

Even though I like the SP101 better, I have to admit that I shoot the Bersa twice as accurately at twice the speed. It also can carry three more rounds than the SP101.

Here's my Bersa, picked it up used from a buddy for $150:
IMGP3065s.jpg


Here's my SP101. Note the steel frame, and full underlug:
IMGP3149s.jpg
 
Shoot the Bersa before you make a decision. After that, get whichever one you shoot more accurately, can use most easily, and are the most comfortable with. As far as caliber goes, the .38 is typically viewed as "better" than the .380 and the .357 Magnum is typically viewed as "better still" but shot placement trumps caliber every time.

I did not get to shoot it but since it is smaller, it could only be easier, right?
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Not necessarily no. The Bersa only weighs 23oz. Generally speaking, the heavier the gun for a given caliber the less recoil it will have. I don't know what kind of .357 you shot, but it was probably an all steel model and thusly a bit heavier. I'm not saying that you won't necessarily be able to handle the Bersa, but that you should definately shoot it before you make a decision.
 
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My Bersa Thunder .380 is a joy to shoot, even one-handed. The recoil is less than any .38 spcl. snubbie. It's accurate and reliable. As you've found out, the slide is easy to rack.

.380 ACP is plenty of caliber for self defense. Use a good hollow point like Fiocchi or Corbon.

It's also flat and easy to conceal.

Go for it.
 
Thanks, I will try to get out and shoot the .380 this weekend. As I said in the other thread, you "gun folks" are fun! And generous with information. I have learned so much in a short time.

The .357 was a Ruger 101 I think and it was nice feeling.

Now it is time to practice, practice practice!

LL
 
.380 ACP loaded with name brand Jacketed Hollow Points (JHP) will do just fine. I bought a Bersa Thunder about a year ago and my wife has been carrying it in her purse ever since. The .380 is at the bottom of my list of "man stoppers" but it is on there. My Bersa Thunder is also the most accurate of all my pistols for close range. I've never had a problem at all with it. If you have the money I would suggest to take a little step up in quality and reliability and get a Sig Sauer P232. Either one will work just fine. Just make sure to get some time on the range to get comfortable with the weapon. The recoil on the Bersa is really light, but I'm used to shooting .45 and .40 in some lightweight weapons, so it might be a little different for you.
 
If I need to use the .38 to "do the job" rather than a .380 then, I could do it, but the .380 seems easier to use.
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Anything can be a "stopper". Shot placement is EVERYTHING. A couple of .380's to the chest or face are better than one .45 to the arm. Practice to be accurate and fast and you'll do ok with it.

The Bersa will probably be easier for you to bring back on target for possible follow-up shots. The .38 spcl. snubbie will kick more and might be harder to keep on target and/or re-aim. It will also be heavier, negating the size advantage. I have bronchitis and I'm on good drugs, so I'm rambling a little. :eek:

What I'm trying to say is the .38 spcl. will kick more and be heavier than the .380 ACP in the same size package, so it loses some of the caliber advantage.

I sometimes carry a Bersa Thunder instead of my Steyr if size or weight is a problem.
I could do it, but the .380 seems easier to use.
Click to expand...

That's the kicker. If you have a gun you don't like to shoot, you won't be as likely to carry it.
 
Another thing for you to consider, maintenance. The Bersa will require a bit more maintenance such as occaisional lubrication and possibly changing springs while the revolver will need very little maintenance beyond cleaning after a range session. Also, the Bersa will require a bit more dilligent training with regards to chambering a round, manipulation of the safety, and transitioning from a Double Action to Single Action trigger (the Bersa is DA for the first shot and SA after that while the revolver is always DA unless you manually cock the hammer). Once again, I'm not saying that you can't master the Bersa, I'm just pointing out some other factors that should be considered before you make your decision.
 
LH Lady
Please make sure to read Kathy's essay on "Racking the Slide".

http://www.corneredcat.com/RunGun/rack.aspx

Bersa... fine little gun. Note that most .380s are "blowback" operated as opposed to the larger semiautos which operate a tad differently. As such, recoil will be kinda snappy and racking the slide... still gotta go thru that chore (hence the linked read from Cornered Cat)
 
Lighthouse,

While I'm not a big fan of the .380, the Bersa is very reliable and easy to shoot strait. It isn't a very small gun (to it's credit) and it will work well.

Now as for ammo for that .380. Since you have a fairly long barrel on the .380, you can get some speed from a few good rounds made.

DPX, made by Cor-bon, is pretty good.

If you want more velocity, I'd go to the Buffalo Bore brand .380s.

http://www.buffalobore.com/ammunition/default.htm#380

90gr bullet at 1200 fps from a PPK! Not a 9x19, but not bad at all.
It uses a Speer Gold Dot 90 gr JHP and that's to it's credit.

Anyway, since you can work the slide of the Bursa, and it fits your hand, use it! Shoot it alot.

Oh, Bersa also makes a .22 pistol that looks just like yours. GET IT! Use it to practice with alot. Build your skills with it. The cost of .22 ammo will pay for the gun in short order. Plus the .22 will serve as a backup incase your Bersa .380 breaks, is stolden, or taken as evidence if you have to defend yourself with it.

Hope that helps.
 
Before you buy a Bersa Thunder, be sure that you can field strip and reassemble it for cleaning. I am an old man, and found it very difficult to get the slide back on, which is why I traded it in -- for a .38sp S&W Airweight. Not much help there was I?

Your cheapest solution is to keep your snubby and solve your difficulties with it in three ways:

1. Trigger pull -- practice practice practice. Dry fire is very useful, and for an Airweight that isn't old you can do it on empty chambers -- though snapcaps are not that expensive. You will be surprised how much easier it will get, both because your muscles will adapt and because the Airweight will also.

2. Accuracy -- get Crimson Trace laser grips. I recommend the 405 set for Airweights. Then dry fire practice practice practice. Do not get discouraged at how much that red dot dances around on the wall; you will get good enough. Also, the Crimson Trace 405 has a shock absorber up at the top of the back strap, right where I usually develop a blister on the web of my hand, and pop it in twenty rounds. I have the Crimson Trace 305 grips, without that shock absorber; that's all they had when I bought the weapon six years ago. I tried shooting gloves and just hated them. I solve my blister problem with a Johnson & Johnson knuckle bandage -- the one with the extensions at each corner, placed over the web. This works for fifty rounds of standard pressure 148gr DEWC, which I find to be quite enough thank you. The cheapest set of Crimson Trace laser grips, the 105s, are made of hard plastic and do not cover the revolver's back strap at all. Avoid them.

3. Range practice -- check www.mastercast.net's 100gr wadcutters. I've fired off 500 of them and found them to be comparable to .22 in kick and bark. Almost embarrassing to shoot, but quite accurate at 5-10 yards. Because they are just loping along through the air, they tend to tear strips in some targets rather than cut clean holes, a small price to pay for no pain. For SD/HD my Airweight is loaded with Remington +p SWCHP, the FBI load most likely to expand from a snubby because it is dead soft lead. I fire off a load now and then to refresh my memory of how stout they are, but I also do not expect to notice ANYTHING but what I must do if I fire this round for real -- until it is over and I am calling the cops.

Cordially, Jack
 
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If racking the slide is an issue, why hasn't anyone mentioned the Beretta Cheetah 86 (.380) with a tip up barrel. Eliminates the need for racking the slide.

I'm a revolver fan myself, but the Beretta seems like it would be a good alternative.


ber_cheetah_380_tip.jpg
 
You don't say if this will be for self defense in the home only, or for carry, too. If it's not for carry then weight won't be as much of an issue. In that case a steel revolver will be much easier to shoot .38 from, because the weight of the gun absorbs more recoil than an alloy Airweight.

Operating a revolver is a lot easier than a semi-auto if you are not an experienced gun person. Pull the trigger and it goes bang. If it doesn't (rare), just pull the trigger again. Nothing wrong with semi-autos, but if they misfire or jam it can be a lot more complicated to get it running again. Also, depending on make/model, there may be external controls/safeties that you have to remember how to operate correctly when something goes bump in the night.

There are many factors that should be considered that aren't disclosed in the OP. Whatever you get, make sure you practice with it and get familiar with it. Good Luck.
 
For Reference -

My SP101, loaded with 38 Specials, has about twice the recoil as my Bersa 83, but is not twice as powerful.

I hadn't thought of the Cheetah. The tip-up barrel is a good idea if she cannot rack the slide, but she said she could rack the slide!

One of the advantages of a 380 is that they usually have a fixed barrel. Going to a tip-up barrel loses that accuracy advantage that we had gained by having the fixed barrel.

The Beretta 84 or 85 would be a better bet:

84_Cheetah_L.jpg


But then again, they cost twice as much as a Bersa.
 
might look at a walther ppk. although pricey, is a really neat carry piece that i personally use loaded with hollow points. have no reservations that the little rascal can get the job done if needed.
 
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