Bersa .380 combat or other .380?
- Thread starter MMitch
- Start date
I have an old commercial Makarov that I bought brand-new when I was a young man. It is in 380acp caliber and has adjustable sights. The sights might be fragile for CC, but for HD or the shooting range they are fine. It is steel and thus the recoil isn't bad due to the weight. It is sungle stack and I don't remember how many rounds, maybe eight or so. It has been an excellent pistol. The trigger is good but not great. It is accurate and has never malfunctioned. They have a good reputation for reliability.
brian33x51
New member
Stick with 380. Currently 9mm ammo can be found for under 14 cents a round, 380 just over 17 cents a round, 9mm mak over 22 cents a round for brass, 19.5 cents a round steel (ammoseek numbers, here used only for relative comparison).
The bersa is a nice pistol, although not quite as flat as a S&W shield. My wife likes hers well enough.
The bersa is a nice pistol, although not quite as flat as a S&W shield. My wife likes hers well enough.
I have had both a Bersa (CC version) and a Glock 42. I. Found the Glock much easier to shoot and mine was totally reliable, something you have to be aware of in choosing a .380.
The reason I said I have had both is because I sold my Bersa to my son and traded the Glock for a Kimber Micro 9. A very fine pistol in 9 mm.
If you are set on a .380 ACP, I would highly recommend the Glock 42. One thing to consider when buying a weapon is parts availability and no one has more after market parts than a Glock. In addition, they are light, simple, reliable and durable.
But, bottom line, let her handle and shoot as many as possible, she may favor something else and above all, don't let the cheap price of the Esstern Block pistols sway you. Parts are getting hard to find, mags are hard to find and ammo is getting very hard to find. Stick with a Glock, Ruger, , Bersa or other current production models, you and her both will be happier.
Now, these pistols all have a manual of arms that she will need to be trained with, I know you consider your .38 to be less than adequate, but in an emergency, they are much faster for a non trained person to use. No safeties to remember, no mag issues and most important, she won't have to worry about jams from limb wristing or dirt or a faulty round.
Pull and shoot and that is what you want for her. 5 shots from a .38 is better than trying to remember how to work the safety or rack the slide. I faced the same decision with my wife and we BOTH settled on a S&W Airweight with the concealed hammer.
The reason I said I have had both is because I sold my Bersa to my son and traded the Glock for a Kimber Micro 9. A very fine pistol in 9 mm.
If you are set on a .380 ACP, I would highly recommend the Glock 42. One thing to consider when buying a weapon is parts availability and no one has more after market parts than a Glock. In addition, they are light, simple, reliable and durable.
But, bottom line, let her handle and shoot as many as possible, she may favor something else and above all, don't let the cheap price of the Esstern Block pistols sway you. Parts are getting hard to find, mags are hard to find and ammo is getting very hard to find. Stick with a Glock, Ruger, , Bersa or other current production models, you and her both will be happier.
Now, these pistols all have a manual of arms that she will need to be trained with, I know you consider your .38 to be less than adequate, but in an emergency, they are much faster for a non trained person to use. No safeties to remember, no mag issues and most important, she won't have to worry about jams from limb wristing or dirt or a faulty round.
Pull and shoot and that is what you want for her. 5 shots from a .38 is better than trying to remember how to work the safety or rack the slide. I faced the same decision with my wife and we BOTH settled on a S&W Airweight with the concealed hammer.
Not fond of guns!
So how often will your girl friend practice her handgun skills with "your" gun?
My advise is,
If you want to give a non-shooter the best chance of becoming a good shooter, start with a .22.
If you want a recoil sensitive shooter to become a good shooter, you start with a .22.
So how often will your girl friend practice her handgun skills with "your" gun?
My advise is,
If you want to give a non-shooter the best chance of becoming a good shooter, start with a .22.
If you want a recoil sensitive shooter to become a good shooter, you start with a .22.
Andy Blozinski
New member
Check out the MC-14. It's a modified copy of the Beretta 84. Gets great reviews. Double stack .380. It comes with 3 magazines and costs $375-$425, depending on if you get nickel or not.
Marketed by both Bersa and Zenith.
Marketed by both Bersa and Zenith.
Will add EAA Witness Pavona 380. 3.6"barrel, 12 round mag.
Recoil is very comparative to our Springfield XD Mod2 4.0 9mm. These 2 guns are basically the same dimension and weight so what is the advantage of 380acp as a defense weapon? Have not fired any pocket pistols so I cannot comment on that aspect.
Recoil is very comparative to our Springfield XD Mod2 4.0 9mm. These 2 guns are basically the same dimension and weight so what is the advantage of 380acp as a defense weapon? Have not fired any pocket pistols so I cannot comment on that aspect.
Handgunner00
New member
CZ 83 - a .380 Alternative
Mitch: If you are still assessing options for a .380, I recommend you take a good look at the CZ 83. It's an all steel semi-auto with a 12 round mag and enough weight to absorb a significant percentage of recoil, I believe, without putting undue wear on your lady's firing arm. See attached photo - looks akin to a Walther PP. This is a very accurate pistol that is easily field stripped for cleaning, and CZ-USA still sells mags. grips, and other parts (some on backorder) although production of new models ceased years ago.
Peter
Mitch: If you are still assessing options for a .380, I recommend you take a good look at the CZ 83. It's an all steel semi-auto with a 12 round mag and enough weight to absorb a significant percentage of recoil, I believe, without putting undue wear on your lady's firing arm. See attached photo - looks akin to a Walther PP. This is a very accurate pistol that is easily field stripped for cleaning, and CZ-USA still sells mags. grips, and other parts (some on backorder) although production of new models ceased years ago.
Peter
Attachments
My experience with Berta is not favorable, the P 64 is a well made, small, relatively heavy pistol that will cause you to search for a new girlfriend with the first shot. They are "a bit more snappy" is the understatement of the year, I have two and they are the least fired pistols in the safes. Makarov was mentioned as well as CZ 82/83 which are somewhat inexpensive but good shooters, the P 238 is controllable but for a girl's first pistol perhaps a .32 Keltec would get her shooting without the pain.
My wife who now at almost 50rs. old has just started shooting. Never did like guns. She now owns her own 9mm XD Mod2 4" and enjoys shooting it. We also just purchased an EAA Witness Pavona 380 which when side by side with the XD they are practically the same size. The perceived recoil between the 2 guns is practically nill and the 9mm ammo is much cheaper to purchase.
Just an observation.
Just an observation.
