Bersa/Llama worth anything?

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xeper1

Inactive
As usual, I eternally operate on a very tight budget. I'm looking for a rather affordable yet reliable (if such a combination is possible) .380 for concealed carry. I have seen Bersa Thunder 380 and Llama's 380 series, but know nothing of their performance. Anyone familiar with them or an alternative?

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The first step towards government tyrrany is the disarming of the citizenry.
 
xeper, I have a Bersa 383A, .380 That I purchased used. It was in excellent condition
and the price was right. I use as a carry piece and at the range it has never left me down. The only fault that I can find with it are the grips, They seem a little cheesy to me but the gun overall seems well built. It's SA/DA and has the decocker. I like it.

Happy Shooting :)

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Help Stamp Out Gun Ignorance.
 
I've heard good things about Bersa 380s and horror stories about Llamas. They spit, defecate all over the place and have a real ornery temper. Now think, do you want a pistol namde after a cameloid? ;)

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So many pistols, so little money.

[This message has been edited by Tecolote (edited February 09, 2000).]
 
Do a search for FEG. They make a .380 that several respected members here swear by. Haven't shot one myself but it's an option and they're cheap. Believe it's a well-done PPK clone.
 
I would get a nice east german or russian makarov ( correct my spelling) i own 2 with i paid about 150 each, both back with holsters and mags. For this buy and how good they are. This guns cant be beat. They are a copy of a ppk and function preaty much the same. You should take a look at at.
About your bersa, my friend owns one i have shot it a few times handels well.
House
 
My brother uses a Bersa Thunder .380 as a concealed carry weapon. Out of the box, it was extremely accurate weapon and handled perfectly. We've shot about 1000 rounds thru it at the range and I was always impressed with it, especially in rapid fire. It is fairly small and easlily carried with an iwb holster. I like it so much, I recently purchased my own Bersa, model 86 with two 13 shot (!) clips. It is has a little wider butt because the clip staggers the rounds to fit all 13(wow) in a small handle. (Imagine, 26 rounds in two clips! That would really surprize a BG!!) The grips on the model 86 are rubber and fit my large hand perfectly. For the price, the Bersa provides reliablity & accuracy (all in the black at the back of the S&W range!) When I bought it, I looked at five other .380 weapons including a new PPK. I was very disappointed in the PPK in my hand. It was really too small for my hand and, at twice the price, really didn't do much for me. I also looked at a small Beretta and a couple of Browings. The Bersa won out, easliy. I'd like to hear more from those of you who own Bersa weapons, especially anyone with a model 86 or 85.
Rome
 
Regarding Gwinny's reference to FEG .380, I have owned a FEG APK Mk II for 2 years. It is a well made clone of a PPK. Very reliable. Surprisingly accurate. Easily concealable. And I like the safety/decocker. Don't know that its better than a Bersa, but its a good gun.
 
Tight budget. Search for a used Kahr E9. Bought mine new 10 months ago in Seattle for $312. You should be able to buy one used for $260. 9mm, single stack, thin, designed for CC and reliable. Best option.

Bersa - no longer importing to US, parts hard to find, cheesy chessy plastic grips, frame made out of a very soft alloy like potmetal, accuracy questionable. I had a bersa Thudner 22 and it was very inaccurate and ammo sensitive. My range had a Bersa Thunder .380 for rent for a month until its safety literally broke in half - cheap metal!

If your budget is tight. . .exercise PATIENCE and wait another month or two to buy the right gun not just the Bersa paperweight you're talking about.

The Llama Minimax 45 got decent reviews from the gun rags but again many a gunsmith have warned me about the potmetal and parts shortage issues. They can't fix it without parts.

For another $75 or $100, consider buying the Kahr E9 for $260ish or even a used Glock 26/27 for $360ish.

Buying a cheap gun only results in you losing more money because you certainly will end up trading it in on the gun you should have saved for the first time.

I thought the same way you did a year ago and wasted my money on a Sigma SW 40 value series. It misfed and jammed every 5 rounds. After a month of testing different ammo, I asked for my money back from the dealer and about a Glock 26 new.

Save your money.

Buy the gun you know you'll keep. Anything else will just be traded off for a loss on your end!

Ask around everywhere for a good quality used CCW gun and you'll find one.

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The Seattle SharpShooter
 
I can't speak for the Llama (although I've heard bad things about it) but the Bersa was the worst gun that I have ever owned -- I would get at least one jam with every other magazine (sometimes even more). Maybe I just got a bad gun but I would never buy another one.

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Share what you know, learn what you don't -- FUD.

[This message has been edited by FUD (edited February 10, 2000).]
 
Gwinny's suggestion is a good one. All Hungarian weapons I have seen have been very well made. If you want to carry her thought a little further, FEG makes a Walther PP clone chambered for 9mm Makarov which is more effective than the .380ACO. I believe the model designation is FEG 63A. JG Sales was pffering them for $100. They have spare magazines available.
 
I like the Llama guns. I have a Minimax and it works just fine. It may not be pretty or have a big "prestige" factor in ownership but for the price it is dependable, accurate and fun to shoot.

Chris Canis
 
I've owned and used a FEG PP clone chambered for .380 for several years now. I really like it. Four inch barrel is accurate and overall size makes it easily concealable. Accessories and holsters easy to find. Has very good feel.

Having said that, realize that it is not as well made as a Walther by any stretch of the imagination. Close inspection reveals cruder machining and several hundred rounds will result in obvious uneven wear.

Very functional and reliable for the money though. I won't trade. If I had it to do all over again, I would look at the model chambered for the Makorov 9x18, and I've heard of models chambered for 9x19. Same capacity with more knockdown power.

Expect to pay $219.00 spanking new, slightly under $200.00 if you hunt or haggle.

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"Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death" - Patrick Henry
 
jtduncan said he wasted money on a S&W Sigma probably 40V or something? I had a S&W Sigma 9V that never let me down. I traded it when I purchased a Ruger P90 that I really love.

As far as the .380 thing goes, I stopped by the gunshop that prompted this inquiry (they advertised a NIB Bersa Thunder 380 for 189.99...) but they were sold out and expected more soon. Still haven't seen one. I am considering a Makarov, because I hear so many fans praising it. The only complaint I've ever heard on it is that the safety can be a little stiff. I'll wait and see I guess.

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The first step towards government tyrrany is the disarming of the citizenry.

"I like a man who grins when he fights." - Winston Churchill
 
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