bersa v.s. feg

W

William V

New member
hello everyone!

i saw these three pistols a couple of days ago - bersa thunder 380, feg smc 380 and a feg apk 380. at first, i was considering the american walther ppk but i got a lot of negative feedback about this pistol.

so, my obvious question is, among the three, which do you think is the best? again , your comments will be highly appreciated. good day!
 
For my 2 cents, check out the FEG SMC-380. This is a PPK clone (almost, dimensionaly identical, but the firing pin system has been updated and improved) made in Hungary and is excellent. It is better made than any AMERICAN made ppk and has a very good reputation. Mine has NEVER jammed (probably 5-600 rds), and is very inexpensive while being very well made. The finish is not as nice (mine is a light parkerizing). But I would trust my life to it. I cannot say that about a (again, american made) Walther. The Bersa's are "ok" but I have heard about quite a few problems with breakages. They don't "feel" right to me either. Buy the way, I got my SMC brand new for $150 (on sale).
:D :D
 
I have an FEG SMC-22 that I've shot quite a bit and works well. Its about the size of a PPK. I think it has an alloy frame, which saves some weight. I'm not sure what the difference is between FEGs SMC and the APK lines - it seems like I read that one was a little more nicely made (the SMC?) - or maybe it was the aluminum frame. You might check out the "other guns" section on www.makarov.com for more info.

I also have a couple of FEG PA-63 pistols. These are a little larger (more like a Walther PP - maybe even a tad larger). They usually have a bright aluminum frame and blued slide. Mine work fine. One of mine (a used commercial pistol) has an unusably stiff hammer drop safety, but I just drop the hammer by thumb and don't worry about it. The other one (a surplus pistol) works fine, though the finish isn't as smooth. These sell for around $90 each from places like www.jgsales.com. They use the 9x18 (9mm Makarov) cartridge, which is similar to the .380, but slightly more powerful. Russian ammo is readily available and cheap.

Doug
 
I have the FEG APK-MKII which is, I believe, the predecessor of the SMC-380. Or maybe the same thing with a different badge. Its a nice, reliable, accurate pistol. Feels great, shoots great. You would really like the FEG.

If I had it to do over, I would get the FEG PA-63. It is alloy-framed (as opposed to all-steel) so its lighter. It is 9X18, so it would be slightly more powerful than a .380 It has a two-tone look which I like (gray frame, blued slide).

Best of all, they are available from several sources for under/around $100.

This is surplus, though, not NIB.

And with all that said, I shot a Bersa once and it is also lighter than the all-steel. Have never heard a complaint about the Bersa.

So I think its a no-lose situation.
 
SMC-380

I don't know about the Bersa, but I have one of the FEG SMC-380s.

You can read more about the gun here:

www.makarov.com/others/

I have mine with me every single day. My CCW also allows me to carry a Commander or Colt Govt. 380, but it's the FEG that follows me around. It's reliable and accurate and underpriced.

Regards.
 
FEG pistols usually need a little cleanup, involving removing sharp edges and slicking parts a little, but I prefer them to the Bersa.

FYI, some of the FEG's resemble the Walther PP, but parts are not interchangeable with the Walther.

Jim
 
My experience with an FEG SMC-380 was not good. It's on it's second trip back to the importer under warranty. (First trip was because it didn't feed HPs well. The second trip is for stovepipes.) I've instructed my dealer to sell it when it returns from KBI. Mine was steel framed and rather heavy. I was looking for something to carry, in between my P-32 and my G27. This isn't the right "in between" for me.:(
 
I have a Bersa Thunder 380 I bought it for my wife as her CCW, over 2 years ago and have been very Pleased with it. It has about 1000 mostly reloaded rounds through it with no problems. It is very accurate and has been very reliable. Also handles +P ammo, For the $189.00 NIB that we paid, I don't think we could have gotten a better gun for the money.

The FEG is a very good PPK clone too, But I like the Nickle plated look of the bersa better.

Tony Z
 
thanks for the input everyone.

i think i'm gonna go with the feg. too bad its not available in stainless. the one i saw has a different marking on the slide compared to the one i saw in the magazine. the top line reads ' cal 9mm browning' second line reads ' feg made in hungary'. anyone seen this?
 
the top line reads 'cal 9mm browning' second line reads ' feg made in hungary'. anyone seen this?"

This sounds like an older model, the new model
has

"mod.smc-380
made in hungary.
 
I have a Bersa Series 95 in 32ACP. A fun gun to shoot, accurate and well made. My only gripe is that spare mags are expensive. Bersa's do have good warranty.

As far as FEG I don't own one but they seem to be a pretty good piece. I also like the option 9x18 as well .380.

As far as best buys get a Makarov. Excellent value.. all steel,
accurate and a proven design.

If you really want a 380, check out the CZ83. Great gun, best trigger out of the box... super accurate.;)
 
Bersa

For the record, I have an older Bersa 83 and I'm quite happy with it. for the money it's a nice reliable little handgun. I can't attest to the FEG version, but I did look at one of their 9mm HP clones and was quite impressed with it. So I really don't think you could go wrong with either.
As far as a Makrov, For the money you can't beat em with a stick, They are really great little handguns, If you decide on one of these you got something ;)
 
i saw a magazine photo of the walther ppk/e and the feg apk looks almost the same. i read somewhere that walther commisioned feg to make the ppk/e because it can no longer be made in germany due to higher costs.
 
I've owned all three of the guns you mentioned and would choose
the APK. Unlike the the SMC it has a steel frame and in my opinion
a nicer finish than the Bersa or the SMC. All three of mine were
.380's and they were all 100% reliable though I've known people
who owned the SMC and Bersa to experience infrequent
stoppages. They're all good guns but I'd give the APK the edge
with the Bersa a close second.
 
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