Small semi-auto .380/9mm $400 or less

D

dakota.potts

New member
Looking for something for my girlfriend this Christmas. She keeps talking about taking our CWP class together so now that I know she's interested in it for her own reasons I want to get her a handgun that she can carry. When I worked at Academy, she had come in to fondle a couple of the guns we had. Out of what we had available, she liked the feel on the Beretta Nano, Shield, and Bersa Thunder.

The only handgun she's spent any real time with is my CZ 75 BD. I know I'm spoiled with that gun's ease of use as the recoil is low, the slide is easy (now that it's worn in), and the trigger's pretty nice for a DA/SA. But that doesn't really tell us anything about pocket pistols. She showed interest in a TCP or LCP , but based on past recoil shyness I really don't think that's going to be the way to go. I don't think long double action triggers every shot are going to be a good thing in this case either, based on experience with the double action on my CZ. DA/SA may work though.

I understand that I won't really know what to expect until we've fired a few guns but we don't have any rental ranges within a feasible distance of us. My plan is to go with my best choice as a gift and if it ends up not working out for some reason, we can always trade it and try something new.

Right now I'm looking heavily at the Shield, Bersa Thunder, and Glock 42. The Bersa Thunder is well within my price range, we both liked the grip, it's nicely made, and the longer barrel makes me feel better about the penetration and velocity of the .380 round. I'm also looking at the Nano (I've heard bad things about the trigger) and the Glock 43, which is a little out of my top price range but may be an option as I see my finances closer to the end of the month. Also open to other suggestions.
 
The Shield and the Glock 42 sound like your best options given your constraints.

The Bersa is excellent, but it's a DA/SA. The criticisms of the Nano's trigger are way overblown, but recoil might be a problem, and the Pico is DAO. The Sig 238 might work, but is way too expensive unless you can find a deal on a used model, and the 290 is DAO. I am very happy with my Kahr, and the 'C' line is very affordable, but all possess their signature long DA striker trigger.

The Walther CCP might qualify, but many have reported problems with reliability and the needlessly complicated takedown. I won't judge until I've seen it for myself.
 
The Shield would be my choice. Small grip would tend to fit female hands better, good stock trigger, very tame recoil for a small gun, great size for ccw, very good reliability ratings, choice of safety or non-safety versions (I recommend the safety version for females that carry in a purse rather than a holster). PSA had them on sale for $329 recently. The Glock 43 might be a second choice, but why pay over $100 more for less or equal gun with less capacity.??? Never shot a Bersa, but I like 9 mm better than 380 for ccw.
 
Last edited:
I like the Bersas. They make a striker system pistol, the BP9cc, if you prefer an action other than DA/SA. It usually retails at $400 or just under.
 
Personally I don't care for striker fired guns but I dry fired a Shield at a shop a couple times the other day and it was nice and crisp... not spongey and stapler-feeling like the Kahr that was sitting next to it. They don't make many hammer fired CC pistols, and the 238 while awesome is out of my price range. DA/SA might work, but DAO wouldn't.
 
i have shot the shield quite a bit and loved it, i will be geting one down the road. It is a great package for the price. the glock 42 and 43 are also good shooters. not any better than the shield though, in my opinion (I've shot all 3 enough to be confident in my choice of the shield).

Also my dad has a bersa that is a great gun. If my wife likes shooting it I will be getting one for her(if not she will be getting an LCR).

Any of your choices are great, but i would be between the bersa and the shield!
 
Like every other "What should I get for my XYZ?" The most important thi g is what she likes, feels comfortable with, and wants. You have mentioned looking at several guns. I am assuming at a LGS. Let her choose, and if it isintended to be a surprise, give her a gift certificate from the LGS you have been looking at.
They don't make many hammer fired CC pistols,
Click to expand...
BTW, on this point, the Kel-Tec P3AT, Ruger LCP, and all the other copies are hammer fired
In 9MM the Kel-Tec PF9, and Ruger LC9 (NOT LC9s) are hammer fired
If the reportedly, by some, snappy recoil of the tiny 380 mouse guns is bothersome to her, Ruger also makes the LC380. A LC9 sized gun in 380acp chambering.
All are however DAO, so if S/A firing is one aspect of a hammer fired gun you want, they don't fit what you are looking for.
 
If recoil shyness is a major issue any pocket-sized .380 or subcompact 9 will likely be unsuitable, unless she hangs in there and practices until she overcomes that sensitivity.

Consider dropping down to a .32 Auto or considering a .38 Spl revolver. The compact, steel-framed CZ 83 chambered in .32 carries 15+1 rounds and has a free recoil energy of only 0.85 ft·lb compared to 6.95 ft·lb for the Shield. You get adequate penetration with FMJs, and despite slinging much smaller bullets, you get 16 shots instead of 8. The CZ is bigger and heavier, but that's the price you pay for taming recoil. The 83 is only available on the used market, but all parts are still carried by CZ-USA.

If she really wants a pocket-sized pistol, Bill of the Shiv will vouch for the Kel-Tec P-32, which has a free recoil of 3.54 ft·lb, half that of the Shield.

Good shopping.
 
Cheapshooter said:
Like every other "What should I get for my XYZ?" The most important thi g is what she likes, feels comfortable with, and wants. You have mentioned looking at several guns. I am assuming at a LGS. Let her choose, and if it isintended to be a surprise, give her a gift certificate from the LGS you have been looking at.
Click to expand...

I hate being like this, but listen to the wisdom of the Cheapshooter...

In the end, she will be much happier with a handgun she picks out.

I will also say this: often times, when we are trying to "shop" for our significant other, we work under the assumption that we only get one chance to get it right. We do not, however, have the same expectations for ourselves. We will buy a gun, and if we don't like it, we plan to trade it or sell it to get what we want. It happens, and will continue to happen, and it will probably happen with your girlfriend.
 
The Ruger SR9c is worth considering. It meets the price. Recoil is very manageable, and its a 9mm, so ammo is very cheap. Nothing sucks worse than paying $20 a box for 50 rounds of .32acp, or .380, when you can get 9mm for $10. The SR9c is a great pistol, and is small enough. Ruger customer service is excellent should you have an issue. Its also a very popular pistol, and you wouldn't have any problem selling it if she decides its not what she wants.
 
My wife carries a Shield 9 off duty. It's an excellent firearm, IMHO, all the way around. My favorite sub compact semi.

I just recently traded for a TCP for pocket duty. Have only dry fired it thus far, and compared to the P3AT I owned previously, it's head and shoulders better in how the trigger feels. I don't consider it true DAO as the slide partially cocks the firearm upon cycling, and the trigger just finishes the job. Because of this, it isn't the long, heavy pull normally associated with these pocket hammers. It's actually a fairly nice, smooth trigger pull. Can't report on recoil yet, hopefully it's not as snappy, or as unreliable, as the Kel Tec was.
 
Take a look at the Bersa BP9cc. Same class size wise as the Shield, and a really nice trigger. Some say the trigger is too light, but I personally don't see that as a problem, as long as proper carry procedures are followed. I have fired my buddy's BP9, and I found the recoil to be quite manageable. Bud's has them ranging from the low to mid $300 range, depending on which finish you like. They also have the BP380. Same thing, just .380 instead of 9mm.
 
To me the Shield is the best of the current small nines. Recoil isn't bad at all, it's very accurate and has been 100 percent reliable.

The Bersa Thunder 380 is also a good choice, I would go with the regular one rather than the CC model with its tiny sights and greater recoil due to cut-down grip tang.

My Glock 42 had the lockback problems that have plagued this model, I dumped mine on a buddy who is a Glock armorer and he apparently was able to get it fixed. Hopefully Glock has finally gotten this right, but make sure of it. It also has a sensitive mag release, popped the mag out in my pocket several times.

I would vote for the Shield over the Bersa 9 mentioned. Shoots better, better company support if service is needed.
 
Commercial Russian Makarov. The commercial versions list for about $300-350
Most are chambered in .380 Auto.

The recoil might be a little more than with the Bersa Thunder.

Many people believe that the Makarov is the most reliable semi-auto handgun ever manufactured. They were produced Only in Russia, East Germany, Bulgaria and China.
 
Last edited:
First question I would have is how is she going to carry this gun? On the Belt? In a purse? Thigh holster? Bra style carry etc...?

I would personally avoid a blow back operated gun like the Bersa. It will display more felt recoil then a locked breach gun of similar size.

Once you determine mode of carry IMHO we can make more meaningful recommendations.
 
The only handgun she's spent any real time with is my CZ 75 BD
Click to expand...

She showed interest in a TCP or LCP , but based on past recoil shyness I really don't think that's going to be the way to go. I don't think long double action triggers every shot are going to be a good thing in this case either
Click to expand...

Recoil shyness = full size polymer framed pistol, every trigger pull is the same and relatively light, cost is under $400.00 =Ruger 9E
 
Last edited:
Ignition Override said:
Commercial Russian Makarov. The commercial versions list for about $300-350
Most are chambered in .380 Auto.
Click to expand...
My problem with these guns is that most are equipped with a relatively fragile screw-adjustable rear sight for 68 GCA import points, and the rear sight notch on these guns is IMHO much too fine for SD/HD use.

This can be partially addressed by filing the rear notch wider, but my preference would be to buy a military Mak with a drift-adjustable rear sight instead. :)

To address the original question, I'm impressed with the 9mm EAA Witness (Tanfoglio) Pavona, but I'll caution you that some of the colors are, er, unique. ;) Oddly enough, I kinda like some of the brighter colors better than the black, because the latter has that cheap shiny "Older Kia Interior" look to me. Recommend checking out the specific gun in person before rendering a decision.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top