Hey guys I'm heavily debating my next CCW choice.
I did some digging around and came upon the Bersa BP9CC. I'm impressed with it's stats, and anecdotal reliability so far. Anyone have experiences with both guns? It seems like not many people even discuss it as an option.

I had a Shield but ended up selling it, it carried very well but I couldn't shoot to well with it. The trigger felt like a Massachusetts model...So an apex kit will probably be mandatory if I get the shield. Also I'd like to add IDOT Pro's to it. I'm hearing the bersa has almost a glock like trigger, yet it is lighter with a shorter reset.

Also takes a glock rear, and a sig front. so I'd definitely put IDOTs on it.

I just want something thin, yet shootable. The bersa seems pretty good out of the box, while the shield sadly needs work.



Bersa BP9 CC
S&W M&P Shield 9
Thinness: Bersa=Shield
Barrel Length: Bersa> Shield
Trigger Pull: Bersa>Shield (Might be a little too light for people's tastes)
Trigger Reset: Bersa>Shield
Sights: Bersa=Shield
Height: Shield> Bersa
Weight:Shield> Bersa (Not exactly a negative, it means less recoil)
Height: Shield>Bersa (About equal if the extension is on the mag)
Capacity:Shield= Bersa (The same pretty much)
Accessory Rail= Bersa>Shield
Manual Safety= Shield>Bersa (But personally I hate manual safeties on pistols.
Parts:Bersa>Shield (Sorry S&W but bersa actually sells parts to the public... Major plus imo. Barrels are only $40.. Need to do research but a conversion might be possible from 40 to 9)
Lefty Friendly: Bersa>Shield


I'm doing this with an open mind, I love my M&P's but I regret not discovering this pistol earlier.

Bersa Price: All Black: $375.99/2 Tone Stainless: $385.00
Bersa Magazines:$45-$50

Stainless Bersa +FFL Fee= $415
IDOT Pro set $80
Gunsmith Fee $30
Total: $525

Shield Price:$380
Shield Magazine price:$35

Shield price + FFL Fee= $410
IDOT Pro Set $80
Apex Shield Carry Kit $95
Shield Enhancement Action Trigger: $77
Gunsmithing Fees: Predicting $75-$100
Total:$737 Best case scenerio.

Think I'd rather spend the difference on a couple mags and 9mm ammo. Help me weigh these differences, pros, and cons guys. From what I hear, both companies have good customer service.

I've owned both guns, although I sold the Bersa BP9CC before I ever fired it.

Bersa makes good guns, and the BP9CC looks good and feels good in the hand. I think it's pretty comparable in size and feel to the Kahr CW9 that I had. The Shield feels a little smaller to me.

Why did I sell the Bersa before I fired it? I was browsing in my local gun shop, and they had just got it in...right after they came out. I bought it on impulse, and took it home. The trigger on mine was scary light...it couldn't have been over 3 pounds, if that. I've owned many 1911s...27 at last count...and this gun had a lighter trigger than the best 1911 trigger I've had. It was so light it scared me, on a gun with no external safety. So, I took it back the next day, and they allowed me what I paid for it in trade on another gun. (The owner said he thought the trigger was extremely light as well.)

I've since read that this gun is well regarded. It certainly is a good size for CCW, but it's no pocket gun (and neither is the Shield.) Bersa does have good CS as well. I've never seen another one in any local shop, so I don't know if mine was just a fluke, or what...but it was just too light for me to be comfortable handling, even as a home defense gun.

So, if it's down to just these two guns, and these two only, I'd have to go with the Shield. In fact, even if it wasn't just limited to these two guns, I'd still pick the Shield over just about anything else (I'm not talking about pocket guns like the BG380, LCP, or TCP.)

Man I have sent a lot of Bersas in for factory-authorized repair, let me tell ya. I would never stake my life on something made by that company. That's just an opinion, based on working in a gun store. Bersa and Taurus lead the list of most guns that go back for repair.

I spent the day at the range today with my shield and the bersa BP9. I also have a bersa thunder 380 cc. These bersa's eat anything you feed them. The BP9 was fantastic. A joy to shoot and I was more accurate with the Bersa than the Shield. I absolutely love the trigger on the Bersa. And the reset on the bersa was smooth and tight. I also found the grip on the bersa to be more comfortable. And one more thing, I could actually rack the slide on the bersa, unlike the shield where you need 2 gorillas.

I am debating if I want to sell the shield and get the bersa.

There exists the possibility that you got a good one, then!
I am flabbergasted that your Thunder .380 hasn't at least been back for factory repair of the safety. They break all the time. You should buy lottery tickets.

I love my Bersa Thunder but I have to point out....


Good luck finding Bersa mags for anything.

Not having shot anything other than Glocks before I got my M&Ps I always lean towards S&W. Reputation, reliability & price always seem to favor S&W. That is NOT saying there's anything wrong with Bersa or any other brand.

I had 2 Glocks before WI had a concealed carry law after I retired from armed security & gave them to my son - a G23 & G21. Now I have an M&P40 & a 40C & I feel they're slightly better than my old Glocks but I'd trust my life with either. I can't at this time say that about any others.

__________________
Former USN, Retired US Army

I owned a Bersa Thunder 380 standard and currently own a n UC9 & BP9. I had to send 380 back to get a spring replaced (trigger) but the other two I have never had any issues whatsoever with ... in fact the UC9 eats anything and everything i throw at it

I can only say I have tried just about every type & brand of handgun there is, trying to find the ideal ccw handgun. I finally chose the 9 mm. shield for a lot of reasons to long to post. hth.