3913 vs Bersa 380
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The 3913 is longer, heavier and wider. That being said, in the hand they are not all that dissimilar in size. I enjoyed my Bersa 380 and found it to be accurate and reliable, I just could not trust my life to the .380acp when I could afford a 9mm (not a debate, just a personal belief). So I traded it for a 3914 (blued 3913) instead. I used to have a pic of the two of them together, but I cannot seem to find it anymore.
datsun40146
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I have both, the grips in stock form are similar. However the 3913 is heavier you WILL notice the weight, and it is most assuredly thicker. The specs don't lay it out there but it is. I have a crossbreed holster for my Bersa and a Crossbreed for my 3913, believe me there is a difference in the carriablity of the two weapons. The weight is not such a big deal as the thick-ness.
JimK62
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Bersa 380 vs S&W 3913 for ccw
I had both but sold the Bersa. Not because it wasn't a great little pistol (I think it's the best gun on the market for it's price)but because I had other 380's I prefered. I personally don't think you can compare the 380 round to the 9mm as far as PDefense is concerned. However, the 380 with a good defensive round is a great backup and carries very well in your pocket. The 3913 is a splended pistol in every way. Although a little larger than the Bersa it still carries beautifully in a good IWB or OWB holster and is truley an ubelievable pistol and a pleasure to shoot.
JimK
I had both but sold the Bersa. Not because it wasn't a great little pistol (I think it's the best gun on the market for it's price)but because I had other 380's I prefered. I personally don't think you can compare the 380 round to the 9mm as far as PDefense is concerned. However, the 380 with a good defensive round is a great backup and carries very well in your pocket. The 3913 is a splended pistol in every way. Although a little larger than the Bersa it still carries beautifully in a good IWB or OWB holster and is truley an ubelievable pistol and a pleasure to shoot.
JimK
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I also have both and think like the others that the Bersa is one of the most under-rated firearms on the market today. However, I tend to carry my 3913 almost everyday due to the greater power of the 9mm vs. .380
That being said the Bersa .380 that was actually in my pocket is still a better firearm than my friends .45 that is in his gun safe......
Yes, the S&W has more weight, but with a good holster like my Kramer #3 and a good solid belt the percieved difference is marginal at best.
Randy
That being said the Bersa .380 that was actually in my pocket is still a better firearm than my friends .45 that is in his gun safe......
Yes, the S&W has more weight, but with a good holster like my Kramer #3 and a good solid belt the percieved difference is marginal at best.
Randy
plinkerneil
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Better have your wife shoot the Bersa before you buy it. The little 380s feel nice to hold and carry, but they can have a fearsome kick because they are so light and easy to carry. Not necessarily something you want to shoot all the time.
My wife actually much prefers large heavy pistols, but then she doesn't carry one, either.
My wife actually much prefers large heavy pistols, but then she doesn't carry one, either.
plinkerneil
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My Sig232, which is similar in size and function to the Bersa 380, is downright unpleasant. After running a few magazines through it I have to go dry-fire for a while to stop flinching. I used to have a Colt Govt. 380, which is also small but uses a locked breech instead of blowback. That one was fine by me, but my wife hated it. I haven't bothered letting her try the Sig.
Recoil is caused by bullet weight, muzzle velocity, and muzzle blast. It is counteracted by the weight of the gun. 380 ammo is smaller than 9mm, but the gun is smaller yet. Blowback actions also transmit more of the initial recoil to the hand than short-recoil locked-breech systems do.
I'm not an expert pistol trainer, so take my opinion for what it's worth (i.e., not much); Trying the 6906 might be a good place to start, but if she likes the little Bersa, try to find something single-stack that fits her hand well. I guess you could also have her try the 6906 in single-action mode, so she doesn't have to deal with the long DA trigger reach. That might be a good compromise, and wouldn't cost any extra just to give it a try.
Recoil is caused by bullet weight, muzzle velocity, and muzzle blast. It is counteracted by the weight of the gun. 380 ammo is smaller than 9mm, but the gun is smaller yet. Blowback actions also transmit more of the initial recoil to the hand than short-recoil locked-breech systems do.
I'm not an expert pistol trainer, so take my opinion for what it's worth (i.e., not much); Trying the 6906 might be a good place to start, but if she likes the little Bersa, try to find something single-stack that fits her hand well. I guess you could also have her try the 6906 in single-action mode, so she doesn't have to deal with the long DA trigger reach. That might be a good compromise, and wouldn't cost any extra just to give it a try.
datsun40146
Member
It must differ from person to person, as I have shot my 232 and Bersa .380 for several hundred rounds in a session and shot them in competition which is around 120 rounds for a set and never had a problem with recoil. My hands were just fine. Don't get it into your head that I'm a big guy either. I'm somewhere around 6'1 and 140 pounds.
plinkerneil
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It probably doesn't help that I get slide bite from the 232.
Guess I'm just not man enough for .380. ;D
Guess I'm just not man enough for .380. ;D
iafirebuff
Member
I had a 6946 and a 3913. The 3913 overall was a little bit (1/2-3/4" or so) shorter than the 6946 and was thinner in the grip. My wife liked the feel of the 3913 over the 6946. Now, when I found a CS9, that is smaller than the 3913. For me (and my wife), the CS9 fits and feels awesome to us. I actually have NO regrets on selling the 3913 now that I have the CS9 - and i LOVE the 3913's 
shooter1950
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The .380 is a great SD gun not so good for just shooting a couple hundred rounds. If she needs it in a SD situation she'll never feel the recoil.
oldRoger
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I am not very recoil sensitive. But 3913 to me and various friends who have fired it even with +p ammunition has very little recoil.
Most Ladies find the 3913 controls easy, can cycle the slide, etc. No doubt a plastic pistol could be found that is lighter, but probably larger as well. Some of the blowback .380s are hard to operate, heavy triggers etc, stiff recoil springs etc.
The 3913 is a great pistol in a serious caliber.
Most Ladies find the 3913 controls easy, can cycle the slide, etc. No doubt a plastic pistol could be found that is lighter, but probably larger as well. Some of the blowback .380s are hard to operate, heavy triggers etc, stiff recoil springs etc.
The 3913 is a great pistol in a serious caliber.
Dude Jones
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I cant speak to the 3913 as I have never fired one. But I do have a Bersa 380 that I bought for my ex-girlfriend. She didn't like the feel of my larger 9mm's because she has small hands. Well she loved the feel of the 380 till she fired it. After a few rounds out of the 380 she realized she much rather shoot my Bersa Thunder 9 full size due to the lesser felt recoil. Even with hot sd ammo she could handle the larger guns recoil much better. Personally I don't see a huge difference between the 380's recoil compared to my thunder 9 or my sigma but she hated it.
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