Girlfriend got her Permit today! But...

[USAF385]

Yep, I went to the courthouse with my girlfriend today so she could get her PA concealed permit. I think I was more excited than she was.

But.. I'm not sure how I feel about her gun. She has a Bersa Thunder .380 her father got for her a while back. I don't have too much experience with them, but I have enough to know that I personally wouldn't carry one. I owned one for about 2 weeks before I traded it in for my 642. It just wasn't for me.

Any thoughts on the Bersa or an alternative? I think for some reason she does NOT want a revolver (which saddens me), and semi autos aren't my thing. The only one I ever carried was the M9, and I know there are many of you out there with good advice!

 

[USAF385]

Yep, I went to the courthouse with my girlfriend today so she could get her PA concealed permit. I think I was more excited than she was.

But.. I'm not sure how I feel about her gun. She has a Bersa Thunder .380 her father got for her a while back. I don't have too much experience with them, but I have enough to know that I personally wouldn't carry one. I owned one for about 2 weeks before I traded it in for my 642. It just wasn't for me.

Any thoughts on the Bersa or an alternative? I think for some reason she does NOT want a revolver (which saddens me), and semi autos aren't my thing. The only one I ever carried was the M9, and I know there are many of you out there with good advice!

 

[Practical]

If it is reliable and she likes it AND It is safe THEN let her be...

 

[xrmattaz]

I'm thinking the Bersa (given it's track record) and good .380 ammo, should suit her fine.

I'd highly recommend she reconsider, though. Have her try out a Kahr CW9, I think she'd like it.

 

[GatorFarmer]

I had a Bersa .380. Traded it for an ADC 9mm Derringer (LNIB) and thought that I got the better end of the deal. They usually work well enough, but sometimes parts break, in which case the "drill" - I kid you not - is apparently to try flipping the gun upside down or on its side to make it fire.

Of course finding something to fire out of it is a bit of a problem lately, since .380 has dried up.

Better made .380 that's about the same size? The Sig P232 I suppose. Or an old Interarms PPK. I've owned both. The Interarms worked best with FMJ. I currently have a German made Walther PP, but that's a .32.

A bit larger in .380 and there is the Beretta Model 84. I had one of those too, worked great.

Going up a bit further lands one in the realm of the Kahrs and pocket Glocks. The pocket Glocks are probably the best of the small auto/decent caliber breed, but aren't for everyone. They're a bit bulky in some respeccts.

 

[DAVEB47]

Sig 230/232 in .380 or a CZ2075 in 9mm are great choices.

 

[creedekid]

The Bersa Thunderer is a reliable little gun, and if she is comfortable with it, so be it. What guys have to remember is, it is her gun and not yours, she has to like it, not you.

 

[Pisgah]

The Bersa is a very decent gun. I've owned 4 or 5 through the years and aside from a magazine problem I had with one well-worn example (easily "fixed" by a new mag) they have all worked flawlessly. Can't say the same for either of the Walther PPs I've had.

 

[Agent6-3/8]

They're good guns. I've shot a couple and have a good friend that regularly carries one. While the .380 isn't my first choice, if she like it, let it be.

 

[USAF385]

Thanks for the recommendations. She's probably only fired 50 rounds with it (the Bersa), and she herself isn't sure how she feels. We're going to be shooting this weekend, and I picked up 100 rounds for her.. so hopefully she'll decide either way.

 

[OKFC05]

I'm usually on the other side of this discussion, telling guys half my beginning women students wind up with revolvers.
On the other hand, half wind up with semi-auto.

Only thing I'd suggest is she should do the magazine loading and gun cleaning--in other words, she should make it HER gun to shoot and maintain. Then when she can do that and is comfortable with it, GREAT!

Just don't buy into the deal that you load and clean it, and she just hands it to you when something goes wrong. Malfunction clearing is part of shooting.

 

[mrwildroot]

I have owned several Bersas and find them more than adequate, especially for the price.
GOTO:

Bersatalk.com

Great forum with knowledgeable folks.

Congrats and good luck to you both!

mw

 

[Pasifikawv]

I have a pre-Thunder Bersa (Mod. 383-A) that is nearly identical to today's Thunder .380s.

I have not had any trouble with it for many years. Recently, however, the slide spring has become a little weak and one must be careful not to "limp wrist" when firing or a FTF may occur. I plan to take mine to my gunsmith to see about a replacement spring.

Other than that (and it is no biggie given the age and use on my old Bersa .380) I think it would probably be a decent handgun. The key for any individual seeking a carry sidearm is comfort and functionality. It should fit her hands, be something she is comfortable using, something she is comfortable carrying, and comfortable practicing with.

I have noticed of late that it is very hard to find ammo in .380. Luckily, I mainly carry my SW40VE in a Kholster (great holster!) and .40 have not been in short supply in my neck of the woods.

 

[Smitty500Mag]

Be thankful that you've got a gal that will carry a gun of any make. So many of them wouldn't think of having one of those icky things in the house let alone in her purse!

Of all the people I know that I never expected to see carrying a gun was my youngest Son's wife. He snagged her in Southern California 6 years ago and brought her back to live amongst us red necks here in Georgia and as it turns out she was a closet red neck all along. Even though she's still got the valley girl sound she's a gun tott'en Georgia girl now. Even has a Georgia CCW permit.
Not all people from California are beyond saving. She now has seen the light and how close she came to drinking the cool aide. We're all thankful that she was able to be snatched from the jaws of the liberal monster before it did any irreparable damage.

Smitty

 

[flop-shank]

Rednecks are everywhere, Smitty. There are plenty of us in Michigan who's thinking is more southern than "yankee".

 

[Wayne M]

Local Gun Shop loves the Bersa because they have NEVER had one come in for repair.

 

[growr]

I own two Bersa .380's and think that they are one of the most under-rated handguns on the market today. Reliable, accurate, concealable, etc. Have zero problems with either of mine. As long as SHE likes it who cares.....be thankful that she is willing.
Randy

 

[USAF385]

Darn, I'm sorry, USAF385. I accidentally deleted your message.

 

[BarbC]

I tried to "reply with quote" but accidentally hit "edit".

Anyway, in response to your saying that after some range time, she was more comfortable with the gun but she wasn't yet sure if this would be her always carry gun, that's how I ended up with a half dozen "perfect" carry guns and holsters. She'll find out it's like shoes and purses.

 

[USAF385]

Originally posted by BarbC:
I tried to "reply with quote" but accidentally hit "edit".

Anyway, in response to your saying that after some range time, she was more comfortable with the gun but she wasn't yet sure if this would be her always carry gun, that's how I ended up with a half dozen "perfect" carry guns and holsters. She'll find out it's like shoes and purses.

HEEYY!!!! Why are you deleting me?!

Haha that's ok.

Also, I'd be fine if she needed various guns to carry.. like the shoe and purse thing! But actually, I think that can be said for the guys too! Although we may not have the shoes and purses for different occasions, we DO have different guns and holsters for different occasions.