Bersa Thunder .380 vs CC version vs Plus version

[TexasGal]

Ok, every lady should have a pea shooter.
I am thinking about getting a Bersa Thunder .380 to add to my meager gun collection. They make the original style and also a concealed carry style (CC) that is a tad smaller/lighter designed with less to snag on clothes, etc. They also make a double stack verson (Plus) that holds more ammo.

My question is; does anyone have any thoughts on reliability of each, etc. Other than the capacity, does the Plus offer any differences? I always have to know everything before plunking down money...

[carlson1]

I do not know much about the Bersa. My wife really likes a Sig 232SL that I had picked up. Let us know which one you get and how you like it.

[TexasGal]

Yes, I thought about the Sig, but the price on the Bersa sure is attractive and it has a good reputation for reliability....dang it, now I want to look at the Sig too, but I guess that would be a new thread

[Napier]

I know the 380 Thunder Plus intimately. There is good news and bad news. The bad is that my black version is in for warranty repair now for the third time for trigger mechanism problems. My nickel version had to be repaired once, same problem. The good is that the nickel has performed flawlessly since, and is my preferred carry. It shoots sweet because of the fixed barrel and windage-adjustable sight. I don't think it is as good a gun as my Taurus PT-138 (12 round .380), but 16 rounds trumps. And the price is good. But be prepared to have to get it fixed.

[kragluver]

My wife has the 380cc and has maybe 500 rds through it with zero malfunctions. It is an accurate little pistol.

[Syntax360]

I've just got a regular duo-tone model, but it's been a great little pistol - I've never had a malfunction, the trigger is great, and it only set me back $200. That said, I probably wouldn't buy it again - it's just not that much smaller than my "regular" carry gun(s), so it seems to be between niches. I would look hard at the CC version, but the regular and plus would be off the table if I were shopping for a Bersa these days.

[CC Italian]

I owned a Bersa .380 cc up until November and sold to my girlfriend’s father and replaced it with a S&W .38 bodyguard. I know many swear by the Bersa's but in all honesty it is not a high quality gun, nor was it 100% reliable. It is a great value for the money but I got rid of the gun because of heavy wear problems after about a 1000 rounds, had to send it in for repairs before 100 rounds and it was picky on what ammo you used. That being said the gun was very accurate and concealed very well with just a light t-shirt.

I wanted something more reliable and could still be concealed in my front pocket. I went with the body guard .38 as my backup carry. Also, the Bersa was always my backup carry because of jamming problems that would happen from time to time. I still carry my Glocks and other revolvers as my main carry. My girlfriend also has a S&W 908 that I sometimes carry but it also jams from time to time. I would look at the Glock 26 for a small carry piece. I know many hate Glocks but in my experience they just go bang. That’s what matters most to me!

There are also many options for 9mm in a small sub compact that are very concealable. I see no real reason to carry a .380 acp any more when the 9mm is more powerful and cheaper to shoot. Also, my girlfriend had a problem shooting the .380cc because of recoil but the Smith and Wesson 908 she could control with ease. As always I recommend heavy single stack 9mm for ladies with small hands.

[TexasGal]

Excellent info! I knew I could count on you guys to help.
I'm looking for a gun for my new daughter in law too. I thought the Bersa might be good for her. She has tiny hands and is about 110# soaking wet. She needs a small concealable gun with not too much recoil yet good stopping power and reliable most of all. I know...I just asked for about three things too many

[Cyclops]

Excellent info! I knew I could count on you guys to help.
I'm looking for a gun for my new daughter in law too. I thought the Bersa might be good for her. She has tiny hands and is about 110# soaking wet. She needs a small concealable gun with not too much recoil yet good stopping power and reliable most of all. I know...I just asked for about three things too many

I have the Bersa Thunder 380 Deluxe and it has performed flawlessly for over 2 years. The finish is a beautiful dark blue color, not the matte finish. And, if your daughter-in-law has "tiny hands", then you might want to consider the Kel Tec P32 caliber. Load that with the new Corbon DPX HP ammo and you should be able to inflict considerable damage to a bad guy (or girl)......

[frreed]

I have the CC and it has been a reliable, accurate and durable everyday carry. It is a solid pistol and its quality far exceeds its price. I have an HK and a Sig, but I carry the Bersa and have no complaints.

[USA1]

It's no secret that I'm a Bersa fan. I picked up a (used) nickel finish Thunder for less than 2 bills for my wife.
The thing runs like a sewing machine and is quite pleasant to shoot.

[CC Italian]

I know I have said it before but my girlfriend is 4 foot 10inches and has extremely tiny hands. For her the easiest gun to hold is a Kahr. Most are very light and the recoil is close to my Glock 20 10mm. I shot a P9 about a year ago and did not like it. If you can have your daughter in law and yourself hold a Kahr K9 and MK9 (all steel version). The K9 weighs about the same as my girlfriends 908 S&W 24oz but has and even smaller grip for people with small hands. Those are guns chambered in 9mm but the downside is they are pretty pricey, if you still just want a .380acp there is a list a mile long for small guns. Another good .380acp that is a little heavier is the Walther pk380 and pps. I would try to stay over 20oz to keep the recoil down. Also, take a hard look at a 1911. Many women love them. They are heavy, thin grip and can be chambered in 9mm if you like.

Don't get me wrong, I loved my Bersa and it was a great little gun with a lifetime warranty but the gun store that I bought it from stopped selling them because they had so many returns. I also went to another gun range and the CHL instructor told me to get rid of it because they had more failure to fires when qualifying for a CHL then any other semi-auto. This and the fact that the slide is worn excessively, it jams every 50-100 rounds are reasons why I removed it from carrying. I would have no problem as a backup or a gun to just range shoot or leave in my car as a cheap piece that wouldn't make me depressed if it got stolen.

Go out and handle several firearms. 9mm or better you will need to look for a single stack or 1911 style semi-auto. There are a few companies who have the removable back straps that are double stack magazines. The one that my girlfriend liked the best but was still not as good as a single stack was the S&W M&P. It was the best double stack in her hand but like I said that was her and she is smaller then 95% of the female population.

Also this might sound obvious but make sure you can rack the slide and clear the chamber while holding the gun, the Kahrs are extremely hard to pull back when new. My girlfriend could not pull it back. When ever I go to the range this is a common problem I have seen with smaller ladies with limited arm strength. Many point the gun up when trying to clear the slide because it is so hard for them. I had to teach my girlfriend to not raise the gun and keep it down range.

[CompVest]

Go out and handle several firearms. 9mm or better you will need to look for a single stack or 1911 style semi-auto. There are a few companies who have the removable back straps that are double stack magazines. The one that my girlfriend liked the best but was still not as good as a single stack was the S&W M&P. It was the best double stack in her hand but like I said that was her and she is smaller then 95% of the female population.

I am 5'0" and a little over 100 lbs. The S&W M&P 9, 9c, and the KelTec 32 are my guns of choice. I like them for their short reach from back strap to trigger (great for small hands) and for their shoot-a-bility.

[MrsFosforos]

I had one and it as ok; but things I didn't like about it
1. it was heavy to carry (especially off body, if I used a bag)It was like carrying around a brick.
2. blow back design, caused it to have a significantly harsh & snappy recoil
3. ammo was significantly higher in cost, making it more expensive it to practice with
4. it was not easy to breakdown to clean and put back together
5. it was NOT fun
6. The is safety small & was harder (for me) to disengage. It is designed to be pushed UP with a thumb, instead of snicking it down (which seems a more natural movement) - I could have overcome it as learned behavior; but it wasn't natural for me.

Good things,
1. supposed to have a lifetime warranty
2. I never had any malfunctions/failures & put several hundred rounds through in practice
3. it was very reasonably priced - but 1-5 ABOVE were the reasons i sold it.
4. there is a market for them and when I was ready to sell, got back almost all the original purchase price for it.

Four of my friends or family started out with one -- and none are still using them as the first choice for concealed carry. Everyone of these folks have moved on to something else to use instead.

If I were to go back to a .380, I'd get a Sig P238. It's small, lightweight, easy to rack the slide, easy to shoot, easy to get back on target - because there is SO LITTLE recoil and it is easier to break down and put back together. The downside is the price and it's still .380 - so the isse of cost of ammo & practicing would be more expensive than finding one of the other calibers to choose from.

eta:#6

[TexasGal]

Wow, you guys are great! Thanks for all the info.
I know some of you don't agree about the Bersa, but it does help me a lot to hear both sides and the ideas on alternative choices. I will check those out. I know for my DIL, I want something she will like and will go bang when her life depends on it.