Bersa handguns?

[D-Rock425]

On Monday I did my paperwork work for my CWP and now I'm looking for a good carry gun.  I looked at a bersa in a .40 today really felt good in my hand
  I don't know much about bersa guns and could use some info on them or any other good carry gun

[Cap.Silver]

D-Rock
I do have Bersa .38 for concealed carry and it isn't the best gun IMHO .If I were you I would go Springfield XD or Glock ,but all of us have our own agenda. Go to gun range like "Wade's" in Bellevue where you can shoot whatever they have or talk to the guys behind the counter.

[wapiti hunter2]

My son has the Bersa ultra compact in 9mm and loves it.  I've shot it and it is a very good gun for the price.  $300 vs $600.

[FC]

Bersa are great little guns, see if you can rent before you buy. Sam's in Everett rents pistols on their range as well as Wade's, personally I think both Glock and XD are over hyped for carry guns and I actually own an XD(m)!

[Gutpile]

Bersa are great little guns, see if you can rent before you buy. Sam's in Everett rents pistols on their range as well as Wade's, personally I think both Glock and XD are over hyped for carry guns and I actually own an XD(m)!

Why overhyped? I'm not sure i agree with that. You know they will definately go boom when they're supposed to. That said they are just too big for concealed carry.

[CP]

If it ever came to the point that I had to use it, I’d rather be carrying a Glock or an XD than a Bersa. 

[Bofire]

  I always have one question for folks looking at budget carry guns;
What is your life worth?
Carl

[D-Rock425]

I always have one question for folks looking at budget carry guns;
What is your life worth?
Carl

I don't have a budget it just felt right in my hand and has the features I liked.  Thanks for the info guys.

[phishisgroovin]

the best gun on a budget is the one you can afford.
the best gun for self defense is the one in your hand.
Just practice with what you own or can buy alot, Namebrands dont make a gun shoot better or worse (other than a jennings of course)
Bersa makes a fine pistol and they are tanks, just get comfortable with the firearm you choose to purchase.

I had the 383 model but traded it soley because i wanted a smaller plinking gun (.22) for trails & grouse, otherwise i would have kept my .380

[Straight Shooter]

Never owned a Bersa so, I won't give an uneducated opinion on them.  I do however, own a XD40 (service model)... a good under-the-jacket carry-gun.  My main carry-gun is a Kel-Tec P11... a little over 20 oz. loaded (10+1).  I really like the Kel-Tec line... well-made, reliable, at a good price.

[FC]

Why overhyped? I'm not sure i agree with that. You know they will definately go boom when they're supposed to. That said they are just too big for concealed carry.

You yourself just said that they are both too big for concealed carry, I've carried my XD(m) concealed plenty but it isn't very comfortable. I think the reliability of both guns is over-hyped, ANY gun worth owning is reliable. In the case of the Glock I don't like the theory they are built on being so unbelievably sloppy that they really can't jam. The barrels are a sloppy fit, the chamber is a loose sloppy fit etc etc. The XD is a tighter gun and pays for it in reliability tests...You know when they get buried overnight in kitty litter or something similar and then field tested etc. The XD is the better overall gun of the two IMO but they do subscribe to the love of sloppy fit in their fire control parts. They are super reliable but their triggers suck about as bad as a Glock, I put a Springer Precision kit in mine and reshaped the striker and it now has far and away the best striker trigger I have ever felt.

Those little Bersa pistols are pretty tightly built with DA/SA triggers, have a very good reputation for reliability, decent accuracy and very similar ergonomics to a Sig, the general shape actually lends itself well for concealed carry too.

[Gutpile]

Why overhyped? I'm not sure i agree with that. You know they will definately go boom when they're supposed to. That said they are just too big for concealed carry.

You yourself just said that they are both too big for concealed carry, I've carried my XD(m) concealed plenty but it isn't very comfortable. I think the reliability of both guns is over-hyped, ANY gun worth owning is reliable. In the case of the Glock I don't like the theory they are built on being so unbelievably sloppy that they really can't jam. The barrels are a sloppy fit, the chamber is a loose sloppy fit etc etc. The XD is a tighter gun and pays for it in reliability tests...You know when they get buried overnight in kitty litter or something similar and then field tested etc. The XD is the better overall gun of the two IMO but they do subscribe to the love of sloppy fit in their fire control parts. They are super reliable but their triggers suck about as bad as a Glock, I put a Springer Precision kit in mine and reshaped the striker and it now has far and away the best striker trigger I have ever felt.

Those little Bersa pistols are pretty tightly built with DA/SA triggers, have a very good reputation for reliability, decent accuracy and very similar ergonomics to a Sig, the general shape actually lends itself well for concealed carry too.

Big and overhyped are two different things. Overhyped to me means "not as good as they say". I think they are great but just too damn big for concealed carry. I would have no reservations about carrying either one if it's all I had. I do know that they are proven designs that will go boom. A Bersa on the other hand? Don't know and dont care to find out.

 

[FC]

A Bersa on the other hand? Don't know and dont care to find out.

 

I take it you have never fired one? Don't let their cheap price fool you! I know you have a Kimber and so aren't afraid to spend money on a gun but seriously..If you get a chance to shoot a Bersa don't turn it down, they are well made, feel great in the hand and they're accurate little things. I'm a big fan of Sig Sauer but would still carry a Bersa without qualms.

[Gutpile]

Not sure how to respond. I really dont have an informed opinion about them other than I wouldn't trust my life on one. I'm sure they're great. I was only talking about the "overhyped" comment which is just a matter of interpretation. 

[FC]

As to the over hyped thing? I guess it's just due to the seemingly incessant ads and "proof" that they are so reliable when others such as Sig, Hk, Fn and even companies such as Bersa just go quietly along building superior firearms. It's a personal irritation thing more than anything else I guess. That and I see them both recommended constantly for a CCW and truthfully they are horrible for it due to shape and size but mostly shape. Anything with hard angles and corners is going to be really uncomfortable to carry IWB.

[Bofire]

  about 15 years ago my wife had a bersa that was not very good, it ripped pieces out of the brass, stovepiped on each mag, not  accurate. she got rid of it and bought a revolver. I shot it maybe 20 times so I really know nothing about it, all I know is she did not. that said that was a long time ago they  may not even make that model anymore??
Carl

[FC]

Sounds like she had a screwed up gun, I would have sent it in for repair or replacement.

[Bofire]

 "Sounds like she had a screwed up gun, I would have sent it in for repair or replacement"

 :)Thats nice, her gun, she didn't like it. got what she wanted.

[D-Rock425]

I looked at a few more guns today and came to the conclusion that I need a good full size and a compact.  Thanks for the replies guys

[Gutpile]

I carry a S&W 642 most of the time. Simple, light, and very concealable.



I have a couple of others but as far as CCW goes the 642 is pretty hard to beat IMO

[FC]

I'm a J frame fan as well, I routinely carry a 638.

[olywa]

+1 on the Bersa Thunder 9 UC. I've put about 1800 rounds through mine with nary a hiccup. Dependability and accuracy are both very good. I get about 3" offhand at 10 yards, and about the same from a rest at 25 yards, which is plenty good for my purposes. I think the weak link is my aging eyes more than the pistol. The sights are unusual but effective. There is a white front dot and a white outline fixed rear.

There are better choices for concealability though. This pistol is a chunk.

[Alchase]

I won't bad talk someone else's choice of carry weapon. What I have found to be valid is if you plan on Conceal Carry with a full frame weapon it will take you some time to find the "correct" carry holster that fits your body and how you plan on using it. It may take multiple holsters depending on what you wear or choice of location at a given time. I know allot of people that carry full frame semi-autos (Kimbers, Glocks, XD, etc..) every day and do so comfortably, the kicker is no two people carry the same way. Is it easier to conceal a smaller weapon? Of course.
If you like the way the Bersa shoots and the weapon fits your body, then by all means you should carry that.
I grew up so to speak shooting M19A1s. When they forced us to move to the Beretta's I hated it. There was nothing wrong with the Beretta's, I was just not what I was use to.
So what I am trying to say....decide which weapon you want or can afford and that fits you, then determine how you wish to carry.
I use three different carry holsters, IWB, Serpa, Tactical leg depending on what I am doing.

[hoosier85]

Springfield XDM and there is some sweet deals going on with them too.