:: Bersa Talk ::

First off, hello!

I'm looking to get my first pistol as well as my Texas CHL in the next few weeks and I'm leaning heavily toward the Thunder 9UC. I think the 380 CC would be a better CC pistol for me, but since I'm broke and can only afford one gun right now for CC and practice I think the 9 would better suit my purpose.

In handling the two it seems like the 9UC is heavier and a bit less well put together then the 380CC. I've read countless posts here hailing the accuracy of the 9, so I'm not worried there, but how is the quality of the fit and finish and do you think it effects the gun in any way since it's obviously made well enough to be a greatly accurate pistol?

Can anyone tell me how the 9UC conceales in summer clothing? I mostly wear a somewhat loose fitting t-shirt and cargo shorts in the summer and since the 9UC is kinda thick I'm not quite sure what would be the best way to conceal it. At work I wear mostly a tucked in polo and slacks, what would be the best way to conceal it that way?

Also, in reading a lot of the posts I see a lot of people talking about a UBG holster. What is that?

Thanks for the info.

Hi RebelKangaroo and welcome.... I really cannot answer your questions about the UC9, I have 2 BT380s and a full size T9 and am extremely happy with the performance and durability of all three...

UBG holsters are excellent quality leather holsters for Bersas and others....The holster maker is a member here also....here is a link to his site if you would like to check them out......http://www.ubgholsters.com/.

Best of luck to you and happy shooting.....BTW, where in TX are you located????

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"The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing." Albert Einstein

Welcome to BT.

RebelKangaroo:

In handling the two it seems like the 9UC is heavier and a bit less well put together then the 380CC.

Heavier, yes. Less well put together? Not at all. The .380's are the darlings around here but the 9's and up are the real gems. Super reliable, very accurate and mine at least has an excellent finish.

RebelKangaroo:

Can anyone tell me how the 9UC conceales in summer clothing? I mostly wear a somewhat loose fitting t-shirt and cargo shorts in the summer and since the 9UC is kinda thick I'm not quite sure what would be the best way to conceal it. At work I wear mostly a tucked in polo and slacks, what would be the best way to conceal it that way?

Tshirt and cargo shorts, no worries. That is almost my entire wardrobe. Tucked in polo? I can't offer you much there. I either open carry or drop the Seecamp in my pocket. Of course there is no OC in Texas, so not really an option for you.

RebelKangaroo:

Also, in reading a lot of the posts I see a lot of people talking about a UBG holster. What is that?

Nate's holsters are the bomb. I have a Striker IWB for the UC9, a pocket for the Seecamp and a Bonneville OWB for my 1911. They are just that good. Follow American Girl's link and look around.

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You trying to screen for communists? Don't worry, we're all cool. - Dale

Thanks for the replies. I'm in the DFW area without getting too specific.

It looks like I'll be fine most of the time, but need to save up for another smaller gun for work then unless anyone else has any advice?

The 9 (as well as the rest of the Bersa's for that matter) looked like it was built like a small tank, just a little rough. I just mainly needed some reassurance.

Also, I've read that they come pretty heavily oiled from the factory (and got a lot of it on my hands when I handled one at Academy). Is there a good cleaning guide that I haven't found yet? And what sort of gun oil/grease seems to work best?

Welcome Rebelkangaroo

I have a T9UC and it carries well in a IWB with shirt not tucked In the summer I just wear square tailed shirts worn out, and does a good job.

For cleaning I use WD40 it is a good cleaning solvent but do not use it as a lubricant. for Oiling there are a lot of different opinions about what to use, Some use break free, some use synthetic motor oil, I use Rem Oil, All the above can be found at your Wally World.

You will enjoy this site, lots of good people here. Just watch out standing too close to the microwave if Mason convinces you to wear a tin foil hat!!

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A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life wrote a blank check Made payable to 'The United States of America ' for an amount of 'up to and including my life.'

RebelKangaroo:

Also, I've read that they come pretty heavily oiled from the factory (and got a lot of it on my hands when I handled one at Academy). Is there a good cleaning guide that I haven't found yet? And what sort of gun oil/grease seems to work best?

That "oil" is shipping preservative goo. The 9mm's have a lot less that the .380's usually but it still needs to be cleaned. As far as a guide, the owners manual outlines how to field strip it, it is incredibly easy and takes literally seconds.  I have gotten lazy lately and have been using Birchwood-Casey spray cleaner for the bulk of my cleaning lately, it works especially well for the first cleaning to get the goo out of the little corners.

Any good quality gun oil will do. Everyone has a pet favorite. I usually use RemOil or Militec-1 myself. Depends mostly on whats closest at the moment.

As to a pocket mouse for those times when you are hard pressed to conceal a UC9, there are lots out there. I love my Seecamp, but it's a little spendy depending on your budget. Kel-Tec and it's new clone are both popular and lighter than the Seecamp.

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You trying to screen for communists? Don't worry, we're all cool. - Dale

Welcome, RK, from a fellow Texian.  I don't know about the T9UC except from reading on this forum.  I have a CC that I really like.  I chose it because, probably like you, I wear as little as possible in the summer to find relief from the Texas heat.  Might I suggest you grab the more easily concealed gun first, and then save up until fall for the larger one.  Just a thought.

Hope you're patient about your CHL.  I'm still waiting after 94 days, with nothing at all derogatory on my record.

Welcome RebelKangaroo

RebelKangaroo:

In handling the two it seems like the 9UC is heavier and a bit less well put together then the 380CC.

I own both these models and happen to think the opposite is true (though the UC9 is heavier). If I had to choose one it would definitely be the UC9. With the exception of pocket carry, I find it as easy to conceal (with the right belt and holster) as the 380CC. The UC9 of course has greater firepower and larger mag capacity and mine has been flawless right out of the box. My 380CC had to be "broken in" before I deemed it suitable for SD. And 9mm ammo is usually cheaper than .380, which is important to me. 

Of course your decision may be tempered by which Bersa you can actually find, as I've read here that both can be hard to come by. Good luck with whichever you choose.

You will love the 9uc. I carry it most of the time except when I carry my GLOCK 19 (oops excuse me Michael T. - my fingers slipped on the keyboard).

 

Also have the .380 dou-tone. Carry it when dressed up & need something smaller to conceal.a highnooner IWB holster.

But the 9uc is my normal everyday carry

Use

 

 

 

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Bersa .380 Duo-tone
Bersa UC 9
S&W Sigma 9mm
S&W 22A
Glock 19

Member NRA
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Hello and welcome.  I have the 380 plus as my main carry on my hip, a 380cc if I need a little better conceal, and the 9uc which I am just getting used to so no carry with it yet.  As far as the finish, to me the 9 seems to have  a bit more finish and smoother action although I am good with everything on the 380's.  I don't think you can go wrong with any of them .... neat little guns.  Oh yeah, almost forgot .

 

 

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Bersa 9UC ( not in ss why oh why)
Beretta PX4 sub 9
H & R 22 (1932...my Dad's pistol)
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I have the .380 Plus that holds 15 rounds and it has a little bit fatter grip than the 7 shot version.  Both guns shoot to point of aim and are totally reliable.   I love the 9 UC ---what a great little gun.  Very accurate and reliable.  Could easily unseat my Glock 19 as my daily carry gun.

I use FP-10 gun lube which has replaced my old stand-by Remoil.  Remoil burns off too quickly in the Florida heat, plus it gives my matte finished Bersas that new shiny look and smells really cool too.

 

 

Thanks for all of the replies. Someone mentioned getting the .380 CC first to have something a bit more concealable. It's now on my list to get, but I think I'll stick with the 9 UC first since I'm new to pistols and practice ammo will be cheaper.

I was originally looking for a Makarov (which I think I'll still get, just in a few months) because I was drawn to how rugged and accurate they are, not to mention the ppk-ish look without the trouble or expense of a ppk. I'm really glad I found out about Bersa's because they seem to have the same atributes in a more modern package.

Hi RebelKangaroo.. Quick note re the Makarov, if yur worried about ammo price note that the Makarov 9mm is its own proprietary ammo. Its actually a 9x18mm not the common 9x19mm "Lugar" type and Mak ammo is not everywhere and usually pricy. As far as lookin like a PPK.. Geeze, I'm lookin right at my Bersa 380cc next to my Walther and the cc is pretty much a PPK look alike if ya ask me. As old as James Bond is these days I'm bettin he couldnt tell the differance with out his glasses.

Anyway, Good luck and have fun

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OysterMan:

I own both these models and happen to think the opposite is true (though the UC9 is heavier). If I had to choose one it would definitely be the UC9. With the exception of pocket carry, I find it as easy to conceal (with the right belt and holster) as the 380CC. The UC9 of course has greater firepower and larger mag capacity and mine has been flawless right out of the box. My 380CC had to be "broken in" before I deemed it suitable for SD. And 9mm ammo is usually cheaper than .380, which is important to me. 

+1

I've owned a UC-9 since '04, shot thousands of rounds through it and have NEVER had a single problem. Even the finish has held up well. Actually, just maybe because it's a bit "rough", minor marks don't show up on it like they do on a finish that's more polished, but that is just a guess on my part. FYI, I've also had a 380CC since they first came out and it's been as reliable as the other Bersa 380 I own (got it in '03). To be honest, I think you get a bigger "bang" for your buck with the 9mm, but either gun will serve you well.

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