:: Bersa Talk ::

I haven't bought one yet because I keep jumping back and forth between the Thunder 380 or the UC 9mm.  I've done alot of reading on this site as well as other websites and have talked to several different gun shops.  All I've gotten is more confused.  Somebody PLEEEZZZ help.

1) I'm looking for a gun that is concealable (very concealable, I'll be very happy if no one knows that I'm carrying).  Also, any comments on conceal and carry holsters or methods and I'm all ears.  (Smart-holster or tuckable IWB??)  I stand around 5'10'' and around 189.99 lbs, but that should be dropping soon, hopefully.

1.b)  Is the 9mm a gun that can be carried comfortably throughout the day?

2) I'm also looking for a gun that is fun and inexpensive to shoot at the range, although I won't be living at the range I do plan on visiting it a few times a month. 

3) I'm also looking for a gun that will be a good choice for home protection, I don't need to be Dirty Harry but I don't want to have to unload a magazine and wait for the bad guy to bleed to death either.

I'm not gonna buy an armory, I'm hoping to find a gun that meets my needs and that will be the one I stick with.  A good opinion will be worth it's weight in gold to me.

Thanks in advance.

Hi swflbersa, The 380cc is the smallest Bersa and easiest to carry. then comes the regular 380s. next is the 9UC + some that are bigger yet. So, the 9 is little bigger but still a decent carry. I'm a firm believer in knowing your gun and how to use it. Practice alot... The 9mm amo is quite a bit less then the 380 ammo. Therefore I would most likely choose the 9 over the 380 cuz I would be more inclied to shoot the cheeper ammo alot more and I feel strongly that one needs to practice alot... If the cost of ammo is a non issue then I would go with the 380cc over the rest for ease of carry. Quite a bit at stake if your carrying so practice alot! So, the issues between the two is size vs cost of operation... The 3rd issue that I'll not engage here is ballistics. That said, most here will agree that the 380 with proper ammo is very adequate. But what do I know.. I carry my Bersa .45UC or my Colt Compact 45.  Good Luck..

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Whining is for little girls, babies, mommy’s boys and girly men.
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I've carried both the BT380 and the BT9UC. The BT9UC is my everyday carry in a UBG Striker by Nate Gable. I carry all day long and forget I have it on. The 9UC is totally reliable, concealable, and portable, and I've never had a failure of any kind. 9mm ammo is cheaper and more available than .380, for some reason, and I like the fact that the 9UC has a 13+1 capacity.

You may find that there is a break-in associated with the BT380, but not so much with the BT9UC. If I was only going to buy one gun, it would be the Bersa Thunder 9 Ultra Compact.

You can find Nate's holster website at www.ubgholsters.com . Nate's a BT member and he makes a great product.

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p-t-max

I'm no expert, I'm just, well---opinionated!

http://blog648.blogspot.com/

I own both and agree with previous posters, especially P-T-Max's comment about choosing the UC9 if you could only have one.

Mason:

The 3rd issue that I'll not engage here is ballistics. That said, most here will agree that the 380 with proper ammo is very adequate.

Though I have the 9mm (and a .357) when I'm at home and they're resting comfortably in the safe I don't feel under-gunned having the .380CC handy loaded with Corbon 90gr HPs. I feel that firepower will be sufficient to handle any uninvited guest.

 

Hi,

You and I are basically the same size.    I have found the Bersa 380 is a perfect fit for me.  Concealable and has a level of comfort.  Also, the 380 is a VERY reliable piece.  That's the #1 priority.  Because of the design, a fixed barrel, there is less moving parts, so it goes bang when you want at a higher percentage of propability.  To be fair, so does the 9UC, but the design of the 380 is a copied design from the Germans almost a century ago.  Its proven, and reliable. 

As for the price, there is alot of deals on 380.  I'd check out a maker named Sellier and Bellot.  They are a Czech maker and has a reputation of cheap HIGH quality, clean ammo.  For home defense, folks around here like Cor Bon, and for good reason.  DPX and their hollowpoint is excellent.  Check out Cheaper than dirt.com.  Decent prices. 

Nowadays, the 380 and the technology put the 380 in the 38 special range.  If you believe in statistics, one shot stops around 70%.  I suspect it is higher and when do you shoot once anyway.

Finally, resources for holsters is ubgholsters.com .  Nate is a member and a class A maker for IWB.  Be getting one soon.  Also, for mags go to your gun parts.com  Mike is a great vendor for everythin Bersa.  STAY AWAY FROM PROMAG.

Your at the right place, BTW.  These folks are wonderful people.  Just wear the tin foil hat when you log on.  You'll understand as you spend time here.

Good luck,

Mike(prufrock)

 

 

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"A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses
both." --Dwight D. Eisenhower

If you can only get one, the UC9 is superior in every way except size, and it's not really much bigger.
Practice ammo is much less expensive, the SD ammo has that much more punch, it has proven itself to be near perfect in reliability. I am creeping up on 5k rounds with mine and have had one FTF and one stovepipe, both in the same mag and both probably my fault, with cheap ammo.
The Thunder .380 would serve you very well I am sure, the UC series is just better.
My not so humble buck two eighty nine.

prufrock77:

.....but the design of the 380 is a copied design from the Germans almost a century ago.

Pssst, the tilting barrel locked breech was designed by our savior John Moses Browning a century ago.

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

Thanks for all the input guys!!!  I've been reading this site going on about 3 weeks and have gotten ALOT of good information on everything from Bersas, to ammo, to holsters.  I've had the chance to view both guns up close and both fit my hands great but getting input from people who have used both is a big help.  I'll keep checking into this site and add a new post once I've bought.

Thanks again

Parrothead

Your like Yoda.  Again I stand corrected.  I forgot about the locked breech of the UC9.  Keepin us honest

Respect,

Prufrock

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"A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses
both." --Dwight D. Eisenhower

prufrock77:

Parrothead

Your like Yoda.  Again I stand corrected.  I forgot about the locked breech of the UC9.  Keepin us honest

Respect,

Prufrock

Lol, I suspect it's harder to find a pistol that JMB didn't have a design influence on than the ones he did.

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

  I own and have extensively carried both the T380 and the 9UC.  So long as you have a decent holster then both are very concealable (family that know I always carry and where cant tell if its there or not under an untucked loose T-shirt) though admitidly the T380 is a BIT easier to hide.  I did have my FIRST malfunction from either the other day at around 2,000 rounds the T380 finaly had 1 failure to feed so its at least 99.95% reliable and I dont know any that are better (and that was after the wife carrying it for more than a month without cleaning and cheap ammo), the 9UC is just as reliable.

  I suppose if your wardrobe dosen't and can't lend its self to concealed carry and deep concealment is the most important thing then I would suggest the T380 in a smartcarry or Thunderwear but thats slow on the draw (compared to IWB with same practice) but beats leaving it at home.  If your wardrobe is able to fit a bit loose and particularly with a jacket or untucked shirt being normal then a good heavey leather belt and a good IWB holster will make the 9UC comfortable and very hard to notice. 
  If the latter is possible I would say go with the 9UC.  As others have mentioned, practice ammo is cheaper.  Defensive ammo has a bit more power behind it.  All the 9mm ammo tends to be easier to find in the type you want and if ammo is hard to find 9mm is much more likely than .380 to be available and if both are there the 9mm will likely be cheaper.  Then add in the fact that the 9UC has an additional 6 rounds of capacity and unless you absolutely need every edge you can get for concealability (basicly like carrying when/where its not realley allowed) or realley want to save ounces of weight then I would say the 9UC would be the better option if only going to have 1.  If that little extra edge for concealment or the few ounces difference in weight is the decission make then the T380 is no slouch and I dont feel under gunned in the least with it but do carry a spare mag for it to have the same capacity 'just in case'.  I also practice with both to make sure I can hit well with both though.

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Do what thy manhood bids thee do, from none but self expect applause...

It really depends on how you plan to carry and your wardrobe...I have both the BT380 and also the Mini Firestorm 9mm (basically the same as the UC9mm)...both have been fantastic, although I did have a few FTF issues with the .380 during the first 100 rounds at the range...after that, perfect. Since I have to carry a lot with a business casual attire, no untucked shirt or jacket, I need to pocket carry often, so I ended up getting a Kel-Tec PF9, which I carry most of the time since it conceals easier than both of my Bersas...I can put it in my pocket with an Uncle Mikes pocket holster.

The 380cc is smaller than the UC9. both are reliable.

Thanks to everyone for there advice, I keep soaking in everything that is said.  I've done some more looking and have a question.  I know that the 9mm uc has a 10, 13, and 17 round mag.  Will all three magazines fit in the 9mm or are there different models for the high capacity magazines?

I know the Thunder 380 15 round mags don't fit in the single stack 380's.

swflbersa

The 17 round mag fits the full size Thunder 9, but will work in the 9UC. Here are some pictures of mags that will work in the 9UC. Click on the pictures to enlarge.

 

     This last photo is a full size Thunder 9 duotone.

Ultra Compact mags won't work in the full size Thunder 9.

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p-t-max

I'm no expert, I'm just, well---opinionated!

http://blog648.blogspot.com/

P-T-Max,

Thanks for the info!! Pictures help out too.