:: Bersa Talk ::

Alright, I passed my course for CCW carry and qualified on the range. I was extremely impressed by the course. Instructors were incredible and I learned a great deal about refining my shooting technique. I decided to qualify with my Tokarev tt-33 just for heck of it. I'm by no means a good shot but when we went through the qualifying rounds, I put 25 of 25 in the bulls eye at close range and at 25 yards none of my shots were outside the 9 ring.

   Anyway, so I said all that to say all this, I'm expecting to receive my CCW in the next few weeks and finally need to give some thought about how and what to carry. From reading through these forums it appears that the best way to carry is around the Waist as it allows quick access and is FAIRLY easy to conceal. I would think that around the waist the thickness of the gun would be a bigger issue than the overall length of the gun...

Finally, WHAT to carry? There's plenty of options to choose from. Of course there is the Bersa Thunder .380 and the Keltec P32 but those (in my own opinon) are too small and expensive of calibers. I'd rather carry either a 9mm or a .45acp (just personal preference). So there is the Bersa Thunder 9 ultra compact but I'm wondering how thick it is? I have the Bersa Thunder 9 full sized and it's pretty darn wide, I think it would be uncomfortable against my waist. There's the Springfield XD which looks very nice, the Glock 21, the Smith & Wesson MP carry.  What are the recommendations?

 

 

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Many here carry the 380 and I do as well.  Not as much as I used to I have returned to the 1911 for main carry. Doesn't mean you won't find a 380 IWB or in my pocket . Heck at times I have a 32 or 25 on me. Depends on dress and where I am going.

  I think a Colt Defender 1911  is a great carry pistol. Its a LTW  3" barrel  and has a good record as relieable. I you want to do way with 3 dot sights and a couple small changes then the New Colt Agent  fits. Something a little larger and only couple oz difference is a LTW Colt Commander .

Double stack mags mean thicker pistol and harder to conceal.   No matter what you carry belt and holster make a big difference.  I can carry a full size 1911  about as easy as the smaller ones. My problem is sitting The full size  is hitting on seat. Commander 3/4" shorter no problem. I also like balance of Commander better.

As for the new breed of Cookie cutter plactic guns I won't carry or own   I don't like these striker fired guns  . Kel Tec is as far as I go into the cookie cutter plastic pistols. 

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Bersa Thunder,
PPK/S,
1990 Colt Mustang,
380 Kel Tec
380's Rule

"Just say "Lay A Way"

"WWJBD" What Would James Bond Do?

"Hokey religions and plastic glocks are no match for a good 1911 at your side, kid."

Congratulations on your CCW results.

It all comes down to personal preference. My choice for every day carry is the Bersa Thunder 9 Ultra Compact in a UBG Striker by Nate Gable. The gun's 100% reliable, economical to own and shoot, low maintenance, accurate, easily carried and concealed and ships with two 13 round mags. You already have the T-9, and the 9UC is an exact replica except for the shorter barrel and slide and the shorter, finger-grooved grip. Your T-9 mags will work fine in the 9UC when you go to the range.

      Click photos to enlarge.

Plus the 9UC won't cost nearly as much as one of those other guns you seem to be lusting for.

But the main thing is, which one do you want? And how bad do you want it?

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p-t-max

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

http://blog648.blogspot.com/

Well, the Springfield XD is calling me right now. It just looks soooo nice. :) BUT, the guy next to me was shooting an XD and I don't like to brag but his shots were pretty awful in comparison to mine. I couldn't tell right off whether it was him or the gun but he had just gotten back from Iraq so I figured he knew at least a little bit about guns.

Actually, I had a gun I wanted to use for concealed carry, the FEG pa-63. As far as size goes, it was perfect! Fit my hand like a glove. Then I shot it...ouch ouch ouch! That hurt the web of my hand like you wouldn't believe. Ideally, I think I'd like a colt commander like MT mentioned or even a STAR BM in 9mm, both are about the right size...

 

 

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Maj.Striker:

Alright, I passed my course for CCW carry and qualified on the range. I was extremely impressed by the course. Instructors were incredible and I learned a great deal about refining my shooting technique. I decided to qualify with my Tokarev tt-33 just for heck of it. I'm by no means a good shot but when we went through the qualifying rounds, I put 25 of 25 in the bulls eye at close range and at 25 yards none of my shots were outside the 9 ring.

Sounds like you had a great CCW class and thats a good start , Let me tell you about when I took mine.

  When I first decided that I wanted to CC, it was last year and I was at the gunshop and was asking the guy behind the counter about a CCW class they had a flyer for from a instuctor on the counter. A customer spoke up and said "I took his class it was easy, we were suppose to have a 8 hour class but when we met the instructor he told of he had a death in the family and that he was going to give us a 4 hour class, but we would still get our cirtificate's for our CC permits, I was lucky" he said .

  On the day I was to take the class, I was to meet the Instuctor at a Parking lot, along with any others that were taking the class that day, 7:30 am. He shows up 15 minutes late and gathers us around in the parking lot and say's " Guy's sorry.. I am late but my wife's father died last night and so I am going to have to cut the class short today if you guys don't mind, instead of a 8 hour class we are just going to have a 4 hour class". He tells us we will still get our certificates and be able to apply for our CCP at the sheriff's office. I think to myself Hmmm..... We get to his office and take our seats, I notice that the handbook infront of me is for Ohio and I live in West Virginia. He tells us he is out of the WV handbook and that he usually gives the Ohio and WV book out, He say's he will cover the WV laws by memory..alot of good that does me. He was an X Leo and his class consisted on telling us old police stories and a few law's, trying to get everyone to buy all the junk he had for sale, he had it set up like a store inside the classroom, wanted us to donate money for children he said he trianed to shoot 22's and join the IRA..He was quite the salesman. Kept gouging everone for more money, this went on for 3 hours and then off to the range for the last hour. He had us line up 4 at a time shoot 5 shots each hand 5 shots from each hip and we were done. handed out our certificates and said so long. Worst class I ever took..was a Joke really. Hope you guys got more out of your CCW class.

I took my HCP (TN permit allows carrying of weapon concealed or open carry) in Gallatin, TN at the Complete Gun Shop (right behind police department). The class was a full eight hours and covered just about everything , including ammo and mind-set. The instructor was excellent and very interesting. I am not a newby (30 years plus active duty in USMC) but I still learned a lot. He went into detail about the difference between true practical defensive shooting and gunfighting. I have since changed my range routine completely. I shoot the 5 second,5 yards, 5shots, 5" circle routine  now. My practice is at 3 Yards (one hand) 5 yards (2 Hand) and 7 yards (two hand).  This is true snubby/ small auto (like BERSA) country and I find comfort in being able to place multiple shots quickly. The class was one of the most useful days I have spent!

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Walt
Bersa T.380
S&W 686 2/12"
S&W 640
S&W 642
S&W 60
Ruger Bearcat
Ruger MKII
Glock 23 .40 S&W
S&W 2214 .22LR

Go with the Bersa Thunder Ultra Compacy in 45 ACP. Takes all the guess work out. If you do any investigating you will hear that the 380 is to light, 9mm is ok with the right ammunition, 40 S&W the recoil is to snappy and my affect accuracy. Glock G21 to thick because of the double stack magazine. Get the Bersa Thunder Ultra Compact with the standard load 230 grain JHP. You will then have all the confidence and firepower you need. Believe me I’ve been on this caliber, ammunition marry-go-round, got off and now carry my Bersa 45 full time.

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Bersa 380
Kel-Tec P3AT
Bersa UC 45 ACP
Glock 26
Glock 17
IDPA Member
South Carolina CCWP Holder

Maj.Striker wrote:

Well, the Springfield XD is calling me right now. It just looks soooo nice. :) BUT, the guy next to me was shooting an XD and I don't like to brag but his shots were pretty awful in comparison to mine. I couldn't tell right off whether it was him or the gun but he had just gotten back from Iraq so I figured he knew at least a little bit about guns.

 

Maj.Striker...For what its worth, I once shot a buddy's XD 9MM Sub-Compact and was less accurate with it that I was with my virtual junk S&W Sigma 9MM (which I traded in on my Duo-Tone BT .380 by the way).  Now I'm not a marksman by any means, but I can put two full clips from my BT .380 into an 6" circle from 12 yds at a rate of about a shot per second from a free-standing position.  The only other .380 or higher handgun I've ever been able to do that with was another friends Sig P226 Navy (I want one!).  My advice, Thunder 9UC, Thunder .380, Thunder .380cc, or one of MT's suggestions above.  I'd steer clear of the XD.  Others may have a different opinion though.

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"I know you think you understood what I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant." --Unknown

Bersa Thunder .380 DuoTone & 9mm UC Matte
Firestorm .22LR - 3.5"

Congradulations on your CCW.  Whatever you select, just be sure to be safe and be careful.  And the fewer people that know you carry, the better off you'll be.  The last thing you want is someone bringing trouble to you because they know you're carrying!

I have an XD-9 service (got that first), and got an XD-45 service when they came out.  Both weapons are accurate and easy to conceal with the right equipment.  I use a Sidearmor IWB at 3:00 for both weapons.  I favor the .45 for the power. Even with the double-stack mags, they're very concealble and comfortable in my relatively small hands.  The XD's have more safety features than the Glock, and that's why I went with them.

However, although I never had any problem with the XD's, I was just more comfortable with a weapon that had an external hammer.  Just an added measure of safety that took the "edge" off of carrying a weapon full time.  I got my Sig P220 Carry about a 18 months ago and I love it.  A little more expensive than a lot of others, but is is one sweet weapon.  Again, I carry that in a Blade-Tech UCH IWB holster.  Recently, I got my CS 2075 RAMI 9mm as a backup gun and like that a lot as well.  The RAMI is smaller than the Beasa UC9.  Actually, I went to a gun show to get a UC9 and was so diappointed with the size of it, I started looking around and found the RAMI. 

Now my standard carry weapons are the Sig now days and the RAMI if I have to dress lightly.  The XD's are sitting in the safe waiting for special duty. And my .388CC .... Well, after it rusted the first day I carried it all day, it's just sitting.

Don't worry too much about your first choice.  You'll probably make other choices after you're carried awhile.  Just enjoy, be comfortable, and be safe. 

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Reason when possible;
Extreme action when necessary.

Yes, I'm still Under Construction!

Sig P220 Carry (.45ACP)
CZ 2075 RAMI P 9mm
Bersa Thunder .380 CC
XD 9 Service
XD 45 ACP Service

wjh2657:

I took my HCP (TN permit allows carrying of weapon concealed or open carry) in Gallatin, TN at the Complete Gun Shop (right behind police department). The class was a full eight hours and covered just about everything , including ammo and mind-set. The instructor was excellent and very interesting. I am not a newby (30 years plus active duty in USMC) but I still learned a lot. He went into detail about the difference between true practical defensive shooting and gunfighting. I have since changed my range routine completely. I shoot the 5 second,5 yards, 5shots, 5" circle routine  now. My practice is at 3 Yards (one hand) 5 yards (2 Hand) and 7 yards (two hand).  This is true snubby/ small auto (like BERSA) country and I find comfort in being able to place multiple shots quickly. The class was one of the most useful days I have spent!

 

 I shoot the 5 second,5 yards, 5shots, 5" circle routine  now. My practice is at 3 Yards (one hand) 5 yards (2 Hand) and 7 yards (two hand).  

    This is a excellant  practice.  Only add one more thing  shoot the 3 and 5 yds 1 handed weak hand also. . Never know when main hand might be hurt

 

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Bersa Thunder,
PPK/S,
1990 Colt Mustang,
380 Kel Tec
380's Rule

"Just say "Lay A Way"

"WWJBD" What Would James Bond Do?

"Hokey religions and plastic glocks are no match for a good 1911 at your side, kid."

Adding 20 rounds to string for practice. 10 weak hand at 3 yards and 10 weak hand at 5 yards. Sounds like good advice. This self defense drill is a whole different type of shooting and requires acquiring all new habits!

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Walt
Bersa T.380
S&W 686 2/12"
S&W 640
S&W 642
S&W 60
Ruger Bearcat
Ruger MKII
Glock 23 .40 S&W
S&W 2214 .22LR

wjh2657:

This self defense drill is a whole different type of shooting and requires acquiring all new habits!

It works, too. I am left eye dominant but have always shot right handed. When I started doing weak hand drills I discovered I can shoot almost as well left handed as right at close range rapid fire.
Not bullseye shooting for sure, but I can now keep 8 fast rounds of .45 on a paper plate at 5-7 yards.

The moral of the story - Don't ignore the other hand, it may surprise you.

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

Well, I have a Glock 21 and a Glock 27.  I LOVE THEM BOTH!  However, in my opinion, NEITHER of these is a "pocket pistol".  Truly one can carry the 21 with a shoulder holster UNDER a jacket, sports coat, dress coat, etc., but it IS a large pistol and it needs to be.  The Glock 27/.40 S&W is a good deal smaller, but I can't stand is between my belt and my body!  I would have to buy pants 2" larger than I have now and I just am not going to do that.  I suppose if you are a VERY LARGE person, you may be able to conceal the G27 in one of your pants pockets.  For me, the G27 has it's own Forbus, paddle adjustable cant holster and it works well.  I am close to buying it a shoulder holster of it's own.  For Tactical work with the G21, I have a drop, thigh BLACKHAWK holster with room for the attached light and laser combination.  It works GREAT!  Now, I am in the process of buying a real pocket pistol for when I am in a situation where the 21 or the 27 can't comfortably worn for one or more reasons.  I am vacillating between a Bersa and the Kel-tec, 9mm either way.  I want/need to be able to deliver +9's of the heaviest projectile because I don't like messy situations and two well placed rounds should be able to settle whatever alterications that arrise.  I am really leaning hard towards the Kel-Tec PF9-9mm-Parkerized, although I have been told many times that a back up gun, being a small piece in the first place, should be silver, chrome or something to "grab" the problem person's attention.  While they are making fun of our small piece, BOOM!, we can take them down, nice and quickly!  From what I can see, if you will go to GunsAmerica and sign up for their "wish list" there are PLEANTY of both the Bresa and the Kel-tec.  Prices vary and are getting more and more reasonable.  Good Luck!  I will be interested to know what you end up with and when......take care and be careful!

Kind regards, Sinker

While I normally carry a S&W 642 in my right front pocket, I have on occasion carried the BERSA TT380 IWB and in the front pocket in a Mika holster. the BERSA works for me in both modes. I have my trousers and jeans modified for pocket carry. I don't have a BERSA 9MM but I understand they have some smaller ones that would do as well. As my BERSA Thunder 380 is very accurate and easy to fire multiple shots with, I really don't have an issue with it being a .380 for self defense.

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Walt
Bersa T.380
S&W 686 2/12"
S&W 640
S&W 642
S&W 60
Ruger Bearcat
Ruger MKII
Glock 23 .40 S&W
S&W 2214 .22LR

I carry a S&W 642 IWB holster.  I can use any T shirt or polo shirt to conceal.  It is comfortable, and at close range accurate as necessary, makes a lot of noise too.  I also upon ocassion carry my XD9 IWB, but that is a bit big and a bit uncomfortable.  I recently bought a IWB holster for my Bersa Thunder 380 and will post when I carry it for awhile.

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"Si vis pacem, para bellum"
"If you want peace, prepare for war".