What is a decent affordable pistol?

Question

I'm looking to buy a decent affordable semi auto pistol thats larger then a .22 cal. I've been looking at the Bersa 380, anyone have any suggestions or advice?

Answer 1

A. What is the intended use?
B. How much can you spend?
C. Are you a small, medium or large person?
D. How often will you shoot this firearm?

If you can't aim and shoot the handgun at the target well, it doesn't matter what caliber it is. You should base your caliber choice on what is the target: animal, man or paper and on what can you comfortably handle without flinching, hurting, or have trouble gripping the pistol. Does it point naturally? That is, when you hold the pistol in your hand, does it naturally point at the intended target as you bring it up to sight without great effort? Lastly, "affordable" has a different amount attached to it, according to one's own earnings.

I will need more specifics in order to be able to better answer your question.

Answer 2

It appears you are looking for a pistol in the $250 to $400 range. I do not have any personal experience with the Bersa 380 but reviews I've read have given it favorable ratings. I would also take a look at Ruger and Taurus. If you are not disinclined to purchase used, I would also look at used Glocks, XDs, SIGs, H&Ks, or FNs.
As for advice, when considering a purchase, always get as much information as possible before making the purchase. Read reviews on the net, talk to the staff at your local gun shop, research price, hold the pistol, and test fire it if you are able. Getting other's opinions and experienced advice can help you choose a good pistol and avoid a costly puschase that you end up not liking. Good Luck.

Answer 3

I have heard not to go with Bersa. Not the most reliable gun out there. If you want .380, go with Beretta, or Walter. More expensive but better quality. You can always look at 9mm too. You can still get a gun just as small as the Bersa in 9mm. I was looking for a .380 and thought about the Bersa and Taurus PT138 and was told both are not good. Just what I heard and what advice they gave me. I have not fired owned or used any of the .380s. I am still trying to pick as well. I am now looking at the Sig 239 9mm.

Answer 4

Affordable is usually a term that's dependent on the person.

Personally I prefer a simple, well built, rugged and dependable firearm that has a good history in service. For that reason I chose a Glock when I purchased my first pistol and I've been very happy with it. Since then I've owned a few others (kept the Glock) and the Glock is still my favorite.

Glocks are in the $500 to $600 range for most of their new models, but you can usually find a lightly used model for around $400 to $500 if you look for a bit. I bought my Glock 23 used (PD return to a local shop, was the chief's gun — hardly fired) for $450 in 2001. It only came with one clip, but it had the night sights ($120) already installed.

I know a few people with Springfield XDs and they're extremely happy with them as well. From what I've seen of them, I'd consider one.

Regardless, you should always spend some time on the range with your intended purchase before finalizing it. Any shop worth dealing with will allow you to shoot a few rounds with a contender to see if it fits you well.

Pick the model/brand that best suits your needs and feels the best to you. Remember it doesn't matter what feels best to me or anyone else on here, just what feels best for you.

As for a caliber you'd probably be better off with a 9mm over the .380. Its more common than the .380 and bullets are easier to find and cheaper. They're actually pretty close in diameter (.354). Another good option is the .40S&W. Ammo is still reasonable for it, but ballistically its superior to the 9mm and the .45ACP for self-defense use.

Forget about the old myth of "knock-down" power. Poorly placed .357mag rounds are less lethal than an extremely well placed .380 round is. If you can't control it, you're not only inaccurate but also dangerous. That's why the FBI commissioned the .40S&W in the 80s. They moved to the 10mm, but the recoil and weight was too much for most of its agents to accurately shoot. The .40S&W is a 10mm with a shorter case and less powder but retains very good ballistic numbers.


Good luck.

Answer 5

You will be VERY pleased with the Bersa .380!!! I bought one years ago and I still love it. Never jammed on me yet after maybe 1000 rounds.

You can take apart the clip and shave a bit off the bottom of the slide and make it hold another round for a total of 17.

no kidding, you will be pleased!! Cheap gun, but a good un!

Answer 6

It's nice to see that you do not have your heart set on an expensive gun and hopefully you will buy the right gun the first time. Personally, I am leery about guns south of the border. I guess I have run across too many 1970s era Taurus revolvers. Even the "second generation" Taurus pistols and revolvers of the 1980s/1990s left me skeptical. At least look at a Ruger. Their prices have gone up some but they are built like tanks.
And I would stick to 9mm/40SW/45ACP ("the trio") calibers because they have incredibly high volumes of manufacture and this makes them cheaper than the other calibers.

Answer 7

Bersa is good for the price. You don't say what you need the pistol for, but the Beretta Tomcat begins at about $300. depending on the finish. The Tomcat, however, is a .32 acp. With Fiocchi or Silvertip ammo (or other premium defensive ammo) it is still a decent defensive pistol.

H

Answer 8

I shop a CZ seventy 5 SP-01 with a 26 around magazine and a Streamlight TLR 2 Laser/mild fixed to the rail next to my mattress each and each night. won't be in a position to flow incorrect with this one! between the suitable 9mm pistols obtainable for my area. another great 9mms are the Ruger SR9 and needless to say the glock 17. Glock makes a 33 rd magazine for the 17 besides by using fact the compact glock 19 and subcompact ?26? i think of that's the 26 i will could desire to evaluation on that. All of glocks magazines for the 17 you ought to use in the smaller 9mm weapons that glock makes, that's an exceptionally cool characteristic. won't be in a position to flow incorrect with glock the two. yet you are able to desire to be conscious of which one suits your hand suitable by using fact i've got heard from some those that glocks purely don't sense suited to them. The CZ is my very own primary

Answer 9

Your best bet is to go to a range and try out a few different kinds. The decent affordable ones range near the same price range but its a matter of which firearms works for you. I am going to say stick with 9mm due to cheapness and you can still get self-defense loads that will work well. Some options to look at based on price range and 9mm criteria:

1) Glock (classic and proven)
2) Springfield XD (Glock-like, with different features)
3) Berretta 92 (US Military uses them but with mixed feelings)
4) Taurus 24/7 (relatively new, hi capacity)
5) SIG P-226 (higher cost than the others but it is classic)
6) CZ-75 (a good workhorse with different ergnomics)

Going to gunshows after you try them out would benefit you greatly as all of these firearms (besidesr perhas the Taurus) are common finds with good deals.

Answer 10

The Bersa Thunder .380 is one of the best unnoticed bargains in the gun world. It is well made, super reliable, and cost about $249 plus tax.. My brother has one, and I would highly recommend it.