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SportTiger1 
LSU Fan
Stonewall, LA
Member since Feb 2007
1993 posts
| Thoughts on the Bersa Thunder 380 (Posted on 12/11/12 at 12:12 pm)
The wife mentioned the other day she would like a handgun and start going to the range to shoot. I was leaning towards just getting a Ruger .22 or something, but i would rather her be able to use it in a self defense situation if needed. So the .380 is my compromise between cheap and power.
Looking to spend in the $300 range. The catch is, it has to be pretty and YELLOW 
I'm looking at the Bersa Thunder 380, then getting the grips dipped. Any thoughts on the gun itself?
And why are women so freaking complicated? You know how hard it is to find a yellow handgun?
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Slickback
LSU Fan
Deer Stand
Member since Mar 2008
21990 posts
| re: Thoughts on the Bersa Thunder 380 (Posted on 12/11/12 at 12:14 pm to SportTiger1)
I bought on for my wife and it is OK. Nothing more. Not very smooth or accurate and has stovepiped a few times. I'm eventually ginna trade it in on a 38 revolver.
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Crawdaddy
LSU Fan
Slidell
Member since Sep 2006
9607 posts
| re: Thoughts on the Bersa Thunder 380 (Posted on 12/11/12 at 12:15 pm to Slickback)
quote:
I'm eventually ginna trade it in on a 38 revolver.
This is what I did with mine
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bapple
LSU Fan
Member since Oct 2010
4197 posts
 Online
| re: Thoughts on the Bersa Thunder 380 (Posted on 12/11/12 at 12:33 pm to SportTiger1)
quote:
Looking to spend in the $300 range. The catch is, it has to be pretty and YELLOW
If this is for your wife, you need to explain to her that she may have to make some compromises. What's more important, her life, or her gun looking pretty when she takes it out?
And why do guys insist on getting women a 380? I think a 9mm has less recoil than a 380 does. The only real advantage for 380 is that it crosses the line into the realm of pocket pistol.
I have a Kahr CM9 and it's one of the best firearms I've ever owned. It's small, slim, and easy to shoot. The action is a bit stiff to rack but if a woman is taught the proper method of racking a handgun (overhand two hand-push method) she would be able to do it just fine.
But I do happen to agree that a 38 revolver is usually the best choice. It is extremely simple - point and shoot.
EDIT: I forgot to add if you want to make any gun yellow, just contact these guys. They can take care of it for you.
Go to ontargetgunsllc.com. For some reason when I link it, it doesn't work.
This post was edited on 12/11 at 12:40 pm
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TigerOnThe Hill
Springhill
Member since Sep 2008
1821 posts
| re: Thoughts on the Bersa Thunder 380 (Posted on 12/11/12 at 12:35 pm to SportTiger1)
Sport,
Do you already have a home defense weapon of some sort she could use if needed?
I kinda like you original idea of getting a 22 for her. Sounds like she's new to shooting. If so, a 22 LR is the best way to introduce her to shooting. Take her to the range w/ her gun and let her enjoy it while she's also learning gun safety and gun handling. The YELLOW part does complicate things a great deal......
The 380 is at the very bottom end of what many would consider as a self defense round; some wouldn't recommend it at all. I don't have a Bersa, but have read lots of good reports on them. The gun you referenced is bigger than most 380's. It's certainly not the pocket/purse gun that most 380's are. OTOH, your wife may never be interested in cc, anyway.
Ruger makes a number of nice 22 LR semi-auto's. I don't know if it's yellow enough for her, but you might can talk her into this one: LINK
I saw a pic of it on the 'net yesterday for the first time and fell in love w/ it. Also, the controls on this gun are consistent w/ those on most other semi-autos.
Your immmediate need is something that she can learn w/ while enjoying it. I'd take care of that and cross other bridges when you get there.
Good luck! And by the way, I'm going to stay away from your second to the last question!! 
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bapple
LSU Fan
Member since Oct 2010
4197 posts
Online
| re: Thoughts on the Bersa Thunder 380 (Posted on 12/11/12 at 12:38 pm to TigerOnThe Hill)
quote:
I kinda like you original idea of getting a 22 for her
I think a 22 is great to learn on but I have to respectfully disagree with you about it being a good defense gun, but not for the reason most think.
Everyone thinks "a 22 can kill somebody" and that would happen to be very true. The problem with the 22LR cartridge is that it's a rim fire round and is inherently unreliable at igniting. Center fire rounds are much more reliable.
I think most women could properly power a 9mm. It's the most forgiving cartridge out there.
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LouisianaChessie
LSU Fan
Baton Rouge, LA
Member since May 2010
778 posts
| re: Thoughts on the Bersa Thunder 380 (Posted on 12/11/12 at 12:44 pm to SportTiger1)
I would definitely consider a larger frame 9mm. Better for defense. Less felt recoil. Less cost with ammo. More capacity. .380 ammo is not cheap and can be hard to get at the end of the year. .380s are famous for jamming and don't have enough punch to be carried for self defense.
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SportTiger1
LSU Fan
Stonewall, LA
Member since Feb 2007
1993 posts
| re: Thoughts on the Bersa Thunder 380 (Posted on 12/11/12 at 12:50 pm to TigerOnThe Hill)
Yeah i have a 24/7 9mm i usually leave at home, but would like to start keeping it in my truck more often. She's shot this gun quite a bit. Therefore was hoping this would also be a back up home defense gun.
Thats a good looking Ruger, i keep going back and forth on the need for something bigger than a .22. Trying to kill two birds with one stone i guess.
The Bersa is quite heavy, back to the drawing board i guess. 
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SportTiger1
LSU Fan
Stonewall, LA
Member since Feb 2007
1993 posts
| re: Thoughts on the Bersa Thunder 380 (Posted on 12/11/12 at 12:51 pm to LouisianaChessie)
quote:
.380s are famous for jamming
My brother mentioned this same thing.
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Bleeding purple 
TCU Fan
Athens, Texas
Member since Sep 2007
16390 posts
| re: Thoughts on the Bersa Thunder 380 (Posted on 12/11/12 at 1:00 pm to SportTiger1)
Be warned it is a reported hand biter.
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bbvdd 
Alabama Fan
Memphis, TN
Member since Jun 2009
6544 posts
| re: Thoughts on the Bersa Thunder 380 (Posted on 12/11/12 at 1:05 pm to Bleeding purple)
quote:
Be warned it is a reported hand biter
This, the .380 has such a snappy recoil the gun can really be very uncomfortable to shoot. My FIL has a SIG P232 and a couple Walther PPK and PPKs. They hurt my hand when shooting them. Just not fun at all.
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Bleeding purple
TCU Fan
Athens, Texas
Member since Sep 2007
16390 posts
| re: Thoughts on the Bersa Thunder 380 (Posted on 12/11/12 at 1:12 pm to bbvdd)
More so than the snappy recoil. This gun and the PPK's mentioned are well known for slide bite. the grip does not sufficently position your hand low and out of the way of the slide.
You dont want your lady looking like this: 
of course it may fit her well just make sure she knows how to hold it.
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Crawdaddy
LSU Fan
Slidell
Member since Sep 2006
9607 posts
| re: Thoughts on the Bersa Thunder 380 (Posted on 12/11/12 at 1:52 pm to Bleeding purple)
my wife likes the G19 better than the S&W 38
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wadewilson
LSU Fan
Baton Rouge
Member since Sep 2009
9249 posts
| re: Thoughts on the Bersa Thunder 380 (Posted on 12/11/12 at 2:13 pm to SportTiger1)
My cousin has a Bersa 380.
I'm not really impressed, honestly. I'm not fond of the 380, and the gun is too snappy. I'd rather have a Ruger LC9.
And in a self defense situation, she needs to be able to use what she's comfortable with. A 380 or a 9mm is definitely better than a 22, but it doesn't matter if she's not comfortable with it. Take a look at the Walther P22 while you're at it.
And I'm sorry, both of those guns are going to be in the $400 range.
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bapple
LSU Fan
Member since Oct 2010
4197 posts
Online
| re: Thoughts on the Bersa Thunder 380 (Posted on 12/11/12 at 2:58 pm to bapple)
I guess I'll reiterate...
quote:
The problem with the 22LR cartridge is that it's a rim fire round and is inherently unreliable at igniting. Center fire rounds are much more reliable.
And I have to agree with those who said .380s are more prone to jam. This may be true, but it also depends on what you buy.
If you really want to get her a nice 380, get her a Kahr P380. My dad has one and pocket carries it on a daily basis. It isn't snappy and is extremely small. Oh, and it's high quality because it's made by Kahr.
But, I still think 9mm is the best you can get for her. I have a Kahr CM9 that I love but the M&P Shield and Ruger LC9 are other good single stack 9mms.
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TigerOnThe Hill
Springhill
Member since Sep 2008
1821 posts
| re: Thoughts on the Bersa Thunder 380 (Posted on 12/11/12 at 4:56 pm to bapple)
quote:
kinda like you original idea of getting a 22 for her
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I think a 22 is great to learn on but I have to respectfully disagree with you about it being a good defense gun, but not for the reason most think.
Point of clarification: My post re: the 22 LR was NOT to recommend it as a defensive weapon, but instead as a handgun she could start w/; I was hoping that the OP already had something around the house she could use as a defensive weapon. From the original post, it didn't sound to me as if his wife had sufficient experience shooting handguns for me to recommend a serious self defense handgun to her. If you think otherwise, I'd suggest: 1. a full size, all steel revolver w/ 4-6" barrel in +P 38 Spec, OR 2. If she can adequately handle a semi-auto, whichever of the more reputable full size guns (in 9mm) she can best handle, i.e. Glock, S&W M&P, Sig or Ruger SR9. OR 3. If the grip on the above double stack mag guns are too big for her hands, look at a single stack mag gun, such as Kahr CW9/CM9, S&W Shield, Bersa 9cc, Sig 938/290, Kimber Solo, Beretta Nano. Ruger LC9 and Walther PPS. Some of the single stack 9's are pretty small so can have very snappy recoil, something she may not like.
Here are some prior threads w/ lots of good info re: self defense guns for women.
LINK
LINK
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Tilco Baller 
Auburn Fan
Member since Jun 2012
1063 posts
| re: Thoughts on the Bersa Thunder 380 (Posted on 12/11/12 at 5:02 pm to SportTiger1)
i have one but i'm not in love with it.....prolly gonna trade it in on something else soon
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Bleeding purple
TCU Fan
Athens, Texas
Member since Sep 2007
16390 posts
| re: Thoughts on the Bersa Thunder 380 (Posted on 12/11/12 at 5:14 pm to bapple)
bapple, don't lie the hand holding that gun above is a tranny right? No woman that is not ray charles daughter would do that bad of a job painting her nails.
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Carson123987
LSU Fan
Middle Court at The Rec
Member since Jul 2011
23046 posts
Online
| re: Thoughts on the Bersa Thunder 380 (Posted on 12/11/12 at 5:18 pm to bapple)
quote:
Everyone thinks "a 22 can kill somebody" and that would happen to be very true. The problem with the 22LR cartridge is that it's a rim fire round and is inherently unreliable at igniting. Center fire rounds are much more reliable.
I think most women could properly power a 9mm. It's the most forgiving cartridge out there.
All of this is exactly right
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Bleeding purple
TCU Fan
Athens, Texas
Member since Sep 2007
16390 posts
| re: Thoughts on the Bersa Thunder 380 (Posted on 12/11/12 at 5:20 pm to Carson123987)
My wife carried a Ruger LCR 38 spl +P and/or a Taurus .40 both of which she is very accurate with and handles well.
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