Handgun Advice, Bursa 380

Gunner · 04-30-2008, 09:16 PM

Hey gang, I am looking at buying my first handgun and would like to get some feedback. (Good, Bad and the Ugly)

I have narrowed down my search to the Bursa 380. It fits into my price range (moderately priced) it will be easy to conceal (yes I have a permit) and my internet research showed favorable reports.

I would also like to get some recommendations on where to take some handgun courses. I found some at �the place to shoot� but I doubt they are the only game in town, so if you can recommend others or comment on the above I would appreciate hearing about them.

Thanks in advance,

Gunner

12pulls · 04-30-2008, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gunner

Hey gang, I am looking at buying my first handgun and would like to get some feedback. (Good, Bad and the Ugly)

I have narrowed down my search to the Bursa 380. It fits into my price range (moderately priced) it will be easy to conceal (yes I have a permit) and my internet research showed favorable reports.

I would also like to get some recommendations on where to take some handgun courses. I found some at �the place to shoot� but I doubt they are the only game in town, so if you can recommend others or comment on the above I would appreciate hearing about them.

Thanks in advance,

Gunner

I suggest perhaps something a little better, for around $400 you can get perhaps a CZ 75b 9mm, an EEA 9mm, or a nice revolver like a S&W .38 for under that price. As far as classes, I suggest that you check out NWSAFE.org for inexpensive classes and quality teaching. They are NRA certified instructors and offer both classes and personal training. Look for a First Steps Pistol class or a Basic Pistol class, both will fit the teaching and range time. If you want, feel free to send me an email and I can get you started. Good luck.

Thumper · 05-01-2008, 05:37 AM

Bersa

ampersat · 05-01-2008, 05:55 AM

After doing a lot of research, I picked up the Bersa 380 concealed. It's compact and light, which means you're more likely to have it with you when you need it. I've read very few reviews where folks have bad things to say about them; far and away they're all positive reviews. Folks will talk down the 380 round, but I have yet to find one of them who would let me shoot them with it.

Don't know of any places up in Washington that have handgun classes.

choppers · 05-01-2008, 10:27 AM

Best 380 for the dollar. Finding a second magazine was the hardest for me.

GFISH1 · 05-01-2008, 10:55 AM

I have one and it has never failed. It's light, fun to shoot and I'm pretty sure it could stop someone cold. If that didn't work, then I'd have to pull out the big guns1

GRUMPYR · 05-01-2008, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by choppers

Best 380 for the dollar. Finding a second magazine was the hardest for me.

Were you successful? I have one of these and would like to find a second mag and some kind of CC rig, maybe an inside the waistband holster with a mag pouch. As for stopping power, mines loaded with 128gr silver tip fragmenting hollow points. No over penetration and 100% energy dump.

SImudBogger · 05-01-2008, 02:03 PM

[quote=ampersat; Folks will talk down the 380 round, but I have yet to find one of them who would let me shoot them with it.
[/quote]

Man is that the truth! I love when someone says a .380 or .32 isn't enough gun for protection. A .380 in a walther PPK or PPKS would be a shhhwweeeett carry gun.

Ray · 05-01-2008, 05:16 PM

I had a nickel plated one several years ago. It was pre-ban I think it held 13 in the mag. all the ones I've seen lately are only single stack. I kept Federal hydra shoks in it. It was one of the best little guns I've owned. I sold it to my brother inlaw, and tried to buy it back, but he wouldn't part with it. As for as inside the pants holsters, Galco shows two for the Bersa Thunder, I dont know if it's the same .380 but you should be able to check it out on thier web site. I have several Galco holsters, and like them all.

Ray

Jflyer · 05-01-2008, 06:04 PM

Good Pistol...22 weight with .380 punch. Small enough so it will be carried.
The dealer should be able to order the second magazine.

Silver Hilton · 05-01-2008, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ampersat

Folks will talk down the 380 round, but I have yet to find one of them who would let me shoot them with it.

I'm one of them. Might as well get a real gun, if you're getting a gun.

That said, any gun is better than no gun. There are plenty of small pieces in 9mm or 40 S&W. The 40 S&W is the overwhelming favorite of law enforcement types, but the 9mm is nothing to sneeze at. I have a little Taurus PT-140 that works real well.

buckhunter · 05-01-2008, 08:14 PM

I picked one up YESTERDAY! No kidding! It is a great carry gun and ammo is easy to find. I paid $220.00 at The Gunbroker in Tigard. It was their last one but they aren't hard to find. My

. BH

Gunner · 05-01-2008, 08:24 PM

$220...Wow, that's better than the $269 they want for it over here in Vancouver (Plus tax).
I was told that I couldnt buy a handgun out of state, is there any truth to that. I just assumed I was being told the truth but didnt check it out.

Thanks for all the feedback it is really appreciated.
Gunner

TooManyHobbies · 05-01-2008, 08:36 PM

The only thing I don't like about a .380 is that most are tiny guns. My pinky has no place to rest, or when I shoot the gun it feels like someone is slapping my hand. .25's are pretty much the same, as are most 'pocket guns'. As a starter pistol, I'd get a .22, then a 9mm or a .38, but that's just me.

ampersat · 05-01-2008, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silver Hilton

I'm one of them. Might as well get a real gun, if you're getting a gun.

Alright, you go stand over there while I load up the Hydrashocks.

$220 is a darned good price. Is that new or "gently used"? I paid more for mine because I specifically wanted the concealed version.

I sold a Ruger P95 specifically because the darned thing got so heavy to carry around. Yeah, it's a lot of gun for a smaller framed person like myself. I could have gotten a few 9mm handguns that came close to the size and weight of the Bersa, but capacity leaves a bit to be desired and when you fire a hotter round out of a lighter gun, second and third shot accuracy is going to suffer.

Flatfish · 05-01-2008, 10:08 PM

Rule #1 in a gunfight.....have a gun
----

If the pricepoint means the difference between having one and not, then have at it.

If you can scrounge up bit more money, a small Smith revolver would be a fine choice. They weigh about as much as a sinker for salmon fishing, and can hide comfortably in a shirt pocket. All while packing adequate power.

I am a fan of the 1911 platform in .45acp in single actions. A Sig in .40 (Or 9mm...... as much as I feel it makes me a communist) for DA/SA operation.

Gus Orviston · 05-01-2008, 11:07 PM

Amp, so I assume you will let me shoot you with a pump pellet gun then, or not? if not does that make it a good round?

I have Sig 380,, it is not my favorite gun by a long shot and I would much rather carry a full 9 in a compact size than it.

gus

Ray · 05-02-2008, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gunner

$220...Wow, that's better than the $269 they want for it over here in Vancouver (Plus tax).
I was told that I couldnt buy a handgun out of state, is there any truth to that. I just assumed I was being told the truth but didnt check it out.

Thanks for all the feedback it is really appreciated.
Gunner

If you buy a hand gun in OR. you have to jump through some hoops. I think there is a fee for a back ground check and one to ship it to a gun shop in WA. I bought one in OR. 4 or 5 years ago. Maybe it's different now, but I don't think so.

Ray

ampersat · 05-02-2008, 07:50 AM

Simply because I'd prefer that you not shoot me with a pellet gun doesn't mean that it's an adequate weapon for self defense. If A then B does not mean if B then A.

I've done plenty of research on the 380 round and there are lots of folks who are just as dead because of it as they would have been had they been shot with a larger round. I've heard it said before that more people die to the 22 long rifle round every year than any other caliber; I suppose they might be "more dead" had they been shot with the uber-manly 45ACP round but probably not.

If weight is a factor in whether or not you will have a gun in your possession at a time when you really need it, then choose based on weight. If cost is a consideration, then buy what you can afford based on the available opinions of those who are respected in the field. The Bersa 380 is a well respected gun with few detractors.

Soft Plastic · 05-02-2008, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gunner

Hey gang, I am looking at buying my first handgun and would like to get some feedback. (Good, Bad and the Ugly)

I have narrowed down my search to the Bursa 380. It fits into my price range (moderately priced) it will be easy to conceal (yes I have a permit) and my internet research showed favorable reports.

I would also like to get some recommendations on where to take some handgun courses. I found some at �the place to shoot� but I doubt they are the only game in town, so if you can recommend others or comment on the above I would appreciate hearing about them.

Thanks in advance,

Gunner

I have also heard good things about the Bursa. Plan on getting one next month. For classes check out the Oregon Firearms Academy in Lebanon. Great bunch of guys who will provide excellant instruction without any ego getting in the way. Check out their web site. It will be some of the best money you have ever spent.

Silver Hilton · 05-02-2008, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ampersat

Simply because I'd prefer that you not shoot me with a pellet gun doesn't mean that it's an adequate weapon for self defense. If A then B does not mean if B then A.

Which is perhaps also true of the .380.

As someone else said, though, the first rule of gun fighting is, bring a gun. Better a .380 than nothing. Most incidents are resolved simply by displaying the weapon.

Ni! · 05-02-2008, 02:56 PM

There's lots of misinformation regarding appropriate calibers for self defense. A civilian looking for concealed carry has different needs than law enforcement. While it's true that bigger is usually gooder, the first rule of gunfighting is to bring a gun. Everything else flows from that basic rule.

A .380 on your hip is a better self defense round than a .45 back home by many orders of magnitude.

wootersen · 05-02-2008, 05:50 PM

Anybody looking for a great "bang-for-your-buck" handgun should check out Hi point firearms.

I paid $139.00 for my .380 brand new and love it. It fits my hand well and is very balanced. Comes with a lifetime warranty.

The first thing I did after I bought it was run 100 rounds of federal ammo through it. Not a single round jammed.

I went in having every intention of buying a sig. The Sig was clearly a better gun, but I couldn't justify the extra $300 bucks in price tag.

Gunner · 05-02-2008, 10:25 PM

Its a done deal, found the gun in the finish I wanted today (matte black) thanks to a buddy of mine who happened to see it at fishermans while looking for a new shotgun (Thanks Todd

).
I pay for it in Oregon, they ship it over to a dealer in Vancouver and I go and pick it up. Cost is $45 extra, plus tax. $20 for shipping and $25 for dealer handling fee. It all worked out to be about the same price as if they had it in Vancouver because Fishermans price was cheaper by about....you gussed it $45 dollars.
Cant wait to pick it up tomorrow or Monday and try it out. Thanks again for the feedback and I will be looking into the different handgun courses suggested.
Gunner