Bersa 380 or PPK-S

[SCKimberFan]

I am considering one of these for deep carry and/or my wife's night stand. I know the PPK is a bit more expensive, but is it worth the extra? I am most concerned about reliability and accuracy.

I am not looking for a glock or a revolver - I know I will see a "get a Glock" or a .38 post, but that is not what I am wanting.

Thanx y'all.

 

[bestseller92]

I cannot speak about the PPK/S, because I do not own one.

I do have a Bersa Thunder 380, and like it a lot. It's accurate, shoots to point of aim, and I've only had one malf with it so far.

For "deep carry", though, I might choose something smaller, like a Ruger LCP or Kel Tec. The Bersa is a fine pistol, but it isn't tiny.

 

[VE2RF]

I have several German Walthers, a S&W PPK, and I have a Mini Thunder .40, and had a Thunder 380.

The Thunder 380 was a new gun that had a lot of problems with stovepipes, jams, and FTF. Eventually, the slide fit became so bad "burrs" developed along the inner edge of the slide. I finally had a new slide purchased, had it fit, and that slide cracked.

Afterwards, I sold the Thunder 380 and bought the S&W.

I think people had irrational expectations of the S&W Walthers, which lead to a lot of internet groaning and griping. I've had excellent luck with the gun, and I've been much happier with the Smith than I ever was with the Bersa.

A friend of mine has an older Thunder 380 that has been exceptionally reliable and very well built. It's been a great gun, and if it came up for sale cheap enough, I would not hesitate to buy it. I kept the Mini-Thunder .40 that I had, and I still like it.

I would, however, recommend you go with the S&W because I think it's a higher quality gun that will retain it's value better over time, should you need to sell it or become bored with it.

 

[gpr]

ppks

i have had a ppks since 1975....haven't carried it once yet....to many better options....gpr

 

[rxraptor02]

The bersa is a good gun. A lot of folks have them and have zero problems with them. accurate/reliable as well

What I see good about the bersa is the cost and the good reviews of them. I have shot one a while back and was imressed with it. Since the cost is lower and carrying it and tossing it in a night stand the normal ware and tear will not matter much as apposed to a much higher dollar gun.

I don't know about the PPK.

Just what ever you get, get it and your wife to the range and put some lead down range along with your carry ammo.


with every gun mfg line of pistols there will be a lemon and you need to look at the big picture and not just one or two bad/good reviews.

 

[Kindrox]

I hooked my wife up with the Bersa Thunder Plus (holds 15+1) and a Galco concealed carry purse. If your wife intends to carry on her person that's best. It's a small pistol that I could IWB carry very easily.

The Plus model has needed a couple hundred rounds to get it to settle down. She liked so much I got two of them.

If she does not intend to carry on her person, there is little point to a super micro-sized pistol if she uses a concealed carry purse.

 

[EHL]

Get the PPK/s. Great little pistol and it's a quality firearm. I think the Bersa is exactly what it's supposed to be, a knock off. Stick to the tried and true. I carry mine all the time since it's so light. And yes, I have two 1911's that I also carry, but the PPKs gets carried more simply because it's much more comfortable.

 

[btg3]

For CC, I've compared:
Bersa Thunder .380
SW 642
SW M&Pc 9mm

The Bersa is a "tweener". For a gun that size/wgt, I'll take my 9mm. For pocket carry, I'll take my J-frame. The Bersa stays home, except for range trips and is a fun little shooter with no problems.

I'm also wanting to get an LCP.

 

[esq_stu]

I'm not sure how close in size it is but if you're considering PPK .380 knockoffs and would go with all steel, consider a Makarov. Totally reliable.

 

[camper]

I have a PPK, like it a lot, never carry it and for a few more bucks you can get a Khar PM9 or MK9.

 

[searcher451]

I once owned a Bersa. I still own several Walthers and carry the S&W PPK/S model every day. Don't leave home without one.

 

[SCGirl]

if you are looking for something for your wife, have you looked at the beretta tomcat? I have one, and its a great little pistol.

I NEVER recommend any woman carrying her pistol in a purse. If you are going to carry, keep it on your body. We have a tendency to put our purse's down, and who knows who will pick them up and run with them, or if ever the purse was snatched, they now have your pistol....and the upper hand. (plus I know you heard about the grandmother and her granddaughter just recently in the sam's club)

The tomcat you can get a pocket holster for, or easily concealed with an IWB...

Just my female 2 cents!

 

[357fan]

I love my Bersa, and so does everybody who shoots it. It's accurate, 100% reliable and it has a really good trigger. The only problem I have ever had with my Bersa is that the grip screws tend to work loose over time. I could locktite them, but it only takes a couple of seconds to tighten them with a screwdriver as needed.

 

[SHOTGUNJOE]

I've shot my friends Bersa Thunder Plus .380 - very nice shooting gun that I would recommend.

For CC - I'm considering the Beretta Px4 Storm sub-compact in 9mm.

 

[jackstinson]

I own the granddaddy (Bersa 383) of the current Thunder .380 and it has proven to be quite reliable. Although it is about the same general size as my S&W 6946 which is 9mm and holds 13 rounds. So I would not call the Bersa a deep carry gun. There are several .32acp, .380, and 9mm hand guns which are much smaller than the Thunder and are designed for deep carry.
Jack

 

[SCKimberFan]

Thanks everyone. I will continue to explore other options. I do like the feel of the PPK-S, I had one a while ago and let it go. My wife liked it, that is why I am considering it again. She will go to the range with any gun I keep at home, so that is not a problem.

 

[makarovnik]

Both are equally reliable but there is just something classy about the PPK. Have you considered the Sig 232? If price isn't an issue it would be my top choice for a .380 of that size group. I also like the Brownings and Berettas but they are double stacks and the handle is bigger.

 

[putteral]

I love my PPK/S. Great looking gun too.

 

[spiroxlii]

I have the Bersa. I love the Bersa. My girlfriend has a newer one, but the same model. She loves hers. Hers has the rubberized grip with the finger indentations in the front. Mine has the hard grips without those indentations. I like her grips better, but other than that... both guns have been reliable and accurate.

That said, I'd probably be comfortable carrying the Walther too. I do not own one, but they have a good reputation. The question is not really whether or not the Walther is a good weapon. The question is whether or not the Walther is so much better that it justifies the extra cost. I'm not trying to put a price on personal protection, but at some point, if you can get the job done well (not just adequately) for considerably less money, why not buy the Bersa and spend the leftover money on ammo or training?

 

[amprecon]

Another happy Bersa Thunder .380 owner here.

 

[MaterDei]

Bersa!

 

[chemarl]

why don´t you try a Beretta 84 FS or Browning BDA, I heve both, and non of the have given me any problem

 

[SuperNaut]

It's really kind of amazing how many Walther PPK knock-offs there are:

Bersa Thunder

Beretta Model 90

Sig P232

Mak P63

FEG PMK

CZ 50

That's just off the top of my head. It may be the most copied semi-auto pistol design next to the 1911.

 

[MICHAEL T]

Bersa is slightly larger than PPK/S Has a lot better trigger in DA or SA than PPK/S I can shoot a 100+ rounds from Bersa With my PPK/S I am done at 50 web of my hand hurts . Accuracy toss up . Is PPK/S worth almost twce as much I don't think so . Thats why I have http://bersatalk.com We have it all A Warrenty Gunsmith on site custom holsters Freebies and a general good time. 2959 happy members 1 unhappy one. Come visit.

 

[Visor1]

Bersa 380CC

I have the Bersa Concealed Carry model and have been well-satisfied. I have also shot a friend's Walther PPK. The Walther has better fit & finish. Both were fun but I prefer the Bersa. For some reason it shoots better to POA for me. I have never had a malfunction (500 rounds, I don't shoot a lot.). It a bit heavy for pocket carry, but not too bad. It is nice and flat in IWB. If your wife's purse is like my wife's purse, it is so heavy already that the weight of the gun wouldn't matter! If it is for the nightstand, weight doesn't matter of course.

Good Luck!