Posted: 10/7/2010 4:42:59 AM EDT
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I'm looking into getting a second carry gun, and can't decide which caliber. I'm stuck deciding on .380 or 9mm. I was about to pull the trigger on a Bersa Thunder .380 because I really like the weight and feel of them, and they point naturally for me. The problem is I keep falling back on ammo price and availability. 9mm is more plentiful and cheaper and that would mean more trigger time with a new pistol. Can anyone point me to a 9mm comparable in size, a single stack would be nice. I don't really care for taurus, kel-tec, or kahr. Can a used Makarov be found and had for a reasonable price?
Thanks, Dan |
| Look at the Kahr pistols in 9 MM with polymer frame. These are single stack magazine pistols but the smallest Kahr's are very concealable. I'd prefer 9MM to 380 ACP partially because the 9 MM is locked breach and actually has less recoil than a blow back 380 like Bersa or Walther PPK, PP, PPK/s. Kahr are not cheap but they are similar in design to the Glock but smaller and very reliable. 7 rounds of 9+ is better to me than 7 or 8 rounds of 380. |
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the bersa is a great little pistol. 380 isnt ideal but it will still get the job done. if you find another platform you like in 9mm id go with that [above mentioned platforms are great]
but i dont think you could go wrong with the bersa either if you can get the ammo to feed it |
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Quoted:
I'm looking into getting a second carry gun, and can't decide which caliber. I'm stuck deciding on .380 or 9mm. I was about to pull the trigger on a Bersa Thunder .380 because I really like the weight and feel of them, and they point naturally for me. The problem is I keep falling back on ammo price and availability. 9mm is more plentiful and cheaper and that would mean more trigger time with a new pistol. Can anyone point me to a 9mm comparable in size, a single stack would be nice. I don't really care for taurus, kel-tec, or kahr. Can a used Makarov be found and had for a reasonable price? Thanks, Dan What is your current carry gun? |
| In comparible price your not going to find much to a Bersa..which many feel is more reliable then a Walther PPK at more then half the price. Cabellas just had S&B 95 gr FMJRN for 14.99 per box..and .380 is becoming more available...for now. I find the Bersa I can front pocket carry in the summer and for IWB its great. WHere do you plan on carrying your back up....IWB? |
| Ruger LCP- mousegun but it carries so well you'll forget it's in your pocket. You'll also be less likely to leave it at home. I fondled handled one of those new compact Ruger 9mm single stacks the other day and it felt nice too. That Walther is nice also if somewhat fugly. |
| Apart from arguing the effectiveness of a .380, there is another point that should be made. The .380 cartridge has, by its intrinsic nature, a problem feeding. The stubby dimension does nothing to ensure the most reliable feed possible. If you did a quick search on posts where people report problems with .380 chambered side arms, the vast majority will fall in to feeding issues. Again, side stepping the discussion on how effective the cartridge is, the possible feeding issue is not something I want in a range toy let alone a defensive firearm. The .380 has so many things going against it, it absolutely baffles my mind why people choose it thinking they have something special. |
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Quoted:
Apart from arguing the effectiveness of a .380, there is another point that should be made. The .380 cartridge has, by its intrinsic nature, a problem feeding. The stubby dimension does nothing to ensure the most reliable feed possible. If you did a quick search on posts where people report problems with .380 chambered side arms, the vast majority will fall in to feeding issues. Again, side stepping the discussion on how effective the cartridge is, the possible feeding issue is not something I want in a range toy let alone a defensive firearm. The .380 has so many things going against it, it absolutely baffles my mind why people choose it thinking they have something special. I believe it is because some people are too lazy or don't care enough to dress around their carry weapon. A lot of people have somehow convinced themselves that they are adequately armed through the "it beats a .45 at home" or "its better than a sharp stick" arguments. Some people legitimately cannot carry anything other than something in the .380 size, but I think the majority are just too lazy to carry something bigger and it shows in the sales numbers of pistols like the LCP. I've considered the LCP myself, but I know I would never feel properly armed carrying something with such dismal stopping power. I'm going to opt for a PM9 or 642 for when I can't carry anything larger. |
| I own and carry a LCP on a day to day basis because I can't dress around a larger weapon. If you can carry a 9mm I would cary this or a 38 spl S&W Air weight. But for concealment the LCP will go anywhere. I hate the 380 but I am aware of its limitations. The first rule in a gunfight is to have a gun. |
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Thanks to everyone for the insights and suggestions so far. I stopped at the gun shop yesterday and checked out an M&P 9c and a PPS. I liked both, but would probably take the PPS over the M&P. I would like to check out a G36 before I make my decision, but they didn't have one there.
Dan |