Joined
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97 Posts
Hello, Since I am getting a FireStorm 380, I thought i would join up. I am an old guy, 7 years Military Service, 20 years Law Enforcement service (with a medical retirement), and several years as Domestic Security Contractor, protecting the power grid in the mountains for Homeland Security. Now, I am semi retired, and a REALTOR for Coldwell Banker in the Sierras of Nor-Cal.
I spent many years as an Armorer, and firearms instructor and tactics instructor in the Military and LE, but I am not a firearms brand snob! My Armory is diverse, with my EDC CCW weapons being a Glock 19 that I have had for 20 years, a Kahr CW45 45 ACP I bought last year, and Taurus 85 38 snubby I bought a couple years ago. The Taurus 38 replaced a Taurus Millennium (non-pro) 9mm that I loved, but had reliability issues, and had an ejection port too small to eject certain longer loaded rounds...That's a game killer for me, since immediate action drills for a striker fired pistol includes jacking out the round that did not fire!
Unlike some "Professionals" I am a fan of the .380 and 9x18 as a defensive pistol round. I have had a CZ82 9x18 and a CZ83 .380. I liked them, but almost as bulky as my Glock 19. I have also had Kel-Tech 380 and 9mm (just too insubstantial for me), an FEG SMC PPK clone, an AMT Back-up .380, and many years ago a German made Walther PPKS (which I foolishly sold). With the good ammo available, it is effective for close up and personal encounters, with moderately good shot placement. I like Hornady Critical Defense .380s (I also like it in my Kahr CW45 and Inland 30 M-1 Carbine house weapon). I still have some from when I had my CZ83. I am also intrigued by Buffalo Bore 90 grain +P, and might try some of that, too.
Anyway, fast forward to yesterday when I went into one of my local gunshops and found a NIB BERSA FireStorm .380 for $375. Handguns of any sort are hard to get in Kalifonication, due to our draconian approved handguns list. VERY few 380 pocket pistols are approved, but the Firestorm is one. I picked it up, and really liked the balance and feel of it. At 20 ounces, it weighs an ounce less than my Taurus 38, but will hold nine rounds (with a Mec-Gar 8 rounder), instead of the wheel gun's five!
This will fit nicely in my ankle holster for when I am "all dressed up" being a REALTOR!
I spent many years as an Armorer, and firearms instructor and tactics instructor in the Military and LE, but I am not a firearms brand snob! My Armory is diverse, with my EDC CCW weapons being a Glock 19 that I have had for 20 years, a Kahr CW45 45 ACP I bought last year, and Taurus 85 38 snubby I bought a couple years ago. The Taurus 38 replaced a Taurus Millennium (non-pro) 9mm that I loved, but had reliability issues, and had an ejection port too small to eject certain longer loaded rounds...That's a game killer for me, since immediate action drills for a striker fired pistol includes jacking out the round that did not fire!
Unlike some "Professionals" I am a fan of the .380 and 9x18 as a defensive pistol round. I have had a CZ82 9x18 and a CZ83 .380. I liked them, but almost as bulky as my Glock 19. I have also had Kel-Tech 380 and 9mm (just too insubstantial for me), an FEG SMC PPK clone, an AMT Back-up .380, and many years ago a German made Walther PPKS (which I foolishly sold). With the good ammo available, it is effective for close up and personal encounters, with moderately good shot placement. I like Hornady Critical Defense .380s (I also like it in my Kahr CW45 and Inland 30 M-1 Carbine house weapon). I still have some from when I had my CZ83. I am also intrigued by Buffalo Bore 90 grain +P, and might try some of that, too.
Anyway, fast forward to yesterday when I went into one of my local gunshops and found a NIB BERSA FireStorm .380 for $375. Handguns of any sort are hard to get in Kalifonication, due to our draconian approved handguns list. VERY few 380 pocket pistols are approved, but the Firestorm is one. I picked it up, and really liked the balance and feel of it. At 20 ounces, it weighs an ounce less than my Taurus 38, but will hold nine rounds (with a Mec-Gar 8 rounder), instead of the wheel gun's five!
This will fit nicely in my ankle holster for when I am "all dressed up" being a REALTOR!