[robhic]

Are most of you 380 owners or 9mm (or other) caliber owners? I own the Bersa Thunder 380 and I like it. My question really revolves around carry of a weapon either concealed or open.

Now, I'd be the first to concede that a gun you have with you is 1000% better than the one you leave home! That said, I just can't get past carrying a 380 as my primary carry weapon. I got my Bersa (and a Ruger LCP) more for my granddudes to shoot 1) because they were tiring of shooting my .22's and 2) with 22 ammo so hard to find, I'd rather have 'em shoot 380 (or even 38 or 9mm) than 22! But back to my query.

Can you really say you are comfortable with a 380? I might keep one of mine as a backup or stashed somewhere to fulfill the "better to have something than nothing with you". But unless you absolutely canNOT bring (or own or just don't have) anything larger, why do you settle for 380? I can't make myself feel OK without at least a 38 revolver with 38 +P (Gold Dot) HP ammo. Three fitty seven is even better! Nine MM is my favorite with .45 bringing up the rear. I like the round size, but 9mm's capacity (15+1 in my Glock 19 and 10+1 in my Glock 26) is better for me.

And ALL of them are superior to high power, HP even +P 380 ammunition. It just can't compete, IMO. 380 instead of nothing? Any day of the week! 380 instead of my 9mm or even 38 spl? Not on my best day. How about you?

 

[Tony1990]

Hi Robhic, that is a lot to chew on but in my case the answer is easy. I have no problem carrying a Bersa 380 and feel completely sure in my ability to protect myself and whoever is with me. At this time I have a 22LR, 32, 357/38 Ruger 101 and my 380. I keep the Ruger in my night stand because I don't want to think if the safety is on and a bullet in the chamber at 3 a.m. in the morning, I have 2 hands, one for my Gun and the other for my flash light. As for carrying there is 2 reasons I carry a 380, first I want to have 21 rounds at the ready. Second I feel very good with a smaller gun since I have small hands and I know I can hit a target within 30 feet of me 7 times. With a larger gun I don't feel so secure. I have fired 9, 40 and 45 cal guns and did not feel good about them. Now maybe the BP9cc that I have wanted for a long time may change my mind or one of the other small 9mm but that remains to be seen. I would rather hit a target 7 out of 7 times with a 380 than 3 or 4 times out of 7 with a larger gun. The size of the gun is my problem not the caliber.

 

[robhic]

I would rather hit a target 7 out of 7 times with a 380 than 3 or 4 times out of 7 with a larger gun. The size of the gun is my problem not the caliber.

Interesting reason, Tony. I guess I can understand I just think back on the stories of hyped-up druggies who get hit multiple times and keep on acomin'! And if they get hit 7 times with ANYthing and still are standing, I, personally, would rather take my odds hitting them with a bunch of at least 9mm (11 or 16 rds) or 5 street-proven 38+P Gold Dots. Maybe it's just me but 9MM +P Golden Sabers in 11 or 17 rounds should do a really good job of making most ANYthing think twice about keepin' on!

I hope you're right, for your sake, because I just can't make myself feel that confident with 380. And I have a friend and his brother that both carry Ruger LCP's as concealed weapons. Go figure. I need to work on them!!!

 

[9UC]

I prefer to carry the BT380 for SD even thought I've got both, the BT380 and the 9uc, I carry the 380 concealed OWB under an open shirt at least 99% of the time. In addition to a slightly longer grip using the DLX mags, it's lighter and prints far less that the 9uc. I like it well enough, I bought a second one, a used "nickle plate" and polished alloy frame, to keep under my pillow. I keep it loaded , safety off, with 8 rds of Speer Gold Dot or Corbon DPX JHPs in the mag and one in the tube. In my carry, I alternate the JHP rounds in the mag with a 95 gr FMJ.

 

[robhic]

I prefer to carry the BT380 for SD even thought I've got both, the BT380 and the 9uc, I carry the 380 concealed OWB under an open shirt at least 99% of the time.

So you have both a 380 AND a 9mm but you carry the 380 because it's easier to conceal? I guess I never think about that because I can carry IWB my Glock 26, 19 AND 30sf with no problems. I also carry a Taurus 38/357 revolver, again with no problems. Now, I carry AIWB which I feel makes it easier to conceal a pistol but if I was choosing between 380 and a larger caliber, I KNOW what I'd pick ... no question. I just vary my weapon depending on how I feel and what I'm wearing. I am casual (T-shirt and shorts/casual pants) 99.9% of the time and for the miniscule percentage of time I have to dress up the 380 (probably the LCP Ruger) in a coat or suit pocket.

 

[9UC]

So you have both a 380 AND a 9mm but you carry the 380 because it's easier to conceal? ......

It's good that you have the variety guns and the flexibility to carry as you like. I originally wanted to carry IWB and tried several IWB holsters when I started to carry, but simply was just not comfortable. Too much waist and not enough waist band without a major change in wardrobe. The easy of concealment of the 380 is part of the rational, and normally the easiest to explain and is seldom questioned. I additionally have some nerve damage in the small finger of my dominate hand and the thinner and longer grip of the 380 works better for me.

 

[robhic]

I originally wanted to carry IWB and tried several IWB holsters when I started to carry, but simply was just not comfortable. Too much waist and not enough waist band ...

Getting a bit off topic here but have you tried appendix (AIWB) carry? It took me a while to get comfortable with it because of where the gun points (!!!) but after careful practice, a LOT of reading and consideration I find it very comfortable both physically AND mentally. IMO, it conceals the gun (small to large) much better than a 3-5 o'clock position. The gun is flat against your stomach and after finding the "sweet spot" so it slides a bit when you sit and bend it is really comfortable. At least it is for me. And that's concealing a Glock .45 or 9mm pistol. I do it in Galco Sto-N-Go holsters that only cost about $26 each so they weren't prohibitively expensive and have a re-inforced mouth and are all leather. If you haven't tried this method, it might be something to think about.

 

[Bill 340]

Guess I am a little weird I carry the .45. nice gun easy to conceal, and you only have to hit them once, or one each depends on the crowd............

 

[robhic]

Guess I am a little weird I carry the .45. nice gun easy to conceal, and you only have to hit them once, or one each depends on the crowd............

Nothing weird about that. It's called being conservative with your ammo! Why use more than you need? It's hard to get at times these days ... EPA would love it.

 

[Tony1990]

Nothing weird about that. It's called being conservative with your ammo! Why use more than you need? It's hard to get at times these days ... EPA would love it.

Robhic, if you check 9UCs Avatar, it seems he figured out how to get an unlimited supply of Ammo.

 

[BurgerBoy]

I carry a 9UC and a 9HC. I like 9mm better.

 

[Tony1990]

How is the 9HC for concealment?? Is there much of a print showing??

 

[Jerry me]

I have number of very good 9mm pistols but still carry a 380 at least 90% of the time.

I believe that if you hit someone coming at you 3 or 4 times with a 380 and they keep coming 3 or 4 rounds of 9mm hits in the place as the 380 won't make any difference.

It's all about placement.

 

[joeyfla4427]

Interesting thoughts.... sometimes I'll carry a Ruger SP101 357 in a fanny pack on vacations. Around town most of the time I'll have a NA 22 Mag. in my pants pocket. 10 percent of the time I'll carry the Bersa 380 CC with a inside the pants holster.

 

[marine1960]

I think you should carry the piece you are most confident in---regardless of caliber. Good shots center mass are the goal. If you can't hit the target what' s the point of cc.?
Marine 1960

 

[marine1960]

I really like my BT380 and BT380 CC for summer carry. Goes into most of my pockets with a small holster.
I don't like walking around with the tale of my shirt untucked to conceal. Too much printing with light shirts or Tshirts.
In the winter when I wear a fleece pullover or sweater I switch to my SW Shield 9mm in a holster using the appendix carry. The Shield is only a bit bigger than the two Bs and is a great accurate fun to shoot pistol.
I have confidence in all of these.
Marine1960

 

[marine1960]

Jerry me
I agree well placed .380s would do the job.

 

[Gretschguy]

I like the BT-380 for Summertime use. With light clothing, it's easier to conceal, and also the "recipient" will be wearing light clothing. Wintertime, I switch to 9mm. When involved in outdoor activities, I prefer .38Special +P.

 

[Jeepnut]

I have a Bersa Pro 45 UC that carry, Ruger Speed six with 2 3/4 barrell, Ruger GP 100, and Kel-Tec P32. Feel all will protect me or loved ones and each has its place depending on clothing and local. Having a gun with me that I will use is utmost, then I get the best ammo for that caliber and use it.

 

[rachilders]

My first Bersa pistol was a .380 I purchased back in the 1970's. I (and my wife) still have Bersa 380's and would feel perfectly safe carrying either one in a self defense situation. OTOH, I have other Bersa's in 9mm and 45 ACP. FWIW, my PERSONAL favorite is the UC-9. I have 2 of them, fired thousands of rounds through both with no malfunctions and they are my "go to" pistols if the need ever arises.