Bersa Thunder .380 VS Keltec .380

kidcoltoutlaw · February 26, 2005, 11:56 AM

I know the Bersa Thunder is a good buy for the money but is the Keltec a better buy . One good point for the Keltec is it is lighter.

michael t · February 26, 2005, 01:05 PM

Bersa is larger and weights more It has a DA/SA trigger and works every time you pull the trigger. Mine has never had a malfucation.
Kel Tec smaller and lighter long DA trigger no sights to speak of and do to smaller size 380 is going to have less power. Have to question their QC because of number of people that return for repair .
The last Kel Tec I looked at at friend bought its been back to factory 2 times He has no faith in it for carry. The P-32 seems to work a lot better.
Buy the Bersa

JerryS1 · February 26, 2005, 04:11 PM

I just got a Bersa 380 for the wife.....she thought it was cute and she has a hard time shooting my 9mm Ruger. What a great little gun. I'm just an average marksman. I took my first shot to check the sights and found they were right on the money. I then shot my first 15 yard 3 shot group and checked the target...and saw a one inch group. Fired a second 3 round group and had three small holes all connected.

What a great addition to our collection, can't do better for a summer time carry weapon.

Jerry

Te Anau · February 26, 2005, 04:18 PM

The Bersa's quite a bit bigger and heavier.They will also shoot quite differently.Its a toss up but id go for the Kel-Tec.

IM_Lugger · February 26, 2005, 07:32 PM

Bersa is a better gun, i'd never buy a Keltec

michael t · February 26, 2005, 09:48 PM

And the winner is Bersa

allen268 · February 27, 2005, 01:49 AM

I own a Bersa Thunder .380 , at first I got it because of its low price, I took it to the range and couldnt believe its performance, and after doing an internet search for reviews on it everyone who tested it had only good things to say about it, even over those costing much more. In my opinion its better then most 380s at "any" price. Now I could afford a more expensive one if I wanted, but as far as Im concerned I already have the best 380 (my Bersa).

Now my money's going towards a new Sig P229, But Im still going to keep my Bersa because its fun to shoot and works great when I cant carry my larger guns.

Dallas Jack · February 27, 2005, 06:19 AM

I've had a Bersa .380 and a Kel Tec P-3AT. Still have the Kel Tec. The Bersa was more comfortable to shoot and a little more accurate. The Kel Tec was a little harder to shoot well but nothing a little practice didn't fix.

The size and weight difference was the deciding factor for me. I also liked the idea that the Kel Tec was a locked breech instead of blowback action.

My use for the Kel Tec is CCW and it fills that roll better than the larger and heavier Bersa.

PS: Also have a Colt .380 Mustang. I prefer the either the Bersa or the Kel Tec over the Colt.
gmonroe

ScoutinStAugustine · February 27, 2005, 08:39 AM

I had a Bersa .380 that would make a metallic rattling noise on every shot, and the magazine was loose in the mag well too. I shot another guy's Bersa and it jammed one out of every 10 or so rounds. I then got a Russian Makarov in .380, have since several thousand rounds through it, using different brands of ammo, NO PROBLEMS, and it's dead on accurate. Just my .02.

Logs · February 27, 2005, 08:53 AM

I have a Bersa .380 and love it. Took it to the range on Sat and shot 100 rounds through it with NO problems. I feel they are nice guns and very accurate for the size and money. Keltec's are nice guns, I am not a fan of the trigger. Keltecs are smaller so one would have to ask "Does Size Matter?"

kidcoltoutlaw · February 27, 2005, 07:06 PM

The Russian Makarov might also be a good deal for a tight wad like my friend.

J 92 Brigadier · February 27, 2005, 07:25 PM

The Bersa Thunder looks like a well made gun. But, 23 oz is way too heavy for my pocket carry. My Kel-Tec is about 6.5 oz and very comfortable either front or back pocket. The Kel-Tec is no fun to shoot, but mine feeds without problems and is good for close encounters, so I am confident it will work if I need it. If I were to carry heavy, I'd go for a 9mm or larger.

U.F.O. · February 27, 2005, 07:49 PM

I can't speak on the Bersa, never shot one. The Kel-Tec, however, I have experience with. The P-3AT is outstanding as a BUG or "last chance" carry weapon. They don't all shoot 100% out of the box, but with a little TLC and break in they're outstanding. Loaded, these things don't weigh but 11 ounces. The biggest issue regarding them in my mind is the viability of .380 caliber as a self-defense round. If you're good with using .380 ammo the KT deserves a look. If you absolutely.....positively need/want to carry and can't seem to make anything in the safe work, the P-3AT is a "go to" possibility. In a pocket holster they print about as badly as a pack of cigarettes.

U.F.O.

marshall2 · February 27, 2005, 08:30 PM

The KT P3at is much smaller and lighter than the Bersa. I need a gun that will fit easily in my pocket, and the Bersa won't. In fact the Bersa 380 is bigger and heavier than the KT 9mm P11! Here are some pix of my p3at...

http://www.mouseguns.com/p3at/p3at.htm

February 26, 2005, 11:56 AM	#1
kidcoltoutlaw Senior Member Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: bluefield Posts: 734	Bersa Thunder .380 VS Keltec .380 I know the Bersa Thunder is a good buy for the money but is the Keltec a better buy . One good point for the Keltec is it is lighter. __________________ It's not just a gun it's the symbol of freedom

February 26, 2005, 01:05 PM	#2
michael t Registered User Join Date: May 17, 2004 Location: Out back Ky Posts: 2,271	Bersa is larger and weights more It has a DA/SA trigger and works every time you pull the trigger. Mine has never had a malfucation. Kel Tec smaller and lighter long DA trigger no sights to speak of and do to smaller size 380 is going to have less power. Have to question their QC because of number of people that return for repair . The last Kel Tec I looked at at friend bought its been back to factory 2 times He has no faith in it for carry. The P-32 seems to work a lot better. Buy the Bersa __________________ 1995 Colt Combat Commander,Colt Defender ,Colt Mustang ,Dan Wesson CBOB,American Classic PPK/S Bersa Thunder 380 You must learn to be......slow in a Hurry Wyatt Earp 1849 1929

February 26, 2005, 07:32 PM	#5
IM_Lugger Senior Member Join Date: June 27, 2004 Posts: 1,909	Bersa is a better gun, i'd never buy a Keltec __________________ "I feel the Beretta is a great character, it's so strong and elegant. The other guns look dumb to me." - John Woo

February 26, 2005, 09:48 PM	#6
michael t Registered User Join Date: May 17, 2004 Location: Out back Ky Posts: 2,271	And the winner is Bersa __________________ 1995 Colt Combat Commander,Colt Defender ,Colt Mustang ,Dan Wesson CBOB,American Classic PPK/S Bersa Thunder 380 You must learn to be......slow in a Hurry Wyatt Earp 1849 1929

February 27, 2005, 08:53 AM	#10
Logs Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 1999 Location: Louisville, KY USA Posts: 1,294	Bersa I have a Bersa .380 and love it. Took it to the range on Sat and shot 100 rounds through it with NO problems. I feel they are nice guns and very accurate for the size and money. Keltec's are nice guns, I am not a fan of the trigger. Keltecs are smaller so one would have to ask "Does Size Matter?"

February 26, 2005, 04:11 PM	#3
JerryS1 Senior Member Join Date: February 26, 2005 Location: Pensacola, FL Posts: 111	I just got a Bersa 380 for the wife.....she thought it was cute and she has a hard time shooting my 9mm Ruger. What a great little gun. I'm just an average marksman. I took my first shot to check the sights and found they were right on the money. I then shot my first 15 yard 3 shot group and checked the target...and saw a one inch group. Fired a second 3 round group and had three small holes all connected. What a great addition to our collection, can't do better for a summer time carry weapon. Jerry

February 26, 2005, 04:18 PM	#4
Te Anau Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2004 Location: Somewhere south of the North pole Posts: 3,142	The Bersa's quite a bit bigger and heavier.They will also shoot quite differently.Its a toss up but id go for the Kel-Tec.

February 27, 2005, 01:49 AM	#7
allen268 Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2004 Posts: 136	I own a Bersa Thunder .380 , at first I got it because of its low price, I took it to the range and couldnt believe its performance, and after doing an internet search for reviews on it everyone who tested it had only good things to say about it, even over those costing much more. In my opinion its better then most 380s at "any" price. Now I could afford a more expensive one if I wanted, but as far as Im concerned I already have the best 380 (my Bersa). Now my money's going towards a new Sig P229, But Im still going to keep my Bersa because its fun to shoot and works great when I cant carry my larger guns.

February 27, 2005, 06:19 AM	#8
Dallas Jack Senior Member Join Date: February 25, 2005 Location: Dallas Posts: 286	I've had a Bersa .380 and a Kel Tec P-3AT. Still have the Kel Tec. The Bersa was more comfortable to shoot and a little more accurate. The Kel Tec was a little harder to shoot well but nothing a little practice didn't fix. The size and weight difference was the deciding factor for me. I also liked the idea that the Kel Tec was a locked breech instead of blowback action. My use for the Kel Tec is CCW and it fills that roll better than the larger and heavier Bersa. PS: Also have a Colt .380 Mustang. I prefer the either the Bersa or the Kel Tec over the Colt. gmonroe

February 27, 2005, 08:39 AM	#9
ScoutinStAugustine Senior Member Join Date: December 25, 2004 Location: East Coast, FL Posts: 101	I had a Bersa .380 that would make a metallic rattling noise on every shot, and the magazine was loose in the mag well too. I shot another guy's Bersa and it jammed one out of every 10 or so rounds. I then got a Russian Makarov in .380, have since several thousand rounds through it, using different brands of ammo, NO PROBLEMS, and it's dead on accurate. Just my .02.

February 27, 2005, 07:06 PM	#11
kidcoltoutlaw Senior Member Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: bluefield Posts: 734	Thanks the info is for a friend at work The Russian Makarov might also be a good deal for a tight wad like my friend. __________________ It's not just a gun it's the symbol of freedom

February 27, 2005, 07:25 PM	#12
J 92 Brigadier Member Join Date: November 25, 2004 Location: Macomb County, MI Posts: 44	The Bersa Thunder looks like a well made gun. But, 23 oz is way too heavy for my pocket carry. My Kel-Tec is about 6.5 oz and very comfortable either front or back pocket. The Kel-Tec is no fun to shoot, but mine feeds without problems and is good for close encounters, so I am confident it will work if I need it. If I were to carry heavy, I'd go for a 9mm or larger. __________________ NRA Safety Range Officer

February 27, 2005, 07:49 PM	#13
U.F.O. Senior Member Join Date: October 22, 2004 Location: TN Posts: 514	I can't speak on the Bersa, never shot one. The Kel-Tec, however, I have experience with. The P-3AT is outstanding as a BUG or "last chance" carry weapon. They don't all shoot 100% out of the box, but with a little TLC and break in they're outstanding. Loaded, these things don't weigh but 11 ounces. The biggest issue regarding them in my mind is the viability of .380 caliber as a self-defense round. If you're good with using .380 ammo the KT deserves a look. If you absolutely.....positively need/want to carry and can't seem to make anything in the safe work, the P-3AT is a "go to" possibility. In a pocket holster they print about as badly as a pack of cigarettes. U.F.O. __________________ "But today you just read that the man was shot dead By a gun that didn’t make any noise But it wasn’t the bullet that laid him to rest was The low spark of high-heeled boys" ~Traffic - Stevie Winwood~

February 27, 2005, 08:30 PM	#14
marshall2 Senior Member Join Date: December 9, 2004 Location: Signal Mountain, TN Posts: 192	I like my p3at The KT P3at is much smaller and lighter than the Bersa. I need a gun that will fit easily in my pocket, and the Bersa won't. In fact the Bersa 380 is bigger and heavier than the KT 9mm P11! Here are some pix of my p3at... http://www.mouseguns.com/p3at/p3at.htm