So my wife wanted a gun of her own

**Zewkeeper** · Posted On: 2/28/2009 8:19am

So my wife and I are out to breakfast the other day as I got off of night shift for the month and a guy I had just arrested a month or so ago comes into the IHOP we were at and approaches me. long story short he really didn't threaten me or anything in fact he was very polite and wanted to thank me for " helping him turn his life around".

Anyway, after the guy leaves my wife immediately turns to me and says she'd like to get a handgun of her own, you know..for personal defense and whatnot. "oh be still my beating heart"( tears of joy)

so after we get her a pistol permit and everything we go down to the local gun shop and they allow her to try out a few different weapons at their indoor range. she finally settles on a Bersa thunder plus .380.

I'm more of a 1911 guy myself, though my department carries glock 21's and I've come to really like the glock. but I really didn't know much about the Bersa line of firearms at all. but after shooting the thing I really was impressed with it. I was wondering if anyone else around here had much experience with the Bersa thunder series and what your opinions are as a whole.

also because the gun shop we were at gives all LEO and military personell discounts I bought myself a Smith and Wesson airweight .38 to carry as a backup weapon on duty.

**JingMerchant!** · Posted On: 2/28/2009 8:40am

I'm curious as to why your wife suddenly decided she wanted a gun?

**sochin101** · Posted On: 2/28/2009 9:19am

So she can deal with people who interrupt her breakfast?

Maybe she figures the guy came over to get a better look at her, and thought it prudent to have more of a defence than wait & hope if she sees him hanging around again.

**Scrapper** · Posted On: 2/28/2009 9:23am

Everyone seems to like the Bersa. Inexpensive, reliable, and fairly accurate. it ain't a walther or even a beretta, but it gets the job done.

I've played with the m at the range. and I like 'em. Never failed to fire or blown up in my hand.

**Zewkeeper** · Posted On: 2/28/2009 10:15am

Well it wasn't a sudden dicision to get the gun, we had discussed it before but the incident with the guy approaching us like that was the straw that broke the camels back so to speak.

I've always been of the mindset I'd rather have it and not need it then need it and not have it, so she finally caved in and went for it.

Thanks for your opinion about the Bersa and yeah i realize it isn't a walther or anything but for the price it seemed like a decent enough weapon for a first time handgun owner/user.

**omoplatypus** · Posted On: 2/28/2009 11:21am

i've never heard anything great about them. but, on the other hand, i've never heard any complaints either.

**mad_malk** · Posted On: 2/28/2009 6:07pm

Well I just got my fiance a gun after trying a few out we ended up settling on a .357 S&W 1 1/2" j frame hammerless. loaded with Hornedy tap .38's

**Robstafarian** · Posted On: 3/01/2009 3:32pm

I remember reading something about a year ago on some site I trust that CorBon's DPX was the .380ACP load to carry. A quick visit to Google turned up this:

Bersa Thunder .380 with Corbon 80-gr. DPX Ammunition

The page itself doesn't look familiar, but I think that must be the article I'm thinking of (and I certainly trust that site).

**thaclient** · Posted On: 3/02/2009 11:02am

Have you let her shoot the S&W airweight (not with +P at first though)? Mad_malk has a point: While the Bersa isn't a bad choice, neither is a snubnosed revolver in either .38 or .357. The only issue there could be recoil, so that's why I think letting her shoot yours first isn't a bad idea.

Also, since you are a LEO you can get a LEO tag here on Bullshido. Contact one of the mods and they will give you more information on the process.