Keltec, Ruger, Smith and Wesson, Bersa

Originally posted by thisguyrighthere
Of your list I own a PF9. It's always on me. When I first got it I wasnt confident in it. A lot of failures to feed. After a thousand or so rounds I guess I broke it in and now it never fails. It's been several thousand shots since its break-in period and no failures. Very comfortable to wear all day too. In the Summer I just wear shorts and a t-shirt and it's well concealed in a thin IWB holster.

Expect a long break-in period. Past that you're golden.

I should warn you that assembly can be a bit tricky. The barrel doesnt like to sit still when you're getting the slide back on and the tension is outrageous. I wear gloves to get a good hold on it.

[edit on 12-2-2010 by thisguyrighthere]

Thanks for the info!

Did you do the 'fluff and buff' that kel-tec recommends when you got it?

Any issues with the size of the grip?

I read that kel-tec recommends that you not fully disassemble to clean. I would guess that it is because of exactly what you described-those of us that are newbies to handguns would probably have a heck of a time getting it reassembled.


I take it you have quite a bit of knowledge how to disassemble weapons?

reply to post by captaintyinknots


I havent done the "fluff and buff."

Most semi's disassemble with a single lever or pin. Flip or remove that and the barrel and slide and spring all come sliding right off the frame. Once you've done one you've done them all. Pretty easy really.

All the complicated stuff like levers and springs are with the trigger group. That's where patience is a virtue. Most of the time you'll never have to get in there on any firearm. I do because I really like to. I like a lot of mechanical tinkering. You dont have to if you dont want to. Just a spray from a cleaner and a brush will clean it out fine.

I learned an awful lof about my AK by not paying attention to how the shepherd's hook was in there before taking it all apart.

reply to post by captaintyinknots


You may want to consider entering the .380 realm to fit most of your needs. There was a great thread here recently on the subject of sub compact guns.


www.abovetopsecret.com...

Here is a great article and subsequent reviews on several .380s from American Rifleman.
www.americanrifleman.org...

[edit on 12-2-2010 by jibeho]

[edit on 12-2-2010 by jibeho]

Originally posted by jibeho
reply to post by captaintyinknots

 

You may want to consider to enter the .380 realm to fit most of your needs. There was a great thread here recently on the subject and there are some excellent and affordable models to choose from.

I have looked at quite a few .380's, .38 specials, etc, but decided against them because I want both my pieces to have the same ammo.

Thanks for the idea though.

I would recommend starting with a Ruger, especially if this is going to be your first semi. Here's why:

1. External safety - most semi do not have a safety, but you will get one on the p series Rugers;
2. Visible hammer - if you are unsure of yourself with a semiautomatic, the external hammer will let you know when it is cocked and ready to fire like a revolver. This something absent, of course, on striker fire weapons
3. Decocker - the p series will allow you to decock the hammer if you need to do so
4. Reliability - Rugers are known for being great weapons

I did the exact same that you are doing and started with a ruger for these reasons. As I have gotten more confident and secure in handling a semiautomatic, I have purchased new ones without number 1-3 above. Good luck!

Please take my advice and go with the P95. It is a VERY great weapon.
1-It is affordably priced.

2- it is rated for +p+ ammo, which is not true for all polymer framed autos.

2-There are 30 round mags available by numerous manufacturers.

3-It has "Strike-2 capability" which means if for some reason the round does not fire, you can simply pull the trigger again and strike the primer a second time and usually fire the round, insead of having to rack the slide. (precious wasted time can cost you your life). Most new good quality ammo will not misfire, but old surplus will. Trust me.

4-Can be operated in Dual action or Single action, and carried with a round in the chamber without worry of firing if dropped or the trigger is bumped. (in case you don't know, dual action is when the hammer gets cocked and fires with one trigger pull, while single action is when the slide has to be racked and the hammer/striker held back to the ready to fire position, and all the trigger pull does is release the hammer/striker). I particularly like this type of operation, because you can carry with a round in the chamber, and when drawn, the first round fired will require a heavy trigger pull, which is what you want in a tense situation, where you're nervous, and a light trigger pull may cause an accidental discharge. The followup shots will be sa mode, with a light trigger pull. You've already shot, so accidental discharge is probably not going to happen.

5-has decocking/safety lever. The trigger does not have to be pulled to let the hammer down, it drops the hammer and disconnects the firing pin from the hammer automatically, making it safer to un-load, etc.

6-Easy takedown and cleaning. By removing one pin, the slide can be removed and the arm fieldstripped, and easily cleaned and re-assembled.

7-Warranty. Unlimited lifetime warranty. No matter where you got the gun, or how many owners it's had, just send it back to Ruger, and they'll fix it. For any reason. (obviously if you run it over with your car or something it might not apply).

8- It is rated for +p+ ammo, which is not true for all polymer framed autos, and will digest and spit out any ammo you can feed it. I've never had a single jam, and I've put at least 3,000 rounds through it. I've fired Pakastani surplus ammo which is loaded very hot. The powder fills up the whole case!! It feels like shooting a .45!! And never a problem!!

I hope you take into consideration these reasons, as it is a great gun and I love mine. The price is great, and you are smart for choosing the 9mm. The 9mm is one of the most widely available rounds, and is perfect for defense, target shooting, and the ammo is very affordable. I recently purchased 500 rounds for under $100. Try to find any .38 or .380acp, etc for that price. Good luck and happy shooting.

Mike

[edit on 8-3-2010 by deesul69]

I give the Bersa Thunder a 10/10 if you're looking for a small pistol that's a blast to plink around with. Sorry it's not too in depth, I never really thought about all the little things with my pistol. In fact, I haven't even shot it TOO much...but when I have shot it...I never had problems with anything at all. That's my judgment on it as an individual pistol anyways. As far as comparing with any other weapon manufacturers you've listed...I can't be much of a help. However, I wouldn't mind getting a Walther P22. I hear they are great too and if you have the license to own/operate it...you can easily buy the suppressor attachment for it. Hit up the range/backyard 007 style.

the second strike capability of some semi-autos is not needed or a good idea in combat.if the round does not go off with first hit , its not going to fire from a second or third or fourth ,a dud round is a dud round,you will have to do the TAP RACK & BANG drill to get the gun to fire,TAP or hit the bottom of magazine to make sure its fully seated & locked in to reciever,RACK the slide hard & fast to put fresh round in chamber, and aim & FIRE.if you have good quality gun & ammo or higher quality,then primer will get a good hit,if it doesnt fire you have to get it out of chamber and a new round into chamber,ammo will be bad not the gun.however if you are in a SHTF situation or worse and are having to make your own ammo and primers(currently reloading primers is illegal!!)then yes a second strike capability maybe needed, but with factory ammo not needed,ammo is made by the millions and most of it is perfect, but you never know when you will be the one to get a bad round right in the middle of gunfight.if factory ammo wont fire with first hit its a BAD round and repeated hits aren't going to make it a good round.

[edit on 18-3-2010 by madokie]

[edit on 18-3-2010 by madokie]