I think a lot of concealed carry enthusiasts have experience with the famed Bersa brand of pistols. I know my first real concealed carry gun was a classic Bersa .380. The Bersa .380 ACP handguns provided affordable, robust, easy-to-use, and easy-to-conceal pistols. I liked my little Bersa, but 9mm eventually captured me, and I somewhat forgot about the classic Bersa design. It wasn’t until I stumbled across the Bersa TPR380 that I remembered this classic carry gun.
Bersa makes way more than their .380 ACP series. I have no experience with their handguns beyond the original .380 ACP variant I previously owned. However, they are reportedly quite nice, and I might try to get my hands on one. Bersa is based out of Argentina, and they are well known for affordable firearm options. Bersa’s famous handguns are obvious Walther clones, though they’re sold well below Walther prices.
The Bersa TRP380 is still mostly a Walther clone, but Bersa has made a few significant changes to the external design of the pistol.
What’s the Difference?
Bersa went and added a rail to the classic Walther-style design. They didn’t try to add bulk to the metal frame, but instead added a polymer rail to the front of the gun. They did this by incorporating a clamshell-type design that goes from the rail and around the trigger guard and the grips. It appears that the rail and grips could easily be removed. You could likely toss on a set of standard Bersa grips and ditch the rail if you so choose.
The rail makes it quite easy to add a light to the gun, which is great for home defense. You only have two slots for a rail and very little room, so you’re stuck with things like a TLR-7 SUB or platforms with similar profiles. Even these small-sized lights stick past the barrel. However, beyond the addition of a light, you can use a laser or something like a Mantis device to measure your performance.
The TRP380 features a redesigned slide system that trims the slide and smooths it out a bit. It’s a good bit different than the classic Bersa series. This creates fewer snag points, which would make it easier to draw and less likely to snag when carried concealed, theoretically. The slide itself is really interesting, standing out against the somewhat chunky polymer design.
It’s not going to be everyone’s cup of tea, but I do think it’s an interesting take on a classic design. Who says you can’t modernize a classic design?
The Bersa TPR380 Specs and Features
The Bersa brand is known worldwide, and you can tell by the number of safety devices that Bersa utilizes. There is a Euro-style mag safety device because the Europeans really love them. There is also a locking device that can totally shut the gun down, similar to the S&W and Taurus locks, which appeals to European and South American shooters. Then, we have the combination decocker and manual safety device on the slide.
The TPR380 comes with an eight-round, single-stack magazine. You only get one, but any Bersa .380 mag will work. The gun has a 3.5-inch long barrel, which is perfect for .380 ACP, in my opinion. It allows the round to get some decent velocity, which ensures penetration and expansion of hollow points. It makes the most out of the .380 ACP without dealing with the recoil and control issues with something like the S&W Bodyguard.
The TPR380 weighs 20 ounces and is 1.3 inches wide. The grips are pretty bulky, to be honest. It’s not the smallest gun, and compared to the SIG P365, it seems a little out of date. The gun is 6.6 inches long overall and 4.9 inches tall, so it’s not the smallest gun out there by any means.
With that said, you can get the TPR380 for a great price. You can easily find one for less than 300 dollars. That’s not a bad price for a concealed-carry handgun with a proven and reliable design.
At the Range
With half a case of Fiocchi .380 ACP ammo and the TRP380, I hit the range running and immediately slowed down. Holy crap, it’s a blowback gun, and you feel it. Much like the original Walther designs, these guns use a straight blowback system with a fixed barrel that doubles as the recoil spring guide rod.
Oof, you kind of forget what to expect. The recoil impulse is snap and sharp. It hits your hand hard and stings nearly up to your elbow. With a recoil impulse like that, you expect to have a good bit of muzzle rise, but surprisingly, the gun doesn’t buck too much. It’s surprisingly flat shooting for a straight blowback design. The lightweight slide helps keep the gun low and on target.
Once you get past the surprise of the recoil, the TRP380 can be fired quickly and efficiently. Putting two or three or more rounds right where you want them isn’t tough. The sights across the top are a simple three-dot variety but large enough to easily see and get behind. Another nice surprise is the trigger.
The double-action is long and heavy but surprisingly smooth. Any perceptible grit gets erased as the gun’s shot and breaks in a bit. The single-action is quite nice with some takeup, then a wall, then the bang. It’s very smooth, which helps make this a very solid shooter.
Blasting Away
The magazine release is placed higher than you’d expect if you’ve shot a gun designed after World War II. It’s a bit awkward, but this isn’t necessarily a pistol you’d be reloading on the fly. The safety on the slide would normally be a downside, but on this specific model, it’s very easy to reach and use. It automatically decocks the gun and disconnects the trigger.
The grip does encourage a nice high grip. An aggressive beavertail allows you to run your hand high without worrying about getting some nasty slide bite. The grips are well-textured and likely aid in keeping the gun pinned in hand regardless of the recoil the gun generates.
In terms of reliability, .380 ACP is a bit scant in my neck of the woods, and I have half a case of Fiocchi, so that’ll have to do. That half a case fed without a problem, and the gun never failed to fire, extract, or eject. I’ve yet to clean the thing, and it still runs quite well.
An Affordable Nature
With inflation and the economy, a gun that costs under 300 dollars can be a bit tough to trust. However, the Bersea TRP380 hits a home run. For less than three Benjy Franklins, you can get a reliable, easy-to-tote, and modern little pistol with a proven design. The reason I bought a Bersa all those years ago was for its affordable price point, and Bersa continues that legacy.
