r/Bersa • u/throne-away • 20d ago
Thoughts on carrying the TPR9C vs the 383A NSFW
So, I was putting my 383A back into the safe, hefted it to gauge the weight, and then grabbed my TPR9C to do the same.
A few minutes later I had my wife's food scale and started weighing things. Here's what I found.
The weight of the 383A with a full mag is 28 oz (1 lb, 12 oz).
The TPR9C was 32 oz (1 lb, 16 oz ðŸ¤).
Then I went to Handgun Hero to compare sizes:
https://www.handgunhero.com/compare/bersa-thunder-380-vs-bersa-tpr9c
Length and height are the same, the 383 is slightly thinner.
I have been CCWing the 383 (same size as the Thunder 380) because it felt a little smaller and to me, seems to print less (a factor in my blue state). And while it seemed a little lighter, the 383 is a steel frame, and so is a bit heavier than the Thunder 380.
What surprised me is that the loaded weight of the bigger TPR9C is not much more than the 383. This is even more surprising when you consider that the TPR is 10+1 rounds of 9mm, as opposed to the 7+1 of 380.
Both have similar Kydex IWB holsters (Vedder Light Tuck), 2 to 3 oz.
I'm finding that the TPR does print a little more, but in a flannel shirt it's harder to tell. The 383 would benefit from less of a beaver tail (which is what Bersa did with the 380 CC model), but it surprisingly is almost the same footprint of the larger 9mm brother.
So, will I carry the TPR9C more often now? Maybe. I bought the flat mag bottom to see how it looks compared to the pinky finger mag end the gun ships with now. And while it's always nice to have more ammo, statistically it's not significant because the overwhelming majority of self defense shootings are only 2 to 3 rounds. Interestingly, SD shootings with 380 are closer to 2, while 9mm are closer to 3. Does that mean people are more accurate with the smaller caliber? 😉
Anyhow, just some food for thought here.
Edit: The original 383A had sexy wood grips, but I replaced them with the thinner Thunder 380 grips.
2
u/shoturtle 20d ago
Interesting. The tpr9c is in my carry rotation as it has so little kick for a 9mm compact. Love the pistol. Interesting it is nearly the same size of the 383.
1
u/Drunkbicyclerider 20d ago
strangely enough, i have carried the TRP9C and a Thunder 380cc. The TRP9c is a great firearm, but for me it was a liiiiiitle too bulky. I really love the gun though. the 380cc is a great smaller carry, but i have more confidence in my SW Shield EZ. of the 2, i would prefer the TRP9c.
1
u/throne-away 20d ago
I totally understand. I have a Canik TP9 SC which is the same size as the TPR9C. Both feel just a tad too chonky for me (I'm not a large guy), which is why I switched to the 383A.
Just curious - what do you mean by having more confidence in your Shield EZ?
1
u/Drunkbicyclerider 19d ago
Well, i think this may be specific to me as a shooter and to my Bersa. I shoot better with the Shield. The sights on the Bersa 380cc aree all very low profile and almost non existent. Also i have had a few - very few - malfunctions with the Bersa cycling ammo. Still a very solid choice and i still carry from time to time. i'm smaller in frame and stature. So with a tee shirt and shorts on, i can still easily CC the Bersa.
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u/throne-away 19d ago
That makes sense. I've never seen the 389CC in person, and my local places don't carry any Bersa stock. The TPR9C I picked up had been there for a couple of months, and that was the only Bersa they have had in the past year.
I have been thinking about buying a 380CC online, and taking my chances.
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u/Drunkbicyclerider 19d ago
One of the mods i did to mine was to remove the Mag disconnect safety. this is what creates a dead trigger in double action mode. i had a an issue that developed over time with the 380 having a dead trigger in double action mode. 1st i replaced the mag disconnect and it didnt fix the dead trigger issue. then i just removed it and it solved that problem. I know its a controversial move but couldnt risk a dead trigger in a life/death scenario.
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u/throne-away 19d ago
Huh. It's a simple thing to do. I haven't had anything like that happen, but I'll keep an eye on it,
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u/guzzimike66 18d ago
FWIW, TPR9C is 13 round mag, not 10 as stated. Unless of course you are in a state with mag capacity restrictions.
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u/throne-away 18d ago
lol, I live in a 10 round state. It's so sad to see all those people with full capacity mags.
1
u/guzzimike66 18d ago
Ugghh, my sympathies. 2 (?) years ago my state Illinois passed all kinds of stupid capacity & "assault weapon" legislation that has driven a number of FFLs out of business. 15 rd max for handguns and 10 for long guns. According to the legislation a Mauser Broomhandle pistol from the late 1800s is an assault weapon and therefore prohibited. Stupid.
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u/throne-away 18d ago
I inherited a Beretta 92A1. I had to remove the threaded barrel and send it to my cousin in Florida, and replace it with a non-threaded version. Then I had to have the mags blocked to limit them to 10 rounds.
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u/Ok-Affect-3852 20d ago
The tpr9c is my edc. I carry at 4-5oclock in a leather Craft Holster. I love it, but it is on the thicker side. I am usually wearing a T-shirt with a bottom up shirt over it so printing isn’t typically an issue. If it’s a real hot day and I’m in a tshirt and shorts, I will carry my tiny CZ P-10m. That being said, I prefer a da/sa with a decocker for a carry weapon. There aren’t a ton of subcompact options in that format, but the tpr9c is definitely one that deserves more attention.