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Don't tell them that!!!

I've shot the Taurus TCP 738. Polymer frame. Too light for me and the recoil was really snappy. Sights were awful on the one I shot. Really light, exacerbating (so I believe) the felt recoil. Lots of muzzle flip despite a quite firm grip.

The Bersa was much easier to hold, control, and keep on target. Much less felt recoil due to increased weight. Balance felt good, too. A young lady was at the range with her boyfriend shooting .40's and .45's. I offered to let her try the Bersa and she said they had bothered her in the past. After three or four shots with the Bersa, she was all smiles and going to get her mother so she could shoot it as well.

On another note, I did observe that "slamming" the magazine in would cause to the slide to release and go into battery immediately, while inserting it slowly the slide remains locked back. An operating characteristic that I have no problem living with. The safety not only moves the hammer block into place, but totally disengages the trigger mechanism. Everything is crisp and tight.

Edit to add: I did consider the double stack model, but nixed it because the wife has smaller hands and I wanted something that would be more comfortable for her. The little extension on the bottom of the mag makes the grip just right, and while the trigger pull is quite long in DA, I found SA to be clean and crisp.

Well, I went and got one. Took it out to the range today to test it out with a variety of ammo. Absolutely no problems. Ate everything I put in it. Mixed up the rounds in the mags and it still fed it all. JHP, FMJ, light grain, heavy grain, it just ate it all right up with no issues whatsoever. Pretty impressive for the price. Definitely not the most accurate gun, but it may be that I was wearing my contacts and wasn't sighting in really well. Put about 100 rounds down the pipe with no problems. I did clean it prior to shooting, as it was a bit sticky coming out of the box. Real tight little gun mechanically. I would not hesitate to use it as a BUG or alternate carry when the big Beretta (very seldom) needs a rest.

I did not start this thread to get the ball rolling on the appropriateness of carry calibers, but any that want to do so please feel free. In all my discussions with others regarding the best calibers/weapons to carry, I will always state the opinion that while some rounds/weapons are inherently more effective than others it is the operator's comfort and skill level that make those other things effective. Carrying something you are comforable with and confident using are very important as well. As I am sure many will agree, its better to carry something than to carry nothing at all.

By the way, at some point I'm sure I'll move on up from my 9mm to a .45, but given my comfort and skill level with my Beretta I'm not in a real big hurry.