Sep 07 Blue Press 56-72 7/14/07 10:01 AM Page 69

The Return of the Pocket 69 By Paul Berardi the most modern shooting facility in the country.] Any mention of the country Argentina brings to The hammer is de-horned to the point it mind thoughts of Juan and Evita Peron, pre- and extends from the slide no more than a Mauser post-WWII intrigue, 1909 Mausers, great bird hunt- HSc would, yet it offers easy cocking for firing ing, and one of the most beautiful places in South the first shot in conventional single-action mode. America. It’s also the home of Bersa, one of the The external slide release has also been trimmed more innovative firearms manufacturers today, and smoothed along with the magazine release, offering both quality and value for your dollar. , and takedown lever. Both the slide release The true “pocket pistol” of years ago is here and the magazine release can be operated single- today courtesy of Bersa – with all of the built- handed and function easily. in safety features the current market To provide the ultimate in safety, the pistol is requires. Years ago, real pocket equipped with a magazine safety, a ham- were a product of the 1920s through mer-drop firing pin safety, and a key the beginning of WWII. Among lock safety on the left side of the them were such great examples as frame. The pistol also has a the Walther PP and PPK, Mauser HSc, loaded-chamber indica- Sauer 38H and even pistols from com- tor that is as good panies such as Ortgies. as what you When you think of a pocket pistol, find on you think of a pistol that can be drawn from a coat or pants pocket without the chance of snagging – a snag could delay a draw, with fatal consequences. Pock- et pistols are intend- ed to be drawn quickly in response to dangerous situ- ations. I think the “The true “pocket pistol” of years ago is here best examples of pocket pis- today courtesy of Bersa – with all of the built-in tols are the safety features the current market requires.” Mauser HSc and the PPKs. It is located on the left side of the slide and Walther PPK. pivots outward at the rear to indicate a loaded Primo quality chamber. The pivoting section is red in color and pistols built in can be seen by the shooter when sighting the pistol the 1930s; both and is easily felt while in your pocket. have a totally smooth contour from sights, the The grips are made of a synthetic material and art-deco-look guard on the HSc to almost are ergonomically designed to give the ultimate in totally shrouded hammers that would eliminate feel and retention, and the grip angle makes this anything that would cause any type of hang-up little pistol a natural pointer. The smooth, matte during a draw. black oxide finish on the slide matches the There are many fine small pistols today that are finish on the frame perfectly and comple- of equal – if not better – quality as the guns manu- ments the finish of the synthetic grips. factured during the years between WWI and WWII; As you would do with any new pistol, I per- yet only high-end guns today have what are stan- formed a break-in with two boxes of FMJ ammo dard features that you find on the Bersa Concealed and one box of Silver Tips to see if the little pocket Carry .380. Dollar for dollar the Bersa is a winner. pistol had any ammo preferences. There were a The new Bersa Concealed Carry .380 has all the few feeding issues in the first 50 rounds of FMJ, but features you would want on a pocket pistol. The function was flawless after the break-in period. sights are squared-off post and notch integral with With a price under $300, weight of no more the slide and they are almost flush with the top of than an alloy J-frame, great accuracy and function the slide. They are meant to be totally snag free for combined, I’m sure it will be a hot little seller in quick pocket-draw conditions. They’re more than the states that have concealed carry. It’s a great lit- adequate for their intended use, and I was able to tle pistol to drop in a pocket of a pair of shorts consistently fire one-inch groups at 21 feet when I without needing a two-inch belt to hold your shorts tested the Bersa. [This evaluation was performed at up. Ideal for Arizona living, or just about any place the Scottsdale Gun Club (scottsdalegunclub.com), else for that matter. DP