A local dealer called me last week

[troy2000]

And told me he had finally gotten in one matte black .380 thunder, and one duo-tone. He told me he'd hold the matte one for me if I made it down that afternoon. So I hauled over after work, and he told me he'd give it to me for the "special price" of $299.95.

I'm afraid I was rude. I guess the moral is, "never let them know you want it."

I stopped on the way home and bought some presents for my old Jeep instead...

[toolman]

Troy, I understand there are additional fees in Cali. but our local Academy has two different versions in stock for $218.95 ea. Here in Tx, the only extra fee is 8.75% tax. Heck it would almost be worth driving to J&G in Prescott, Az and buying a $140 PA-63 that's even a bit hotter cal. I think you made the right move.

[Jay1958]

$299 for a matte T380 is too high, but the prices do seem to be trending up for the Bersas. $249 probably wouldn't be a bad price in most places. The matte version is a little more expensive than the DuoTone, and $225 is a pretty good price where I am for the DuoTone model.

I paid $250 for my T380CC.

Jay1958

[CrazyIvan]

Originally Posted by troy2000

And told me he had finally gotten in one matte black .380 thunder, and one duo-tone. He told me he'd hold the matte one for me if I made it down that afternoon. So I hauled over after work, and he told me he'd give it to me for the "special price" of $299.95.

I'm afraid I was rude. I guess the moral is, "never let them know you want it."

I stopped on the way home and bought some presents for my old Jeep instead...

Have you checked GunsAmerica - The Honor System Gun Classifieds ? They have many Bersa Thunders listed on their for fair price. I spent $265 on an FEG model, it is great.

[troy2000]

Originally Posted by toolman

Troy, I understand there are additional fees in Cali. but our local Academy has two different versions in stock for $218.95 ea. Here in Tx, the only extra fee is 8.75% tax. Heck it would almost be worth driving to J&G in Prescott, Az and buying a $140 PA-63 that's even a bit hotter cal. I think you made the right move.

I've pretty much given up on this shop. He's the one I asked to order me an 1895 Nagant revolver, figuring "what the heck; it'll cost me a little more, but I'll be supporting a local, independent dealer." His response? "You might as well order it online; we don't bother with them because they don't have a decent profit margin."

Some people would call that an honest response; I'd call it a stupid one. In his place I'd order anything a customer wanted, even if I just broke even or made a few bucks, just to keep him coming back as a customer. It isn't like he gets flooded with that sort of special order and is going broke trying to fill them...

[Zen900]

Originally Posted by toolman

Heck it would almost be worth driving to J&G in Prescott, Az and buying a $140 PA-63 that's even a bit hotter cal. I think you made the right move.

I just bought a PA63 for an advertized $125 but FFL, shipping etc brought the final price to $168. I got mine from Centerfire but the J&G will probably have a final price of $185 then you'll have to replace the springs so add another $20 but the thing I like about the surplus Euro pistols is they're almost all metal but for the grips. A new Bersa is basically a finished product at $255. There's very little to replace on a new Bersa and the Bersa has vastly superior sights as do all modern pistols. A surplus PA63 is a project in the making or labor of love.

[pap1105]

i bought a new t380 duo tone at GANDER MT for 199.00 . i think i am just luckey

[troy2000]

Sure; rub it in, pap.

[pap1105]

i have been lucky the young clerk quoted me 199.00 the boss brought it out and wanted 229.00. i told him i was quoted 199.00 he let me have it for that price. god bless young clerks.

[ICE-MAN]

here in ohio at a local gun shop u can buy a pa 63 for 159.99 plus tax thats the 9x 18 not a 380 but im really happy and impressed with the one i bought