Bersa’s TPR9 Pistol: Affordable Security

Bersa’s TPR9 Duotone, also available in matte black.

The economy is doing better, but that doesn’t mean you want to blow your whole paycheck for your personal security.

Bersa has great news for folks who’d like a hardy, duty-grade handgun but don’t want to tap into their 401K (or win the lottery) to make it happen: They’ve recently introduced a 9mm version of their hugely popular Bersa 380 line of semi-automatic pistols, the TPR9. This semi-auto double action/single action (DA/SA) gun is built to stand up to the heavy demands of law enforcement…but it does so with a workingman’s (or woman’s) budget in mind.

With an MSRP of about $465, this full-size handgun should be available from dealers for considerably less–$375 or so, depending on what your chosen dealer offers. But of course, although the price is the headline, the really good stuff is in the details. Simple and functional, this 17+1 gun offers plenty of 9mm stopping power on a proven reliable platform. Plus, the gun is just easy and fun to shoot. Its 30-ounce weight and semi-auto action softens felt recoil to a gentle nudge, while its grip angle and ambidextrous controls make it simple and intuitive for righties and lefties alike. It even offers the robust Browning-Petter locking system, so the handgun feeds and extracts…even when the ammo you’re using might not be the most expensive on the shelf, either.

If you’re looking for a hard-hitting self-defense gun that won’t break the bank, check out this terrific breakdown by NRA spokesman Colion Noir, here.