Research.

It's what I do. I look things up a living, winnowing useful information out of astounding amounts of dreck. It's like a scavenger hunt everyday, and I like it. I've often continued a search well after a library patron has given up and gone home. I don't know what I like more - the thrill of the hunt or the satisfaction that comes with finding the right answer.

So when I started thinking about buying my first handgun, I knew myself well enough to know that I'd have to do a lot of reading and pistol-testing to be sure of any purchase I'd make.

In the end, I made the right choice. The Bersa Thunder .380 is slim, easily concealable and shoots like a dream. My first time at the range with my first pistol...

Bersa Thunder .380 @ 7 yards

Smaller calibers require better shot placement. I think I'm doing okay.