Bersa .380, Love It or Hate It?

Wife has gone through at least a dozen carry pistols. The only revolver she liked was my 2nd generation Colt DS from Lockheed's "Skunk Works" (fat chance she was getting that one!). She ended up with my WWII Walther PP in 32 acp (7.65). Got her a Bersa 22 for a practice gun. She liked it so well, I got her a .380. Not a problem with it, so far (about 1000 rounds through it)
 
I currently own one Bersa Thunder in .380. I used to own another Bersa Thunder in .380. I used to own a precursor to the Thunder model: a Bersa model 383A in .380ACP.

The Thunder .380 I currently own runs flawlessly. The Thunder .380 I transferred to a good friend also ran flawlessly. Both are surprisingly accurate.

The .383A (Thunder precursor) I once owned was inherited. It was 20+ years old when I acquired it. It ran okay, but the recoil spring was loosing a little pep and it was sensitive to limp-wristing. Rather than replace the spring, I traded it away for value toward another acquisition. I later bought a new Thunder .380.

I also have a Bersa BP9. Great trigger.

In my experience, Bersa makes a reliable and affordable product. It isn't a custom Kimber, Wilson Combat, or finely tuned Colt Mustang; but is a very good value. Great bang for the buck. Certainly there are finer firearms on the market, but few firearms offer as great of ratio in terms of quality : price. In my experience, the quality and reliability I got for the price would be very hard to beat.
 
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BERSA .380 owner

I actually carry a Smith & Wesson sd.40 and a Bersa thunder .380 for back-up. I love my sd .40 but let's put it this way....If an assailant was holding my wife and I had to shoot....I would pick up the Bersa first, any day of the week. My Bersa's accuracy is about the best I have ever had in a handgun. You point, it goes.. Metal is a little soft, but this weapon is a blast to shoot..
 
Having worked at a couple of busy LGS's in the area the last several years, I've sold alot of them. Their popularity has dropped since their price-point went North of $300. They sold much better at the $259-$279 mark.

I equate them with other lower price-point 'utility' guns - you may get a good one that runs trouble-free. You may get one that gets frequent flyer points for trips back to Bersa. It's sorta a crapshoot.

For the money on a similar pistol - it's hard to beat a Makarov.
 
Gun shops sell Thunder 380's to folks who want "the Bond Gun" but can't afford the Walther. They fit most folks hand better and feel much more substantial than other 9mm Kurz offerings at a similar price point, and they run best on quality ball ammunition.

I recommend the Bersa to anyone who is financially challenged and wants a decent 380.
 
Wow...this thread was inactive for exactly one year, and then was brought back to life!

I have owned a Bersa .380 for several years now, got it second-hand. It has worked flawlessly for me, and I've instructed several new female shooters with it. They both liked it, and it worked just fine for both of them, no limp-wristing. I can't recall precisely what model it is, but I don't believe it's a "Thunder". I just looked in one of my safes, and I couldn't locate it, so I can't say for sure.

I also worked at a LGS for several years, and we sold a ton of them (Bersa .380s that is, I don't believe they were "Thunders" either. This was in 1994-1997). I don't recall ever having one come back for any reason, but I do recall having multiple customers coming back to say how much they liked them.

So, yeah...I'd agree with others who say they're excellent "bang-for-the-buck" pistols. Dollar for dollar, I'd also rather have a Makarov...preferably in 9x18mm.

Tim
 
I don't hate it. I just have no use for one. To me it's simply not a reliable handgun. I would not chuck up failures to cleaning or lubing. Only if i ran 5k rounds through it. A few boxes should not cause that. This is why i don't consider it a reliable gun. IMO it made for those who believe in carry a lot shoot a little.
 
Your friend probably has a bad magazine. It happens with the Thunders. Send the mag back, and you'll receive a new one.
I've had one for five years and put approximately 2500-3000 rounds through it with no problems.
It's probably time for some new springs.

Mine has been passed on to my sister, and it's now her edc.
She prefers it over the Ruger SR9c she has.
 
It comes from the same company as a Philippine RIA 206. $190. This one is factory bobbed hammer. Looks like a DS copy. DS grips pretty much fit. Pretty it ain't. It will be my taking out the garbage to the alley early in the morning gun.
 
Bersa, PPK, Makarov they all come in second place to a cheaper pistol. The CZ82 in 9X18. More accurate, higher capacity, better round than the 380 a.c.p. Not much bigger or heavier.

They are gettin' tougher to find.
 

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380 is too close to 9mm, I have the S&W Chief's Special in 9mm and 45 acp for my carry guns. IF Iwere going to gea 380, it would be th S&W M&P shield.
 
Wife loves hers, eats anything rarely clean it and has nice sights. She also has a lcp and rarely shoots it. For her the bersa is a can killing machine out to 25 yards, the lcp only kills cans out to 7 yards for her. Best part I picked it up for 150. And we have wide variety to choose from and the bersa is her edc.
 
I've never owned or even fired one, but I've read and heard of those who swear by them...others seem to swear at them. My personal preference for .380 (on hot humid FL summer days) for concealed carry in a pocket is my SIG P238
 
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