Bersa Thunder 22

[Coaltminer]

Anyone have one of these and is it good? Seen them new on GI for $350-400. Looks neat, but what about function and accuracy? I had a PPK that was great, 380, but that fixed barrel produced more recoil than I wanted. Your input on the Thunder 22?

 

[Pisgah]

I had one and wish I hadn't traded it. Reliability was fine, and accuracy was more than sufficient for the use I made of it -- mainly a pocket gun for hiking and backup/finisher for hunting. $350 is a bit steep for around here. I see Sportsman's Warehouse and Academy Sports offer them at $289. Although they don't typically have them in-store, you can order one online and have it delivered to the store.

 

[OKFC05]

Accuracy is about what you'd expect from what it is: pocket pistol with minimal sights, but no target gun. Fun gun to learn point shooting.

 

[squidsix]

I carry a Bersa (firestorm) 380 sometimes and if the 22 is similar in accuracy and reliability it will be a winner.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Had one, also don't know why I let it loose.
Now have a Beretta 21a and a Walther PPK for small 22 carry.

 

[BearBio]

Wife carried a 380 and I got her a 22 for a practice gun. She carried it until I introduced her to GLOCK!

 

[Echo40]

I don't own a Bersa Thunder .22, but I do own a Walther PPK/S .22 which the Thunder clearly drew some inspiration from.

The PPK/S .22 is excellent aside from the DA Trigger which weighs in at a whopping 17.5lbs! Also, it's got an alloy slide/frame, but I really don't care since it's a .22, and besides, I've yet to read of any of them breaking.
The Bersa Thunder .22 is priced similarly to the Walther PPK/S .22 and it has a steel slide, which automatically makes it better in most folks eyes, so it ought to make for an excellent quality plinker.

 

[BearBio]

The FFL who handled the transfer of both Bersas was very favorably impressed with the quality.

To answer the OP: accuracy was acceptable for a pocket pistol (not as good as a Glock 43 and no way near a G27 I have) and reliability was good but both were a little finicky on ammo. The 380 handled HP well. Total cost for both was under $500.

 

[metalbanger1]

I own one now. It's more like a PP than a PPK. Fun to shoot, accurate enough, and pretty nice trigger. It will cycle most ammo. I think the older ones have a little better machining. I have several Bersa .22 pistols. The best of the lot is a 223 DA that is the all steel version of the Thunder. The price you talked about is a little high. You should be able to buy one for $300 or less.

 

[old&slow]

I have Bersa Firestorm .22, and it's one of my favorite .22's.
Accurate and fun to shoot.
I thought they were more in the $270 - $300 range.
But I haven't looked at the price in awhile..

 

[CoronaDan]

I have a BT 22 and it’s a fun plinker. Mine is ammo sensitive and runs nearly flawlessly on CCI MiniMags. Haven’t really tried other High velocity ammo.

It’s not a target pistol...I have a Ruger Mk III 22/45 that is a tack driver, but for what it is, it’s a sweet shooting and pretty accurate. Trigger in DA is really pretty smooth.

I like it a lot! In fact, liked it so much, I picked up a BT 380. Same controls, same size, same holster, etc. Great combo.

I looked at the Walther PPK/s as well and the Ruger SR 22. Picked the Bersa because of its good looks and reliability reports - so long as you use HV ammo. Think I paid about $289 for it new, about 7 months ago.