Bersa Thunder

[BC38]

I just picked this up unfired and BNIB at auction.
Other than having a takedown lever instead of the hinged trigger guard it almost seems like it could be a PPK clone.
Those of you who have one, or have shot one, how are they?
Worth keeping as a bug?
Seems pretty solidly made and feels pretty good in the hand.
Just curious what kind of experience folks have had with them.
Please share your personal experiences. I am NOT looking for the tired old "it ain't S&W so no thanks" kind of comments

 

[Mr.Harry]

Would not be my first choice for anything; back up or primary. But I wouldn’t let go of it either. NIB like that. Stuff it in the back of your safe if you have room or funds for collecting. Not particularly accurate, not particularly weildy, not particularly effective, not particularly anything great or even good; in this guy’s opinion. But I believe they are a collectors gun. And i’m not sure why. My experience with one at the range was less than impressive.

 

[Rustyt1953]

18 years ago, I traded my PPK after experiencing web bite twice, which was enough to cause me to start flinching. I picked up a Thunder and it has proved to be a solid performer with some nice finishing touches.

I stopped carrying it 5 years ago when I opted for LCP pocket carry. I still take the Bersa to the range as I enjoy it.

Bersa has a good rep with a large fan base.

 

[BC38]

18 years ago, I traded my PPK after experiencing web bite twice, which was enough to cause me to start flinching. I picked up a Thunder and it has proved to be a solid performer with some nice finishing touches.

I stopped carrying it 5 years ago when I opted for LCP pocket carry. I still take the Bersa to the range as I enjoy it.

Bersa has a good rep with a large fan base.

So no problems with the Bersa, just that the LCP is lighter and more pocket-friendly? Thanks for the feedback Rusty - just what I'm looking for.
Keep the feedback coming guys - thanks!

 

[TX-Dennis]

It's a fine little pistol. I have two. Both very reliable and very accurate. Like many blowback pistols they tend to be ammo sensitive, so try several different types until you find what it likes. Mine do not like Winchester FMJ. I think it may be due to the shape of the bullet. Pretty much everything else has functioned well in them.

I have only fired Magtech and HST hollow points in them. Both work well.

Unlike Mr. Harry, I find them to be quite accurate for smallish pistols.

 

[Mr.Harry]

I dunno. This was over a decade ago I put rounds through one. Maybe the ammo was junk, or junk for it, or maybe the gun was a bad apple. No idea. I just remember being keenly surprised in a not-so-good way, given that it does have a history of popularity. But to each their own. I’m sure a lot of other folks will chime in.

 

[BC38]

I may have to shoot one at the rental range before deciding whether to keep this one or move it on.
Additional feedback and opinions based on PERSONAL EXPERIENCE are welcome.

 

[BC38]

I really want to like them because I use to think they were a good bargain for the money, but now I'm scared of them.

Let me explain.

A couple years ago I stumbled across a blog that had a lot of people from overseas making comment. The blog was talking about the new Bersa .45 a.c.p. which I was really interested in.

This guy comes on with pictures from the Philippians to show what happen to his barrel, it blew up and he said it happen at a range and the range master told him because the metal was to thin.

Well needless to say that ruin my plan.
I suppose like Taurus and all the rest of the cheapies out here it's a hit and a miss.
When it comes to guns I'm not willing to throw caution to the wind.

Your mileage may vary as they say.

Couldn't resist, huh?
Thanks for your opinion anyway

 

[growr]

Would not be my first choice for anything; back up or primary. But I wouldn’t let go of it either. NIB like that. Stuff it in the back of your safe if you have room or funds for collecting. Not particularly accurate, not particularly weildy, not particularly effective, not particularly anything great or even good; in this guy’s opinion. But I believe they are a collectors gun. And i’m not sure why. My experience with one at the range was less than impressive.

And the three that I have owned are the polar opposite of Mr. Harry....very accurate, dependable, very ergonomic, feeds anything I have ever found.
Seems like a very under-rated and frequently bashed firearm to me.

I would use it in a CC situation if my 3913 wasn't the King of CC in my world.
Randy

PS. I "DID" CC my Bersa before I got my 3913 and on one occasion was quite re-assured that it was with me.

 

[Rustyt1953]

To reiterate: I have 18 years of actual use with my Thunder.380.

At what point should I start to distrust it?

 

[BC38]

I'm sure if it ever blows up in your face the .380 a.c.p. won't hurt to much.

Please stop trying to turn this into another urinating contest.
As stated in the original post, I am soliciting opinions from people who have actual EXPERIENCE with the Bersa 380.

Your THIRD HAND info about a Bersa 45 is neither relevant NOR welcome. Unless you have personal experience with the 380 to relate please refrain from mucking up this thread.

Thank you.

 

[BC38]

Please accept my sincere apologies BC38, as my intent was only to offer useful information.

Apology accepted.

I apologize if I came across as harsh.

Someone elses problem with another model, that has a completely different design with nothing in common with the 380, other than the Bersa name, really doesn't relate to what this thread is about.

Just trying to keep it on topic.

 

[D Brown]

I was shooting at a public shooting range (Elm Fork in Dallas, TX) one day in the mid-eighties when an older gentleman walked up to me and sheepishly asked if I would mind shooting his gun so he would know whether the gun was no good, or if he just needed more work on developing his personal shooting skill.

The gun he presented for me to try shooting was a Bersa, and believe it or not I had heard of them, but had never really even given one a good look up to that time. I went ahead and fired the gun at a 25 yard target, and was thoroughly impressed with the trigger action and the incredible accuracy of that gun! Granted this was just one gun, but I would have to say that my experience was entirely positive. As for the older gentleman who owned the Bersa; he walked away satisfied that he had a good gun and just needed to practice more. And by the way, that older gentleman was about 60 years old at the time, or about the same age I am now!

This is/was the bane of this and many other public shooting ranges across the country; the closest pistol range being 25 yards is pretty much ridiculous for starting beginners at the rather challenging discipline of pistol shooting.

 

[GKC]

I guess it's been 15 years ago now, more or less, but I bought a Bersa Thunder (not the CC model that you have, but the same series.) I really liked that little pistol, but the sole reason I didn't keep it was I could not find any magazines for it. It may have been a temporary shortage, or I didn't look in the right places, but I couldn't find any. I also joined the Bersa forum, and the members there had the same problem. I always thought it would have been a good pistol for carry, and I really liked the looks and function of it...but I felt like I needed more than one magazine.

Some years later, when the BP9CC came out, I bought one...and traded it back in to the LGS where I bought it unfired. Why? It had the lightest trigger on it of any gun I'd ever felt...even 1911s...and with no safety, it was too scary for me. I don't think it was 3 lbs, if that. Other than that, though, it was a really interesting gun.

That ends my experience with Bersa, but I've read mostly good things about them. Good luck with yours!

 

[fordson]

My Bersa Thunder 380 is years old, not the cc model like yours, with well north of 1Ks rounds thru it withou a problem. I shoot mostly my reloads but carry factory HPs. It’s a handy and accurate little gun that I use mainly for backup. The model has a quirk: the recoil spring only goes on one way. Small end aft, spring cut at 12 o’clock. Mis-installed and the slide won’t lock in place. Other then that, it’s a Good gun; you’re going to like it.

 

[scoobysnacker]

My brother had a Bersa .380, I shot it a couple times and recalled it being accurate and reliable, and a very pleasant shooter. At the time we shot, I was shooting a FEG PA 63, of similar size and design, but in 9mm Makarov.

The guns were of equal accuracy and reliability, but I recall the Bersa being a lot softer in the recoil.

Of note, Bersa offers an excellent warranty. My brother kept it in his car, and had a car fire. The gun suffered a lot of fire damage, the plastic grips melted (and probably suffered heat damage and warping). We tried to clean it up, and ended up bringing it to a shop, not really expecting warranty coverage- but was worth a try.
They sent him a brand new pistol, no questions asked.

 

[Wise_A]

I have seen two Bersa Thunder .380s in action. Each pistol fired 100 rounds with no malfunctions, and exhibited more than adequate accuracy. Ammunition was standard Wally World name-brand range fodder.

This guy comes on with pictures from the Philippians to show what happen to his barrel, it blew up and he said it happen at a range and the range master told him because the metal was to thin.

Well, ****. If you can't trust an anonymous poster and the diagnosis of an unnamed Filipino "gun expert at the range", who can you trust?

 

[American1776]

I've never owned one, but I've heard of very good reviews. They seem to be a dependable option.

I think one of the company founders was a Beretta engineer.

 

[CajunBass]

We've had a couple of Bersa's. The first one was a Firestorm 22. Great little gun that was a 100% with CCI mini-mag ammo. It choked from time to time with regular Federal ammo, but was still a good range gun.

A few weeks ago, my wife saw a pink .380 Bersa Thunder and decided she wanted it. A couple of trips to the range, and it's worked just fine. Not a single malfunction. At five to seven yards she can rip the center out of a B-27. That doesn't sound like long range I suppose, but it's not bad for an old, handicapped woman, leaning on a walker. She's quite happy with it.

 

[mrchuck]

I have bought and sold many of them since they came out.
NEVER a problem.
I see lots of them at the concealed handgun classes.
Women love them.
I recommend them.