Bersa/Firestorm 22lr vs Beretta 87BB?

[Radjxf]

I'm curious if anyone here has experience with both of these pistols?

I've narrowed it down to these two, both of which are very hard to find (if not impossible) locally.

My question for those who have owned both, is the Beretta really worth $700+ vs $300 for the Bersa/Firestorm?

I've handle the Bersa locally, but no one has an 87 in stock. The Bersa seemed OK, it was a (kind of ugly IMO) two-tone. Trigger was a little rough, finish was so-so.

I'm sure the fit and finish on the Beretta will be much higher than the Bersa. But will it realistically shoot better? Last longer?

Thanks in advance for any info.

 

[marb4]

I own both and though the fit and finish on the Beretta in nicer than the Bersa, in my mind it doesn't justify over double the price. The only reason I have the Beretta is because I got a smoking deal on a nice used one. Both pistols have a similar feel and are about the same accuracy wise. I think the trigger on the Beretta is a little more crisp than the Bersa. I've found both to be very reliable over a wide variety of ammo and both just a lot of fun to shoot. The construction of both pistols is very solid and each should hold up to a lifetime of shooting with a little basic maintenance. If you have the money and want what is probably a higher quality pistol get the Beretta. If you just looking for a pistol to do some plinking and casual target work get the Bersa and use the money you save to buy a year's worth of ammo to feed it.

For what its worth, you might also consider the newly introduced Ruger SR22 pistol. Very sweet shooter manufactured and serviced (if necessary) here in the US. Similar in price to the Bersa Firestorm.

 

[Dnaltrop]

Externally the Bersa's have always been rougher in my experience, but the reliability of my old man's .380 thunder beats the PPK's I've shot, and matches the reliability of a CZ-82 once you've put a few hundred rounds down the pipe.

I'll let you know about the .22's, I have a Thunder on order for my Eldest's 10th birthday. I'm really rather pleased when I look at the schematics, they're nearly identical between the .380, the .32 and the .22.

We'll be stress testing the poor thing when it arrives