In praise of Bersa Thunder .380 (Range Rpt)

[OneShot]

I just bought my wife a new Bersa Thunder .380 for her birthday. Although it was for her, I felt that it was only proper that I test fire it and properly break it in for her (Yeah Right, I just wanted to shoot it)

At the range, I ran 150 rounds of Magtech 95 gr, FMC through the gun. It functioned flawlessly and without failure throughout all 150 rounds. I was VERY pleasantly suprised by how accurate the gun was, shooting 2" groups at 7 yards. I was also very happy with the overall smoothness of the gun in general.

I tested all functions and aspects of the Bersa, and especially liked the de cocking feature which allowed you to safely drop the hammer on a loaded chamber, then to fire that first round by flipping the safety lever and using a double action pull. Pretty nifty and safe on a gun of that size. The little Bersa also breaks down by just pulling the slide back and pushing on the dis assembly lever and lifting the slide off, takes about 5 seconds to do.

What I do not like, is the internal safety and also the fact that the gun will not fire with the magazine removed. I wouldn't let either of these factors stop you from buying the Bersa but you should be aware of them.

Overall for the money, I would rate the Bersa a solid 8 on a 10 scale. I deducted the two points for the overall finish, I bought the two tone and the finish is ok but not atellar and the other point for the internal safety and the unable to fire without magazine issue.

Would I buy it again? You betcha, in fact I'm gonna buy another for myself as she has told me to keep my stinking hands off of hers ---Oneshot

 

[BHPshooter]

I'm glad to hear that you like it. I have wanted one for a while, but my local store that had them before doesn't have them in the case anymore.

Those magazine disconnects sure can be frustrating, huh? Luckily, they can be dealt with in the HiPower, but I don't know if they can in the Bersa.

How was accuracy?

Thanks for the report.
Wes

 

[jims98z28]

Nice report. I love my too. Picked it up a few weeks ago and I've found it to be very accurate, almost scary accurate. A gun this cheap shouldn't be this good, but fortunatly it is. I absolutely love mine.
The magazine disconnect doesn't really bother me too much, but the internal safety kind of bugs me.

 

[slh02]

The Bersa is a great inexpensive handgun...

I just got mine a couple of weeks ago... the gun only had one malfunction in the 105 rounds i put through it. Here's a quick run-down:

Pro's:
-Small
-Inexpensive
-Reliable
-Nice Looking
-Manual safety (I like them)
-Works 100% with cheap pro-mag magazines (the one malf. was with the factory mag)
-Take-down is extremely easy
-Potential accuracy is great due to fixed barrel design

Con's:
-Finish on duo-tone isnt terrible, but could definitely be improved.
-Trigger could use some work
-Recoil is pretty snappy- the web between my index and thumb started hurting after a few mags. My 9mm P99 is actually easier on the hands.

As you can see, the pro's definitely outweigh the cons. For $225, its definitely one of the best bargains out there.

 

[13xx]

i love mine. as far as the mag safety it would seem (just a theory) that of somehow the little bar that the mag pushes up to tell the safety to turn off was somehow stuck in the up position it would think there was always a mag in it. ive pressed the little bar up with my thumb and no mag in it and itll fire(only tried it dry) so the theory is sound

 

[zen_grasshopper]

removal of the Mag disconnect safety

Removing the mag safety from the Bersa .380 Thunder is simple. Remove the grips from the gun and take a look at how it sits in the frame. Connected by a c-clip and has a spring attached. I never had even looked at a Bersa before but when my boss brought me his, and asked me if I could remove it, it took me about five minutes to figure it out and remove it.

Since then no malfunctions, or any other problems.

Jon

 

[Murphster]

After all the good reports on the Bersa, I broke down and bought one two weeks ago. My experience mirrors your's. Accurate. Functions perfectly. Comfortable to shoot (no (slide) biting the hand that feeds it as my Sig 232 did). On the what-you-get/what-you-pay scale, I regard this as one of the best buys on the market. Congratulations on your purchase.

 

[RTFM]

I had one when I was a kid. Loved that gun. Sold it when I went in to the Army, now it is my #1 choice for my wife. was going to get the Sig 232, but I can not stand the German mag release on the bottom in the mag well.

RTFM

 

[horge]

Thanks for the report.
I'm looking to buy one in nickel-finish within a couple of weeks.

This poor newb (the Bersa will be my first) needs help though

-Can someone tell me if it's only the duo-tone that has an aluminum frame? The Bersa website is unclear on this issue. Both the nickel and the black poly finish seemed a bit heavier at the store.

-Can anyone tell me what cleaning product is safe/unsafe to use with nickel finishes?

-Anyone have any other tips for a first-timer regarding the Bersa?


Thanks in advance and...
BTW, in this country, they sell them with TWO magazines included.
Woohoo.
Sadly, in this country, they make you wait up to 45 days from cash down to receive your weapon:
ballistic fingerprinting, national database et cetera

 

[mlk18]

I am also a big Bersa fan. And Zen_Grasshopper is dead on about removing the mag disconnect safety. I should know, he removed mine. It was quick and easy, did nothing to effect reliability and allowed to to perform proper tactical-reloads. I was surprised to see anyone post that they didn't like the Bersa trigger. Mine is incredibly smooth. Much better than any P230, PPK or Makarov I have owned or fired. The gun is clearly a "value" gun, but this is one time that the real value is in how close to the expensive alternatives it comes (and it's even better in some ways).

The frame is alloy. Not sure about the nickel finish, I only use CLP products on my firearms. My advice to a new Bersa owner: Pick up a Fobus holster, 2 spare magazines and a ton of ammo - then shoot and shoot and shoot.

mlk18

 

[mini14jac]

Local dealer says the the City Police just ordered 30 Bersas for backup guns.

Friend at the gym just bought one.

I've yet to read/hear anything bad about them.

The blue version sells for $189 at one local shop.
There are not many (any?) quality, reliable guns available at that price.

 

[Litlman]

Use the search function for a great report on the Bersa by Stephan A. Camp. He rights great reports and I am sure that you could use the extra info.. Good luck.

 

[Safety First]

:banghead: :banghead: I'm just plain jealous, jealous I tell you. I have been waiting on my local dealer to find me one in nickel for a few weeks. I'm like a kid waiting on Christmas. I am glad to hear that everyone is very happy with their gun. It gives me added confidence with my choice...I do have a question (don't mean to hi-jack the thread) has anyone ever seen or shot the 9mm? I have yet to see one for sale on the net, just curious.

 

[OneShot]

Hmmm, the reports of shortages of the Bersa's is interesting. My dealer seems to be able ro order them without problems, although I did have to pay $250 for mine. The going rate around here seems to be $299 though.

I am glad to hear that they are being ordered by PD's for backups. I will take a stab at the magazine disconnect fix also.

Glad that some of you liked the report, I am aware that there are other reports out there but just thought I'd throw in my opinions on this great little gun.

I've never seen the 9mm version of it but it could be that it isn't allowed in our gun hating state. Anyways, go out and get one and shoot the heck out of it. I won't be able to as I've been told to kepp my" Bleepity, bleep, bleepin" hands off of hers (Explatives deleted)

I actually put a deposit doen on the other two tone one that had come in at the shop today. --Oneshot

 

[Akurat]

I've got the 9mm. Put a Hogue rubberized grip on it and it has quickly become one of my favorite guns. It eats up more 9mm ammo than my Beretta these days I stash it in my truck at all other times. Great little pistol that I'm not afraid to get scratches on etc. Love it

 

[nuby]

I got a Bersa Thunder 380 yesterday and have put about 100 rounds through it. I love it.

Now I am looking for a 2nd and 3rd mag for it. My problem is I am new to guns and cannot tell if the Series 95/Thunder 380 is the right one. On the Bersa web sight the Thunder 380 is the only name used.

What is the Series 95?

Also on the web site 7 and 9 round mags are listed but when I look on the net I see 7 and 10 round mages available.

Will the 10 round mag fit?

Can anyone help?

 

[CWatson]

I got a dou tone also,great little gun.[www.cheaperthandirt.com] Has both 7 and 9 round factory mags in stock for the Thunderer 380.Watch out for some 10 rounders out there,some are for double stack models.CW