[Hokkmike]

I don't want to sound like a shooting snob, but my (small) arsenal of guns are good names; Sako, Beretta, Colt, and the like. Saturday I bought a Bersa Thunder .380 in Nickel satin finish. I can't believe how excited I am about this inexpensive "foreign" pistol from Argentina. I have read some of the reviews and the great majority are positive. If any of you have suggestions (be nice)or comments I'd be glad to hear 'em.:)

[Ala Dan]

Good guns for the price you pay~!:cool: Enjoy~!:D

BTW, I have one among my Les Baer, Springfield's, SIG's, Seecamp,
Colt's, Ruger, and other's~!;)

[Black Majik]

Very underrated pistols, great buy! :)

[wingman]

I too was a gun snob until I purchased a Makarov for $120, wow, it worked each time trigger was pulled and accurate, easy to clean and field strip.
I'm in the 12 step program now buying more cheap guns and like them.:D

[gopguy]

Friends,

We have to get away from saying we have an arsenal. An arsenal is a facility that builds guns. Hokkmike, I am pretty sure you are not fabricating guns now are you?

I blame the moron talking heads in the media for butchering and misusing the language. You will always hear them saying something stupid like"the police raided a house and there was a arsenal of guns".....usually 2 or more qualifies in the minds of those glittering jewels of ignorance......:banghead:

Let us not legitimize their butchering the language by following their poor example. A gentleman means what he says and says what he means...He also knows what he is talking about. The networks usally don't.

[Hokkmike]

gopguy...you are quite right. I have a small collection of guns. I learned something new today about our wonderful English language.

[1 old 0311]

Bersa's are not a "cheap" buy. They are a "smart" buy. I have a engraved PPK/S that has a better fit/finish, but the reliability, and size, are the same. You did good.

Kevin

[cookekdjr]

looking at a Bersa right now. Wish I had never sold my Makarov.
-David

[Minator]

I guess im one of the few that have had problems with a bersa so far, I had recently gotten a nickle plated version it was fun to shoot until I was thinking of using it as a ccw and started practiceing decocking it. With a loaded mag in it it wouldnt decock nor would the safety even move. I sent it off and when I got it back the decocker worked but the trigger was destroyed it was binding then the trigger would freeze to the rear. Currently its away again for another 3 weeks hopefully it will be fixed this time.

Gl and I hope you have a better experience than I have with mine.

[Hokkmike]

Minator - Let's hope they make it right! Keep us informed, will you?

[220_Swift]

Friends,

We have to get away from saying we have an arsenal. An arsenal is a facility that builds guns. Hokkmike, I am pretty sure you are not fabricating guns now are you?

I blame the moron talking heads in the media for butchering and misusing the language. You will always hear them saying something stupid like"the police raided a house and there was a arsenal of guns".....usually 2 or more qualifies in the minds of those glittering jewels of ignorance......

Let us not legitimize their butchering the language by following their poor example. A gentleman means what he says and says what he means...He also knows what he is talking about. The networks usally don't.


Websters definition of arsenal.

Main Entry: ar·se·nal
Pronunciation: 'ärs-n&l, 'är-s&n-&l
Function: noun
Etymology: Italian arsenale, ultimately from Arabic dAr sinA'ah house of manufacture
1 a : an establishment for the manufacture or storage of arms and military equipment b : a collection of weapons


Congrats on the new purchse. Hope it gives you a lifetime of good service.

[myusername]

I picked up a bersa .380 today. I've heard good things about them and hope to have good luck with mine.

To the guy having problems with his, there is a guy on bersatalk.com that is a bersa warranty repair center. I think I read that he has fixed some guns that other warranty shops have not fixed properly. It may be worth a try to contact him. I don't remember the shops name but he can be found be searching or reading a bit over there.

[usp9]

It seemed a poor quality gun. Not to burst any bubbles, if you like it, I'm happy for you, but I do not view Bersa in the same light as my other guns. When I had, say a H & K or a Beretta, taken down in pieces next to the Bersa Thunder, the differences in fit, finish and material were clear.

[MICHAEL T]

All you Bersa owners come over to http://bersatalk.com We do have a Bersa warrenty gunsmith as a member and he will help with a problem. As for Bersa not being up to a H & K or a Beretta, that just being a gun snob Bersa cost a lot less. It doesn't have the fit and finish of my PPK/S buy has a better trigger and just as accurate. for 1/2 the money.

[usp9]

There are junk guns--Raven

There cheap guns--Bersa

There are good guns--CZ

There are great guns--HK

If recognising the differences in the quality of material, machining, engineering,and innovation make me a gun snob then I say...Thank you...yeas I am.

When mountain climbing I have a choice between Sears best clothesline, Home Depot's best poly or 8000#test, 10mm climbing rope from Sports Authority...guess which I'd pick. So would you. Does that make me a rope snob or realistic and prudent. When my life may depend on a product I want the best one I can find.

I've said on many posts here and other forums the Bersa is OK for fun, but it is not a premium gun by ANY measure. How many police departments carry Bersa? Snobs...I guess they are.

[Hokkmike]

Usp9, your analogy makes your logic quite clear, and it is a compelling argument. However, there may be critical differences in your comparison of climbing ropes vs. guns. First of all, your rating of the firearms mentioned on your list is, based on your experience, subjective. The comparison of climbing ropes, even to a non climber like me, seems obvious. Not withstanding your likely experience using firearms which merits attention with regard to your opinion, I have learned, that while there is a general correlation between price and quality, it doesn't always apply. Sometimes extra money is charged for ornamentation, brand name, labor cost, or inadequate supply vs. demand. I do appreciate your comments and would be interested in reading further by what criterea you rate the guns on your list. When I do, soon I hope, purchase a "more expensive" auto then yours is exactly thekind of advice I need to hear.

[usp9]

First off lets clarify something. Is that HOKKMIKE as in Va. Tech Hokie Mike? If so, the class of '75 says Hi.

My opinion of guns has developed over the 45 or so years I've been an avid shooter. My experience with them ranges from my little bitty Seecamp to the awesome M2. While I've never met a gun I didn't like, the Bersa is the one that comes closest. I paid $172 for it brand new. While not expecting it to be perfect or ideal, I didn't expect it to, lets say, irritate me to death, which is what it did.

It rattles. Guns that rattle make me nervous.

It wore quickly. This lead me to think the steel was not the best. This is where a direct comparison to my HK USP showed. At 1000 rounds each, the HK looks pristine, new, unworn anywhere. The Bersa was worn where it should be and some where it shouldn't. That's because the tolerences are a bit looser. That's why it was $172...less machine time.

The dag-gone grip screws kept falling out. I hate when that happens. Humans have been making screws for thousands of years, and it should be done right.

Take down was, shall I say, a stuggle sometimes. The slide would fight not to come off and fight not to go back on. My Seecamp is easier to take down!

Petty points? Maybe. I write nothing here to detract from someone's enjoyment of their Bersa. If you like it, I'm happy for you. Different strokes and all that, but when an opinion is asked, I'll give as honest an answer as possible. I feel the Bersa is fawned over because it is inexpensive and available widely, and as you stated yourself this is your first cheap gun. I gather you are very aware of quality and bought the Bersa for it's "fun factor". :) It fed ammo reliably, had OK accuracy, and was in fact fun. If only it didn't rattle...:cuss:

[JERRY]

it is the makarov of American pistol catridges.....a top performer at a modest price.

[albanian]

It is all well and good to pay top dollar for a nice gun but it is much better to get a nice gun for a great price. I have various guns in different price levels and I hold Bersa in high regard despite it low price. In a new gun, I think they are still one of the best deals going.

I'm glad to see you got the nickel version, most of the ones I see are the two tone which I don't like as well. Most tend to be very accurate if you give them a chance.

It may be inexpensive but it is not really a cheap gun. A Hi Point is a "cheap" gun and always will be. There will never be a Hi Point collectors club. There are serious Bersa collectors already.

Anyway, good choice, you are going to enjoy it.

[ajax]

My Bersa is great. It doesn't have a 800.00 H&K finish but I paid 200.00 for it and it shoots like a champ. I can't ask for more than that.:)

[Hokkmike]

Usp9. thanks for the response. Sorry, not a Hokie, but a Hokkie! (derived from last name) I went to college in PA. Class of 72. Well, now I am a little nervous about shooting this thing. I'll just have to hope that it falls in the statistical category of the majority of favorable posts that I have read. Time will tell. I saw a BEAUTIFUL Walthers PPK .380, special edition, but the price tag was almost DOUBLE the Bersa. And I knew, from prior reading, that the Walthers have a little bite and can be unpleasant to shoot. I'll let you know how I make out with the Bersa.

One thing I can add is how values at gun shows ridiculously favor the sellers. I believe that a dealer needs to make a profit, but trade in values vs. new prices seem to me to be way out of sinc. I guess any trade-in, like, same as automobiles, is a losing proposition. Sorry for the digression, but it feels good to rant a little!

[Hokkmike]

Albanian....I too, really prefer the looks of the nickel to the other models. Also, I am left handed. (shoot righty though) This pistol feels good in the hand. (now let's hope it shoots!)