[slh02]

Heh... I know it may sound strange to some that I am excited about getting this inexpensive pistol but I am. I have always liked the styling of the ppk and figured that one day I would get one (as they run around $500 here in Maryland). Then a couple days ago it hit me as I was browsing gunbroker; the Bersa Thunder!

So I went researching and found Mr. Camp's excellent review here on THR. After reading that, I was dead set on getting one! I went to the local shop here and sure enough, they had a duo-tone in for $250. Now I know this may sound a little steep to some but here in MD. finding a new, decent looking and reliable handgun for $250 is RARE.

Anyway, I will probably be paying for it on Saturday meaning that I will probably be picking it up next Saturday or the monday after that (stupid waiting period :banghead: ).

I think it will complement my P99 nicely :) .

[gbelleh]

I love my Bersa .380! It's been an excellent little gun and they are a great value! Let us know how it shoots when you get it!

[HBK]

My condolences...:neener:

Seriously, they are supposed to be great little guns.

[firestar]

I have a Bersa 23 in .22lr and I like it so much that I am thinking about getting a .380 even though I am not a fan of that round. They are great guns and yours will probably be accurate and reliable just like everyone else's.

Post a range report after you shoot it. I can't get enough Bersa info for some reason.:D

[Al Thompson]

Good deal!

[9x19]

Good on you...

I have Bersas in both .32 and .380 and they have been great little pistols.

[emann]

I loved mine. I will soon once again love one. ;)

[10-Ring]

From what I've read, the Bersas are nice little pistols...congrats!

[MJRW]

Welcome to the club. Now let me know if you find good holsters.;)

[benEzra]

A Bersa .380 was my primary CCW for several years. Extremely accurate, completely reliable with UMC FMJ (for target practice) and Federal 90-gr Hydra-Shoks (for carry), and neat looking. Didn't like S&B ammo due to the very round profile, though; stick with the pointier FMJs or tapered JHPs. Also a breeze to clean. The safety was pretty smooth to start with and improved with use.

You'll enjoy it.

[slh02]

The only problem that I have seen with Bersa's so far are the lack of accessories available. The factory mags seem to be a pain to get and are rather expensive. The only holster that I have seen so far specifically designed for the Thunder is Fobus. One would think that most holsters designed for the walther ppk would fit this gun; is this the case?

That said, it should be a fun pistol and if it lives up to the hype I will be suggesting them to others. Can't wait...

[nvrquit]

The Bersa Thunder380 line have the squared "combat" style trigger guard, where the Walther PP/PPK have a rounded/smooth trigger guard. some holsters mde for the PPK will not work well with the Bersa, owing to the trigger guard design.

Holsters designed to fit the Beretta model 85F work okay with the Bersa Thunder 380, as they are both single stack mag and squared trigger guard. The Bianchi #100 holster(19230) is listed as being for the Beretta model 85F and fit my Thunder380 Deluxe very well.

BTW, another post on this board by another member seemed to indicate the finger groove type grip used on the Firestorm line(Bersa by any other name) fits the Thunder380 series also.

[makdaddy03]

Good Luck, You should have bought a Makarov.:p

[New_comer]

Beautiful little gun.


I'd love to have one myself ever since I saw this three years ago...

http://www.bersa-sa.com.ar/images/mod_380.jpg

the two-tone...

http://www.bersa-sa.com.ar/images/mod_22.jpg

Congrats on your acquisition! :D

[pinetree64]

I bought one from a buddy being transferred to Australia. It was a good little shooter. However, I sold it to by a KelTec 32 for CCW.

I read a review in Shooting Times stating the Bersas are great. I agree. For the money they are a great little gun.

tjg

[wild billz]

I bought one for my wife two weeks ago. I only shot it once, but I like it, and it was inexpensive. There are some points to it that could be better, but for the price and its not a POS I can live with it. My gripes would be the metal around the grips has a sharp edge. I didn't notice on first handling it, but after 100 rounds I did. A Hogue grip may fix that. Also the feed ramp doesn't run right into the barrel, there is a small flat gap, but I did not have a missfeed. I shot 100 rounds of CCI Blazer FMJ, and some Federal Hydrashoks without a hitch, so it may not be an issue. I found it to be accurate. I was shooting at 25 yards, way longer than I would in self defense, and it was on target, and grouping as good as I could make it. The only other thing that makes me nervous, and this is not a pistol design flaw, just me igetting used to it, is the decocking/ saftey on it. I tried it at the range and know it works, but now that I'm home it makes me nervous to have one in the pipe and decock it. I expect to hear it go bang. I know it works, I need to just get used to it. It took me awhile to get used to lowering the hammer on my CZ too. I'm thinking about using this for CCW since it is small, fairly accurate, and has a saftey. I got mine for 199, bought a 9 round mag for 30 bucks and a number 3 uncle mike's pocket holster. It is a little too big for front pocket carry without a shirt untucked in my jeans, but in my other pants with a deeper pockt it is not a problem. It fits all the way in the jean pocket, but there is a small gap at the top that can show it in there depending on how I posistion it. If I put it in so its not visible from the top its not quite easily accessible. It also prints, giving it away. Jeans with deeper pockets would be good. If I carry it so I can reach it well in the same pocket it doesn't "print", but a glimpse of the back of the grip is visible.

Overall, I burned for one after readingthe reviews, and recommendations, I got one for the wife, and like it. You'll like it too.

[RTFM]

Have had a Thunder380 for years, love the gun. Great 2nd gun in the pocket of the leathers, when I use to ride. I was kicking around the idea of a Firestorm Mini (also a Bersa) in .40 They go for $330 ihs here, would not replace the SIG but would be fun to have.

Congrats on your new toy, let us know how you like it when you get a chance to send some down range.

RTFM

[slh02]

Hearing replies like these are exactly the reason why I'm getting one. It seems that those who have the gun can not find fault in their purchase.

New comer, the two-tone on the bottom pic is the one I'll be getting.

makdaddy, if we could get Maks here in Md. I would be all over them. They unfortunately do not pass our stupid "safety" laws for handguns and I have yet to see one anywhere.

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. I rather like the Bersa, but if you do happen to run across a clean Makarov and the price is right, jump on it. They truly are shooters.

Best.

[Dorrin79]

I was very happy with mine.

I gave it to my mom as a gift.

:(

It speaks well of the gun that, even though I have no need for a .380 non-pocket pistol, I'm considering buying another one.

:cool:

[mguffey]

Bersa page is at this location (http://thearmedcitizen.com/gunpages/bersa380.htm)

[Spot77]

I picked up a spare mag for my Thunder .380 on ebay for $15 plus $4 shipping. Seemed like a fair deal.

I think we'll start seeing a lot more accesories and better prices soon....It seems like this gun is becoming VERY popular.

I got mine at On Target back in March for $214; it's now up to $249 already.....

[PCRCCW]

The Bersa is a little shooter and a good buy in the 380 dept.
Shoot well

[jade]

hey, get me one too, while you're at it. :D