[ChickenHawk]

The answer is probably self-evident, but does anybody know of an official web site for Bersa handguns that actually has some useful info on it?

Web searches reveal:

http://www.bersa-llama.com/bersa_about.html

and

http://www.bersa-sa.com.ar/bersa.asp

but these are both really skimpy.

I'd love to find a decent (breakdown-type) diagram of the Bersa Thunder .380, and maybe even the manual.

I'm considering buying one of these and would just like to know as much about them as I can before deciding.

Yes, I've searched and read many threads on THR already. Overwhelmingly favorable. :)

Regards,
ChickenHawk

[Safety First]

I too am in the market for the thunder .380, just waiting on my dealer to call me and tell me it is in. The web site links you provided are all I have found. They do leave a lot to be desired, some of the models will not even pull up under their product heading. It may be al little hard to find techincal data, but if Stephen Camp reads your post, he may have a little info he could share with you. Now if my dealer will just call me tomorrow and tell me my order is in, I will be a Happy Camper...Good luck...

[ChickenHawk]

Hi Lloyd,

Thanks for the feedback. Hope yours shows up soon.

I was originally interested in the Walther PPK chambered in .380 (what a beautiful looking handgun) but the more I read the more I found that the Bersa is a superior gun for half the price.

On that note, I did see an Interarms Walther PPK at the Austin gun show last weekend for $400.00. For the Interarms version, I think that's a pretty good price but I passed on it anyway.

I saw several Bersa Thunder .380s for $200.00-$220.00 which I gather is the standard price. They aren't quite as sexy as the Walther, but it sounds like they're more reliable and obviously less expensive.

Still, the Bersa is a nice looking gun. I like the stainless version best (though the 2-tone is nice).

I plan on using it as my carry gun when I'm not carrying my Kel-Tec P32. The Kel-Tec is easy to carry in my pocket. The Bersa won't make a very good pocket pistol (I wear shorts most of the time) but it's a bit more serious caliber while still being a good concealment gun.

OK, I'm rambling ...

Cheers,
ChickenHawk

[hksw]

Hmmm. I think Bersa's .ar (Argentina) site is pretty detailed in the manual of arms for their pistols. Are you sure you've perused through their instructions section? The photos aren't that great but the info is pretty clear.

http://www.bersa-sa.com.ar/Products/instrucc.asp

If you Google Images the Thunder .380 I'm sure you'll be able to find plenty of good photos and possibly of them taken down.

[ChickenHawk]

Actually I did see that stuff, Ron. I was just hoping to find the real manual.

I tried the google images, too. Found a few, but if you download them and look at the 'full-size' images none of them are readable.

I'm sure I've seen and read enough that I am going to get one of these at next month's gun show (hmmm, happens to fall on my birthday!). :p

I'm just anal about stuff like that and am looking for as much info as I can find.

Regards,
ChickenHawk

[RTFM]

Hey all. About 3 weeks ago we picked up a Thunder .380 for my wife, the gun is outright fun to shoot.
On average we shoot 300 rounds per week thru it.
Have had 3 FtF's with the 2nd mag, (came with one Bersa and one Firestorm Mag.)
Odd thing is that it's the Bersa mag that has the feeding problem.
The rounds stove pipe up and to the left away from the ejection port.
we have been shooting the Winchester White box .380 when this happens.
The Corbon ammo has not failed to feed yet, (about 60 rounds per week) and that is what we keep loaded in it, around the house.

I gave up looking for a manual, I too wanted one, but the gun is so basic that I no longer look.

Hope you enjoy your new gun, we really have a ball (blast:D ) with ours.

RTFM

[Matthew_Q]

I got a duo tone Thunder last December. Probably shot about 300 rounds through it, no malfunctions at all. When I get around to getting my CHL, it will be my primary carry gun, as I just wouldn't feel comfortable carrying anything bigger. It is accurate and appears to be reliable..

But from what I've read DO NOT SHOOT +P THROUGH IT!! The alloy frame is fine with ball or standard velocity loads, but can be damaged by +P. Sure, at $200, it's an easy gun to replace... but I'd just rather not break mine in the first place.

I'm thinking about getting another one to rig up a holster under my seat in my car, and just leave it there.

[DontShootMe]

from what I've read DO NOT SHOOT +P THROUGH IT!!

I've seen you post this on other threads as well. Please provide links to 'what you've read'

I have fired a load of +P on my new 'used' Bersa .380 and many others have as well with no issues, but it looks like you're the only one harping on not using +P

Again, please provide links. Thanks.

[Matthew_Q]

Unfortunately I don't have links. I don't just regurgitating everything I read or hear on something either. I did research before I purchased, and I read everything I could. I probably heard about +P causing damage here. Search for yourself. I AM the kind of person that likes to side with caution, though. I don't recall anything specifically mentioned regarding +P ammo either way in the manual. So to side with caution, I would NOT regularly shoot +P in my Bersa. Unless the manual SPECIFICALLY says it's OK to shoot +P, I'd avoid it.

[Safety First]

RTFM,

Stephen Camp has done a bit of range testing and likes the federal 90 gr classic in the Bersa 380.. you can find his range report in the search function on THR....

Chicken Hawk,

I think that I have heard a few people say the Interarms 380 PPK style gun may give you a case of slide bite, might want to check that out if you are considering one of those...

[ChickenHawk]

Hi again Lloyd,

I've heard the same thing (slide bite) about all the PPKs. That is one of the reasons I prefer the Bersa.

You folks are great. Thanks for all the feedback! :)

Regards,
ChickenHawk

[Dorrin79]

Hey Chickenhawk - fellow Austinite here...

If you decide to get a Bersa (I really liked mine, and think they are a great deal) go to Academy.

They have the duo-tone ".380 Thunder Deluxe" for $199.99 NIB. Best price I've seen.

[ChickenHawk]

Wow! Thanks Dorrin79!

I'm going to go check that out tomorrow at lunch. If I see a duo-tone for $199.99 there will be a new thread bragging about my new gun! :p

Regards,
ChickenHawk

[P95Carry]

Ahhh ..... the duo-tone ...... :) Picked mine up a week and a half ago ... rather like it and will give it good excercise I hope this w/e.

It is of course .. purely a ''stop-gap'' until P-3AT arrives!:rolleyes: :p

http://www.bedford.net/design/cb_gun2/bersa_s.jpg

[ChickenHawk]

Woohoo! Nice photo!

ChickenHawk

[Jaco]

Anyone have experience with the Bersa Mini Thunder in .40 or .45?

[highway]

I picked up a Duo-Tone 380 Bersa Firestorm a couple weeks ago, i liked the finger grips on the handle and magazine. Seems to be a good shooting 380

Firestorm 380 (http://www.firestorm-sgs.com/380specs.htm)

Highway

[Dorrin79]

Chickenhawk - hope you find it and enjoy it!

Another Bersa (or maybe a Makarov) is going to be my next handgun purchase, most likely.

[horge]

Chickenhawk--

The only thing missing from the (sometimes terrible) English translation of the manual appearing on the BERSA SA website are the text on the warranty and the admonition that if you need replacement parts or servicing, you shood looky up your country's BERSA rep.

Oh, there are also small, exploded-view diagrams, like you mentioned, for the various Thunder models, but the parts' names are indicated in Spanish. However, the gun is a pretty simple blowback design. Aluminum alloy frame and (I think) a steel alloy slide.




hth

[cidirkona]

Here's a nice quote from http://www.bersa-sa.com.ar/Products/instuso.asp#Normal:

"The hammer drops forward but it cannot touch the hammer."

-Colin

[ChickenHawk]

Yes, I've noticed that feature during dry-fire practice. :p

Chickenhawk

[P95Carry]

Hey Chicken!!! (Bersa Brother!!) ... ain't seen ya in a while!!!

Hope you are still enjoying the new aquisition ..... sure as hell stackin on some mileage with mine!!:p :)

[ChickenHawk]

Hi Chris!

I've been here. I've seen your posts! ;)

Absolutely still enjoying the Bersa. Great gun, sweet trigger!

Cheers,
ChickenHawk