Bersa Thunder .380 Jamming Issue

Did you change ammo?

Is the gun under warranty? If it is, don't mess with it. Send it in for correction. Thet should pay shipping both ways.

I had the same problem with my Bersa Thunder .380 (also had another problem where the hammer froze and wouldn't allow the gun to be fired or the slide to be retracted more than a quarter inch, but that's another story). I sent the gun back to the Bersa certified warranty repair center twice under their warranty program, and 3 months later STILL did not have a functioning gun. They basically replaced the entire top end and I still had problems.

When I got it back, I figured that it was the magazine (it was the only part that hadn't been replaced) but after spending so much time trying to fix it, I just decided to sell it with full disclosure to the buyer. I planned on using it as a carry gun, but after that many issues with it, I knew I would never trust it.

Try swapping out the mag. If it turns out to be that, its a relatively cheap fix. If not, at least you have another mag for your gun if you can get it working again.

The magazine is the first suspect in that kind of stoppage.

My dad has had a similar problem in his Bersa .380 for some time now. I ordered a new magazine but it didn't fix the problem entirely. So far at least 7 different bullet combinations have been used.

Friend had one that jammed nonstop with S&B. Perfect with anything else.

It does allway help to have a better class of FMJ ammo to try!! Then if problems still happen with all mags avalible to try its time to check mag lips and start adjusting. Might try tighting the width between the feed lips at the front on a mag and see if it works . Might only take a couple th's. We have to of bersa's 380CC model in the family and both seem to not care what ammo is used but also don't buy steel cased ammo. Or other brands that cause trouble for many people.

You have a warrenty on pistol and mags . Use it The best Warranty center seems to be one in La.

Try a simple fix first. (from experience) Make sure the magazine is seating properly.

I cleaned all my dad's mags but I couldn't get the problem to go away completely. At the rate he fires his gun it may never get fixed. He only shoots when I am home which is fairly infrequently.

Regarding my signature, it's actually a quote from the penguins in Madagascar 2. I am in aviation but not military and I fly a lot in the cockpit so I find the line very funny.

I know that the bersa is not as small as the p3at or the LCP but it is still subject to limp wristing. Just something to consider.


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mcdonl, I do not usually limp-wrist but I realize it's completely possible to do it with any pistol. The problem is that my jamming issues as well as several others apparently are not totally explained by limp-wristing. It seems to have more to do with the magazines than anything else (in my case).

I only mention it because small frames guns are just more susceptible in my opinion.



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The jam might be caused from the round not getting under the extractor and fitting flush with the breech face. Clean the breech face and extractor completely. Maybe a little lube at the extractor area will help too - work it a little to see if it loosens up.

i bet its clip problem..the clip sits to high,

ZSNARK

Did you mention exactly what ammo you were shooting? Before the dremeling begins, I would like to see if changing the bullet type (round nose, flat nose, hollowpoint) or the stated velocity cures the problem. There are no mild 380 loads, they all have to be relatively hot to cycle a semiauto.
As a footnote, don't worry about limp wristing. I used to believe in it. It is one of the most persistent urban legends. Anticipating recoil and pulling your shooting hand is what occurs most of the time. Where I trained the instructors demonstated successful strings while holding the pistol between their fingers.

Ditch it and buy a Makarov.

Hurryin' Hoosier said:

Ditch it and buy a Makarov.

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I'd get her a FEG PA-63. It's lightweight and has a decent trigger once you replace the mainspring with a 13-pounder. It's a military surplus pistol, so it's very reliable, and accurate to boot. I researched all the commercial .380's and determined they all had frequent problems, and decided my best option was a milsurp.

WardenWolf said:

I'd get her a FEG PA-63. It's lightweight and has a decent trigger once you replace the mainspring with a 13-pounder. It's a military surplus pistol, so it's very reliable, and accurate to boot. I researched all the commercial .380's and determined they all had frequent problems, and decided my best option was a milsurp.

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No argument that they're nice, but I'm in love with the original - the authentic - Pistolet Makarova (Russian, Bulgarian, East German, or Chinese) in 9x18mm Makarov. I wouldn't trade any of my "Mak"s for any Bersa or Walther I've ever seen.