Bersa Thunder 380 anatomy question

[neverjeg]

I'm buying the above gun in about a 1/2 hour for my wife. We looked at it last night and plan to pick it up shortly.

Forgive my ignorance here.

If you look down the magazine well, there is a chrome colored sprocket type wheel about 1/8 inch wide. It looks like it has some wear. The gun is being sold as new, but the test round was fired in 2005. Other than that "wheel" there is no wear and it appears to have the original packing oil all over. I believe it is new - but what appears to be wear has me a bit concerned.

 

[Oro]

I believe it is new - but what appears to be wear has me a bit concerned.

I do not know the Bersa intimately, but in general it is not unusual that internal parts need some final fitting. Since it's internal, I am guessing you are not seeing "wear" but rather file or polishing marks the assembler applied to get the part in spec. Since it's internal, it's not refinished, or fit before the final finish. This does not sound like anything at all to worry about to me if you are buying it from a dealer and he says it's new.

Stop worrying about this, and go spend your time looking for affordable .380 ammo!

 

[rondog]

Huh, I've got one of those, but can't recall the part you're talking about. And I'm not home where I can look at it either.

In the magwell, huh? Not the mag release is it?

 

[m2steven]

If I'm checking the correct part, you're seeing a little roller upon which the magazine rides when inserting or removing from the gun. If it happened to be tight from the factory and it didn't roll completely upon insertion or removal, it would obviously get some wear from anyone removing or inserting the magazine.

 

[paradox998]

I just took my Thunder 380 apart to see what you are seeing and I agree with m2steve. There is a pin with grooves cut in it that rolls to assist the magazine slide in and out. It is a fairly solid part and not likely ever to wear out. I would not worry about it. I purchased my Thunder used and it has been a very good pistol.

 

[rcmodel]

Little Roller?
To assist the magazine roll in & out??

You sure you are not looking at the magazine disconnect safety?

Page 11, Part #42.
http://www.bersafirearmsusa.com/pdf/manual380.pdf

rc

 

[paradox998]

Nope, it is the grip pin on the diagram. It is lose in the frame and the grooves in the middle of the pin keep it from coming out when the grips are off. Maybe it does not help the magazine, but it spins freely and may assist the magazine.