A Bersa Thunder 9 Ultra Compact Pro followed me home today. It's a fairly compact 9mm autoloader, which I haven't yet had a chance to shoot. I wanted to post some initial thoughts on the pistol ... I'll post a reply to this one with my range notes.
The Ultra Compact seems to have a lot to offer for under $400. As 9mm pistols go, this is a rather small one at 6.5" long, 4.5" high and 1.5" wide. It's a double-action decocker with ambidextrous decocker/thumb safety and magazine releases, which is one of the reasons why the pistol comes in at a stout 1.5" in width. The manufacturer's posted specifications claim a weight of 24.5 ounces. It is equipped with a firing pin block mechanism similar to a Series 80 1911. If this doesn't seem like a laundry list of features, let's add a polygonal barrel to the mix.
I think the frame is an aluminum alloy. It's finish is different than the slide, and it seems a little lighter than a steel frame would be. The frame's fit and finish is superb. The slide has a large number of tool marks (think Eastern European pistols) and appears to be poorly parkerized, as does the barrel. Toolmarks inside the slide aren't a bother, and certainly not unexpected at this $400 price point. Likewise, the slide and barrel finish isn't an insurmountable issue, given the multitude of inexpensive refinishers and cheap shipping (slide only). For those DIY-inclined, there are a number of spray-on finishes on the market which would work well over a parkerized finish, although black grill paint would even be an improvement. The pictures do not reveal the true slide appearance. I will take new pictures outside at the range.
Slide-to-frame fit was surprisingly tight. I was pleasantly surprised, because slop here is typical on pistols in this price range. Overall fit on the pistol is surprisingly good.
The single-action trigger was light and clean. Double action, as expected, is long and hard. I'm hopeful future firing will smoothen things out.
The decocker and thumb safety (it locks the slide) is something that will need some getting used to. They engage in the up position, which is the opposite of CZ decockers.
Takedown couldn't be easier. The process is: Unload, place gun in full battery, turn the takedown lever. That's it.
This pistol came with two magazines, which appear to have heavy steel followers. The pistol's overall capacity is 13+1.
At $400, this Bersa has a lot to offer. At this price point, there will obviously be compromises. Luckily all of the compromises appear to be in the slide and barrel finish, which is an easily and inexpensively solved issue for those who feel it needs improvement.
The Ultra Compact seems to have a lot to offer for under $400. As 9mm pistols go, this is a rather small one at 6.5" long, 4.5" high and 1.5" wide. It's a double-action decocker with ambidextrous decocker/thumb safety and magazine releases, which is one of the reasons why the pistol comes in at a stout 1.5" in width. The manufacturer's posted specifications claim a weight of 24.5 ounces. It is equipped with a firing pin block mechanism similar to a Series 80 1911. If this doesn't seem like a laundry list of features, let's add a polygonal barrel to the mix.
I think the frame is an aluminum alloy. It's finish is different than the slide, and it seems a little lighter than a steel frame would be. The frame's fit and finish is superb. The slide has a large number of tool marks (think Eastern European pistols) and appears to be poorly parkerized, as does the barrel. Toolmarks inside the slide aren't a bother, and certainly not unexpected at this $400 price point. Likewise, the slide and barrel finish isn't an insurmountable issue, given the multitude of inexpensive refinishers and cheap shipping (slide only). For those DIY-inclined, there are a number of spray-on finishes on the market which would work well over a parkerized finish, although black grill paint would even be an improvement. The pictures do not reveal the true slide appearance. I will take new pictures outside at the range.
Slide-to-frame fit was surprisingly tight. I was pleasantly surprised, because slop here is typical on pistols in this price range. Overall fit on the pistol is surprisingly good.
The single-action trigger was light and clean. Double action, as expected, is long and hard. I'm hopeful future firing will smoothen things out.
The decocker and thumb safety (it locks the slide) is something that will need some getting used to. They engage in the up position, which is the opposite of CZ decockers.
Takedown couldn't be easier. The process is: Unload, place gun in full battery, turn the takedown lever. That's it.
This pistol came with two magazines, which appear to have heavy steel followers. The pistol's overall capacity is 13+1.
At $400, this Bersa has a lot to offer. At this price point, there will obviously be compromises. Luckily all of the compromises appear to be in the slide and barrel finish, which is an easily and inexpensively solved issue for those who feel it needs improvement.
