Range report Bersa 380 and 45 ultra-compact

[TexVetDan]

Took both gun to the range Friday and Saturday.

Bersa 380 nickle: (wife likes shinny things)
Fired approx. 200 rds of UMC 95gr, UMC 95gr leadless, Winchester 95gr, and 10 rds of Federal hydra-shock 90 gr.
No malfunctions, recoil was light and sharp, grips were good for a small gun and easy to control.
Sights are brushed nickle like the rest of the gun with red dots (this is not a good idea), and they shot about 4" low (I'll have to do something about that). It grouped at 15yds 1.25 to 2.25 from the bench. Trigger pull long and very smooth (you can get used to it).
Frame had some sharp edges that because it was nickle I was able to round off with fine sand paper. It now feels really nice.
Wife likes this gun a lot and it is very concealable so it is a keeper. I would rather have had the blue version.

Bersa 45 ultra-compact two tone 3.6" (this was an impulse buy because it was on sail $311)
Fired approx. 150 rds of UMC 230 gr, Winchester 230gr JHP, and about 20 Remington golden sabers.
Had 3 failures to feed but I'm real sure it was the dreaded limp-wrist. Recoil was moderate and pleasant. Grips were a hand full but seemed too short (this puppy will bite if your hand wanders to high up on the grip). It took some getting used to in order to feel comfortable and in control.
Sights were good, black on the brushed nickle slide with white dot front and white out-line rear and shot X-ring on at 15 and 25yds. Group were good, 1.0" to 1.5" at 15yds bench rest. 2.5"-3.0" at 25yds bench rest. Standing it was easy to put them all in the green at 25yds. Trigger has travel (not as much as the 380) but is smooth and easy to get used to.
This is a keeper also even though IMHO it is too fat to be a good conceal carry.

I tried to be thorough hoping that this will be useful.
Dan

 

[horge]

Thnaks Dan,

I was also 'maneuvered' by wifely pressure into choosing the satin nickel finish.


That nickel eventually loses it's matte, satin quality and starts to polish up after use --moreso on the slide than the frame. I was considering the .45 for a future purchase and appreciated your impressions.

 

[Lennyjoe]

I fondled a two tone Ultra Compact .45 this past weekend.

Didnt care too much for the two tone finish. Also, Didnt like not being able to carry cocked and locked. The safety acts as a decocker. First pull was long and rough but Im sure it will smooth out in time.

Liked the ambi safety and the finger extension on the magazine helped.

Unfortunately the dealer wanted $369 for it.

Think I'll shop around for one. Denfoote found the blue ones for I think $269 in Phoenix area. Maybe I should take a ride up there after the holidays and acquire one for my self.

 

[TexVetDan]

Sorry, in my feeble effort to be complete I failed to mention that both these guns have decockers and can't be carried cocked and locked. It does seem unnatural, but I think of it as carrying a loaded double action revolver.
I didn't much care for the two tone either, would have preferred the blue but I'll live with it.
Dan

 

[albanian]

I like the nickel finish on the Bersa better than the Blued. It wears very tough and looks nice. The two tone is ugly IMHO and for some reason it is the cheapest model. Why can't the cheapest model be either all bled or all nickel?

 

[TexVetDan]

Albanian, it could be that it's cheapest because it's the ugliest and even they know it.
Dan

 

[birddog]

Yep.

I've been reading these posts and others about the Bersa Thunder .380. Everyone writing glowing reviews. Everyone who owns one, loving it. So I went to the gunshop today to pick one up, and try and convince myself it would feel too small in my hands. Nope. I hoped it would feel like shoddy construction. Nope. Hoped it rattled like a cheap maracca. Nope, everything was tight. I even liked the way it looked. Even the nickel plated one.

Do I have to now buy one?

Yep.