WardenWolf
member
I have a Makarov, P-64, and PA-63. For a woman, the PA-63 would be the best choice. Though the Makarov itself is very nice.
Bersa Thunder .380 Jamming Issue
- Thread starter Zsnark
- Start date
- Status
Zsnark
Member
Bersa Blues...a continuing saga
Hey all of my supporters,
Got a bunch great info. Some of which I can't try at present. Like, I can't find any .380 of any brand. Been shooting S&B, but I've got two boxes of PMC which I will try ASAP. Another brand will have to wait until this panic buying goes away; which hopefully it will and supplies will loosen up.
Anyway, I will keep you all updated on the ongoing saga of "How the Bersa Jams".
AAW
P.S. Silly me, I have the same gun in .22LR. I am having similar and worse problems there as well but I have a lot of ammo of different brands to try before I complain about it.
Hey all of my supporters,
Got a bunch great info. Some of which I can't try at present. Like, I can't find any .380 of any brand. Been shooting S&B, but I've got two boxes of PMC which I will try ASAP. Another brand will have to wait until this panic buying goes away; which hopefully it will and supplies will loosen up.
Anyway, I will keep you all updated on the ongoing saga of "How the Bersa Jams".
AAW
P.S. Silly me, I have the same gun in .22LR. I am having similar and worse problems there as well but I have a lot of ammo of different brands to try before I complain about it.
DanTheFarmer
Member
Good Luck Zsnark!
My Bersa's loved PMC and hated S&B. Each pistol is its own "person" and will decide if it is picky or not but PMC often works well (cross referencing from other's experiences discussed on BersaChat).
I don't have a 22lr version but they are reputed to work well stouter 22 (Mini-Mag for example) and not digest the weak stuff very well. Again each pistol in an individual.
Dan
My Bersa's loved PMC and hated S&B. Each pistol is its own "person" and will decide if it is picky or not but PMC often works well (cross referencing from other's experiences discussed on BersaChat).
I don't have a 22lr version but they are reputed to work well stouter 22 (Mini-Mag for example) and not digest the weak stuff very well. Again each pistol in an individual.
Dan
Try hosing it completely down with gun blaster (safe for polymer kind), use a stiff bristle tooth brush to scrub the bore face and breech face, lube slide generously with CLP. If you've removed the grips and then over tighten them when reinstalling it can affect the operation (speak from personal experience) load up with round ball and try it.
Zsnark
Member
DTF,
I'll continue to try different brands when they come available again. I do believe I've got 50 0r so mini mags from the last century.
Thanks,
AAW
Isn't your Bersa a 380? Mini Mags are 22.
Also it is good not to be married to your pistol, in a matter of speaking. Especially with the ammo shortage, there is a point where further testing and searching becomes more expensive than the gun's worth. How do I know? Trust me on this one.
Zsnark
Member
Hey,
How about standard cartridge dimension. A .380 should do right with anything that is around; unless, of course, if the ammo is out of spec.
This is more of a question than a comment. But suppose I was someplace where the military used 9mm K. Should I worry about it functioning in my piece? I mean, like .380's been around since 1908, at least.
I'd appreciate feedback about this. I like autos, .45s and 9mms have been relatively easy with new guns. What's this stuff with .380.
AAW
Jonah71
Member
I did have those problems with a Bersa Thunder .380 deluxe. Finally resolved after mag replacement.
I know MY problems started WITH mag replacement! Oh Bersa, where does it end?
Seven High
Member
- Joined
- Dec 7, 2004
- Messages
- 755
Is there a possibility that the recoil spring was put in backwards?
S&B 380 choked my friend's Bersa. I measured the OAL, and it was fine. The cartridges fit in the chamber, fine. The only thing I noticed was the bullets were fat/round like 9mm mak bullets. The exposed part of the bullet looked more like a hemisphere. Not as pointed as other brands of 380 FMJ. I don't recall exactly how they jammed, anymore, other than they required dropping the mag to clear. And they happened several times per mag. IOW, they really sucked. I think the fatter nose profile could have made the bullets hang up in the mag. Like maybe they needed to be seated a little shorter than SAAMI spec in order to feed in the Bersa.
Gun never jammed with any of the other ammo put through it. And the same S&B ammo worked fine in an LCP. Something about the combination of ammo and gun just didn't work.
Gun never jammed with any of the other ammo put through it. And the same S&B ammo worked fine in an LCP. Something about the combination of ammo and gun just didn't work.
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Zsnark
Member
I have made sure the recoil springs are in the correct position on both Bersas (.22 and .380). Next time I can find ammo, I'll check your recommendation.
Thanks,
AAW
Thanks,
AAW
Zsnark
Member
Ammo is unavailable at present but I will check out your recommendation re S&B. I do believe my other Bersa .380 functioned flawlessly with S&B; so, I am a little "unconfident".
Thanks,
AAW
Thanks,
AAW
Zsnark
Member
Zsnark
Member
Ammo is unavailable at present but I will check out your recommendation re S&B. I do believe my other Bersa .380 functioned flawlessly with S&B; so, I am a little "unconfident".
Thanks,
AAW
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?176901-S-amp-B-brand-primers-BIG-DISAPPOINTMENT!!!
This link is discussing S&B primers. But I came across this bit, which I thought you might be interested to read. It sounds like the same batch of S&B ammo that I came across:
This link is discussing S&B primers. But I came across this bit, which I thought you might be interested to read. It sounds like the same batch of S&B ammo that I came across:
MICHAEL T
Member
S&B did something to their ammo in last year . I have saw many complaints from people who have used their ammo for years All of sudden start having trouble.
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SilentScream
Member
Sounds as though you've got out of spec magazine feed lips. One thing you haven't mentioned is WHERE in the magazine is the jam occurring? (first rounds?, middle of the magazine? last rounds in the mag?)
Zsnark
Member
Ahah! Eureka! Many kudo to you guys (and fems!?)
Hi again, gunners;
I tried to pin point who the individuals were who put me on the right track. It was a number of you. So this is a shotgun Thanks to all.
I switched ammo on my Bersa .380 from S&B to PMC. Today, I shot three separate mags of PMC w/o a hitch. Ammo availability being the way it is. That's all I could do. But, the point is, apparently S&B doesn't cut it!
Also, in my Bersa .22lr, I tried some minimags from the last century (I'm old) which did very well, not perfect, but well. Tried some Mexican hot rod .22lrs which did even better. But, again, ammo availability restrained my testing.
Many thanks to you all for your suggestions. THR is hot!
AAW
Hi again, gunners;
I tried to pin point who the individuals were who put me on the right track. It was a number of you. So this is a shotgun Thanks to all.
I switched ammo on my Bersa .380 from S&B to PMC. Today, I shot three separate mags of PMC w/o a hitch. Ammo availability being the way it is. That's all I could do. But, the point is, apparently S&B doesn't cut it!
Also, in my Bersa .22lr, I tried some minimags from the last century (I'm old) which did very well, not perfect, but well. Tried some Mexican hot rod .22lrs which did even better. But, again, ammo availability restrained my testing.
Many thanks to you all for your suggestions. THR is hot!
AAW
Zsnark
Member
G,
I think you put me in the right direction. PMC has gone through w/o a hitch. Can't do much testing until ammo gets more available.
Thanks,
AAW
Zsnark
Member
In my original message I am quite specific about when and how the jams happened.
Zsnark
Member
I am amazed! A guy from S&B contacted me for specifics about what my problem is/was. Talk about keeping your customers opinions in front of your company. I never ever made an attempt to contact S&B.
I am astounded that they must be monitoring THR. Have not responded yet because my KB skills suck but will give him detailed info on my/our probs with there ammo. Anything you'd like to add will be included.
AAW
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