RFI: Bersa Thunder Concealed Carry

Mine totally reliable with S&B FMJ and HP
12 YEARS, no problems

I've purchased two of them and both are good guns. Great for the price. I've not heard many complaints about the Bersa 380 pistols.

Good guns, I've shot several; they are reliable and accurate.

Mine was slightly broken in when I got it. It has run 100% with whatever I fed it (no steel case). I usually carry a 380 with FMJ.

The sights are small but I have no problem with working with that when I qualify (up to 25 yds).

Fantastic pistol, was my first. Only issue I had with it was my fault. Do not pull the trigger when the gun is disassembled, the clip connecting the transfer bar to the hammer can be damaged. Cost a whopping $3.75 to fix, but was out of commission until I got a new clip.

Oh, forgot to say, mine ate anything and everything I jammed into it, from day one

I am a bit of a .380 fan, and, while I don't have a Bersa, I have only heard good things about it. You could easily spend twice as much and get something just as good.

As far as ammunition choice. The FMJ ammunition in a .380 is not a particularly good choice. It both over-penetrates and under-performs. I would recommend looking at this table for information on the choices available. If you prefer a video format, this is, basically, the same report, just the video summary.

Ahhh, what's the use ... never mind.

Bersa’s been making some version of this model since before 1988. The Model 83 was first produced in 1988, & it replaced the Model 383. With modifications it became the Thunder in 1995. They’ve worked out the bugs long ago.

I have an 83 & had a couple of Thunder380CC’s. All functioned with both FMJ (including steel & aluminum cased) & Hornady JHP, but I didn’t need them all. Only the Model 83 remains in my accumulation.

I cannot get mine to malfunction, and I've tried. It's an often unrecognized value in a gun that makes good use of the cartridge for self-defense.

I have Bersa Thunders in 22 and 380. Wonderful and very reliable little pistols.

The 22 is ammo sensitive - standard velocity won’t cycle the close - but with MiniMags it is nearly flawless.

The 380, a 2013 manufacture that I picked up used, is 100%.

Both are accurate due to their fixed barrels, comfortable to shoot. They’re good looking pistols and while inexpensive appear to be very well built. What’s not to like?

I had mine for a few years, the only issue I had with it was a range day with steel case ammo and not having cleaned it in a few months.

I loved it, and regret selling it. Next one I get will be the double stack one.

I have a Bersa 383a, same as the thunderer. Never had a problem with it. Feeds anything I put in it. It doesn't get used much anymore. But it was one of my favorites. It was easy to carry, reliable.

The first handgun I ever purchased was a Bersa 383. The hammer broke in under 100 rounds. The store wouldn't take it back and Bersa would never return my calls or even the letter I wrote. This was 25+ years ago, so maybe they have gotten better. The bottom of the hammer cracked where it rotates around the pin. I still have the thing in a closet somewhere. It does an OK job at driving pin nails into drywall with the butt of the gun for hanging pictures, but that is about it.

I won't buy another Bersa.

If I am going to carry a gun that big I will be carrying at least a 9mm. If I am going to carry a .380 it will be my LCP at about a quarter the size and a third the weight. My Karh CM9 is smaller, lighter and definitely better built.

Hasaf said:

I am a bit of a .380 fan, and, while I don't have a Bersa, I have only heard good things about it. You could easily spend twice as much and get something just as good.

As far as ammunition choice. The FMJ ammunition in a .380 is not a particularly good choice. It both over-penetrates and under-performs. I would recommend looking at this table for information on the choices available. If you prefer a video format, this is, basically, the same report, just the video summary.

Click to expand...

I saw the video, just hold my intention to go away to see something solid than his impressions, when he finished I realize the how I waste my time.
Lately, I am prone to see videos only when then can prove statements.
what distance he used, material and thickness and so on.

Going back to the thread, Bersa has along history of 380 production I had the opportunity to buy one used to a coworker for a song, who complain about jamming, a new original mag and good clean bring to life.