Walther vs Bersa

Bersa takes many cues about pistol making from Walther, and what a good role model to have. As such, their pistols are very similar with only a few varying characteristics and features. For example, comparing the Walther PPK/S and the Bersa Thunder .380, they both have the same kind of slide mounted safety, but the Bersa has a key lock safety AND magazine disconnect safety. Which many people can take or leave. Also they are nearly identical in size but the Bersa Thunder is 2oz lighter than the PPK/S. The biggest difference you will notice is price. I have seen Bersa Thunders going locally for 250-350 where the PPK/S is harder to find and usually in the 500-600 range. In all honesty, it is hard to go wrong with either brand. Bersa has made a solid name for themselves in the short time they have been operating and Walther has many years of quality behind the name.

I have had a Bersa Thunder 380 for 9 years now and can't find fault with it for a concealed carry piece. I had the trigger replaced last September under warranty for failing on occasion, to pick up the hammer in very slow, aimed double action. (the service tech cautioned me that this was not a target pistol [granted])

It is reliable, accurate (for its platform), parts and warranty service are available, inexpensive and prompt.

Dis-assembly and cleaning are straightforward with a few caveats (such as recoil spring orientation) which I assume apply to the Walther as well.

I have only owned the Walther in .380 and found it to be classic and the founder of that style of pistol. Nothing against Bersa but the Walther pistol is a classic pistol.

For me, the Walther PP or PPK/s, the Beretta 84's, and Colt 1908 are the .380's that all others strive to equal or emulate.

VooDoo

I've got two Bersa .380's, never had a problem with them. I like the new PK380 even better though, of course it is a bit bigger but what a sweet shooting pistol.

I had a PPK/S in stainless back in the early nineties, imported by Interarms. It was a great piece, and I shot it well. But, it was not that comfortable in my hands; the grip was quite thin. The gun was pretty snappy, but not as bad as my Grendel P10 I also had back then (a predecessor to the Kel-Tec P3-AT.) As I recall, its magazine capacity was six (correct me if I'm wrong on that, but I understand its seven now.) I sold it during some hard times after owning it only a year or so.

I bought a Thunder 380 in 2008, in a much-belated attempt to replace the Walther on a budget. The Thunder is lighter, has an excellent trigger, and holds seven rounds. It's far more comfortable to shoot than I recall the Walther to have been. Its only shortcoming as a replacement for the PPK/S is that it's bigger and thicker, which makes it not as easy to pocket-carry.

The differences in finish are obvious, and so is the difference in price.

For me, I consider the Walther to be worth about $100 more than the Bersa. That is to say, I'd trade my Thunder toward a PPK/S (stainless only) if I only had to pony up one additional Benjamin. That's just me, though.

I'm wondering if the Bersa Thunder would be a viable option?

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The Bersa is a viable option for a .380 carry, but the Walther is without doubt a higher quality firearm. There are a host of good .380s available. your wife may enjoy looking at all the options.

If I were to carry a .380, IMHO it would be Beretta 84/85, a Sig P232 or if a Bersa, then the Thunder Plus.

The Bersa is about the same size as a Walther PP. The PPK's are significantly smaller.

Not apples to apples, but I bought a Bersa BP9cc "for the wife" and it has been excellent so far. If it's any indication of Bersa's quality in general, I'll definitely consider them for my next handgun purchase.

I've been looking at the .380 Walther for my wife, the smaller caliber plus the steel frame would be a good combination for her,

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I would suggest finding a rental for her to try.

They are not the most comfortable guns to shoot. The stiff recoil spring for the blowback action can be rather difficult for some women to operate.

They are not the most comfortable guns to shoot. The stiff recoil spring for the blowback action can be rather difficult for some women to operate.

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The Bersa 380 Thunder has the easiest slide-cocking of any direct blowback pistol I have operated. Mine racked glassy smooth. Slide to frame fit was great. There weren't any significant "hitches" along the way (e.g. where some guns hit resistance on the disconnector and/or the hammer.) Recoil was very soft. The trigger was miles ahead of a PPK; the DA trigger pull felt longer, but it was almost perfectly smooth. The sights were good. Grip was comfy. Controls worked nicely. It was very easy to shoot, accurately.

If I owned a PPK and a Bersa, the PPK wouldn't get much range time.

Don't forget to look at the Glock 42

M

I would suggest finding a rental for her to try.

They are not the most comfortable guns to shoot. The stiff recoil spring for the blowback action can be rather difficult for some women to operate.

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Word.

Most folk buy into the 380 thinking in part that it'll be easier to shoot in terms of recoil than the 9x19. Most subsequently find that the opposite is true due to the way that the blowback action used on most (not all!) of the 380 pistols behaves under recoil.

I find the Walther's to be uncomfortable - moreso than my Scandium snubby 38 Specials - due to the narrow and sharp shape of the Walther coupled with their blowback design and relatively light slide. I've not shot a Bersa to see how much better it might be.

Lawdawg45,

I was trying to decide between the two several months ago and did some research. I was ready to go with the Bersa but wanted the CC version in .380 and they were a little hard to find at that time.

I walked into a local gun shop and they had a used Sig P232 with aluminum alloy frame, making it lighter than their stainless version. It has a heel mag release that some don't like. I have been very very happy with this purchase. Mine came with the rubber hogue grips that are good for recoil, but got the plastic grips to make it more concealing. This gun has had zero malfunctions and I think it is a light recoiling gun. I happen to love blowback pistols.

I second the recommendation to try them first if possible.

Re: slide-racking..

Don't forget that this can, on these and many other guns, be made easier by thumb-cocking the hammer first.

There are at least four ways to rack the slide on an auto. I recommend pushing with strong hand rather than trying to pull with the weak.

M

I have a PPK and it is a pocket carry piece for me. It shoots everything I throw at it. It is accurate. I am an old 007 fan so a PPK was almost required for my collection.
I have no Bersa experience, but, I do love my Lil Walther!!

I have a Bersa Thunder with over 10k rounds through it, it is the gun I have owned the longest and shot more than any other. That said if its the the ppk/s get the Walther. You didn't specify which Walther you were looking at, but the PK380 is NOT a better gun than the Bersa, no matter whos name is stamped on it.

I've got a Bersa Thunder UC9 (not related to the Walther really) and also a Sig P230 (a PPK clone). The Sig is pretty sweet...mine was made in 1984.

My Bersa Thunder is 10 years old . I bought to practice with and then carry my older PPK/S

Bersa gets shot and carried more that my Walthers. I wouldn't buy the S&W PPK series to hit and miss .

The Bersa works great. I'd only buy the Walther if I wanted a gun that costs twice as much, does the same thing, and doesn't have a lifetime warranty. The only real benefit of buying the Walther is that it has that fancy "Walther" name on the side.

Sure you'll find a few posts online that say how sometimes Walther will cover warranty repairs after a year anyways but the reality is that if a warranty says one year, they don't always honor it after that unless they're in a good mood.

I think you'll be happy--its a good value at its pricepoint. Mind you, I have Walthers, Masuers, Sigs, (and a Mak) all in 380; I carry the Bersa so I don't have to worry about loss of a more expensive gun. Its reliable and lightweight.

I carry a bersa bp9 as well and its been flawless. thought long and hard over the PPS though.