Bersa .380 Thunder vs CZ-82

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Well, considering I abhor the .380 acp and find it underpowered to boot, I'd have to suggest the 9x18 chambered 82.

Helps that I owned one as well. Accurate, reliable, and Buffalo Bore makes a hot round for HD/SD that the CZ82 can handle.
 
The Bersa Plus compares pretty well with the CZ. In fact, I'd prefer the Bersa for four reasons:

1. Bersa mag holds 15 rounds Vs 12 in the CZ.

2. Bersa has a decocker Vs none on the CZ.

3. The Bersa weighs about 5 ounces less.

4. Better sights on the Bersa.

I prefer the grips on the Bersa too but that's subjective. The Bersa is still in production too.
 
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Bersa M85

I own a CZ-82 and like the way it handles and shoots, but have heard a lot of good things about Bersa .380.

Please share which you think is best.
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I don't own a CZ82 so I can't answer your question but I do own a CZ-75BD and an older Bersa M85, 1980's vintage 380 so in a way, I know both guns.

The M85 is an all steel frame 380, almost a medium sized auto. I'm OK with alloy framed guns but I prefer steel frames so if you can find a M85 you may consider it versus a new alloy Thunder 380. If you go the M85 route, the Thunder 380 magazine can be tweaked to work with the M85. I've done it with two magazines.

On the other hand, the CZ speaks for itself. I also have a Tristar C100 in 380 (no longer imported). The C100 is a Turkish (Canik55) made clone of the CZ compact 9mm and is one terrific gun. If you like the CZ82, you will love the C100 in 380.

Both the M85 and C100 pop up from time to time on GB.
 
Both are excellent. .380acp may be easier to find at your LGS, but (steel case) 9x18 might be found cheaper online. It's been about a year since I bought any 9x18 as I buy in bulk when I do, so things could have changed since then.
 
I don't have a CZ-82, but do own two 9 X 18mm Mararovs (Russian & Bulgarian) and a Bursa Thunder .380. Yes, the 9X18 has a little more punch, but I don't personally feel it is significant. All shoot well, and all are very accurate. I will assume the CZ-82 is just as dependable as other blowback autos. Right now with the recent popularity of the .380, I find it easier to buy 9X18 ammo. That's the swing of the market.
 
I have had a Bersa Thunder .380CC for a few years now. I have kind of a mixed review because I love the feel of the gun and find it way more accurate than I would have expected but I just don't trust it for CC.

When I first bought it, a spring came loose (It has been awhile but I want to say it was the trigger return spring). I put it back in place and it came off again after about 50 rounds. I took in in to my dealer at that point and they replaced it and assured me that it should not break again. I have about 800 or so rounds through it now but I just can't bring myself to carry it out of fear that it will fail again. When it fails, it won't function at all.

It is a neat little gun. It looks cool, it is light and great for pocket carry and it is very comfortable in my hands unlike just about every other pocket carry option I have tried. Maybe one of these days I will have enough rounds through it to trust it again.
 
I have owned the Bersa and feel that is it the most accurate and comfotable .380 I have shot. But the CZ 82 was more accurate and comfortbale to shoot. The CZ82, I have to admit, is not a pretty gun but if I had a chance to own one, i would for a truck gun.
 
Gun Master said:
I own a CZ-82 and like the way it handles and shoots, but have heard a lot of good things about Bersa .380.

Please share which you think is best.
Click to expand...

Hmmm. I have the .22LR version of the Bersa Thunder .380 and a CZ82. The .22LR Bersa is the same size as the .380 Thunder and handles the same, except recoil of course.

The Bersa is a tad smaller and lighter weight than the CZ82. So, concealed carry would be potentially easier. The Bersa also feels slimmer in the hand than the CZ.

What I like about the CZ over the Bersa is the ambidextrous mag release and safety. I also like CZs method of cocked-and-locked or DA choice better than the slide mounted safety/decocker of the Bersa. One knock against the Bersa Thunder for me is the position of mag release up high like the Walther PPK.

I think the Bersa Plus is more comparable to the CZ82 due to mag release position and mag capacity.

However, if I had to pick between the Bersa Thunder and the CZ82 for a home defense/car gun/range gun, I'd go with the CZ if it was in good shape and if 9mm Mak ammo stays cheap.

The thing about that 9mm Mak ammo in my experience is it is relatively cheap in steel case offerings, however the indoor ranges near me won't allow using steel case ammo. Which means buying pricier brass cased 9mm Mak, which also means the .380 ACP is back on equal footing price wise.

So, how about a nice CZ83 in .380 ACP? :D

Oh wait. You already have the CZ82. Ummm, get the Bersa because you want one? :)
 
I have a CZ 82, but a friend let me try his Bersa. I was pleasantly surprised, it had a nice grip, decent sights and it was accurate for me. I have to give my Cz the edge for it's excellent trigger.
I don't know what Bersa' CS is like I know that CZ is excellent.
 
I've shot the CZ but not the Bersa. I find it hard to believe that the Bersa is better. Maybe as good as, depending on what you are doing with it, but not better.
 
Bersa .380 vs CZ-82 (9x18mmMak)

Hmmmmmmm...........Very interesting!

I thought it would wind up being .380 vs 9x18.

Lots of good ideas and info have surfaced at multi-faceted directions.

Keep 'em coming.:)
 
CZ-82 vs Bersa Thunder

I just had a grisly thought!

Wonder how many more people the CZ-82 (military) killed or wounded, than the Bersa (commercial) has ?

Don't believe it is good to dwell on that thought, but it does put in a different perspective.
 
I am biased toward the Bersa

I really like it a lot...very nice hand fitting gun..with that said though, there
  • are so many compact 9mm with
  • Larger magazine capacity
  • Better mechanics
  • Cheaper ammo than .380
YES, the Bersa Thunder 380 is inexpensive, but don't fall into the "I wish". Don't get me wrong, I enjoy my Bersa. My rubber wrap around grips and 9 round mag arrived today so she is really sweet.

I would REALLY stick with a 9mm lugar type gun...ammo is an issue and the 9mm is the cheapest out there (except .22)

Have you considered this
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...ucts_id/82836/S&W+M&P9+Shield+7+18+1+9mm+3.1"

or if you like .380 this
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...050308+PK380+Pistol+380+Automatic+Colt+Pistol
 
I have the Bersa Thunder .380 and it's lights out accurate for me. I like the feel and the mag extension is what makes it fit my hand. That said, I recently acquired a new Glock 42; she it so accurate my wife who rarely shoots consistently places round after round on a 2" swinging steel target. It's footprint is even smaller than the Bersa and with the aftermarket mag extension(s) makes a comfortable grip for us ham fist'd fellows.
You won't be sorry if you decide to acquire either.
 
meanmrmustard said:
Well, considering I abhor the .380 acp and find it underpowered to boot, I'd have to suggest the 9x18 chambered 82.

Helps that I owned one as well. Accurate, reliable, and Buffalo Bore makes a hot round for HD/SD that the CZ82 can handle.
Click to expand...
Why? Unless one cares about the extra 50fps the 9x18 & 9x17 are basically cartridges of equivalent performance and cartridge selection for the Browning short 9 is far, far better.
 
Military Use of CZ-82

usp9 said:
The Czechs been in a lot of wars the last three decades?
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The armies and police of the Czechs and the Slovaks used the CZ-82 in their wars for independence. Also North Korea, China, and other former soviet bloc countries, to a limited extent. There has been a great deal of unrest and fighting in all these nations, for the past three decades. Perhaps you missed it ?
 
The armies and police of the Czechs and the Slovaks used the CZ-82 in their wars for independence. Also North Korea, China, and other former soviet bloc countries, to a limited extent. There has been a great deal of unrest and fighting in all these nations, for the past three decades. Perhaps you missed it ?
Click to expand...

I think you've confused the Czech Republic, a NATO member, with the former Yugoslavia.
I don't believe N. Korea, nor China use the CZ82. Both nations make their own small arms.
IThe CZ75 has been copied and cloned around the world, but the same can't be said of the CZ82. It's a small blip on the scene, not a major player.
 
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