Bersa Deluxe

[RockyNH]

This is probably a simple question but I could not find the answer in browsing the existing messages..

I am likely going to buy a bersa thunder .380 in January and was wondering if there is any difference in the gun itself between the std and the deluxe. I know the deluxe comes with a higher capacity mag but is that the only difference?? If I got a deluxe, would the std clip fit properly?

Thank you,

Pat

 

[slh02]

From what I have seen, the blue on the deluxe is much nicer than the standard.

Beyond that and the higher cap mag, I dont see a difference. I cant say for sure, but I dont see any reason why a standard mag wont fit in a deluxe.

Sorry if this didnt help....

 

[horge]

The 7 and 9 round magazines are interchangeable.

BERSA manufactures both 7 and 9 round mags, primarily in blued or nickel finishes. Plain old marketing strategy dictates how the mags are 'bundled' with the particular Thunder 380 finishes. Marketing strategy changes from one country to the next: in the Philippines, Bersa Thunder 380's of any finish are bundled with a pair of 9-round mags --my nickel Bersa (seen in the clickable pic below) is one such.



In the US, all Thunder 380's are apparently sold with just one 7-round mag, save for the Deluxe. While the Thunder 380 Deluxe may be a normal Thunder 380 with a custom rollmark and a better finish, simply bundled with a 9 round mag...

There is still potential for confusion with the Bersa Thunder 380 Super.
That would be a different animal, featuring a steel (rather than aluminum) frame, and a wide grip to accomodate a double-stack 15 round mag that is NOT interchangeable with the single-stackers of the normal Thunder 380's. The Super has apparently not proven too popular, and I think it was originally targetted at the East European LEO market. ---maybe for that much weight and thickness, it makes more sense to pack a small 9mm or even a .40 ....but I am wandering astray now.



hth,
horge


PS: Generally, firearms and parts are more expensive here than there in the US, but it seems that for the BERSA, the reverse is true, and particularly so for magazines ---if the online prices for add'l mags are any indication. I'm even happier with my purchase now. My Nickel Thunder 380 with a pair of nickel 9 round mags included, all for US about $330 doesn't come out too badly after all.

 

[RockyNH]

Horge,

Thanks for the reply.. It is interesting how the marketing strategy changes by area of the world. It is something I dont often think about.

There is a big gun show in NH next weekend so maybe I can actually get my hands on one to see how they feel in my hand.

Pat

 

[9x19]

Keep in mind the only difference between the 7 round and 9 round mags (or 8 round and 10 round in .32) is the floor-plate. The metal bodies are identical and one can be made into the other with a quick change of floor-plates (available online direct from Bersa ~ www.bersa-llama.com/bersa_parts.html).

 

[alwims]

Thanks, 9x19. Thats the best info I have gotten since I found THR Forums. I've got one 9 cap. and three 7 cap. mags, but when my order gets here I'll have four 9 cap. mags. Thanks again.

 

[DougB]

I was also pretty excited to read about the possiblity of converting my 7-round magazine to a 9-rounder by just switching the floorplate, and of buying a couple of the deluxe 9-round magazines to go with my pistol. I also thought that this seemed like a dumb marketing move on Bersa's part - if you can just as easily give people a 9 round as a 7 round magazine, why impose the artificial limit to try to make a few bucks more buy selling deluxe models if the only real difference is the magazine. I think buyers will figure it out - and the low capacity may lose some sales to competitors. BUT, when I looked at the photo of the deluxe model, it looks like there is an extended floorplate that makes the gun quite a bit larger, and (to me) ruins the nice lines of these little pistols (the grip looks too large for the rest of the gun). I'm not interested in sacrificing the compactness and looks of my Bersa just to get a couple of extra rounds in the magazine. The previous discussion had led me to believe I could get extra capacity in a magazine about the same size as my standard magazine (which would be great), but if the deluxe magazine is just longer and sticks farther out the bottom of the grip, I'm not interested.

Doug

 

[alwims]

You're right Doug, it does stick out and does take away from the looks 'somewhat', but it sure is more comfortable in my hand as it gives me someplace to put my little finger. The factory 7 shot mag. just doesn't fit my little finger properly. I also shoot it a lot better with the longer mag.

 

[RockyNH]

Well, I went to the local gun show today and no one had any bersa thunder models at all... I did see a mod 383 used that seemed nice. I really want to get my hands on one before I order... maybe next week as there is another show. I will probably opt for the std 7 round model as I want to keep it small. I can always pick up another mag in the 9 rd later if I want to try it.

Pat

 

[horge]

CAUTION!

"CAUTION!
Swapping out the polymer finger extension (not the floorplate) can be a minor challenge for beginners, and there is some danger involved.

Here is a webpage I drew up describing the upgrading of a 7-round Bersa Thunder 380 Magazine to a 9-rounder:

http://www.geocities.com/bersa_thun...clemagdiss.html

Please note that it takes more than a simple swap of the finger xtension. the springs and metal floorplates are significantly diferent between 7-rounder and 9-rounder mags.


horge"

 

[ChickenHawk]

Well, I went to the local gun show today and no one had any bersa thunder models at all

They must have distribution problems because I had the same problem for a while here in Texas.

I searched everywhere and most did have the blued model, but that was it. I was after a duo-tone and was holding out for it.

After two months of searching I attended (yet another) Austin gun show and everybody had them. I've attended two shows since then and they remain just as prolific.

Go figure.

Cheers,
ChickenHawk

 

[horge]

Whoops.
Bad link.

Here's the correct link:


Upgrading a Bersa Thunder 380 7-round magazine to a 9-rounder




Please note the dangers and limitations...
Good luck.

 

[RockyNH]

____________________________________
I searched everywhere and most did have the blued model, but that was it. I was after a duo-tone and was holding out for it.
______________________________________

Chickenhawk, the next show had 2 dealers that had them. I had the duo-tone for way too much money...

The other had a duo and a deluxe. We looked at both, swapped magazines no problem and then bought the duo as the 7 rounder fit my wifes hand better.

Pat

 

[RockyNH]

Horge said...
_____________________________

Upgrading a Bersa Thunder 380 7-round magazine to a 9-rounder
_______________________________

Horge, thanks for the link ... found it interesting. As it turns out, we actually like the feel/fit of the 7 round better... I will probably just buy another 7 and then a 9 just to have.

Appreciate you sharing the info..

Pat