marine 97-03
Member
How good are these guns ....cheap junk...bout the same as Taurus .....or are they better than Taurus and on a completely different level ?
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bersa pistols
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Telekinesis
Member
Definitely better than a Taurus in my opinion. I used to have a Bersa Thunder .380, but I don't have experience with their other offerings. It was a great little gun. Had a nice trigger pull and seemed to be pretty solid. I didn't get to put many rounds through it before I sold it, but it would make a good backup/deep cover CCW gun. They are definitely worth the price.
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M2 Carbine
member
I never owned a Bersa.
A week ago a lady I'm teaching to shoot bought a Bersa .380. We shot it a bit and I'm impressed with the gun and the price was about $250.
I'm tempted to get one but I just can't stand that ugly lawyer lock in the side of the gun.
A week ago a lady I'm teaching to shoot bought a Bersa .380. We shot it a bit and I'm impressed with the gun and the price was about $250.
I'm tempted to get one but I just can't stand that ugly lawyer lock in the side of the gun.
Bersas are solid overall.
Like ANY manufacturer that produces on a major scale, it is wiser to look at specific models then overall quality here.
Taurus is not "cheap junk". They have QC issues and produce more models than any other manufacturer. It is the same thing that gives 1911s bad names- too many makers/models.
A Taurus PT-92 will run for thousands of rounds- if not tens of thousands of rounds, trouble free, 99.9% of the time. That is as high as I'd rank the top line models of Sig, Glock, SW, etc etc etc. A Taurus M85 snub nosed revolver will be similarly problem free. I speak from experience on these two models and research should prove me vindicated- these are flagship, tried and two model designs and the bugs are worked out. Would I vouch for the newest top o' the line fangled Taurus design? No.
Bersa Thunder 380 is proven. You are almost guaranteed to get a good model and a good value. I also owned their 22 version with similar findings. I hear good things about their 9mm models and am considering one of these for future CCW.
However...I have heard bad reports about some of their 45s, and 45 ultra compacts. Do your research and you'll be okay. Bersa over all is a VERY good company and a VERY good value, with a worthwhile warranty.
Downside is mag cost/availability on ...just about every model.
Like ANY manufacturer that produces on a major scale, it is wiser to look at specific models then overall quality here.
Taurus is not "cheap junk". They have QC issues and produce more models than any other manufacturer. It is the same thing that gives 1911s bad names- too many makers/models.
A Taurus PT-92 will run for thousands of rounds- if not tens of thousands of rounds, trouble free, 99.9% of the time. That is as high as I'd rank the top line models of Sig, Glock, SW, etc etc etc. A Taurus M85 snub nosed revolver will be similarly problem free. I speak from experience on these two models and research should prove me vindicated- these are flagship, tried and two model designs and the bugs are worked out. Would I vouch for the newest top o' the line fangled Taurus design? No.
Bersa Thunder 380 is proven. You are almost guaranteed to get a good model and a good value. I also owned their 22 version with similar findings. I hear good things about their 9mm models and am considering one of these for future CCW.
However...I have heard bad reports about some of their 45s, and 45 ultra compacts. Do your research and you'll be okay. Bersa over all is a VERY good company and a VERY good value, with a worthwhile warranty.
Downside is mag cost/availability on ...just about every model.
LibShooter
Member
I've never owned a Taurus.
My wife has a Bersa Thunder .380 and loves it. She shoots with a group of her friend, sometimes. Last time they all gravitated to her Bersa... leaving a Walther PPK and a Kimber (among others) alone on the bench.
My wife has a Bersa Thunder .380 and loves it. She shoots with a group of her friend, sometimes. Last time they all gravitated to her Bersa... leaving a Walther PPK and a Kimber (among others) alone on the bench.
MICHAEL T
Member
Don't own any Bersas, but have shot most of their offerings courtesy of my group of Shooting Budds (We call ourselves The Cheap Galoots...have many of the less expensive arms, including Bersa, Hi-Point, RG revolvers,etc).
My overall impression of Bersa is that they make very good pistols at reasonable prices.
My overall impression of Bersa is that they make very good pistols at reasonable prices.
Trad Archer
Member
- Joined
- Dec 5, 2010
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- 274
Bersa makes great guns.
Guess I Got A Bad One
I bought a "new" Firestorm .22 in Nov. 2011 Cleaned it up fired 100 rounds of CCI mini mags, cleaned the gun again because of so many failures, shot another 100 rounds of CCI's, same problem. The remarkable thing is that I shot the gun at the stores shooting range downstairs and when I went upstairs and told the guy that sold me the gun all the problems I had he asked me if I wanted my money back, Ahhhhhhhhh, OK.
I never thought you could get your money back on a new gun purchase but I swear it happened. I brought a 100 pack of CCI's that I had for a couple of years and bought another at the store where I bought the gun from so I doubt it was the ammo
Sigbear
I bought a "new" Firestorm .22 in Nov. 2011 Cleaned it up fired 100 rounds of CCI mini mags, cleaned the gun again because of so many failures, shot another 100 rounds of CCI's, same problem. The remarkable thing is that I shot the gun at the stores shooting range downstairs and when I went upstairs and told the guy that sold me the gun all the problems I had he asked me if I wanted my money back, Ahhhhhhhhh, OK.
I never thought you could get your money back on a new gun purchase but I swear it happened. I brought a 100 pack of CCI's that I had for a couple of years and bought another at the store where I bought the gun from so I doubt it was the ammo
Sigbear
Cornhusker77
Member
- Joined
- Dec 20, 2008
- Messages
- 641
I've got a Thunder .380, a Thunder 22 and a model 83
The 380 has never had an issue, not a single failure.
The 22 works well with the CCI, Winchester 1280fps, Aguila, etc. Doesn't like Federal bulk and I haven't tried Remingtons.
The Model 83 (.380) was bought used, and the first day I had it a spring under the right grip came out of it's slot, but I put it back in place and haven't had a problem since.
I wouldn't be a bit afraid of a Bersa.
I also have several Tauruses, and the only one I've had any trouble with was a PT22, but once it got good and broke in, it's been good.
The 380 has never had an issue, not a single failure.
The 22 works well with the CCI, Winchester 1280fps, Aguila, etc. Doesn't like Federal bulk and I haven't tried Remingtons.
The Model 83 (.380) was bought used, and the first day I had it a spring under the right grip came out of it's slot, but I put it back in place and haven't had a problem since.
I wouldn't be a bit afraid of a Bersa.
I also have several Tauruses, and the only one I've had any trouble with was a PT22, but once it got good and broke in, it's been good.
dullone
Member
"I read many glowing reviews about Bersa 'Thunder' .380 so I asked at LGS about these guns. These are no longer carried due to numerous customer issues about them."
I've had LGS rag on certain makes and praise others based on profit margin motives and/or wheather they carry them. I take everything I hear at LGS with a grain of salt.
I've have a Firestorm (Bersa) .22 and unltra compact 9mm. The .22 is not 100% but what .22 is, as ammo factors into reason they don't go bang every time. My 9mm.......flawless.
I've had LGS rag on certain makes and praise others based on profit margin motives and/or wheather they carry them. I take everything I hear at LGS with a grain of salt.
I've have a Firestorm (Bersa) .22 and unltra compact 9mm. The .22 is not 100% but what .22 is, as ammo factors into reason they don't go bang every time. My 9mm.......flawless.
MtnSpur
Member
My first CC pistol was a Bersa Thunder .380 (duo tone) and right out of the box that little gun shot well, never FTE nor FTF. Shots were where I wanted them and the take down couldn't be easier. It's a solid gun. Even though I've changed my CC to a larger caliber I'll keep that little Bersa.
gpwelding1
Member
i have a Bersa thunder 40 pro.its solid,well built and dependable.i own Taurus's as well,but i wouldnt trade my Bersa for three Taurus's!
Bersa is the best kept "secret" in the autoloader market....as good and reliable as any SIG and even better to look at.
I own a Thunder 40 (full size) and it never ever missed a beat. Very accurate and with extremely good ergonomics.
The only fault you can find on a Bersa is the finishing (not the fit which is excellent) just a bit utilitarian but rapidly improving (the new Thunder Pro has a finishing as good as any Beretta).
Rock solid company, stands 100% behind their product, lifetime warranty and their full size pistols are service proven...not that I did need anything from them. Magazines are a bit spendy but they are better built than your average autoloader magazine.
To be honest with you, for me the best looking full size autoloader in the market today are the Bersa Thunder and the evergreen Beretta 92/96...I own both and you could not convince me to trade them for any pimped up 1911 costing two grand.
Prices are rapidly climbing though.....in few years I bet Bersa will get their final well deserved broadly established reputation like CZ did many years ago....
I own a Thunder 40 (full size) and it never ever missed a beat. Very accurate and with extremely good ergonomics.
The only fault you can find on a Bersa is the finishing (not the fit which is excellent) just a bit utilitarian but rapidly improving (the new Thunder Pro has a finishing as good as any Beretta).
Rock solid company, stands 100% behind their product, lifetime warranty and their full size pistols are service proven...not that I did need anything from them. Magazines are a bit spendy but they are better built than your average autoloader magazine.
To be honest with you, for me the best looking full size autoloader in the market today are the Bersa Thunder and the evergreen Beretta 92/96...I own both and you could not convince me to trade them for any pimped up 1911 costing two grand.
Prices are rapidly climbing though.....in few years I bet Bersa will get their final well deserved broadly established reputation like CZ did many years ago....
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surfzombie
Member
I have one of the Firestorm 22lr matt black finish and I Love it. Nice rubber grips and has been totally reliable. It is accurate too. Very well made fit and finish.
MCgunner
Member
Rimfires can be quite ammo picky. I always try a variety before I give up.
M2 Carbine
member
For sure.
The LGS won't stock Bersa pistols because he doesn't make enough on them.
He does admit that they are good guns though.
modifiedbrowning
Member
I have four Bersas, two 9mm Ultracompacts, one 9mm fullsize and a Firestorm .22.
Two of the 9mms have over 5K through them, the other has around 2K. 100% reliable.
The .22 likes high velocity ammo, it will choke on some of the bulk stuff. I usually use Minimags and don't have any problems.
Two of the 9mms have over 5K through them, the other has around 2K. 100% reliable.
The .22 likes high velocity ammo, it will choke on some of the bulk stuff. I usually use Minimags and don't have any problems.
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