Bersa Thunder .45 ACP

[Mordwyn]

There have been a number of threads here about the Bersa Thunder .380, and most if not all have said that they were a reliable, if not simple, compact CCW piece.

What about its "bigger brother" the Thunder .45?

I've come across a few of them over the last few weeks during my search for a 1911 and they seem like a nice economical compact CCW pistol for somone who wants to stay in the .45 ACP realm (like me for instance )

Anyone have any experience with this member of the Bersa line up?

 

[huntMT]

Are you looking at the gun that is manufactured by Bersa and looks like the gun below?

Or are you looking at the gun that is manufactured by Llama and looks the gun below?

Some people find any "economical" gun unacceptable, so the answer would be "no" to either of these choices.

Of those that like "economical" guns, generally speaking, Bersa has a better reputation as a manufacter of quality firearms than does Llama.

 

[priv8ter]

Mini .45

There always seems to be some confusion when people start talking about Bersa/Llama's.

If you are talking about the Firestorm Mini.45, made by Bersa, then it is a fine one. I have attached a picture of the two-tone one that I own.

It does have a few issues though...one, is pretty severe hammer bite...my thumb is bright red after a hundred rounds. And, it has a problem with Winchester Silvertips...I haven't had enough time ormoney to try other hollow-points, but the fact is, I am comfortable carrying 230 FMJ...I have heard that .45 ACP has a hard time expanding out of some short barrelled guns anyway's...too much velocity loss.

But, for the price, and if you are willing to carry hardball, it is a very cost-effecient product.

The only other problem I have so far is trying to find a holster for it. If anyone has any suggestions, let me know!

greg

 

[PCRCCW]

The Bersa Mini is a good gun. They made the Thunder for years....not a clone but a Walther Copy and a good one at that. Ive shot a fullsize Thunder for years and its as good as any gun Ive had/shot/carried etc.
The mini thunder is just a chopped version of the gun Im talking about.

The 1911's made by Llama were soft years ago and they got a very bad rep. over it. Current production guns are much better and most who have them like them. Or HATE them....very little middle ground.

One thing Ill give Bersa...alot of credit. When the 94 ban went through, instead of neutering their mags..they decided they werent gonna play with clinton and his restrictions..they stopped importing them. And it took them 10 years to get the mini to us......they arent exactly trying to keep up with the Jones's and in ways...thats very cool. They build what they want, when they want.......................

Youll like the Mini...........Shoot well

 

[Mordwyn]

To Clarify.....

Bersa Yes ..... Llama no.....

If I get a 1911 type pistol, it will be something like a Springfield. I was looking for a smaller CCW pistol in .45 and saw the Thunder .45 by Bersa.

Priv8ter does bring up a good point that I failed to consider. .45 ACP hollow points do have a problem expanding properly when being shot from a short barrel because of the loss of velocity.

Well, "they all fall to hardball".....

 

[Selfdfenz]

Some will recommend 185 gr. HP bullets to get some of the speed back when you use a short barrelled platform for the 45 ACP.
I have the chrony experiment planned, but have yet to get back to the range to see how #s turn out with my shorty 45 and 185s.
S-

 

[hksw]

The Bersa .45 is sold under two names here.

The Bersa Thunder 45 and the FireStorm Mini 45 (Both, of course, made by Bersa. Even says Bersa on my Mini 45 slide.)

Only real problems I've had with mine is hammerbite and occassionally the slide locked back on a partial mag. Otherwise it shot well enough.

 

[Mordwyn]

(Trying not to sound TOO ignorant)

Umm....Hammer bite? I've never experienced this, or at least I don't think I have. Describe please

 

[Matthew_Q]

Hammer bite is when the hammer cocks back and hits or pinches the web of your hand. If you have big meaty hands, you're more likely to get bitten.

The beavertail style grips and grip safeties (on 1911s) help prevent this.

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. I've not shot one, but did finally see and handle one today at a local shop. I was favorably impressed. The pistol had a long, but smooth DA trigger pull and the single-action was V E R Y usable out of the box. The sights were decent and the finish, while not like that of an early S&W revolver, was satisfactory. The gun had an integral one-piece feed ramp and the slide worked smoothly with very good lockup between the barrel and slide when in battery. I was tempted, but resisted as the barrel's just a bit shorter than I like in .45 ACP. (I'm "OK" for now, but me and temptation don't get along too well......I backslide frequently.)

Best.

 

[hksw]

As mentioned, hammerbite is when the back of the hammer (while being push back and down from the recoiling slide) pinches the web of your shooting hand between it and the top of the grip horn. Also common with the Browning High Power. Another/contributing cause of this problem is having a grip too high on the frame.

(I'm "OK" for now, but me and temptation don't get along too well......I backslide frequently.)

Having had positive experiences with the FireStorm Mini 9 and the Bersa Thunder9, this is pretty much what happened to me when I saw the all blue Mini 45 for the first time (had seen a two tone one previously but I'm not into two tone.) Temptation sucker punched me in the gut and made me say 'uncle'.

 

[J13032]

Bersa Mini Thunder .45

Bersa Has been around for more than 30 years.
In my opinion the Mini Thunder Compact Tactical .45 has a lesser recoil than the bulky 1911. It only has an 8 round capacity, but then again, if you need more than 8 rounds then you need to hit the range. The Mini Thinder .45 is a well constructed handgun and is dead on accurate up to 25 yrds.
My only problem is that it has been difficult for me to find accessories for it since it is still just a baby in the world of new handgun design.
I have a "MEATY" hand but I have not yet experienced a hammer bite or a meat slice.
I am very happy with my Mini Thunder! Great weapon Bersa!

 

[candr44]

I have a Bersa .45 I bought used and have put about 800 rounds through it so far. It has never jammed and I have used several different brands of hollow points and full jacket bullets. It seems to like the Georgia Arms 185 grain hollow points the best. The 230 grain seems a little too much for the short barrel.

It is a very reliable gun but comes with only one magazine and extra mags are over priced and only from Bersa. Parts are also only from Bersa so if you need springs you won't get them from Wolf Gun Springs. Accessories are also hard to find. There isn't much after market support for Bersa guns.

If you want one, try to find a new one. Some of the early models had a problem with weak recoil springs. Bersa has the new recoil springs to correct this problem but like I said above you can only get them from Bersa.

Even with the lack of after market support I am still satisfied with my gun and will be keeping it for a long time. It's a good and very reliable gun for the money.

 

[Big Gay Al]

Are you looking at the gun that is manufactured by Bersa and looks like the gun below?
(picture of a Bersa Thunder)

Or are you looking at the gun that is manufactured by Llama and looks the gun below?
(Picture of a Llama/Firestorm Government Model)

Some people find any "economical" gun unacceptable, so the answer would be "no" to either of these choices.

Of those that like "economical" guns, generally speaking, Bersa has a better reputation as a manufacter of quality firearms than does Llama.

First, (don't mean to pick on huntMT, but...) I don't see how anyone could confuse the Bersa Thunder series with the Firestorm/Llama series. Two completely different makers, and two different model names. Granted, SGS also applies the Firestorm Name to Bersa made weapons, but they are still referred to as "Thunder."

As to the Bersa/Firestorm/Llama lines. I own a Bersa Thunder .380. I find it to be an exceptionally well made pistol. And I was astonished at the price. It also shoots very well, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a pistol of that type.

I have owned the Firestorm Government Model (Made by Llama, now out of business, sad to say). It is a workman like gun. I would consider it a decent starter, if you're on a budget. I don't care for the finish. I think it sucks. But the pistol works well. I must add that most of them, from what I have been told, are finicky about ammo. The one I had did not like anything other than full metal jacket. And it did not like CCI Blazer Brass. That said, I have a Firestorm Compact Duo-tone that eats ANY FMJ ammo. Unfortunately I've had to offer it for sale, and it has been paid for, and will be shipped out later today. The finish on this one, is much better in my opinion, than on the full size Government Model.



As to the Bersa Thunder line, bigger than the .380, I'd LOVE to try one of those out. I love the dual side controls. As an ambidextrous shooter, that's been my dream for years. Maybe one of these days, when I can talk the wife into it...(it's nice to dream, isn' it. )

Now, as to the "economical" tag not being liked by some people, when attached to guns. I suggest those people get a life. Some of us do not have the financial means to go out and spend unlimited amounts of money on Kimbers and the like. So for some of us, "economical" also means "practical," as well as "with in our financial means."

But we're all still friends, right?