Bersa Thunder 9 Ultra Compact a Walther P88 knockoff?

[PX15]

Just out of curiousity, does anyone know if the design of the Bersa Thunder 9 ( Ultra Compact) is derived in any way from the discontinued Walther P88?

I'd read that someplace, and it was mentioned that "imitation is the most sincere form of flattery" and that the Walther P88 was a very fine pistol.

I am well pleased with my BT9/UC and it has been 100% reliable (with the exception of some wwwb ammo.. But that same ammo also caused me problems in several other 9's, so it was ammo related, not a problem with the pistol itself).

The BT9/UC is also very accurate. As accurate as my all time favorite 9mm pistol the Sig P239. I like the 14+1 capacity too...

I've other 9mm pistols, Sig/S&W/KelTec/Walther/Star and I think the Bersa is as good as any of them, and better than most.

Just curious.

Thanks,

J. Pomeroy

 

[MICHAEL T]

Yes I'd say it a knock off considering the 380 Thunder is a Knock off of a PPK/S . What difference does it make It a fine pistol at a good price.

http://bersatalk.com

 

[modifiedbrowning]

The Bersa is most certainly a P88 copy. In fact the slide from my P88C will actually fit onto the frame of my T9UC, but is too long. Also the slide from my T9HC will almost fit on my P88 fullsize frame.

 

[PX15]

MICHAEL T:

It makes absolutely no difference to me where the heritage of the BT9 originated...

I only asked the question because I am a fan of Walthers in general, and the idea that the Bersa designers were bright enough to "copy, borrow, whatever" from a world class pistol such as the P88 is of interest to me.

I had a Walther PP in the past. I have a Firestorm FS22 now. The FS22 has the look and feel of the original PP and I am very pleased with it. I also have a pristine surplus Walther P1 and I find it too, to be a very high quality firearm.

I was NOT knocking the idea of Bersa borrowing from Walther, I was just curious if it were true.. And IF it were true that would be a plus for me, not a minus..

My post was simply to ascertain the origins of the BT9 design, and if it were found to lie in the now discontinued Walther P88 I would be very pleased with that.

I can't afford a P88, but I could afford a BT9/UC..

Best Wishes,

J. Pomeroy

 

[modifiedbrowning]

PX15, the Walther connection was a big reason that I decided to check out the Bersas. The P88 and P88C has always been my favorite pistol, since I was a kid. It's nice to have a quality copy that costs 1/3 to 1/4 less.

P88C

Bersa Thunder 9 UC

 

[hksw]

As noted by others, the original Thunder9 (full size) was derived from the P88. They are a slightly more loose than the P88 from my experience but nearly identical. The main differences being the slide stop/decoker of the P88 is just a slide stop for the T9 (and size derivatives), no manual safety on the P88 - frame mounted safety/decocker on the T9, fully adjustable rear sights for the P88 - windage only on the T9, adjustable trigger overtravel stop in the P88 frame - fixed on the T9 trigger, mag release on the P88 is ambi with no mods - the T9 you have to disassemble to switch over. And, of course, the T9's new safety lock and minor cosmetic differences. (Luckily, I got one in the early '90s before this revision was made.)

 

[PX15]

Thanks for the replies. It doesn't really matter where the Bersa design started from, other than just interesting information, because it has turned out to be an exceptional firearms value and I love mine.



Best Wishes,

J. Pomeroy