Bersa Thunder 9mm

[alwims]

Could someone give me some info on this pistol? I know some things about it but can't find very much on the net. This pistol is one of the most accurate 9mm's I have ever shot. It eats anything I give it too. I've got both pre and post ban mags for it. Thanks

 

[hksw]

Basically a copy of the Walther P88 with frame mounted ambi safety, non-adjustable trigger stop. IMO, a very nice affordable pistol. Mine has shot very well. Slightly less accurate than the P88 but the P88 is much tighter in tolerances. A little too tight as mine has choked on a few loades with fat heavy bullets (more curvy ogive) as compared to the Thunder9's eat-them-all-up function. Metal quality doesn't seem to be as tough as the Walther's also (i.e. slightly more/faster wear) but it still keeps shooting.

Underrated, IMO, but that is what all Bersa guns were back in the early/mid 90's (even today). Hopefully, if the mag-ban falls, it'll be re-introduced in full size. In the mean time, there is the FireStorm Mini9 and Bersa Mini Thunder9. Essentially cut down versions of the original Thunder9 (the FS Mini9 having the addition of finger grooves as well as both having the locking mechanism, which the Thunder9 would probably now have too).

 

[PCRCCW]

Well put and I agree.
The Walther is a better gun..but for what you pay for it..the Bersa is MONEY WELL SPENT! The Ban made Bersa quit importing the fullsize Thunder into the states and they refused to "neuter" it...thus the Compacts were made and brought in.

I think they are a killer gun....my old man had a Thunder for years and it ranked up with the best of the best.......

Shoot well..............

 

[alwims]

Thanks for the great info. I've been thinking of carrying, (if our SCMO rules in our favor on Jan 22nd) it because of it's size, wieght, reliabilty, and accuracy. What kind of holster do you think would fit it correctly? Is the Walther P88 a close enough fit?

This is the first 9mm I've ever owned or shot that I really liked this much. Up until this I've always owned 45acp, (still do and won't give up) but kind of like the idea of having 16 shots in one package.

 

[hksw]

The profiles of the slides are a little different so I'm not sure a holster for a P88 would fit. The usual P88 (fullsize) was relief cut that is verticle about where the dustcover of the frame ends at the front. For the Bersa, the cut is at an angle. IIRC, the very early P88 didn't have a relief cut. Some P88 Compacts had angled cuts but some were verticle.

P88 Compact (Note the location of the safety on the slide.)

 

[cornbread2]

A friend bought one of these used for only $150. It only had one mag shot through it but it had been sliding around a glove box in a guy's truck for a year and the finish was not so good.

It works 100% and shoots exactly POA.

I don't know if they are all that good but his is as good or better than some pistols costing $500.

 

[Island Beretta]

Very good pistol..keep it clean and oiled and it will work reliably. As someone said it is up there with more expensive pistols. The designers compromised on metal quality but nothing else!!