Comparing a CZ-RAMI D to a Bersa Thunder UC9

[aarondhgraham]

About a year ago I purchased a Bersa Thunder 9UC,,,
I showed it to a friend and he called it a "Poor Man's RAMI".

I had to admit the two pistols are very similar.

Last week another friend purchased a brand new RAMI D in 9mm,,,
I borrowed it to make a couple of comparison photos.

They really are extremely similar in size,,,
The Bersa is fully ambidextrous,,,
The RAMI is not.

Spec-wise
Action type:

RAMI - DA/SA with Decocker
Bersa - DA/SA with Decocker​

Weight:

RAMI - 1.59 lbs.
Bersa - 1.43 lbs.​

Height:

RAMI - 4.7"
Bersa - 4.75"​

Length:

RAMI - 6.5"
Bersa - 6.5"​

Width:

RAMI - 1.25"
Bersa - 1.45"​

Barrel

RAMI - 3"
Bersa - 3.25"​

Capacity

RAMI - 10/14
Bersa - 10/13​

Price (at Buds)

RAMI - $575 (approximate)
Bersa - $375-410 (approximate)​

I spent a fun half an hour handling and dry-firing the guns,,,
The Grip on the Bersa was slightly more comfy to me,,,
I believe it was the slightly bigger mag extension.

All in all the guns are so dang close that it's difficult to pick a clear favorite,,,
I haven't fired the RAMI as yet (nor has the owner) but that's today after work.

I know my Bersa is as accurate as I could want,,,
It doesn't jamb and goes bang every time I pull the trigger.

I expect the same from the RAMI,,,
More on that tomorrow.

Aarond

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[ClickClickD'oh]

The magic of the RAMI is when you fire it. I was expecting much more recoil from a gun it's size.

 

[aarondhgraham]

Hello ClickClickD'oh,,,

The magic of the RAMI is when you fire it. I was expecting much more recoil from a gun it's size.

My Bersa has a surprisingly light recoil as well,,,
It's hardly more (if at all) than my full size CZ-75B.

I'm anxious to give the RAMI a try,,,
We'll be heading to the range right after work.

Aarond

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[MAKster]

What is your impression of the Bersa in terms of quality and reliability? I am also looking at the Beretta Px4 subcompact but like that the Bersa has the frame mounted safety/decocker instead of the slide mount.

 

[Snowdog]

I'm quite happy with my UC9. They're wonderful pistols (as are their larger siblings, the HC series).

 

[danez71]

Both if those were on my short list before I got to the M&P9c.

I never got to shoot either one but when I held both, for some reason, I was leaning toward the Bersa. I didn't get it because the trigger reach in DA.... too common of a problem with me.


The thickness difference between the two is misleading because the RAMI doesn't have the controls on both sides and the controls on the Bersa are large-ish too.



Looking forward to hearing back on the comparison.

 

[aarondhgraham]

Hello MAKster & danez71,,,

What is your impression of the Bersa in terms of quality and reliability?

Well, I'm a Bersa fanboy,,,
I own a Thunder 22, Thunder 380, and a Thunder UC9.

The Thunder .22 is a surprisingly accurate shooter,,,
It's reliability is very good in my experience.

I've had it for 4-5 years now,,,
I quit keeping track when I hit 5,000 rounds,,,
It's my go-to pistol to introduce new shooters to the game.

Ditto for the Thunder 380,,,
Except that I only have maybe 1,000 rounds through it.

The Thunder UC9 has been a great little performer,,,
At first I was a bit put off by the large ambidextrous controls,,,
But after a short while I got used to them and now think they are great.

The thickness difference between the two is misleading because the RAMI doesn't have the controls on both sides and the controls on the Bersa are large-ish too.

danez71 is correct,,,
Or at the least I agree with him.

I have let several people try my UC9,,,
While they didn't all fall in love with the pistol,,,
No one has ever handed it back and said, "This is junk."

It's one of those try it, you might like it pistols.

Aarond

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[GoPappy]

What is your impression of the Bersa in terms of quality and reliability? I am also looking at the Beretta Px4 subcompact but like that the Bersa has the frame mounted safety/decocker instead of the slide mount.

I own both the PX4 (full size) in 9mm and the Bersa Thunder Pro UC 9mm. I love both of them and I'm completely happy with the quality and reliability of both. I'd say the PX4 is a bit softer shooting, but it's a full size gun. I think being full size and having the rotating barrel helps it there.

I also own a Walther PPQ (9mm), and the Bersa shoots softer than the PPQ.

The Bersa is a lot of gun for the money. I bought mine used and paid $300 for it, but I consider new ones to be a bargain at the typical price of $400. I'm left-handed and appreciate the Bersa as one of the few completely ambidextrous pistols available.

 

[IdahoSkies]

I notice that the width is about .25 larger on the Bersa. Is that as measured by the slide or the grip? The Bersa Grip is clearly wider, but the slide width is what has to fit in my holster. How do the slides compare?

 

[danez71]

I belive that it's measured across the controls which stick past the grip.

Maybe aarondhgraham can get some quick measurements.....?

 

[aarondhgraham]

I will measure the Bersa tonight.

I think that overall width does include the control levers,,,
I'll measure the width of the slide on my Bersa,,,
I'll ask my friend to measure the RAMI.

We broke the RAMI in rather well yesterday,,,
My friend is very pleased with the gun.

All told we put 150 flawless rounds downrange,,,
100 were Winchester white box,,,
50 were Federal steel case.

My friend did well with the pistol,,,
At 7 yards he kept all shots in a 4" circle.

I was shooting my 75B,,,
Just about the same accuracy level.

I didn't do so well with the RAMI though,,,
And to tell the truth I found the recoil to be quite "snappy".

I've fired a RAMI before,,,
I don't remember it being like that,,,
It's definitely snappier to shoot than my Bersa UC9.

I had a brain fade and didn't pack the Bersa for this trip,,,
We're going out again next week and the Bersa will go as well.

I want to do a real time side-by side comparison of the two,,,
But to tell the truth based on yesterdays experience,,,
I think I will like the Bersa a little bit better.

Aarond

.

 

[aarondhgraham]

I measured the Bersa,,,

The slide is .98" wide,,,
The width at the widest of the ambidextrous control is 1.39".

I don't have access to the RAMI to do any measurements on it.

The contoured grips on the Bersa feel a bit wider,,,
But the contour also makes them fit my hand better.

Perhaps that's why the recoil of thee RAMI felt snappier to me.

We're going out again soon,,,
I'll not forget the Bersa this time. :banghead:

Aarond

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[roscoe]

I am curious with regards carrying them. Could you take a photo comparing width, from above or behind? You indicated the Bersa was wider - is that correct?

 

[aarondhgraham]

Hello Roscoe,,,

I can take a picture when we go out again,,,
Actual grip width versus width with controls is very different.

The RAMI has very straight grips on the side,,,
They are noticeably thinner than the Bersa.

The Bersa has grips with the molded thumb rest on both sides,,,
They contribute to them being wider than the RAMI.

The measurement of maximum width,,,
Does include the large ambidextrous controls of the Bersa.

I'm as much as CZ fanboy as I am a Bersa fanboy,,,
I own three Bersa pistols, two CZ pistols,,,
And a CZ rimfire rifle.

So I'm trying very diligently to not let personal likes,,,
Get in the way of an unbiased evaluation.

The RAMI will be somewhat thinner for concealed carry,,,
But the comfort level of the Bersa grips overrides that in my book.

Aarond

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[gotboostvr]

They're so close dimensionally. I'd take both and see if one would shoot noticeably better rapid fire at about 7 yards over the other. Be sure to fully rest and recover between drills.

If they shoot equally well I'd maybe try the same drill, but with a mag change added in.

If they're still tied, I'd pick which one wins in ultimate concealibility.

Actual comfort while shooting is a little lower on my list for carry pistols. As long as it's a good shooting pistol.
Comfort while shooting is a consideration in my range/hunting/and open carry guns, where I can afford some more "luxuries".

 

[MICHAEL T]

That Bersa I feel is I feel the best model in line up . Ive had 2 . One now with Nephew as he was needing a pistol . Other step son has as his carry pistol . I afraid to buy a 3rd as some one else in family will want.
They have a very low warrenty needed record . That 9 and 45 very popular on my Bersachat board .
If you buy one make sure you get 2 mags Look inside box very good. Some dealers been known to remove 1 mag . And will gladly sell you a extra mag at time of sale. They have come with 2 mags for several years now Don't believe different.