Firestorm in 9mm or .45

[Fredhead]

I was shooting at a local range this afternoon, and met a
deputy who was practicing. He had several guns, but the one
that impressed me was a Bersa Firestorm in 9mm. I just ran a
search, but nearly all the posts concern .380 Thunders. I shot
one mag through the gun, really liked it especially for the 240.00
price new he told me he'd just paid. The decocker arrangement,
well, I can get over it for $240. What about these guns in .45?

 

[Lennyjoe]

I'll let you know in a couple of weeks. I have a Mini Firestorm in .45 ACP coming from another THR member and will put it thru the wringer with factory and reloads.

 

[Lobotomy Boy]

I shot a Firestorm in .45 ACP and liked it quite a lot. A co-worker liked it enough to buy one himself. Don't know about the 9mm, but if it's as good as the .45 or my .380, it should be a good gun.

 

[38SnubFan]

I have one in .45 and use it as my daily CCW. Shoots great, and hasn't had even one hiccup after 155 rounds so far.

Great gun for the money. I'd recommend it.

-38SnubFan

 

[Fredhead]

Thanks for the info, I just may jump on one of these
if they are available tomorrow impulse purchase you know.

 

[priv8ter]

Uh-oh...

I guess this wouldn't be a bad time to bad-mouth the Firestorm .45 that Lennyjoe is waiting for.

I got mine a few years ago, right after they came out. I sold the only pistol I owned at the time(H&K .40 USPf) and bought the Firestorm .380 for my wife, and the .45 for myself.

I have always felt the .45's weren't quite the great deal that the .380's were, but it is a very decent gun for the price. The only two negative things I can say are...it's a bit thick(think glock feel) and in my hands, it wasn't a 25-yard target pistol.

Recoil isn't bad(I've never tried any +P .45 through it). Worked perfectly with Hardball(around 600-800 rounds). The only H.P.'s I tried in it were Silvertips. The only problem then was getting the gun into initial battery with the Silvertips. If you pulled the slide back and let go, no problem. If you just tried to drop the slide release after putting in a mag, the spring didn't seem up to it. But,

Around here, they are selling for $310-$330 new(more than the .380's). I paid $355 for mine, tax included, and I have never felt like I got a bad deal.

If you can really get one for $240 new, wow...do so. But, just do me a favor and don't tell Lennyjoe.

greg

 

[38SnubFan]

priv8ter,

I'll be the first to agree that it's no 25-yard target pistol, especially with only a 3.6" barrel. However, I'm keeping my shots in 10 and X rings at 10 yards with no problem.

You're not the only one who mentioned the problem with Silvertips. I use Federal Hydra-Shok in mine and haven't had any problems with it whatsoever, so if you still have it, I'd try a different HP ammo.

I haven't had mine that long (less than two months), but it works well for me and is my primary CCW.

I paid $299 for mine, and still find the gun to be a well-kept secret at a great price.

All that said to defend my take on the pistol, I do have a couple of co-workers who find the gun too small for their hands and would not feel comfortable shooting it.

-38SnubFan

 

[Whatsit]

I've handled the .45 version and found it to have poor fit & finish. It feels just like what it is .. cheap.

 

[Flashpoint]

I've handled the .45 version and found it to have poor fit & finish. It feels just like what it is .. cheap.

The 9mm version that I have handled shot well, as stated above it's no targer pistol, but that's not what they were made for. Which is probably why the fit wasn't real tight, but it was not unacceptable by any means. I will agree that the finish could be better on the blue version. So if you get one look for one with a stainless slide.

I personaly think they are a good value.

BTW the trigger on the one I tried was very close to the one of my P239, not bad for a gun that cost $200 less.

 

[priv8ter]

I agree

I'll be the first to agree that it's no 25-yard target pistol, especially with only a 3.6" barrel. However, I'm keeping my shots in 10 and X rings at 10 yards with no problem.

That's one of my problems. The only range within 40 minutes of my house only ha a 25-yard pistol range. Things got very demoralizing with the Firestorm(and especially my new Taurus 731). On the paper, but nothing that looked like a group. If there was an indoor range within managable distance from my house, where I could do some ten yard shooting, I might not be getting rid of it.

You're not the only one who mentioned the problem with Silvertips. I use Federal Hydra-Shok in mine and haven't had any problems with it whatsoever, so if you still have it, I'd try a different HP ammo.

I tried the Silvertips, and then I guess I fell for the '.45's won't get moving fast enough out of a short barrel to expand' line. From then on, I decided just to keep it loaded with Hardball.

I think one of these guns in either 9mm or .45 is a very cost-effective decision. The owner of one of my local gun stores has one of these in .40S&W, and even he admitted it was a little 'snappy'

Oh...and I think there is a big diference between 'cheap' and inexpensive.

greg