Got a Bersa .380 at the last gunshow.

[makarov1989]

I just bought an older Bersa model 383-A in .380 caliber. It is nickel with nice wood grips and has the steel frame instead of the alloy that is made today. It seems smoother than the new ones I have seen and maybe even a little better made.

What can you folks tell me about this model? Bersa has a bunch of .380s and the all have different names and models. What is the first model of the .380 and can someone put them all in order?

The 383
The 85 Series
The 95 Series
The Thunder

What is what and did I leave anything out? When was the 383 made?

 

[ChickenHawk]

Cool! Congratulations!

This isn't the answer to your questions but I just ordered a Bersa Thunder .380 (duo tone) from a local Austin gun store (couldn't find one in stock anywhere).

Our local Academy stores carry it (when in stock) got $199.00 but I found it at Heritage Arms for $179.00 !! I'm pretty excited about it. Hope to have it by the end of next week.

Regards,
ChickenHawk

 

[hksw]

IIRC, the first was the '383' (as far as I know). Single stack, 7 rounds. Bersa then dropped the '3-' prefix and contued with '83'. Still 7 rounds. Eventually went with the flow in gun design and started double stacking the '83' introducing it as the '85'. 13 rounds, IIRC. Always meant to get an 85 but never got around to it.

Fell out of keeping track of bersa for a little bit after that so not entirely sure about the '95'. Eventually renaming everything to 'Thunder ----' to this day.

 

[Min]

Be aware that the older Bersas like the 383 and the 83 may not use newer Bersa Thunder mags as they are not compatible.

I have a series 95 as my always-in-car gun that I bought in the gunshow. That's what it's good for.

 

[SirVette]

Sounds good. Expect you will really like it.




BERSA 380
97 SA made from 1982
383 SA or DA made from 1984, DA custom wood grips,SA discontinued 1989
83 DA imported from 1990

85 DA Double column imported from 1990 Nickel or blue

 

[greyeyezz]

I picked up an old 383-a nickel, steel frame at a show in 96, extremely accurate, feeds everything, loves Gold Dots and Corbons.

Extra mags are available but getting scarce.