mini Firestorm 9mm and Walther p88

[axeman_g]

ok, I have take a liking to this gun. Am considering purchasing one for $350 here in Atlanta.

My understanding is that this is a copy of the Walther p88. Would it then take p88 mags. CDN has them on the bottom right of page 48 or 49 of their current catalouge.

Anyody have any ideas?????

 

[Extremist]

Well, I don't know who told you that. Comparing a mini Firestorm to a Walther P88 is like comparing a Chevy Vega to a Mercedes Benz.

Now it may very well take Walther P88 mags, as it is a double stack 9mm magazine pistol. But who knows.

Here's the Mini Firestorm:

http://www.firestorm-sgs.com/mini.htm

Here's a Walther P88:

http://www.carlwalther.com/images/p88-1.jpg

No comparison.

James

 

[Akurat]

Hmm ok.

Actually the FireStorm Mini is a copy of the P88 design. Obviously they are not clones (in look). But the action and general design is the same.

I've read just about all there is to read about the FireStorms, and nowhere have I seen any mention of P88 mags in them. I know that the full size Bersa Thunder mags work in the compact Thunder/MiniFirestorm, availability is scarce.

If you do end up trying it, let us know!

 

[hksw]

As Akurat mentions, the Mini is a basic copy of the Walther P88. The mini is actually a compact version of the Bersa Thunder9 (with finger grooves) which is itself a near copy of the P88. Some minor differences include a non-elevating firing pin, frame mounted safety, non-adjustable trigger stop, less refined rear sight, and of course less quality.

 

[Extremist]

Actually, no, the Mini Firestorm 9mm is NOT a copy of the Walther P88.

Firestorm:

- SA/DA
- Take down lever like P88 and Sig P22x Series
- Manual safety like Taurus PT92 series, Colt 1911, Browning HP
- Ambidextrous slide release
- No Decocker (could be wrong on this, but it doesn't look like it has one)
- Skeletonized hammer
- Exposed trigger bar like P88 and Beretta 92F
- Made by Bersa


Walther P88
- SA/DA
- NO Manual Safety
- Ambidextrous decocker
- Ambidextrous slide release
- Adjustable trigger stop
- Adjustable rear sight
- Exposed Trigger bar (like Beretta 92F)
- Skeletonized hammer
- Made by Walther

So, I guess you could say it has some of the best features of several pistols including the Walther P88, Beretta 92F, Sig P22x, Taurus 92 series, Browning HP, Colt 1911.

But it's not a COPY of the P88 design, nor is it a clone

Regards,
James

 

[hksw]

To highlight the significant differences.

Mini 9
- Manual safety like Taurus PT92 series, Colt 1911, Browning HP
(Ambi safety decocks.)


Walther P88
- NO Manual Safety
- Adjustable trigger stop
- Adjustable rear sight


- Different firingpin safety between the two (Addendum)

Otherwise, the same action and field disassembly is as the P88. Certainly not a carbon copy of the P88 but given the list of differences, I think it is understood by the reader that the general term copy does not mean exact.

 

[gold_cup]

I can not help with any info about the Firestorm, but I have been the happy owner of a P88 for many years.

When it first came out I could not find any factory mags.

Working as an CRO at the time for a large store, I compared the mags to everything out there. The mag body dimensions and follower are exactly the same as the Beretta and Taurus 92s. I just cut new notches for the mag release and had an instant supply of 15, 18, 20 and 30 round magazines.

SIG 226 mags would also work since they share the same mag body dimensions. However the different design of the SIG follower fails to lock the slide back after the last shot.

I set the cut up on our mill and did about a dozen assorted mags in 5 minutes. This could also be done with a Dremel or if need be hand files.

 

[PCRCCW]

The Bersa Thunder 9 WAS based on the Walther design....its not a copy or clone....Its like the CZ75 was DESIGNED around the BHP...not copied or cloned.

The Bersa is an excellent gun, shot a thunder 9 years ago for a long time..excellent accuracy, fit, finish etc......

The Mini is what they released for CCW.....Bersa quit importing the thunder 9 all togethor once the ban was born....They decided to do that instead of neutering their mags....I respect that.

Shoot well

 

[hksw]

Now that's interesting about the Beretta and Taurus mags. I've never tried or even looked into it for my P88 but I do have some spare mags for a Ber 92 (which were going to be converted for my XD9 before I knew about the .40 SW mag legality issue). Looks like I didn't waste my money after all.