New Bersa Thunder .380

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amprecon

amprecon

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After dishing out the large lump of cash for the Beretta Cheetah 87 a few weeks ago, I started thinking about how the Cheetah 84 or 85 would nicely compliment the 87. So as I had the day off, I took off to just go check them out as I suspected they'd be pretty pricey.
After confirming the price of those beauties I happened upon the display that housed all the "el cheapo" models, and down near the bottom I noticed some well-made looking pistols, after further investigation I realized they had several Bersa .380's, .45acp and 9mm pistols, just sitting amongst the rest of the "less-than-desireables". I figured they didn't belong there and checked out the prices and was pleasantly surprised to find some Bersa .380's in the mid $200 price ranges. Oddly enough the dual-toned pistols cost less than the full matte black and all stainless models. Now I'm not a fan of the dual-tone pistols, but the price was right (about $30 less) so I mulled it over for awhile then took the plunge. The sales clerk said that of all the pistols in that display case, that'd be the only one he'd buy.
After all the rave reviews I've read about these little gems I figured if everyone was wrong it wouldn't be too expensive of a mistake. I can't wait to take it to the range. Even though I didn't want to add another caliber to my supply chain, the size of this little gun is just right.

thun380lt_dt_lg.jpg


I have yet to shoot it, but hopefully it'll run fine. I'll post an update afterwards.
 
Congratulations on the new Bersa. I have seen lots of good and not much bad about them. The only other thing I would mention is that in my experience, any gun I decide to buy is the very one the guy behind the counter would be buying if it were him! ;)
 
I have heard good things about these little Bersas. I'm in the opposite boat. I have a Beretta 85FS Cheetah that I really like and carry a lot. I'd like to get the .22 M87, but can't justify the $500+ price for a .22. I'd like to get one of these little Bersa's in .22 as a plinker. I think they are sold under the Firestorm brand, but nobody around here has one.
 
For the money a Bersa would be tough to beat... Those spare mags cost a fortune though from what I heard from people...
 
http://condorsflight.com

http://yourgunparts.com

These will be real Bersa mags 380 Thunder mags and not the pro mag junk.
Bersa mags are in line with factory PPK/S mags , Colt factory Mustang mags. and other small 380 autos. They were reduced in price middle of last year
Also the 9mm 40 45 Bersa now come with 2 mags instead of one. Bersa is listening to their buyers http://bersatalk.com
is one of the ways they listen .
 
Gundog looked at the academy website but couldn't find magazines. can you send me a link via private message?
 
Bersa has come a long, long way in the last 20 years!! I would have never thought about buying a Bersa back then, but have heard good things about the newer models. It is not the quality of my Sig P232SL ( One of the best looking guns made and a true shooter) you could by 3 of the Bersa's for the cost. When my daughter gets her CCW I may buy one for her, because she wants the P232!!
 
Yep, check out BersaTalk, wealth of information.

The first thing you should check out on that forum is the FAQ section, specifically field stripping the Bersa. While easy, there are a couple of pointers on how to install the recoil spring that will effect reliability and ease of assembly.

You're right, the Bersa is no P232. As far as I'm concerned the Bersa is a better firearm. It's made just as well as the Sig, shoots just as accurate, and is 1/3 to 1/2 the price.
 
I just bought one for my wife...guy bought it for mid 200s, put 25 rounds thru it and sold it to me for $180..I'm happy. :)
I asked a local gunshop owner about them...he said that in 11 years of selling one, he has never sent one back (i.e. malfs, broken parts, etc).
And he said folks love them for Concealed Carry.
Can't beat that!
GP
 
I have heard good things about these little Bersas. I'm in the opposite boat. I have a Beretta 85FS Cheetah that I really like and carry a lot. I'd like to get the .22 M87, but can't justify the $500+ price for a .22. I'd like to get one of these little Bersa's in .22 as a plinker. I think they are sold under the Firestorm brand, but nobody around here has one.
Click to expand...

I just went through the same thing looking for a Firestorm. There were a few out of state and internet dealers that had them, but nobody within 300 miles. I was going to hold out but found a Beretta 70S like new in the box for a SWEET deal. From all reports the Firestorm is a great gun, but I've never been able to put my hands on one. :scrutiny:
 
I had to get the guy at my gun store special order my Firestorm/Bersa FS-22. It is a fun shooting .22lr handgun. It has been reliable with CCI Mini Mags so far. I like it because it shoots cheap ammo and I can pretend to be James Bond......:D Good pistol but mags are expensive.
fire2.gif
 
One tiny bit of advice, if I might: When you first look at the feed ramp, you might notice that it has a rough, bottom-of-a-hiking-boot appearance. Tempting though it may be, don't polish it. It works just fine the way it is. Polishing may make the thing a little prettier, but it will also make it soft.

Don't ask me how I know this.

A.
 
Here is some glitz added to my BT380 from marshalgrips.com.

DSCF0241.jpg

BTW, those $15 mags at Academy are promag and not a good choice. Bite the bullet and buy Bersa Mags ONLY.
 
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Finally able to post a recent pic. I did take it to the range today, I fired 50 rounds of remanufactured fmj's and fired 6 rounds of Speer Gold Dots for reliability checks. I had one failure to go into battery, with the nose of a round getting cocked up at a 45 degree angle and not entering the chamber full on. It didn't happen again so I think it might have something to do with the remfg'd ammo. Accuracy was ok at 7 yds and believe I just need to get used to the gun.
The edge of the backstrap where it curves up into the hammer recess did chaff my thumb knuckle and wear it raw after about 3/4's of the rounds were fired. I'm not sure what to do to remedy that, tape maybe?
The recoil is there but not terrible I know it's a straight blow-back operation so it was kind of expected, but you do know when that gun fires, moreso than my Beretta Cheetah 87 in .22lr. That is just plain sweet to shoot. I did get a Blackhawk IWB holster and it seems to be doing pretty well, it is comfortable and have been wearing it most of the day without any discomfort. All and all, I think it's a keeper and look forward to getting my hands on higher quality ammo and see what she can really do.

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I bought one for my wife which she loves. I have shot it many times. It is a great gun for the money. Accurate with no FTF or FTE's. I have the Sig 232 in stainless which is also a great .380 but at 3x the price. The finishes are not comparable although the Bersa is a pretty tight gun. You'll enjoy the gun.
 
I've shot the Bersa Thunder 380 duotone several times.
My brother gave it to my sister.
It's 215$ if you shop around. But easier to find around 259$ now.
Nice gun. Perhaps best value on the concealed market.
It's a 7+1 SA/DA.

The new Bersa Concealed is around 259$, has rubber grips and little bit smaller.

There is a 15+1 model as well.

CZ 83 is 12+1 at around 350+$.

Walther PPS/K is around 500$.

Sig Sauer P232 is even more, like 650$.
 
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