otomik
Member
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=25882&highlight=bersa+camp
The basic concept I was looking for in my first pistol was a low-cost high quality rimfire trainer. I looked at the Walther P22 [ugly], Ruger 22/45 [ugly], Taurus 94 [a great option for a revolver lover] and Phoenix HP22 [heavy with awkward safeties] before settling on the Firestorm .22lr because it’s the best looking, classic double action with exposed hammer and had a 3-position safety similar to many Berettas, Walthers, S&Ws and Rugers. The magazine disconnect safety is a small detail I don’t care for, it doesn’t adversely affect the trigger like on a BHP but it prevents me from using those 5-dollar Bersa 622/644 mags from CDNN.
This evaluation of the Firestorm .22lr is meant as a companion piece to Stephen A. Camp’s earlier review of the Bersa .380ACP. Both are made by the same factory and are identical except that the Firestorm features (1) a classic rounded trigger guard rather than the hooked combat type as it is on the Bersa, (2) a barrel that maintains the exterior dimensions of a .380 barrel, thus giving the .22lr model a bull-barrel that slows heat build-up but alters the balance making it a bit top-heavy and (3) comfy rubber wraparound grips that could potentially slow down your draw. In my opinion these features make the Firestorm model the more aesthetic of the two and yet, if I needed to get either in .380 I would pick the Bersa model. Honestly though, the only .380 one should buy these days should be a Kel-Tec P-3AT.
I paid 255 for the duo-tone model. It’s different from the .380 duo-tone model put out by Bersa or Firestorm in that the .22lr has a shiny slide/black frame and not the other way around.
It came in a cardboard box along with a trigger lock, a key-chain with what looks to be a miniature argentine flag and key for an integral internal lock I’ll never use, 1 magazine [stingy and extras cost 25 each], a few slips of paper with CYA warnings, a small envelope containing a spent cartridge, a manual about the size and thickness of the manuals that came with classic Nintendo games and has illustrated basic field-stripping instructions and more CYA warnings.
This is light at 19oz, you can feel some recoil but not enough to really take it’s three-dot sights off target. I also learned that .22lr can be loud when fired out of a 3.5 inch barrel, hearing protection is not optional. The double action is quite heavy but smooth, crispy single action. This gun cycles only high-velocity ammo. Good practice rounds are Winchester Wildcat and Remington Golden Bullet. For defensive ammo I’ll need as much penetration as possible, perhaps Remington Viper or Aquila SSS.
Remington Yellow Jacket, 33gr. Hyper Velocity Truncated Cone Hollow Point
50 rounds fired, no malfuntions
Remington Golden Bullet, 36gr. Brass-Plated Hollow Point
100 rounds fired, 1 failure to cycle
Winchester Wildcat, 40gr. High Velocity Lead Round Nose
50 rounds fired, 1 failure to cycle
Wolf Match Target, 40gr. Standard Velocity, Lubed Lead Round Nose
10 rounds fired, will not cycle
Federal American Eagle, 38gr. High-Velocity, Copper-Plated Hollow Point
10 rounds fired, 8 failed to cycle
CCI Stinger, 32gr. Hyper-Velocity, Plated Hollow Point
10 rounds fired, no malfunction but more difficult to load the magazines
CCI Velociter, 40gr. Hyper-Velocity, Plated Hollow Point
50 rounds fired, no malfunctions
CCI Mini-Mag, 40gr. High-Velocity, Plated Round Nose
100 Rounds fired, no malfunction
I’m very happy with my Firestorm .22. It is in this poverty stricken college art student’s opinion worth missing out on a few concerts and developing a taste for ramen and rice.
The basic concept I was looking for in my first pistol was a low-cost high quality rimfire trainer. I looked at the Walther P22 [ugly], Ruger 22/45 [ugly], Taurus 94 [a great option for a revolver lover] and Phoenix HP22 [heavy with awkward safeties] before settling on the Firestorm .22lr because it’s the best looking, classic double action with exposed hammer and had a 3-position safety similar to many Berettas, Walthers, S&Ws and Rugers. The magazine disconnect safety is a small detail I don’t care for, it doesn’t adversely affect the trigger like on a BHP but it prevents me from using those 5-dollar Bersa 622/644 mags from CDNN.
This evaluation of the Firestorm .22lr is meant as a companion piece to Stephen A. Camp’s earlier review of the Bersa .380ACP. Both are made by the same factory and are identical except that the Firestorm features (1) a classic rounded trigger guard rather than the hooked combat type as it is on the Bersa, (2) a barrel that maintains the exterior dimensions of a .380 barrel, thus giving the .22lr model a bull-barrel that slows heat build-up but alters the balance making it a bit top-heavy and (3) comfy rubber wraparound grips that could potentially slow down your draw. In my opinion these features make the Firestorm model the more aesthetic of the two and yet, if I needed to get either in .380 I would pick the Bersa model. Honestly though, the only .380 one should buy these days should be a Kel-Tec P-3AT.
I paid 255 for the duo-tone model. It’s different from the .380 duo-tone model put out by Bersa or Firestorm in that the .22lr has a shiny slide/black frame and not the other way around.
It came in a cardboard box along with a trigger lock, a key-chain with what looks to be a miniature argentine flag and key for an integral internal lock I’ll never use, 1 magazine [stingy and extras cost 25 each], a few slips of paper with CYA warnings, a small envelope containing a spent cartridge, a manual about the size and thickness of the manuals that came with classic Nintendo games and has illustrated basic field-stripping instructions and more CYA warnings.
This is light at 19oz, you can feel some recoil but not enough to really take it’s three-dot sights off target. I also learned that .22lr can be loud when fired out of a 3.5 inch barrel, hearing protection is not optional. The double action is quite heavy but smooth, crispy single action. This gun cycles only high-velocity ammo. Good practice rounds are Winchester Wildcat and Remington Golden Bullet. For defensive ammo I’ll need as much penetration as possible, perhaps Remington Viper or Aquila SSS.
Remington Yellow Jacket, 33gr. Hyper Velocity Truncated Cone Hollow Point
50 rounds fired, no malfuntions
Remington Golden Bullet, 36gr. Brass-Plated Hollow Point
100 rounds fired, 1 failure to cycle
Winchester Wildcat, 40gr. High Velocity Lead Round Nose
50 rounds fired, 1 failure to cycle
Wolf Match Target, 40gr. Standard Velocity, Lubed Lead Round Nose
10 rounds fired, will not cycle
Federal American Eagle, 38gr. High-Velocity, Copper-Plated Hollow Point
10 rounds fired, 8 failed to cycle
CCI Stinger, 32gr. Hyper-Velocity, Plated Hollow Point
10 rounds fired, no malfunction but more difficult to load the magazines
CCI Velociter, 40gr. Hyper-Velocity, Plated Hollow Point
50 rounds fired, no malfunctions
CCI Mini-Mag, 40gr. High-Velocity, Plated Round Nose
100 Rounds fired, no malfunction
I’m very happy with my Firestorm .22. It is in this poverty stricken college art student’s opinion worth missing out on a few concerts and developing a taste for ramen and rice.
