Scored a nice older Bersa .22lr.

[albanian]

I like the older all steel frame Bersa .22lrs and last weekend I came upon one that I had to have. It is the blued model with the slide release and wood grips. I have the nickel one without the slide release and it has been a favorite of mine. These are great guns and you find the older ones very often anymore. The newer alloy Bersas are nice but the old ones were made better and had higher levels fit and finish.

One thing surprised me though, the mag for the blued one doesn't work with the mags I have for the nickel one or the new black alloy Thunder I have. The nickel one and the Thunder will interchange mags but this new one won't. Strange.

 

[horge]

Hi albanian

Congratulations on the new pistol!
You didn't specify which model you just got,
but here's a Bersa pistol 'family tree' with additional info and diagrams.

http://bersachapterhouse.50webs.com/family.html

 

[albanian]

Hello Horge,
I just checked the link and I have the 223DA. I also have a nickel 23 and a all black Thunder 22. I used to have a nice nickel Bersa 383-A that I traded. That was a very accurate gun that I wish I had kept. I got it for $150 and traded it for a gun that was worth about $380 so I had to make the trade even though I liked the gun.

What do you know about the 223DA vs. the 23? As far as I can tell, the slide stop lever is the only difference. I was surprised to see that the mags don't interchange however.

 

[horge]

Yep

An internal slide catch (Model 23) is the major change (as well as the nickel
finish option). This had implications for the magazine follower and how it is
supposed to trip the slide catch. Furthermore, making room for the internal
slide catch affected nearby internals, and shorter frame rails. The mag catch
in the 23 is different from the older 223DA. using an internal spring rather
than the prior bent-wire affair.

Post some pics, willya?
I need 'em for that same website's image gallery!