First Time Out With My Bersa

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I picked up a used Bersa Thunder 380 at a pawn shop on Friday. Turns out, the magazine was no good I bought a ProMag for it. I have never been a big fan of ProMag but that's what I got. Billy and I shot it today and it did pretty good. I shot the first magazine through it and Billy shot the second magazine through it. Here's the results.

Bersat1.jpg

Bersat2.jpg

There were a few FTF's but I'm pretty sure it's the magazine causing the problem because it was always the 4th round down. And, the magazine doesn't seem to fit the magazine well correctly, it's pretty loose. With a good magazine I think it will be a dependable little pistol.
 
We just oredered one of those Bersa Combats for a guy. It came in this week. Nice pistol. first time I got to handle one. Seemed well made.
 
When we were shopping for the Mrs. to find a CC pistol, the BP9CC really shined high on the list for quality vs cost. We ended up getting robbed buying a just-released XD-S9 for full MSRP.........but she still loves it and carries it.

But yeah Bersa is a notch or 3 above Taurus for sure which is the natural comparison since both are made in South America
 
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I've had a couple through the years and they've always worked and shot well. The older steel framed Bersas are gems too. They're heavier and really soak up the recoil.
 
I had a Bersa CC model a while back, the one with slightly higher capacity. Loved the little gun. But one day it developed a break in what I assume was the trigger bar thing that you can see along the side of the pistol move when you pull the trigger. Had to send it back for repairs. Which were done and all seemed fine. But it kinda left a bad taste in my mouth is it was the first "break" I had experienced in a firearm. That said, if someone offered me another at a decent price and I was in the market, I wouldn't hesitate on a Bersa.
 
Got my daughter a Bersa Thunder in 9mm when she got her chp. Took her to a gun show so she could handle a lot of different guns and she keep coming back to the Thunder time after time. Finally decided after much discussion that I wasn't going to change her mind so that is what she got. Only problem I had with it was loading the mags. My old arthritic hands had trouble getting one full. So did everyone else that was here the day we took it out back to try it out. First few times I only loaded about half or less of each mag. Got better with a little use but I went and got a mag loader for this one. Other than that no problems.
 
I bought one around 95, didn't keep an official round count but I have shot the heck out of it. Mine has impressive accuracy for an economical short-barreled pistol. This thread reminds me I need to re-up on my 380 ammo stash. Outdoor Limited has CCI Lawman 95gr for 10.99/50rds. I provided a link below in case anyone is looking. This is also the ammo I carry for defense as well. What defensive ammo do you like for the 380?

https://www.outdoorlimited.com/hand...n-53608-95-grain-full-metal-jacket-50-rounds/
 
Always liked the looks of those. Never had the chance to play with one, though.

Should never have sold my stainless Sig P230- too big/heavy for what I consider a .380's "purpose", but man was that thing fun to shoot.
 
I bought one around 95, didn't keep an official round count but I have shot the heck out of it. Mine has impressive accuracy for an economical short-barreled pistol. This thread reminds me I need to re-up on my 380 ammo stash. Outdoor Limited has CCI Lawman 95gr for 10.99/50rds. I provided a link below in case anyone is looking. This is also the ammo I carry for defense as well. What defensive ammo do you like for the 380?

https://www.outdoorlimited.com/hand...n-53608-95-grain-full-metal-jacket-50-rounds/
I usually carry FMJ rounds in my 380's. Since I'm already giving up a little ballistics over a 9MM - I'd rather have more penetration.

I also love my Bersa. I just got it a little while ago by chance when a gun store was closing. I want to get my hands on the double stack model as well.
 
I've had a couple through the years and they've always worked and shot well. The older steel framed Bersas are gems too. They're heavier and really soak up the recoil.

I have to agree with this I have a Bersa 383 that still makes it out to the range and my EDC rotation.Bersa 383.jpg
 
Kelly carried a Thunder 380 for a few years before she went to the Glock 42. She had about 800 rounds through hers before I sold it to my friend for his wife. That was two years ago, and it's still running like a champ. Solid guns.
 
The bersa firestorm is a fun little accurate plinker if your wanting a 22lr in the same platform. Only complaint with it was price of extra mags. Wife loved it as well and pretty easy for her to rack the slide.
 
I had a 9mm Bersa back in the late 90s. Forget the model, but I remember it being a solid little shooter.
A buddy of mine bought one sometome around 2010 or so and it was the same.
Imho, there's a difference between cheap and inexpensive. The Bersas I've handled were definitely the latter.
Glad you like yours.
 
Imho, there's a difference between cheap and inexpensive.

I couldn’t agree more.

From here on out, I’ll correct anyone who refers to me as “A cheap mf”. :D
 
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The only caveat on the Bersas is where the trigger spring rides the inside of the grip panel. Over time, the spring can wear into the grip panel and eventually unseat itself, rendering the gun inert.

This happened to three rental guns in a row.

Replace the grip panels on a regular basis if they show any wear. Or, if you like the looks, a set of wood grips can help. We ended up getting some Altamont grips, relieving the inside of the panel a small amount, and putting a thin layer of acraglas bedding epoxy in the inside, sanding it smooth and level with the stock grip dimensions once it cured. It was a permanent fix.

I don’t know if the trigger spring design has changed since 2012-13.
 
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