Bersa Thunder 380

PONTIACDM · 03-04-2008, 08:06 PM

God gun. I didn't have any ftf, but the grip screws kept backing out. A quick fix and no other problems.

Blackrock · 03-18-2008, 09:07 PM

I got a Bersa .380 for my daughter, pretty good trade huh

Naw seriously my 25 yr old daughter is doing well with her little pistol. My N frame .357 and S&W M&P .45ACP were a bit much for her starting out. So now she wants a small frame $$$$ .45ACP.

squirrelblaster · 03-18-2008, 09:15 PM

yeah there great guns just got mine back fromthe shop today!!
had sent it in to get repaired, and since it took 2 weeks longer than they told me it was going to be they threw in a free clip! yay for me! it was one of the ones with the extended grip to!

taijutsuwarrior · 04-09-2008, 10:57 PM

My Bersa was one of the BEST firearms i have ever had... as far as the kel-tec goes... i have had one too... lol

bersa is good for regular firing, while kel-tec is most at home in the purse or pocket (you only get one clip with a kel-tec). bersa IS a concealed carry firearm, but kel-tec specializes in CCW. personally i have found kel-tec to be a bit difficult to "find a grip" quickly, but that has alot to do with my hand, hers might find that same grip nicely.
best advice is go try them out... Good Luck and Have Fun!

"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch.
Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote."
-- Benjamin Franklin

jackar · 04-21-2008, 01:56 PM

Yes, unfortunately I bought a Kel-Tec P-11 sight unseen because of the sales presentation of the range owner I was shooting at. Perhaps other shooters have had good luck with them, not me. My left hand just barely fit into the gun, my right hand being bigger, no way. The trigger pull was supposed to be 8.5 lbs, it felt to me more like 12. Like someone mentioned it never felt "good" in my hand. I tried to like the gun, just couldn't. I had paid $229 + $25 S&H and about $17 sales tax. I took it to the gun show and lost about $90. When I bought the KT I considered the Bersa and wish I had bought it instead.

Punisher · 05-16-2008, 07:37 PM

I was just at the shop today with my fiancee and she was looking at the Bersa Firestorm .380. The guy at the shop said he cant get any Thunder so the Firestorm is the next best thing. I like the feel of te grip and extended clip is nice. I think she will be going back to get it beforeof CCW training.

22plinker · 05-18-2008, 06:12 PM

New member here. I have the Bersa 380 and have had a lot of problems with it. Last box I ran thru it, I had 8 malfunctions (FTL). Anybody else have this problem or any idea as to what the problem might be? I stopped using it as my carry weapon because of this.[/quote]

What ammo were your shooting? If it was the White box (bulk pack of 100 Winchester)... that is the problem. In most cases it's the ammo! I shoot Remmington & Magtech & have never had a misfire. Yes I use it concealed carry. Yes I depend on it. Yes, I trust it!
Was it a new gun with few rounds through it? It is NORMAL for a new (tight) auto to REQUIRE 100-200 rounds, to break it in. And, dry-fire it to break in the trigger action. Yes, use the cheap pack of Winchester to break it in, then switch to ...anything else.... & it will be fine!

bat47 · 05-19-2008, 09:15 AM

I had the exact same problem with my mine and I stopped using it as a carry weapon. I wasn't the ammo. My fix was to make sure there was a lot of lube on the slide, haven't had a malfunction since.

Taurus Fan · 05-19-2008, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PONTIACDM

God gun. I didn't have any ftf, but the grip screws kept backing out. A quick fix and no other problems.

Grip screws loosening up is a common problem, there's a product called gun-tite, similar to loc-tite , a dab on the screws and they'll stay put, but can still be taken out.

ArkansasHunter · 05-19-2008, 09:29 AM

Is this Bersa 380 bigger in size than the KelTec 380 ? These post's read like it is a thumbs up pistol with some needing to wear in.

Secondly being a $200.00 price range semi-auto is it good or bad for it to be shot often ?
What I mean by this last question, quiet a few members here shoot there guns alot so is the Bersa well made enough to be shot a lot at the range.
A.H

.22hustler · 05-20-2008, 11:44 AM

My wife recently paid $279.95 plus tax for a new Bersa .380 Thunder.Her gunsmith told her to put about 200 rounds through it before she could consider the pistol broken in. She was also told to expect ,MAYBE, a few malfunctions during the break-in period. Her CCW hasn't come through yet, and she's chomping at the bit, wanting to fire it!

rondog · 05-20-2008, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArkansasHunter

Is this Bersa 380 bigger in size than the KelTec 380 ? These post's read like it is a thumbs up pistol with some needing to wear in.

Secondly being a $200.00 price range semi-auto is it good or bad for it to be shot often ?
What I mean by this last question, quiet a few members here shoot there guns alot so is the Bersa well made enough to be shot a lot at the range.
A.H

I'm not familiar with the KelTech, so I can't say. But my Bersa ain't very big, about the size of a Walther .380. Mine has been very dependable, I can't recall any feeding/extracting issues at all, but it took me some practice to be able to hit well with it and get the rear sight adjusted.

It's also very light compared to my 1911's, so I can't go right from the .45's to the Bersa or I'll wave it all over the place. I think it'll handle all the shootin' you want to do with it. Here's mine with my FEG PA-63 for comparison.

Not very impressive, but here's my last target with the Bersa, 32 rounds at 7 yards. This was after shooting a bunch of rounds through five 1911's, so you can see the scattering effect of holding a light pistol with my tired, sore arm.

Punisher · 05-20-2008, 07:47 PM

My fiancee just got the T380CC today for $279. brfore tax. Its a really nice gun. I could of got one too but I held and liked the Mill Pro .45ACP. I think Im going to get it.

ArgentineSteel · 05-27-2008, 02:07 AM

I own a Bersa Thunder. Nice little gun, good accurate shooter. the 380 really doesn't have much of a recoil. Easy to get small groups. Some don't like to rely on the 380 as a defensive round. But it was a standard European police round for years.

Problem I had with mine was that not only did the grip screws loosen up, but the adjustable rear sight screw also loosened up and self ejected. I had to order a new spring and screw assembly.

Another problem for ccw is it isn't a smooth contour like the Keltec or Kahr were. I found pocket carry it would hang up. A good holster would solve that.

outbreak please · 07-15-2008, 07:44 PM

man thats a great price, ones around here are 300 and up!
and im willing to pay it. : /

JSosbe · 07-24-2008, 02:00 AM

Mine is great, and is my concealed carry weapon. I m left handed, and it works well for me.

GlockMeister · 07-24-2008, 02:30 AM

Even though I've not really heard anything all that negative about them, this particular caliber that is, I'm still just not sure I could trust my life to one enough for it to be a carry or my carry gun. I could/can also sure think of plenty of others that would be a far better choice as a carry or my carry gun. MHO that is.

OldMike · 09-19-2008, 02:22 AM

I bought a Bersa 380 DuoTone for my wife (it is one of the few semi autos that she can easily rack the slide on) - and I have used it both to carry and at the range. I have probably put around 500 - 750 rounds through it.

The positive to the gun is that it, in my opinion, is extremely reliable. We have not had one FTF yet. For such an inexpensive handgun I had my doubts, but I am impressed with the Bersa.

The only problem I have with it is that there are some sharp edges that can be painful when carrying. I use an IWB for carrying, and sometimes it is uncomfortable when sitting with it, as the sharp edges can dig in. This is not a problem if carried in a different manner or dropped in a purse. Although it is light and small, it still feels bigger than a snub nose revolver, and not much smaller than guns like the Springfield XD, when I carry in a IWB holster.

All in all, it is an excellent value and I may pick up a second one at some point.

Taurus Fan · 09-19-2008, 02:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rondog

I'm not familiar with the KelTech, so I can't say. But my Bersa ain't very big, about the size of a Walther .380. Mine has been very dependable, I can't recall any feeding/extracting issues at all, but it took me some practice to be able to hit well with it and get the rear sight adjusted.

It's also very light compared to my 1911's, so I can't go right from the .45's to the Bersa or I'll wave it all over the place. I think it'll handle all the shootin' you want to do with it. Here's mine with my FEG PA-63 for comparison.

Not very impressive, but here's my last target with the Bersa, 32 rounds at 7 yards. This was after shooting a bunch of rounds through five 1911's, so you can see the scattering effect of holding a light pistol with my tired, sore arm.

THANK YOU for posting that 7 yard target. I feel much better now about my shooting skills.

big shrek · 09-21-2008, 10:09 AM

My g/f was checking out the Bersa Thunder .380 with the finger groove grips...it was her #3 choice at the gun show yesterday...the two-tone Bersa .380 above was her #4 choice.

I remember back in the late 80's being told by a gun shop owner that the .380 was the worst round ever for misfires...is that still a problem? Or was it resolved by modern powders?

04-21-2008, 01:56 PM	#25
jackar Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 201	Any left handed people have any ex .......... Yes, unfortunately I bought a Kel-Tec P-11 sight unseen because of the sales presentation of the range owner I was shooting at. Perhaps other shooters have had good luck with them, not me. My left hand just barely fit into the gun, my right hand being bigger, no way. The trigger pull was supposed to be 8.5 lbs, it felt to me more like 12. Like someone mentioned it never felt "good" in my hand. I tried to like the gun, just couldn't. I had paid $229 + $25 S&H and about $17 sales tax. I took it to the gun show and lost about $90. When I bought the KT I considered the Bersa and wish I had bought it instead.

05-16-2008, 07:37 PM	#26
Punisher Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 92	I was just at the shop today with my fiancee and she was looking at the Bersa Firestorm .380. The guy at the shop said he cant get any Thunder so the Firestorm is the next best thing. I like the feel of te grip and extended clip is nice. I think she will be going back to get it beforeof CCW training. __________________ Si vis paca para bellum My Arsenal: 2 Shotguns 1 Rifle 2 Revolvers 2 Semi-autos

05-20-2008, 07:47 PM	#33
Punisher Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 92	My fiancee just got the T380CC today for $279. brfore tax. Its a really nice gun. I could of got one too but I held and liked the Mill Pro .45ACP. I think Im going to get it. __________________ Si vis paca para bellum My Arsenal: 2 Shotguns 1 Rifle 2 Revolvers 2 Semi-autos

05-27-2008, 02:07 AM	#34
ArgentineSteel Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: Pacific NW Posts: 1	Bersa Thunder as a CCW I own a Bersa Thunder. Nice little gun, good accurate shooter. the 380 really doesn't have much of a recoil. Easy to get small groups. Some don't like to rely on the 380 as a defensive round. But it was a standard European police round for years. Problem I had with mine was that not only did the grip screws loosen up, but the adjustable rear sight screw also loosened up and self ejected. I had to order a new spring and screw assembly. Another problem for ccw is it isn't a smooth contour like the Keltec or Kahr were. I found pocket carry it would hang up. A good holster would solve that.

07-24-2008, 02:30 AM	#37
GlockMeister Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 9,676	Even though I've not really heard anything all that negative about them, this particular caliber that is, I'm still just not sure I could trust my life to one enough for it to be a carry or my carry gun. I could/can also sure think of plenty of others that would be a far better choice as a carry or my carry gun. MHO that is. __________________ "The people never give up their liberties but under some delusion." "Edmond Burke"

03-04-2008, 08:06 PM	#21
PONTIACDM Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: OHIO Posts: 1,443	God gun. I didn't have any ftf, but the grip screws kept backing out. A quick fix and no other problems.

03-18-2008, 09:07 PM	#22
Blackrock Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: SE Arizona's Gila Valley Posts: 867	I got a Bersa .380 for my daughter, pretty good trade huh Naw seriously my 25 yr old daughter is doing well with her little pistol. My N frame .357 and S&W M&P .45ACP were a bit much for her starting out. So now she wants a small frame $$$$ .45ACP.

03-18-2008, 09:15 PM	#23
squirrelblaster lord of lego turtles! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 3,494	yeah there great guns just got mine back fromthe shop today!! had sent it in to get repaired, and since it took 2 weeks longer than they told me it was going to be they threw in a free clip! yay for me! it was one of the ones with the extended grip to!

04-09-2008, 10:57 PM	#24
taijutsuwarrior Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: South Carolina Posts: 5	My Bersa was one of the BEST firearms i have ever had... as far as the kel-tec goes... i have had one too... lol bersa is good for regular firing, while kel-tec is most at home in the purse or pocket (you only get one clip with a kel-tec). bersa IS a concealed carry firearm, but kel-tec specializes in CCW. personally i have found kel-tec to be a bit difficult to "find a grip" quickly, but that has alot to do with my hand, hers might find that same grip nicely. best advice is go try them out... Good Luck and Have Fun! "Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote." -- Benjamin Franklin

05-18-2008, 06:12 PM	#27
22plinker Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Yuma, AZ Posts: 84	New member here. I have the Bersa 380 and have had a lot of problems with it. Last box I ran thru it, I had 8 malfunctions (FTL). Anybody else have this problem or any idea as to what the problem might be? I stopped using it as my carry weapon because of this.[/quote] What ammo were your shooting? If it was the White box (bulk pack of 100 Winchester)... that is the problem. In most cases it's the ammo! I shoot Remmington & Magtech & have never had a misfire. Yes I use it concealed carry. Yes I depend on it. Yes, I trust it! Was it a new gun with few rounds through it? It is NORMAL for a new (tight) auto to REQUIRE 100-200 rounds, to break it in. And, dry-fire it to break in the trigger action. Yes, use the cheap pack of Winchester to break it in, then switch to ...anything else.... & it will be fine!

05-19-2008, 09:15 AM	#28
bat47 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 9	I had the exact same problem with my mine and I stopped using it as a carry weapon. I wasn't the ammo. My fix was to make sure there was a lot of lube on the slide, haven't had a malfunction since.

05-19-2008, 09:29 AM	#30
ArkansasHunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Arkansas. Posts: 17,217	Is this Bersa 380 bigger in size than the KelTec 380 ? These post's read like it is a thumbs up pistol with some needing to wear in. Secondly being a $200.00 price range semi-auto is it good or bad for it to be shot often ? What I mean by this last question, quiet a few members here shoot there guns alot so is the Bersa well made enough to be shot a lot at the range. A.H

05-20-2008, 11:44 AM	#31
.22hustler Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: New York Posts: 2,469	My wife recently paid $279.95 plus tax for a new Bersa .380 Thunder.Her gunsmith told her to put about 200 rounds through it before she could consider the pistol broken in. She was also told to expect ,MAYBE, a few malfunctions during the break-in period. Her CCW hasn't come through yet, and she's chomping at the bit, wanting to fire it!

07-15-2008, 07:44 PM	#35
outbreak please Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: humboldt county,very top of California Posts: 10	man thats a great price, ones around here are 300 and up! and im willing to pay it. : /

07-24-2008, 02:00 AM	#36
JSosbe Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: University of Kentucky Posts: 90	Mine is great, and is my concealed carry weapon. I m left handed, and it works well for me.

09-19-2008, 02:22 AM	#38
OldMike Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 41	I bought a Bersa 380 DuoTone for my wife (it is one of the few semi autos that she can easily rack the slide on) - and I have used it both to carry and at the range. I have probably put around 500 - 750 rounds through it. The positive to the gun is that it, in my opinion, is extremely reliable. We have not had one FTF yet. For such an inexpensive handgun I had my doubts, but I am impressed with the Bersa. The only problem I have with it is that there are some sharp edges that can be painful when carrying. I use an IWB for carrying, and sometimes it is uncomfortable when sitting with it, as the sharp edges can dig in. This is not a problem if carried in a different manner or dropped in a purse. Although it is light and small, it still feels bigger than a snub nose revolver, and not much smaller than guns like the Springfield XD, when I carry in a IWB holster. All in all, it is an excellent value and I may pick up a second one at some point.

09-21-2008, 10:09 AM	#40
big shrek Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Northwest, FL Posts: 3,128 Images: 56	My g/f was checking out the Bersa Thunder .380 with the finger groove grips...it was her #3 choice at the gun show yesterday...the two-tone Bersa .380 above was her #4 choice. I remember back in the late 80's being told by a gun shop owner that the .380 was the worst round ever for misfires...is that still a problem? Or was it resolved by modern powders? __________________ In every Unit...there is a Scrounger...