Hello everyone, lurked here for a while but never had the need to post, until now...
I have a problem with a used gun I just bought yesterday.
The gun is a Bersa Thunder 380, had my eye on it for a while, got what I thought was a pretty good deal, $200 with an extra clip.
I shot two mags through it yesterday just b/c I couldn't wait lol, cleaned it up good last night. Went out to shoot some today, ran one mag through it, went to reload, and noticed that the safety lever had broken off.
I've never had something like this happen, much less the very next day after buying a gun, so I'm pretty bummed out, and don't know what to do from here.
I have all the warranty papers etc, but since I'm not the original owner, it seems pretty much none of that applies. And my receipt specifically states "no returns on firearms/ammo".
I've had guns for a little while now, but this is the first one I've actually purchased myself, the rest have been handed down through family etc.
This is also the first semi-auto I've ever had, the rest have always been revolvers / long guns.
I have a lot of questions at this point... for example WTF would cause that to happen in the first place ? It kinda worries me, as I had planned to eventually carry this one for self-defense, now I'm questioning the reliability of the gun as a whole ?
But mainly for now, I just could use some advice on how to proceed... at this point I'm out $200 with a broken gun.
I imagine that I could get the part from Bersa, it looks like it would definitely need to be fixed by a gunsmith, it's not something that just screws in or anything like that. Plus on something like a safety I'd feel much better having an expert fix it.
But beyond that, should I have any expectations of help from the guy that sold it to me, or is it pretty much "buyer beware" when it comes to buying used guns ?
From what I've read and heard, the guy is a good honest dealer, so I'm not really faulting him, I just don't want to make a jackass of myself if I go down there and expect him to help, when that would be out of line etc.
One thought I had, he had a brand new one for about $50 more or so, would it be unreasonable to ask him if he would credit me back on this one, towards purchasing the new one ?
Ok this post is way too long already, I'm just a bit bummed out, if anyone has any thoughts or ideas, I will be very grateful.
Agreed. Just go in and ask him what to do. Don't demand that he replace it or anything, just ask him what he suggests. Ask about reliability of the brand and lay the groundwork for him offering to give you something for it on a different brand of gun. Cross your fingers, too.
If you need to have the part replaced, ask him who he knows that works on them. All this is a way to show him you don't blame him or hold him responsible. And maybe he will see an opportunity to win your loyalty as a future customer.
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The site also has Bersa's lifetime service contract. Check the paperwork you received when you purchased the pistol and see if the warranty card is in there. If it is, fill it out and send it in, and for legal purposes Bersa may believe you to be the original purchaser of the gun and might fix it for free.
I didn't have much luck trying to find the specific part. Numrich doesn't appear to stock much in the way of Bersa parts for some reason and I came up empty everywhere else I checked. I suspect you are going to end up having to ship it back to Bersa and pay for them to do the repair. Sorry about that. Wish I had better information for you.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by johnnyquest
Hello everyone, lurked here for a while but never had the need to post, until now...
I have a problem with a used gun I just bought yesterday.
The gun is a Bersa Thunder 380, had my eye on it for a while, got what I thought was a pretty good deal, $200 with an extra clip.
I shot two mags through it yesterday just b/c I couldn't wait lol, cleaned it up good last night. Went out to shoot some today, ran one mag through it, went to reload, and noticed that the safety lever had broken off.
I've never had something like this happen, much less the very next day after buying a gun, so I'm pretty bummed out, and don't know what to do from here.
I have all the warranty papers etc, but since I'm not the original owner, it seems pretty much none of that applies. And my receipt specifically states "no returns on firearms/ammo".
I've had guns for a little while now, but this is the first one I've actually purchased myself, the rest have been handed down through family etc.
This is also the first semi-auto I've ever had, the rest have always been revolvers / long guns.
I have a lot of questions at this point... for example WTF would cause that to happen in the first place ? It kinda worries me, as I had planned to eventually carry this one for self-defense, now I'm questioning the reliability of the gun as a whole ?
But mainly for now, I just could use some advice on how to proceed... at this point I'm out $200 with a broken gun.
I imagine that I could get the part from Bersa, it looks like it would definitely need to be fixed by a gunsmith, it's not something that just screws in or anything like that. Plus on something like a safety I'd feel much better having an expert fix it.
But beyond that, should I have any expectations of help from the guy that sold it to me, or is it pretty much "buyer beware" when it comes to buying used guns ?
From what I've read and heard, the guy is a good honest dealer, so I'm not really faulting him, I just don't want to make a jackass of myself if I go down there and expect him to help, when that would be out of line etc.
One thought I had, he had a brand new one for about $50 more or so, would it be unreasonable to ask him if he would credit me back on this one, towards purchasing the new one ?
Ok this post is way too long already, I'm just a bit bummed out, if anyone has any thoughts or ideas, I will be very grateful.
If you have any further problems, go to the previous link of Bersa Service Centers. Colorado Gun Works is recommended. The owner monitors the Bersa Forum and seems to be a fine person. I was a member of the Bersa Forum when I had a Thunder 380 and the guy form Colorado Gun always had a good answer to any service problem. He could often get things fixed usder warrantee in rather unusual cercumsatnces.
Hey guys, just wanted to say thanks for all the info/help !
I will take it back to the dealer in the next day or two and see what they say. I guess if worst comes to worst I can send it to Bersa, even if I have to pay for it, looks like the part itself is only $10 so maybe it won't cost an arm and a leg.
I feel a bit better now, I was just pretty bummed out last night when it happened.
I will keep you all posted how it turns out, thanks again !!!
I got in touch with the guys at Colorado Gun Works, I sent it in to them, and they fixed it up for me and checked it all out, no charge, didn't even charge me return shipping.
So, if anyone runs into any problems with their Bersa, I would definitely get in touch with those guys there, technically mine wasn't officially under warranty since I'm not the original owner, but they basically said don't worry about that.
I got in touch with the guys at Colorado Gun Works, I sent it in to them, and they fixed it up for me and checked it all out, no charge, didn't even charge me return shipping.
So, if anyone runs into any problems with their Bersa, I would definitely get in touch with those guys there, technically mine wasn't officially under warranty since I'm not the original owner, but they basically said don't worry about that.
Thanks again for all the replies, be well.
J
That's great. It's nice to see that Bersa stands behind their product. This is an example that when bad things happen good people help. Keep us posted as to how you like the Bersa. I have a .380 Kel-Tec and I like the round a lot. Just enough power and small enough to carry in comfort.
Teach
