So thanks to Rev's praise of the .380 I started looking at options. I was going to the range to give the LCP one more run when a guy had a Bersa Thunder. Looked pretty nice and there was no offer to shoot it. Any body own one? My research says they are not bad and modeled after the ppk.
Any Bersa Thunder Owners Out There?
- Thread starter modrifle3
- Start date
Here is a write-up from Jeff Quinn on it that might help you.
http://www.gunblast.com/Bersa_Thunder380.htm
http://www.gunblast.com/Bersa_Thunder380.htm
I've never actually owned one .... Very close, but never bought it back when you could buy the two tone ones for right about $200, but I've shot several. They are quality guns, feel like real guns, are unchanged for decades, and reliable as rocks. If you hold a BT380 in one hand and an LC Whatever in the other, you'll just laugh. And I regularly carry a KT P3AT, so I know the difference. Can't get away from the weight though, if that bothers you. For civilian protection, the LC Whatever type guns are just fine, as long as you realize their limits, which is beyond about 7 yards. Pretty tough to prove self defense beyond that for most civilian encounters.
LOL .... I was typing this as the previous post was posted. Jeff's review pretty much echoes what I wrote as well.
They're great guns, and are quite useable at the range for things like steel shoots and target shooting at reasonable distances, which the LCWhatevers are NOT.
The 380 is a nice caliber for civilian use. Soft shooting, controllable, accurate, and effective with the right ammo. No mall ninja would carry 'a puny 380' though ... :roll:
REV
LOL .... I was typing this as the previous post was posted. Jeff's review pretty much echoes what I wrote as well.
They're great guns, and are quite useable at the range for things like steel shoots and target shooting at reasonable distances, which the LCWhatevers are NOT.
The 380 is a nice caliber for civilian use. Soft shooting, controllable, accurate, and effective with the right ammo. No mall ninja would carry 'a puny 380' though ... :roll:
REV
Another + here. Very well made little pistol. The tolerances are tight, so things feel stiff when new. Bersa recommends 2-300 rounds to break it in. 500 is even better. Everything gets smooth as glass. If I had to do it again, I would get the Plus (15 round) v the standard (7 round). Same size, but holds more. Mine doesn't like Sellier and Belliot 380. Fails to feed 1 round out of 14. I think it's the bullet they use since I have some commercial reloads using their cases with different bullets that work fine. It eats Tula all day for cheap plinkers. I carry Hydra shock for social work.
Hawk
Bearcat
I have one and it is a well made pistol, shoots good too.
Jim Puke
Hunter
I really like mine.
I really like my LCP, also. They are very different guns, but either will do you proud.
I really like my LCP, also. They are very different guns, but either will do you proud.
groberts
Single-Sixer
I have both the Bersa Thunder 380 and the Ruger LC380. Both have lasers - the Ruger has the Laserlyte that is on the side and the Bersa has the Crimson Trace grip. The Bersa is more comfortable to shoot and at 15 feet holds a 2 inch spread versus 3 for the Ruger. Note that the Bersa laser does NOT fit the CC or Plus. If you don't care about laser sights the CC is slightly smaller that the standard BT 380 and holds one more round.
Note, I used to have a BT 380 Plus and traded it for the Ruger. That 15 round magazine is restricted in so many states it's just not worth the hassle. I have 2 spare magazines and if I can't do what I need to do with 22 rounds I'll be dead anyway.
Note, I used to have a BT 380 Plus and traded it for the Ruger. That 15 round magazine is restricted in so many states it's just not worth the hassle. I have 2 spare magazines and if I can't do what I need to do with 22 rounds I'll be dead anyway.
Dang great guns...anytime I'm at a LGS ..I look for a godd used one ..sometimes you can find one ,priced great...
I've owned a half dozen or more in the past decade ..Always had great luck ....but I end up trading them off....for one thing or another...
I've owned a half dozen or more in the past decade ..Always had great luck ....but I end up trading them off....for one thing or another...
Suburbbus
Bearcat
Owned a couple of Bersa 380's over the years and currently own a Thunder 9UC Pro. Great guns and great customer service.
I own a Bersa Thunder 380CC that I bought a few years ago. Great pistol for CCW and seems well built. Only one malfunction I had was with the magazine disconnect spring after I had first bought it. I sent it to Colorado Gun Works, they made the repairs, and had it back within 10 days.
I've owned two Bersa guns in my time: a Bersa Thunder 380 and a BP9CC. I liked the Thunder 380, but just decided to standardize on 9mm and .45 calibers. I didn't care for the BP9CC...the trigger was the lightest I've ever felt on any gun...it couldn't have been 3 pounds. It was scary on a gun with no safety, so I didn't keep it. Magazines were hard to find for both guns when I had them.
Bersa gets good marks for reliability and customer service.
Bersa gets good marks for reliability and customer service.
GKC said:
I love my BP9cc dearly, but had the same concern and decided after much debate not to carry it for the same reason. I am keeping mine, at least for now. Its a joy to shoot very accurate and I love that trigger, at the range I love the trigger I should say.
graygun
Hunter
I have one loaded with s.d. ammo;it's my living room gun.
modrifle3 said:
Last I remember seeing them, they were about $200 for the two tone brand new, but that was years ago.
No idea what today's market is. I'd just look for a used one first. As much as I like them, $350 seems like a lot for a Bersa 380.
REV
groberts
Single-Sixer
Yea, $350 each seems pricey. I thought you passed up a deal of $350 for the lot of them :shock:
I own both a Bersa Thunder .380 and a Thunder .32 and they are great carry guns. I can shoot a 4 inch group at 25 feet with the .380 could do better if I practiced more. The .32 I shoot 3 inch groups at the same distance. Both guns are reliable, accurate and nice to shoot. They are also thin and easy to conceal. Bersa makes some excellent guns at a reasonable price and stand behind them. Don't be afraid to buy a Bersa.
OysterMan
Bearcat
I've had a 380CC and a UC9 for about five years now. With the UC9 the only issue I've had has been when it's fired alot and gets dirty the slide will sometimes not lock back after the last round. But I don't consider this a major problem and it otherwise has been flawless in all respects. On the 380CC the disconnect spring broke at around 2000rds. Using the lifetime warranty I sent it to CGW for repair (total turn-around time was 8 days) and it has been solid shooter ever since.
Though neither is my EDC, each does get carried on occasion.
Though neither is my EDC, each does get carried on occasion.
toysoldier
Hunter
You're all making the Bersa sound very good, and there's often one in the pistol cabinet at my favorite pawn shop. But if I want a bigger .380 than my LCP, I carry my all-steel Llama Especial Model IIIA. It's the only "1911" that I own. :)
Rei40c said:
I came across a trigger plug for a Glock...it's basically just a plastic plug shaped to fit behind the trigger. It snaps into place, and keeps the trigger from being pulled...you can push it out easily with your trigger finger when you are ready to fire. It's designed for Glocks, to provide a "safety" for those who don't like not having a thumb safety. I don't know if they make one for other guns, but it might fit...or could be shaved down to fit.
With that, I might be more comfortable with the BP9CC...it was a good gun, just the trigger was too light for me without a safety.
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