Bersa Thunder .380 - The Firearms Forum

Teejay9 · 07-28-2011, 12:03 PM

A while back i began to realize that I had moved from strapping, middle-aged man, to the "target, prayed upon group. " I went and bought a Besa Thunder .380.
It's a nice gun so far as I can see. I put some really nice Hungarian Black stained Walnut grips that add a tad more weight and improved my grip. My question for you gun knowledgable gun owners is: What are your opinions on this gun. I like how the cartridge has almost a straight ride right into the chamber, so no jambs.
It was realitively inexpensive and I liked th two-toned black over satin finished nickel. What do you all think? TJ

Double D · 07-28-2011, 12:09 PM

I have sold several of these guns and I get alot of positive reviews. Good little gun for the money. You can get some decent defense loads too.

Helix_FR · 07-28-2011, 12:46 PM

I never see them in the shop- which is a good thing. Only problems that I ever get is feed issues but 99.99% of the time, its the shooter, not the gun.

hogger129 · 07-28-2011, 01:58 PM

I think it's great. Less expensive than a Walther PPK/S.

savage170 · 07-28-2011, 01:58 PM

I have one that has been shot alot and like the energizer bunny it keeps going and going. Imho one of best deals out there

woolleyworm · 07-28-2011, 02:04 PM

While I don't think they're spectacular looking guns; I've shot at least 4 different model Bersas and have never had a problem out of any of them. Grip and handling was good. Price was great IMO for what you get. I know the 9mm has had countless rounds through it and no failures of components. Springs have been replaced, but that is normal. I'll have to ask my friend when he bought his, but I'm thinking around the mid 90's or so.

Gene Seward · 07-28-2011, 07:21 PM

My wife has one and we both love it. It shoots great for a small, very reasonably priced handgun. It is also loaded with Corbon DPX, which will get the job done if placed correctly.

graehaven · 07-28-2011, 08:37 PM

I like mine. It was the first gun I ever bought, not having a lot of money to spend. Very compact. Shoots nice, easy natural point of aim. I use winchester silvertip hollow points for defense rounds. I don't carry it anymore, haven't for a lot of years, but I would again if I really needed to. It now resides in my office safe as a backup to whatever I may be carrying that day.

I'll never sell it.

group17 · 07-29-2011, 02:22 PM

Great smaller sized gun that has been totally reliable. I really like you get a DA/SA trigger instead of the typical mouse gun DAO. Real easy to shoot accurately. Mags are a little costly for a single stack.

flyingtiger85 · 07-29-2011, 04:00 PM

They are nice little guns for the money.My youngest brother has one.When I shot it, I didn't feel like it was cheap.It felt like a quality made gun.The only draw back I could see is that the 380 ammo cost so much more than the 9mm.Enjoy your gun!Any new gun is fun.

north tex · 07-29-2011, 06:56 PM

It's a great gun. I still have one and it has never had a malfunction. Was my carry gun til I found a 9mm in a smaller lighter package that fit into the same holster. The Bersa is now my back up.

Teejay9 · 07-30-2011, 12:21 PM

Good reports. Glad to know I didn't get a loser. Thanks for all your input. It was this the Beretta 84, or aS&W ppk/s. It felt better than the, I think, bulky for concealment Beretta, and I've heard a lot of unpleasant reports on the "new" PPK/s, so I opted for the nice loking Bersa, Glad I did. TJ

AmmoForSale.com · 07-31-2011, 04:59 PM

I've been meaning to pick one up for a couple years but haven't gotten around to it. The few that I've shot were reliable. I would like to get a 380 that is actually enjoyable to shoot. I've shot my LCP enough that I would like to get something a little more accurate.

__________________
380 ammo for sale

The Duke · 07-31-2011, 05:16 PM

I sold a good many of these in the range ProShop...Only complaint I ever got was they had a tendency to hammer bite with big hands..I like them...Good bang for the buck and all steel...

north tex · 08-01-2011, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Duke

I sold a good many of these in the range ProShop...Only complaint I ever got was they had a tendency to hammer bite with big hands..I like them...Good bang for the buck and all steel...

My Bersa has never given me a hammer bite. I tried a PPK a few years back and it left me bleeding.

luvthegun · 08-05-2011, 06:42 PM

Echo,,, Bersa's are good guns. My wife has the 380 and she loves it. Very reliable! I carry the Bersa Thunder 9UC Pro. This is also a very good gun. You have to watch what you clean the duo tone with. Copper solvents can ruin the nickel finish.

shooter57 · 08-19-2011, 07:31 AM

I Think you made a good choice,never had a problem with mine. Lot of info on Bersachat.com

Mouton · 09-17-2011, 10:12 AM

My response is a ditto for those who have spoken above. I own two of these jewels in 380 cal, one with target sights and one with concealed carry sights. I have NEVER had an FTF. The CC model is a great pocket gun IMO. I also have the untra compact 40 cal Bersa...a tad bigger and heavier than the HI cap Glocks and Springfields but again a nice firearm. On the 380s one must be careful ensuring they have the proper rounds for defense. I have been using the Cor Bon 90s.

Enjoy

cluznar · 04-26-2012, 11:54 AM

Good gun, I carry a Bersa Thunder .380 IWB loaded with Corbon Pwrball ammo and trust it completely. Accurate, dependable and has a decent trigger. You made a good choice.

07-28-2011, 12:03 PM	#1
Teejay9 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Southwest Corner of the US, "Where no stinking fence will stop us!!" Posts: 1,257	Bersa Thunder .380 A while back i began to realize that I had moved from strapping, middle-aged man, to the "target, prayed upon group. " I went and bought a Besa Thunder .380. It's a nice gun so far as I can see. I put some really nice Hungarian Black stained Walnut grips that add a tad more weight and improved my grip. My question for you gun knowledgable gun owners is: What are your opinions on this gun. I like how the cartridge has almost a straight ride right into the chamber, so no jambs. It was realitively inexpensive and I liked th two-toned black over satin finished nickel. What do you all think? TJ __________________ A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have". Thomas Jefferson -->

07-28-2011, 12:09 PM	#2
Double D TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: North Florida Contributor Posts: 8,075	Re: Bersa Thunder .380 I have sold several of these guns and I get alot of positive reviews. Good little gun for the money. You can get some decent defense loads too. __________________ I own a bunch of scary guns. You want em? Come and take em..... Liberalism is a serious, non curable, mental disorder... NRA LIFE MEMBER Oath Keepers Member NRA Certified Instructor 30 Yr CC permit holder.

07-28-2011, 12:46 PM	#3
Helix_FR TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Imperial, MO Posts: 3,621	Re: Bersa Thunder .380 I never see them in the shop- which is a good thing. Only problems that I ever get is feed issues but 99.99% of the time, its the shooter, not the gun. __________________ Only cowards shoot with their eyes closed.... helixgunsmith.com

07-28-2011, 01:58 PM	#4
hogger129 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,064	Re: Bersa Thunder .380 I think it's great. Less expensive than a Walther PPK/S. __________________ Samuel Adams once said, "among the natural rights of the colonists are these: first, a right to life, secondly to liberty, thirdly to property; together with the right to defend them in the best manner they can."

07-28-2011, 01:58 PM	#5
savage170 V.I.P. Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: FL Posts: 385	Re: Bersa Thunder .380 I have one that has been shot alot and like the energizer bunny it keeps going and going. Imho one of best deals out there

07-28-2011, 02:04 PM	#6
woolleyworm TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SW Fort Worth Contributor Posts: 4,883	Re: Bersa Thunder .380 While I don't think they're spectacular looking guns; I've shot at least 4 different model Bersas and have never had a problem out of any of them. Grip and handling was good. Price was great IMO for what you get. I know the 9mm has had countless rounds through it and no failures of components. Springs have been replaced, but that is normal. I'll have to ask my friend when he bought his, but I'm thinking around the mid 90's or so. __________________ . What are you gonna do, talk the alien to death? -- (on Sigourney Weaver's worry about Guns in Aliens) "Safety is something that happens between your ears, not something you hold in your hands." "I carry a small gun to compensate for my huge Blue press." .

07-28-2011, 07:21 PM	#7
Gene Seward V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Batesville, Arkansas Posts: 477	Re: Bersa Thunder .380 My wife has one and we both love it. It shoots great for a small, very reasonably priced handgun. It is also loaded with Corbon DPX, which will get the job done if placed correctly.

07-28-2011, 08:37 PM	#8
graehaven Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 2,853	Re: Bersa Thunder .380 I like mine. It was the first gun I ever bought, not having a lot of money to spend. Very compact. Shoots nice, easy natural point of aim. I use winchester silvertip hollow points for defense rounds. I don't carry it anymore, haven't for a lot of years, but I would again if I really needed to. It now resides in my office safe as a backup to whatever I may be carrying that day. I'll never sell it. __________________ The beauty of the second amendment is that it will not be needed until they try to take it." - Thomas Jefferson RESISTANCE IS FEUDAL... PREPARE TO SERVE.

07-29-2011, 02:22 PM	#9
group17 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 98	Re: Bersa Thunder .380 Great smaller sized gun that has been totally reliable. I really like you get a DA/SA trigger instead of the typical mouse gun DAO. Real easy to shoot accurately. Mags are a little costly for a single stack.

07-29-2011, 04:00 PM	#10
flyingtiger85 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Nevada Posts: 744	Re: Bersa Thunder .380 They are nice little guns for the money.My youngest brother has one.When I shot it, I didn't feel like it was cheap.It felt like a quality made gun.The only draw back I could see is that the 380 ammo cost so much more than the 9mm.Enjoy your gun!Any new gun is fun. Last edited by flyingtiger85; 07-29-2011 at 04:02 PM..

07-29-2011, 06:56 PM	#11
north tex V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Leonard, Tx Posts: 284	Re: Bersa Thunder .380 It's a great gun. I still have one and it has never had a malfunction. Was my carry gun til I found a 9mm in a smaller lighter package that fit into the same holster. The Bersa is now my back up. __________________ Project 404 (1974) Vet

07-30-2011, 12:21 PM	#12
Teejay9 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Southwest Corner of the US, "Where no stinking fence will stop us!!" Posts: 1,257	Re: Bersa Thunder .380 Good reports. Glad to know I didn't get a loser. Thanks for all your input. It was this the Beretta 84, or aS&W ppk/s. It felt better than the, I think, bulky for concealment Beretta, and I've heard a lot of unpleasant reports on the "new" PPK/s, so I opted for the nice loking Bersa, Glad I did. TJ __________________ A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have". Thomas Jefferson

07-31-2011, 04:59 PM	#13
AmmoForSale.com Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 44	Re: Bersa Thunder .380 I've been meaning to pick one up for a couple years but haven't gotten around to it. The few that I've shot were reliable. I would like to get a 380 that is actually enjoyable to shoot. I've shot my LCP enough that I would like to get something a little more accurate. __________________ 380 ammo for sale

07-31-2011, 05:16 PM	#14
The Duke Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: NW Louisiana Posts: 813	Re: Bersa Thunder .380 I sold a good many of these in the range ProShop...Only complaint I ever got was they had a tendency to hammer bite with big hands..I like them...Good bang for the buck and all steel...

08-05-2011, 06:42 PM	#16
luvthegun Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 6	Re: Bersa Thunder .380 Echo,,, Bersa's are good guns. My wife has the 380 and she loves it. Very reliable! I carry the Bersa Thunder 9UC Pro. This is also a very good gun. You have to watch what you clean the duo tone with. Copper solvents can ruin the nickel finish.

08-19-2011, 07:31 AM	#17
shooter57 Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 11	Re: Bersa Thunder .380 I Think you made a good choice,never had a problem with mine. Lot of info on Bersachat.com

09-17-2011, 10:12 AM	#18
Mouton V.I.P. Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Amelia Island, Florida Posts: 64	Re: Bersa Thunder .380 My response is a ditto for those who have spoken above. I own two of these jewels in 380 cal, one with target sights and one with concealed carry sights. I have NEVER had an FTF. The CC model is a great pocket gun IMO. I also have the untra compact 40 cal Bersa...a tad bigger and heavier than the HI cap Glocks and Springfields but again a nice firearm. On the 380s one must be careful ensuring they have the proper rounds for defense. I have been using the Cor Bon 90s. Enjoy

04-26-2012, 11:54 AM	#19
cluznar Former Guest Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 70	Re: Bersa Thunder .380 Good gun, I carry a Bersa Thunder .380 IWB loaded with Corbon Pwrball ammo and trust it completely. Accurate, dependable and has a decent trigger. You made a good choice.