The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - How to replace bulged barrel on Bersa Thunder 380

Dfariswheel · October 12, 2012, 08:04 PM

Best option is to send the gun in to the repair station and let them repair it correctly.

Here's a schematic:

http://www.stevespages.com/ipb-bersa-thunder380.html

One option to prevent damage to the slide, is to pull the slide as far back as possible and attempt to saw the barrel off behind the bulge.

This will allow getting the slide off undamaged, but might cause problems with removing the barrel.

The barrel is removed by driving out the retention pin and PRESSING the barrel out of the frame.
DO NOT try to drive the barrel out, this will very probably damage the thin barrel support area of the frame, ruining the frame.
Years ago, a lot of people converted Markarov pistols to fire the .380 and one company sold a simple barrel press device.

This press was two thick steel plates joined with threaded rod.
The rear plate has a hole that would pass the rear of the barrel and this end was put on the frame around the barrel with the hole positioned to allow the barrel to come out.

The front plate had a brass washer to protect the muzzle, and the two plates were joined with threaded rod held on the plate with nuts.
As the nuts were alternately tightened, the barrel was pressed out the rear of the frame barrel support.

To install a new barrel, the device was reversed so the solid plate with the brass pad was at the rear and the plate with the hole was on the front of the frame barrel support with the barrel sticking through the hole in the plate.
With the barrel aligned so the retention pin cut is aligned with the hole in the side of the frame, the nuts were alternately tightened and the new barrel was pressed into the frame.

My advise, bite the bullet and send it in to the repair station.
Unless you're a qualified pistolsmith there's too high a chance you'll spend money on a barrel and something will go wrong. At least the company will get it right.

October 12, 2012, 08:04 PM	#3
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 7,478	Best option is to send the gun in to the repair station and let them repair it correctly. Here's a schematic: http://www.stevespages.com/ipb-bersa-thunder380.html One option to prevent damage to the slide, is to pull the slide as far back as possible and attempt to saw the barrel off behind the bulge. This will allow getting the slide off undamaged, but might cause problems with removing the barrel. The barrel is removed by driving out the retention pin and PRESSING the barrel out of the frame. DO NOT try to drive the barrel out, this will very probably damage the thin barrel support area of the frame, ruining the frame. Years ago, a lot of people converted Markarov pistols to fire the .380 and one company sold a simple barrel press device. This press was two thick steel plates joined with threaded rod. The rear plate has a hole that would pass the rear of the barrel and this end was put on the frame around the barrel with the hole positioned to allow the barrel to come out. The front plate had a brass washer to protect the muzzle, and the two plates were joined with threaded rod held on the plate with nuts. As the nuts were alternately tightened, the barrel was pressed out the rear of the frame barrel support. To install a new barrel, the device was reversed so the solid plate with the brass pad was at the rear and the plate with the hole was on the front of the frame barrel support with the barrel sticking through the hole in the plate. With the barrel aligned so the retention pin cut is aligned with the hole in the side of the frame, the nuts were alternately tightened and the new barrel was pressed into the frame. My advise, bite the bullet and send it in to the repair station. Unless you're a qualified pistolsmith there's too high a chance you'll spend money on a barrel and something will go wrong. At least the company will get it right.