Bersa Thunder .380

TPAW · February 19, 2013, 08:34 PM

I have an opportunity to buy a Bersa Thunder .380 in like new condition for
$ 200.00. I have fired it a number of times with no problems. Is it worth the money?

MercyfulFate · February 19, 2013, 08:36 PM

That seems like a really, really good price but I haven't researched that gun specifically so I don't know what it normally goes for.

lamarw · February 19, 2013, 08:39 PM

I personally would not buy it, but if you like it go ahead.

Why do you ask the question? I mean $200 is almost a nothing buy. You might even be able to re-sell it and make a money from some Bersa folks at that price.

MTSCMike · February 19, 2013, 08:41 PM

You have to decide if the price is right for you but I can say that my wife has one that was given to her by her father (retired LEO). I was a bit suspicious about the gun but must say it has been extremely surprising so far. Supremely accurate and completely reliable. Also very comfortable to shoot. I'm a fan.

ttarp · February 19, 2013, 08:48 PM

Buying used you don't get the warranty, but I think its a great buy, a lot of Bersa .380's in my area are selling in the $350 range.

weblance · February 19, 2013, 10:09 PM

The Bersa Thunder is a well made, economy priced handgun. I was curious because of all the positive comments you hear about them, so I bought a Bersa Thunder 22. I like it so well, I bought the .380. They are both very well made, very accurate, and a great value. I think hey could charge $400 new, and still sell well. $200 is a good deal. Buy it.

9mm · February 19, 2013, 10:20 PM

I saw them at the gun shows for $280 in the past new, sometimes high as $330. If it is a carry gun I would not buy it, but for a fun gun then yes. I never buy used for carry guns anymore, no telling what abuse someone did to it or dry firing.

UtahHunting · February 19, 2013, 10:27 PM

I would buy it in a heartbeat. That is a great deal on a Bersa. They are great guns, I own 3. My wife has carried a 380 Thunder for over 4 years now. In my opinion they are the most underrated gun on the market. A lot of gun for a little money.

Also to the poster above, dry firing a centerfire pistol doesn't mean it was abused. I have dry fired my handguns (not rimfire) 1000's of times and never had any issues. It is the best way to learn to shoot.

bedbugbilly · February 19, 2013, 10:56 PM

I bought one used a couple of years ago - paid $180 for it. I traded it in on another pistol and was allowed $180 on it towards the trade in. If it's in good shape,you've fired it and it functions well - I don't think the price is that awful. From what I'm hearing, with all of the guns going off the shelves in this "panic" - Bersas are hard to come by in some locations and are bringing top prices.

BTW - I loved my Bersa - ate anything I fed it. I now wish that I hadn't traded it in as it was a nice pistol. I'd have no problems in buying another one.

Pico · February 19, 2013, 10:59 PM

No brainer. If you don't jump on that you will be kicking yourself. Like:

when I passed on the Python in 1984, it was only a bit more than the Colt Agent I bought
when I didn't buy the two P226 police turn ins for $800 total
when I didn't buy the original Springer XD as the HS2000 for $300
when I didn't buy lotsa CZ's when they were $300 guns
when I didn't buy an AK when they were less than $400

Gonna go cry now

Pico (the idiot)

TPAW · February 19, 2013, 11:58 PM

Thank you all for your responses. Since I was with the original buyer when he bought it, and I know for a fact that he keeps all his hardware in excellent shape, a deal will be made.

qwiksdraw · February 20, 2013, 07:54 AM

If I saw a good condition BT380 for that price, I would be all over it. My BT380 and BT22 would enjoy the company!

lee n. field · February 20, 2013, 08:49 AM

Quote:

have an opportunity to buy a Bersa Thunder .380 in like new condition for
$ 200.00. I have fired it a number of times with no problems. Is it worth the money?

$200? Yeah, buy it.

"like new" implies used, which means you aren't the first owner. Bersa's warranty is to the first owner only.

Yung.gunr · February 20, 2013, 08:55 AM

$200 sounds like a good price for a Thunder. Even though you may not get a warranty, I haven't heard of many issues with them. Good luck..

TxFlyFish · February 20, 2013, 09:53 AM

Slight derail but any one know when the combat versions are out

bonefamily · February 20, 2013, 02:38 PM

Seeing how the wife just paid $320 for her NIB Thunder 380, I'd say $200 for a like new Thunder is a good deal.

lee n. field · February 20, 2013, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Slight derail but any one know when the "combat" versions are out

I think it is, now.

certified106 · February 20, 2013, 07:02 PM

If it's in good shape it sounds like a great deal! My wife and I both lover the .380 Thunder that we have. It has cycled everything I have fed it without a hiccup.

TPAW · February 21, 2013, 12:20 AM

Thanks for your support. Bought it and love it. Cycles everything I put in it.
Truly is a poor mans Porsche.

Sheriff Gotcha · February 21, 2013, 12:35 AM

I just spent $700 bucks on a new gun last Friday and I am not looking to buy any guns for the rest of the year. If I were able to get a Bersa for $200 I'd be at my house right now without giving it a second thought.

Even if you didn't want the gun at $200 bucks you could at the very least turn a profit reselling it down he road.

michael t · February 21, 2013, 01:52 AM

I paid that in 2003 for a new one. Grab it , As for warrenty I have never known the 2 main warrenty centers to ask proof you the orginal owner . Almost no one ever sends in the warrenty card .

Come visit us at http://bersachat.com and become a member of the bersa family . Hats, shirts ,mags , holsters we can direct you to all . Even have a give away every month or so.

leadchucker · February 21, 2013, 08:50 AM

For $200? That's a no-brainer. BUY IT! It's a poor man's Walther PPK.

bonefamily · February 21, 2013, 05:08 PM

The OP stated above that he did indeed buy it.

Congrats on the Thunder, TPAW!! I'm sure you will continue to like it.

weblance · February 21, 2013, 05:38 PM

Heres a tip... Find the magazines for the Bersa Thunder 380 DELUXE. Its a 9 round magazine and works in the 7 shot 380 Thunder perfectly.

TPAW · February 21, 2013, 08:31 PM

Thank you all for your support. Can't wait to get it to the range. Any recommendations for self defense ammo? And also some ammo just for plunking.

February 19, 2013, 08:34 PM	#1
TPAW Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2005 Posts: 2,860	Bersa Thunder .380 I have an opportunity to buy a Bersa Thunder .380 in like new condition for $ 200.00. I have fired it a number of times with no problems. Is it worth the money?

February 19, 2013, 08:41 PM	#4
MTSCMike Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2011 Location: Middle TN Posts: 164	You have to decide if the price is right for you but I can say that my wife has one that was given to her by her father (retired LEO). I was a bit suspicious about the gun but must say it has been extremely surprising so far. Supremely accurate and completely reliable. Also very comfortable to shoot. I'm a fan. __________________ IDPA Member A00640 Founding Charter Member - Middle Tennessee Shooter's Club

February 19, 2013, 10:56 PM	#9
bedbugbilly Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2009 Posts: 3,287	I bought one used a couple of years ago - paid $180 for it. I traded it in on another pistol and was allowed $180 on it towards the trade in. If it's in good shape,you've fired it and it functions well - I don't think the price is that awful. From what I'm hearing, with all of the guns going off the shelves in this "panic" - Bersas are hard to come by in some locations and are bringing top prices. BTW - I loved my Bersa - ate anything I fed it. I now wish that I hadn't traded it in as it was a nice pistol. I'd have no problems in buying another one. __________________ If a pair of '51 Navies were good enough for Billy Hickok, then a single Navy on my right hip is good enough for me . . . besides . . . I'm probably only half as good as he was anyways. Hiram's Rangers Badge #63

February 19, 2013, 10:59 PM	#10
Pico Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2002 Location: Ga Posts: 515	Snap that deal up No brainer. If you don't jump on that you will be kicking yourself. Like: when I passed on the Python in 1984, it was only a bit more than the Colt Agent I bought when I didn't buy the two P226 police turn ins for $800 total when I didn't buy the original Springer XD as the HS2000 for $300 when I didn't buy lotsa CZ's when they were $300 guns when I didn't buy an AK when they were less than $400 Gonna go cry now Pico (the idiot)

February 20, 2013, 02:38 PM	#16
bonefamily Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2012 Location: central Ohio Posts: 304	Seeing how the wife just paid $320 for her NIB Thunder 380, I'd say $200 for a like new Thunder is a good deal. __________________ Bryan

February 19, 2013, 08:36 PM	#2
MercyfulFate Senior Member Join Date: February 14, 2013 Posts: 138	That seems like a really, really good price but I haven't researched that gun specifically so I don't know what it normally goes for.

February 19, 2013, 08:39 PM	#3
lamarw Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2010 Location: Lake Martin, AL Posts: 3,311	I personally would not buy it, but if you like it go ahead. Why do you ask the question? I mean $200 is almost a nothing buy. You might even be able to re-sell it and make a money from some Bersa folks at that price.

February 19, 2013, 08:48 PM	#5
ttarp Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2013 Posts: 888	Buying used you don't get the warranty, but I think its a great buy, a lot of Bersa .380's in my area are selling in the $350 range.

February 19, 2013, 10:09 PM	#6
weblance Senior Member Join Date: October 3, 2012 Posts: 1,229	The Bersa Thunder is a well made, economy priced handgun. I was curious because of all the positive comments you hear about them, so I bought a Bersa Thunder 22. I like it so well, I bought the .380. They are both very well made, very accurate, and a great value. I think hey could charge $400 new, and still sell well. $200 is a good deal. Buy it.

February 19, 2013, 10:20 PM	#7
9mm Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2011 Location: Land of the Free Posts: 2,834	I saw them at the gun shows for $280 in the past new, sometimes high as $330. If it is a carry gun I would not buy it, but for a fun gun then yes. I never buy used for carry guns anymore, no telling what abuse someone did to it or dry firing.

February 19, 2013, 10:27 PM	#8
UtahHunting Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2009 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Posts: 428	I would buy it in a heartbeat. That is a great deal on a Bersa. They are great guns, I own 3. My wife has carried a 380 Thunder for over 4 years now. In my opinion they are the most underrated gun on the market. A lot of gun for a little money. Also to the poster above, dry firing a centerfire pistol doesn't mean it was abused. I have dry fired my handguns (not rimfire) 1000's of times and never had any issues. It is the best way to learn to shoot.

February 19, 2013, 11:58 PM	#11
TPAW Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2005 Posts: 2,860	Thank you all for your responses. Since I was with the original buyer when he bought it, and I know for a fact that he keeps all his hardware in excellent shape, a deal will be made.

February 20, 2013, 07:54 AM	#12
qwiksdraw Senior Member Join Date: May 23, 2012 Posts: 534	If I saw a good condition BT380 for that price, I would be all over it. My BT380 and BT22 would enjoy the company!

February 20, 2013, 08:55 AM	#14
Yung.gunr Senior Member Join Date: November 11, 2010 Location: Phoenix area Posts: 1,442	$200 sounds like a good price for a Thunder. Even though you may not get a warranty, I haven't heard of many issues with them. Good luck..

February 20, 2013, 09:53 AM	#15
TxFlyFish Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2011 Posts: 1,246	Slight derail but any one know when the combat versions are out

February 20, 2013, 07:02 PM	#18
certified106 Member Join Date: January 26, 2013 Posts: 51	If it's in good shape it sounds like a great deal! My wife and I both lover the .380 Thunder that we have. It has cycled everything I have fed it without a hiccup.

February 21, 2013, 12:20 AM	#19
TPAW Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2005 Posts: 2,860	Thanks for your support. Bought it and love it. Cycles everything I put in it. Truly is a poor mans Porsche.

February 21, 2013, 12:35 AM	#20
Sheriff Gotcha Senior Member Join Date: March 19, 2012 Location: The Keystone State Posts: 236	I just spent $700 bucks on a new gun last Friday and I am not looking to buy any guns for the rest of the year. If I were able to get a Bersa for $200 I'd be at my house right now without giving it a second thought. Even if you didn't want the gun at $200 bucks you could at the very least turn a profit reselling it down he road.

February 21, 2013, 01:52 AM	#21
michael t Senior Member Join Date: May 17, 2004 Location: Out back Ky Posts: 4,044	I paid that in 2003 for a new one. Grab it , As for warrenty I have never known the 2 main warrenty centers to ask proof you the orginal owner . Almost no one ever sends in the warrenty card . Come visit us at http://bersachat.com and become a member of the bersa family . Hats, shirts ,mags , holsters we can direct you to all . Even have a give away every month or so. __________________ Certified Armed Infidel Colt Defender ,Colt Mustang ,Dan Wesson CBOB, PPK/S, American Classic 1911,Bersa Thunder 380 http://bersachat.comHome of Bersa http://www.metroarms1911forum.com

February 21, 2013, 08:50 AM	#22
leadchucker Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 2011 Location: NC Posts: 252	For $200? That's a no-brainer. BUY IT! It's a poor man's Walther PPK. __________________ JOIN THE NRA!

February 21, 2013, 05:08 PM	#23
bonefamily Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2012 Location: central Ohio Posts: 304	The OP stated above that he did indeed buy it. Congrats on the Thunder, TPAW!! I'm sure you will continue to like it. __________________ Bryan

February 21, 2013, 05:38 PM	#24
weblance Senior Member Join Date: October 3, 2012 Posts: 1,229	Heres a tip... Find the magazines for the Bersa Thunder 380 DELUXE. Its a 9 round magazine and works in the 7 shot 380 Thunder perfectly.

February 21, 2013, 08:31 PM	#25
TPAW Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2005 Posts: 2,860	Thank you all for your support. Can't wait to get it to the range. Any recommendations for self defense ammo? And also some ammo just for plunking.