My buddy asked...

abber · October 12, 2012, 11:49 AM

Hey guys, not trying to start a squabble here, but wanted some objective opinions. Personal experiences preferred....

That said, is Bersa any good? I have never so much as handled one, let alone shot or maintained one. My friend was given a recommendation by a local dealer, and wants my opinion. I can't give him an informed opinion, but you guys can. He wants a pistol for his wife, and was told the Bersa 380 would be a good choice.

My first thought was that an LC9 would be a better choice, at least caliber-wise. Anyway, as a broader question, what would you be the most likely to trust your life to in a compact, semiauto, small caliber, low priced, ladies gun? I use the term in reverence to all....Please don't barbecue me....

bspillman · October 12, 2012, 11:56 AM

Bersa is probably the best kept secret in handguns imho. I have a thunder 380 model that has thousands of rounds through it. the only problem I have ever had was a mag spring wore out on me. I called bersa they sent me a new spring and extra mag. All I had to pay was shipping.

RBid · October 12, 2012, 12:16 PM

All manufacturers occasionally have bad samples. In general, the Bersa Thunder 380 is a great choice for someone with small hands, or for anyone who wants a .380, for that matter.

Big plus:
DA/SA trigger, as opposed to DAO (LCP, P380, etc). Simply put, SA is better for actually hitting, once you have to use the thing.

If your buddy and his lady had wandered into the store I work at, I'd have probably made the same suggestion.

pilpens · October 12, 2012, 12:45 PM

Depends on the wife.
Bersa maybe a good pistol. Specific gun feature may or may not fit the user.
For instance, if the wife does not plan to shoot often, then it may be better to get a straight DAO pistol with less external controls than a DA/SA with safety/decocker. In this case, simpler is better.
Really need to know more about how the gun will be used to find the best fit for the user.
Keep in mind proper trigger reach and that SA/DA is almost always a compromise when it comes to trigger reach.
===
Also, 9mm is cheaper than 380.
===
I like the Kahr for CC. My GF likes it a lot - she has a used Kahr K9.

hoytinak · October 12, 2012, 12:49 PM

I've owned a Bersa Thunder for years and have never had a problem with it. IMO Bersa's are very under-rated. I trust mine so much, it's on permant "loan" to my sister....if I didn't trust it, she wouldn't have it.

I've got a buddy who recently bought Bersas newer 9mm, between us we've put 1000rds through it so far and I was impressed with it as well.

That said: I now carry a LC9 as my CCW only a cause I cut my handguns calibers down to strictly .22lr & 9mm....but I carried that thunder for years before that.

CWKahrFan · October 12, 2012, 01:04 PM

A fair number of Argentine military and police agencies are equipped with Bersas... That says a lot.

TheSmilingSwordsman · October 12, 2012, 03:46 PM

The Bersa Thunder 380 is my wife's CCW. It fits her hand, she shoots it well and it has been rock solid reliable from day one. If I didn't trust it, my wife wouldn't carry it.

aarondhgraham · October 12, 2012, 04:12 PM

I am very pleased with mine,,,
It performs well with any ammo I feed her.

I've had it almost two years now,,,
Haven't had any problems with it yet.

Consider the Thunder 22 as well,,,
It's a great low cost trainer for the .380.

I recommend the Bersa's without reservation.

Aarond

.

schnarrgj · October 12, 2012, 05:04 PM

Have 2 Bersa thunder 380s, the 9mmUC and the 45UC. Right now my wife is carrying her 380 and I have mine on my hip. With the 380s, we have a few thousand rounds through each of them. The only problems were my wife limp wristing it at first. She has a lot of rounds downrange since with no issues at all. With mine, some idiot (me) adjusted the rear sight and didn't tighten the screw. After the rear sight blade fell off, I called the warrentee center told them what I did and 4 days later had a new rear sight at NO cost.

Both the 9 and the 45 have been flawless. So what is no to like.

Skadoosh · October 12, 2012, 05:15 PM

The two that I had were junk. Both pistols (Thunders) broke with less than 1,000 rounds through them...the hammer broke on one and the trigger on the other. When the parts were examined, the parts looked to be made of pot metal. I will never own another. Not a gun to be trusted to last.

Pahoo · October 12, 2012, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Consider the Thunder 22 as well,,,
It's a great low cost trainer for the .380.

Good call on that and after she steps up to the .380 and it's likely that she decides to come back to the .22, not one thing wrong with that. ....

I started my wife on the .22 and she refuses to put it back in the safe. Might add that she can shoot it better than I can shoot the .380. .....

Be Safe !!!

Pukindog12 · October 12, 2012, 06:51 PM

My cold weather EDC is a Bersa Thunder 9UC Pro. I trust it implicitly.

I'm looking for another or a Bersa Thunder 9HC Pro. Bersa makes great guns.

October 12, 2012, 11:49 AM	#1
abber Senior Member Join Date: January 15, 2008 Location: PRK Posts: 735	My buddy asked... Hey guys, not trying to start a squabble here, but wanted some objective opinions. Personal experiences preferred.... That said, is Bersa any good? I have never so much as handled one, let alone shot or maintained one. My friend was given a recommendation by a local dealer, and wants my opinion. I can't give him an informed opinion, but you guys can. He wants a pistol for his wife, and was told the Bersa 380 would be a good choice. My first thought was that an LC9 would be a better choice, at least caliber-wise. Anyway, as a broader question, what would you be the most likely to trust your life to in a compact, semiauto, small caliber, low priced, ladies gun? I use the term in reverence to all....Please don't barbecue me.... __________________ I ain't got no safe queens. I shoots em all...

October 12, 2012, 12:16 PM	#3
RBid Senior Member Join Date: March 10, 2012 Posts: 1,059	All manufacturers occasionally have bad samples. In general, the Bersa Thunder 380 is a great choice for someone with small hands, or for anyone who wants a .380, for that matter. Big plus: DA/SA trigger, as opposed to DAO (LCP, P380, etc). Simply put, SA is better for actually hitting, once you have to use the thing. If your buddy and his lady had wandered into the store I work at, I'd have probably made the same suggestion. __________________ Currently Own: Beretta PX4 9mm, Glock 23 (Gen 4), Glock 19 (Gen 4) x2

October 12, 2012, 01:04 PM	#6
CWKahrFan Senior Member Join Date: November 3, 2010 Posts: 2,016	A fair number of Argentine military and police agencies are equipped with Bersas... That says a lot. __________________ What did Mrs. Bullet say to Mr. Bullet? ... "We're having a BeeBee!"... IF THE SHOE FITS, WEAR IT!... IF THE GUN FITS, SHOOT IT! "Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it."

October 12, 2012, 04:12 PM	#8
aarondhgraham Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2009 Location: Stillwater, OKlahoma Posts: 8,638	I am very pleased with mine,,, I am very pleased with mine,,, It performs well with any ammo I feed her. I've had it almost two years now,,, Haven't had any problems with it yet. Consider the Thunder 22 as well,,, It's a great low cost trainer for the .380. I recommend the Bersa's without reservation. Aarond . __________________ Never ever give an enemy the advantage of a verbal threat. Caje: The coward dies a thousand times, the brave only once. Kirby: That's about all it takes, ain't it? Aarond is good,,, Aarond is wise,,, Always trust Aarond! (most of the time)

October 12, 2012, 05:04 PM	#9
schnarrgj Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2001 Location: St Louis, Missouri Posts: 167	Have 2 Bersa thunder 380s, the 9mmUC and the 45UC. Right now my wife is carrying her 380 and I have mine on my hip. With the 380s, we have a few thousand rounds through each of them. The only problems were my wife limp wristing it at first. She has a lot of rounds downrange since with no issues at all. With mine, some idiot (me) adjusted the rear sight and didn't tighten the screw. After the rear sight blade fell off, I called the warrentee center told them what I did and 4 days later had a new rear sight at NO cost. Both the 9 and the 45 have been flawless. So what is no to like. __________________ Once I was young and stupid. Now that I am no longer young-------

October 12, 2012, 11:56 AM	#2
bspillman Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2011 Posts: 559	Bersa is probably the best kept secret in handguns imho. I have a thunder 380 model that has thousands of rounds through it. the only problem I have ever had was a mag spring wore out on me. I called bersa they sent me a new spring and extra mag. All I had to pay was shipping.

October 12, 2012, 12:45 PM	#4
pilpens Senior Member Join Date: April 24, 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,696	Depends on the wife. Bersa maybe a good pistol. Specific gun feature may or may not fit the user. For instance, if the wife does not plan to shoot often, then it may be better to get a straight DAO pistol with less external controls than a DA/SA with safety/decocker. In this case, simpler is better. Really need to know more about how the gun will be used to find the best fit for the user. Keep in mind proper trigger reach and that SA/DA is almost always a compromise when it comes to trigger reach. === Also, 9mm is cheaper than 380. === I like the Kahr for CC. My GF likes it a lot - she has a used Kahr K9.

October 12, 2012, 12:49 PM	#5
hoytinak Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 5,721	I've owned a Bersa Thunder for years and have never had a problem with it. IMO Bersa's are very under-rated. I trust mine so much, it's on permant "loan" to my sister....if I didn't trust it, she wouldn't have it. I've got a buddy who recently bought Bersas newer 9mm, between us we've put 1000rds through it so far and I was impressed with it as well. That said: I now carry a LC9 as my CCW only a cause I cut my handguns calibers down to strictly .22lr & 9mm....but I carried that thunder for years before that.

October 12, 2012, 03:46 PM	#7
TheSmilingSwordsman Member Join Date: February 28, 2012 Posts: 37	The Bersa Thunder 380 is my wife's CCW. It fits her hand, she shoots it well and it has been rock solid reliable from day one. If I didn't trust it, my wife wouldn't carry it.

October 12, 2012, 05:15 PM	#10
Skadoosh Senior Member Join Date: December 13, 2010 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 2,016	The two that I had were junk. Both pistols (Thunders) broke with less than 1,000 rounds through them...the hammer broke on one and the trigger on the other. When the parts were examined, the parts looked to be made of pot metal. I will never own another. Not a gun to be trusted to last. __________________ NRA Life Member USN Retired

October 12, 2012, 06:51 PM	#12
Pukindog12 Senior Member Join Date: February 3, 2011 Posts: 208	My cold weather EDC is a Bersa Thunder 9UC Pro. I trust it implicitly. I'm looking for another or a Bersa Thunder 9HC Pro. Bersa makes great guns.