Anyone own a Firestorm? What is it?!

SpetznazCowboy · July 5, 2002, 03:53 AM

I've been looking for a small framed, decent caliber, handgun
for my roommate, who's 1911 Officer model is tearing up her
wrists. I've gotten advice ranging from Kahr 9mm's, S&W's,
and Makarovs.

However, I was flipping through an old Gun Buyer's Annual
Magazine (2001) and saw the FIRESTORM. A PPK-looking
hand gun in .380, 9mm, .40, and .45?! Crazy. It says that its
from SGS Importers, but who makes it?

I realize its cheap, (I know I've been ranting this line for
a while, but my roomy's safety is a concern) but is it safe
and reliable?

Blast · July 5, 2002, 03:59 AM

I believe they're made by Bersa. Look on the web, use Bersa firearms as keyword

Eric Larsen · July 5, 2002, 08:47 AM

Hey good question on bad marketing! The PPK looking gun is the little .380...thats it. They do make wonderful little 9/40, the MiniFS is about the same size as a smaller S&W auto or a CZ Compact....or Mid Sized 1911.
Bersa/Firestorm misleads alot of people with the pics you saw....
Although to two models/styles of gun mentioned above are very good guns...the 9/40 arent small little PPK copies....
Bersa is the manufacture and has made guns for a hell of a long time. The 380 has quickly gotten a great and earned rep. The FSM 9/40 is the same quality but has recieved alot less exposure.
Shoot well.....
P.S. Any of them would make a good carry gun.

D.W. Drang · July 5, 2002, 02:18 PM

How about the Firestorm 1911s? How are they? Are they really 1911s, or are they just "lookalikes"? (I.e. can you put 1911 parts on them...?) The ones I've handled were made in Spain, which may substantiate the (possibly wild) rumors I've heard that they are Llamas--which IIRC would mean that the parts are NOT 1911 compatible.
Still, at under $300, if they shoot well and reliably, one might not be a bad backup/"spare" piece...

Rocklobster · July 5, 2002, 02:28 PM

The rumors are not wild. Firestorms are made at the same factory, by the same folks, who make the equally junkos del fuego Llama.

the duck of death · July 5, 2002, 05:10 PM

Look at one of the Feg-9 its a copy of the BHP made in Hungary. There cheap and they work, mine has been 100%.

hksigwalther · July 5, 2002, 06:58 PM

The .380ACPs and 9mm/.40SW guns are Bersas. The .45ACPs are Llamas.

The .380 is Bersa's 80 series line of simple blowbacks. The 9/.40 is Bersa's Thunder9 (a compact version thereof) tilt locker. Th .45 is Llama's 1911-type.

The Mini9s I have have worked very well. I do, on occassion, do get bit by the hammer. The Thunder9 mags work in them. The general views of the .380s I have read have been on the plus side, an occassional negative. Have not heard much about the .45s.

Tropical Z · July 6, 2002, 03:51 PM

Go to the website below to find out the 1911 compatibility.
www.firestorm-sgs.com

D.W. Drang · July 8, 2002, 11:42 AM

Tropical Z
Thanks for the link! I had looked at the site before, but hadn't noticed the "Colt 1911 Compatibility" page--or maybe I didn't really look at the site. Or maybe it's new, just for me.

Hmmm, wonder if I start asking about winning lottery tickets...?

July 5, 2002, 03:53 AM	#1
SpetznazCowboy Junior Member Join Date: June 4, 2002 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 5	Anyone own a Firestorm? What is it?! I've been looking for a small framed, decent caliber, handgun for my roommate, who's 1911 Officer model is tearing up her wrists. I've gotten advice ranging from Kahr 9mm's, S&W's, and Makarovs. However, I was flipping through an old Gun Buyer's Annual Magazine (2001) and saw the FIRESTORM. A PPK-looking hand gun in .380, 9mm, .40, and .45?! Crazy. It says that its from SGS Importers, but who makes it? I realize its cheap, (I know I've been ranting this line for a while, but my roomy's safety is a concern) but is it safe and reliable?

July 5, 2002, 03:59 AM	#2
Blast Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2002 Location: NorthernKY Posts: 142	I believe they're made by Bersa. Look on the web, use Bersa firearms as keyword

July 5, 2002, 08:47 AM	#3
Eric Larsen Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2001 Location: Bountiful....Ut. Posts: 3,226	Hey good question on bad marketing! The PPK looking gun is the little .380...thats it. They do make wonderful little 9/40, the MiniFS is about the same size as a smaller S&W auto or a CZ Compact....or Mid Sized 1911. Bersa/Firestorm misleads alot of people with the pics you saw.... Although to two models/styles of gun mentioned above are very good guns...the 9/40 arent small little PPK copies.... Bersa is the manufacture and has made guns for a hell of a long time. The 380 has quickly gotten a great and earned rep. The FSM 9/40 is the same quality but has recieved alot less exposure. Shoot well..... P.S. Any of them would make a good carry gun.

July 5, 2002, 02:18 PM	#4
D.W. Drang Senior Member Join Date: December 25, 2001 Location: The Deepest Pacific NorthWet Posts: 590	How about the Firestorm 1911s? How are they? Are they really 1911s, or are they just "lookalikes"? (I.e. can you put 1911 parts on them...?) The ones I've handled were made in Spain, which may substantiate the (possibly wild) rumors I've heard that they are Llamas--which IIRC would mean that the parts are NOT 1911 compatible. Still, at under $300, if they shoot well and reliably, one might not be a bad backup/"spare" piece...

July 5, 2002, 02:28 PM	#5
Rocklobster Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 2001 Location: Georgia Posts: 188	The rumors are not wild. Firestorms are made at the same factory, by the same folks, who make the equally junkos del fuego Llama.

July 5, 2002, 05:10 PM	#6
the duck of death Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2002 Posts: 299	Look at one of the Feg-9 its a copy of the BHP made in Hungary. There cheap and they work, mine has been 100%.

July 5, 2002, 06:58 PM	#7
hksigwalther Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 1998 Location: NE OH, USA Posts: 3,198	The .380ACPs and 9mm/.40SW guns are Bersas. The .45ACPs are Llamas. The .380 is Bersa's 80 series line of simple blowbacks. The 9/.40 is Bersa's Thunder9 (a compact version thereof) tilt locker. Th .45 is Llama's 1911-type. The Mini9s I have have worked very well. I do, on occassion, do get bit by the hammer. The Thunder9 mags work in them. The general views of the .380s I have read have been on the plus side, an occassional negative. Have not heard much about the .45s.

July 6, 2002, 03:51 PM	#8
Tropical Z Senior Member Join Date: September 7, 2000 Location: Atlantis Posts: 1,683	Go to the website below to find out the 1911 compatibility. www.firestorm-sgs.com

July 8, 2002, 11:42 AM	#9
D.W. Drang Senior Member Join Date: December 25, 2001 Location: The Deepest Pacific NorthWet Posts: 590	Tropical Z Thanks for the link! I had looked at the site before, but hadn't noticed the "Colt 1911 Compatibility" page--or maybe I didn't really look at the site. Or maybe it's new, just for me. Hmmm, wonder if I start asking about winning lottery tickets...?