Bersa .380 little review for a little gun

[phorvick]

I never thought that I would become a .380 fan, but they are so cute they grow on you. I started with the Kel-Tec P3AT, and later added the Bersa Firestorm .380, another single stack model made in Argentina. (I subsequently added the Walther PPK/S and the CZ83). To say that I am pleased with the Bersa is a rather big understatement. It has proven to be 100% reliable, inexpensive to purchase, a pleasure to shoot and more than decently accurate.

The factory rubberized grip cushions any felt recoil so that it is easy to shoot even for the most novice of shooters. Actually, in my classes of new shooters, this often is the gun of choice for many of the participants. Frankly, they can master the features and "look good" while having safe fun.

(Note the Bersa Thunder series is essentially the same gun...slightly different trigger guard and sights). The specs are:

OVERALL LENGTH: 6 5/8"
HEIGHT: 4 3/4"
WIDTH: 1 7/16"
BARREL LENGTH: 3 1/2"
WEIGHT: 23 oz
SIGHTS: 3 Dot Combat
SAFETIES: ILS, Magazine, Manual, Firing Pin
FINISH: Matte, Duo-tone
GRIPS: Rubber Grips

It has a 7 round single stack magazine, fairly stout DA trigger pull, and about 5# on the SA mode. Large 3 dot sights are easily acquired and make you a good shooter nearly right away. I am not a fan of the ILS or the mag-disconnect, but the cost, the reliability, accuracy all are mitigating factors. I liked it so much I got the Bersa 9mm also. Like CZ's, they are a terrific bang for the buck. The gun is large enough that it is not uber concealable like the P3AT, but the shootability factor balances that equation nicely. Comes apart easily for cleaning...just a very nice bang-for-the-buck.

Here is a picture of some .380 models. Clockwise from 12pm is the P3AT, the PPK/S, the Bersa and then the CZ83.


Highly recommended for the cost conscious, the recoil averse and those looking for value.

[Fast351]

I have a Bersa .380 myself. I love it. Great gun for the money. It's accurate because the barrel is tied to the frame (blowback gun).

I wish .380 ammo cost the same as 9mm. I would shoot it a lot more.

[David]

I love .380s! My SIG P230SL is a real joy to shoot, and I like my HK4, assuming the hammer doesn't bite the web of my hand every time it fires. I have to be really careful with that one. It sucks that .380 is so expensive compared to, say, 9MM. You'd think because it's smaller it would be cheaper, but I suppose it's about volume.

My brother has a .380 Bersa, and when we took it shooting the other day, it jammed once or twice per magazine. Yours seems to function better for you. What ammo do you shoot through it?

[phorvick]

My brother has a .380 Bersa, and when we took it shooting the other day, it jammed once or twice per magazine. Yours seems to function better for you. What ammo do you shoot through it?

Just the basic Wal-Mart/Winchester 100 round value pack

[Fast351]

My brother has a .380 Bersa, and when we took it shooting the other day, it jammed once or twice per magazine. Yours seems to function better for you. What ammo do you shoot through it?

Remington UMC 250 yellow bulk pack.

Not a single malfunction, in probably 500 rounds.

[hoyt33]

My Thunder 380 only jams after I clean it.... I've stopped doing that now and it works great.

[David]

Ah! Here's my brother right above me. So, you've shot it since we went out last time then? Or was that the only time it's jammed on you?

[justaguy]

+1

[JohninMinnesota]

Thanks for the review Paul - I have a friend with a Bersa .380 and it shot very high. I shot it when I had just purchased my first handgun (a Sig 229 .40) and I was a bit baffled about how/why it would shoot high like that. At 21 feet, you would have to aim about 5 - 6 inches below the target. Maybe it came from the factory sighted in at 200 yards? Anyway, it has fixed sights so I couldnt recommend anything but a bench vise and a very large pipe to bend the barrel down some. He decided to wait...

Has anyone else heard of a gun shooting this far off? Is there an alternate set of sights or something (like my Sig Mosquito)?

[yukonjasper]

I've just picked up a Bersa Thunder this last weekend. I am looking forward to putting some rounds through it. I'm glad to see an enthusiastic support group.

Does anyone have some recommendations on IWB holsters with extra mag capabilty?

[Magnum Mikie]

My brother has a .380 Bersa, and when we took it shooting the other day, it jammed once or twice per magazine. Yours seems to function better for you. What ammo do you shoot through it?

Just the basic Wal-Mart/Winchester 100 round value pack

Hi Paul,
Just curious if you ever carry your CZ-83. If so, what kind of holster do you use?

[chunkstyle]

My brother has a .380 Bersa, and when we took it shooting the other day, it jammed once or twice per magazine. Yours seems to function better for you. What ammo do you shoot through it?

Just the basic Wal-Mart/Winchester 100 round value pack

Hi Paul,
Just curious if you ever carry your CZ-83. If so, what kind of holster do you use?

I use a left-handed Falco belt holster.

http://www.falco.sk/eng/e-obchod/1-gun- ... -holsters/

[BuckKlier]

Check out this chat room for Bersas!

http://www.bersachat.com/

[gearguy10]

I picked up a Bersa Thunder CC a couple years back and love the little buggar. I'd shoot it more if the cost of ammo was less. I think it is an exceptional gun for the price. Great gun for under $300.

[thunderoussilence]

I have the .380 thunder plus +14 no issues other than price of ammo and price of mags 44.00 a pop was gonna be my edc but I fell in love with my g23 my bug is a s&w 442 holsters from Erik.