Bersa 380 Thunder

[jon45xdtac]

I'm considering getting a Bersa 380 Thunder for CCW. Does anyone have experience shooting this gun? My local Gander Mountain has one for $320, which would be quite reasonable for a very concealable pistol. The model at Gander is just like the picture, except all black without the bitone pins, etc. Feels very comfortable in my hands.

[XDConvert9mm]

Originally Posted by jon45xdtac

I'm considering getting a Bersa 380 Thunder for CCW. Does anyone have experience shooting this gun? My local Gander Mountain has one for $320, which would be quite reasonable for a very concealable pistol. The model at Gander is just like the picture, except all black without the bitone pins, etc. Feels very comfortable in my hands.

I have this in nickle finish for a pocket gun and I have loved it. I've got about 500 rounds through it factory ammo and not one issue. The price in GA for this model you described is $279. I'm not sure if there's a regional difference or not. For my hand I found that I needed to change the grips to something a little wider and better contoured after shooting it with factory grips. This cost about $50 and I was good to go. There's a thread about these grips on this board. I'll try to find it and edit.

It works well for me out to about 15 yards, a little dicey on aim after that. That of course could be me and not the Bersa. That distance is all I'm looking for from a gun like this.

Edit: The thread is: Bersa 380 Thunder Grips

I used this source to get walnut grips and all was well. Please disregard if it fits your hand fine as is. Good luck!

[jon45xdtac]

Thanks for the feedback. This gun seems like you get a pretty good bang for the buck. There are other guns in a simular price range that are pure junk. The action of the Bersa seems smooth and tight. I got a feeling I'll be making a purchase sometime soon.

[XDConvert9mm]

Originally Posted by jon45xdtac

Thanks for the feedback. This gun seems like you get a pretty good bang for the buck. There are other guns in a simular price range that are pure junk. The action of the Bersa seems smooth and tight. I got a feeling I'll be making a purchase sometime soon.

No problem man. Once you get the urge it usually works out that way! I use a DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster for mine and it never gets printed.

[jon45xdtac]

Quick ammo question. I've been trying to price out .380 ACP ammo and haven't had any luck finding it in a retail store. Maybe I've just missed it, but I didn't see it at Walmart or Gander. How much for say 100 rounds of WWB?

[Son of Norway]

I was considering the Bersa until I saw this:

The Ruger LCP - Lightweight Compact Pistol

About the same price, more compact, looks good. Me likey.

[jon45xdtac]

I've also been drooling over the LPC. It would be more concealable, but I'm not sure how it would feel, being so small. Kel-Tec's backup gun is uncomfortably small for me.

[Elton]

heres a good place to get some ammo 380 AUTO : Ammunition To Go

[lobster_roboto]

I have one...

Well the DLX model...
Which comes with a 9 round extended magazine and 3 dot sites as opposed to the uh... white U on the rear site and the dot on the front site.
It also has the hard polymer grips and not the sweet rubberized ones.

I picked up the DLX model at a gunshop down here for 289
My girlfriend got hers for 269 at academy (not the DLX model)


I love it.

Easy to shoot. comfortable. Affordable.

[Cupsz71]

I bought the BERSA T380 for the wifey for $285, and she luv's it. I was using it as my CCW for about 2 months in the Desanti Pocket Holster with NP. She plans to use it to be her CCW later this spring.
I briefly scanned the reply posts to your original query and most have the same impressions & suggestions I would make, but I'll add a few from my personal experiences with the T380........

1. .380 Auto is $29.45 in WWB per 100
2. the gun itself can be a challenge to field strip & re-assemble due to the VERY stiff guide spring & it only goes back on one way! It takes some patience and once you get the "feel" for how it re-assembles..NP
3. I found that after about 65-80 rounds the recoil will make the web of your hand numb - then sore. The BERSA has a surprising "kick" straight back into your hand.
4. the gun get's dirty FAST! (most likely an ammo issue) I clean after EVERY trip to the range.
5. As mentioned by XDConvert9mm....out past 15yrds....accuracy starts to wander......
6. there has been "issues" with the safety decocker on some T380's being incredibly stiff and hard to activate/deactivate (wife's was one)..oil & "work'n it" it will loosen up.
7. MAGS!! HARD TO FIND. I've had one on backorder from BERSA thru my FFL dealer since Dec. 07' (I did find one thru surf'n...but that site is now sold out)
8. VERY prone to feed jams if you happen to limp-wrist it. (wifey issue)

I know it's starting to look like there's alot of "problems" with the BERSA, but overall, I/wife like the little gun. We tried out 3 other pistols in .380 (SIG232 - WALTHER PPK - BERETTA 84FS) including another BERSA...and she picked the BERSA hands down over the rest, in terms of look/feel & price.

And besides it all comes down to what you're looking for in a CCW.

Myself...I upgraded to an XD9sc, but I have NP with the wife wanting or using BERSA for her own personal defense CCW, and feel the T380 will be with my family for a long time.

PICS of the wife's & our "Family" :




If you want some detailed info:
Bersa Thunder 380 Chapterhouse