Author Topic: Bersa Thunder, Bersa Firestorm...are they worth a darn? (Read 2497 times)

Blackhawker · « **on:** July 08, 2010, 09:37:21 AM »

I've thought about getting a small auto pistol or revolver for some time but don't want to spend $700 or even $450 on one. I keep seeing these Bersa Thunder pistols at a very reasonable price and I've heard some good things about them. Does have any opinions on them?
I was at a gun shop the other day and came across a Bersa Firestorm. It looks just the same as the Thunder. Does
anyone know what the difference is between the Thunder model and the Firestorm model? Secondly, does anyone know if they are made in 9mm vs. the .380?

Lastly, am I barking up the wrong tree here?

Should I just stay with a standard .38 or .32 revolver?

bearmgc · « **Reply #1 on:** July 08, 2010, 12:07:55 PM »

Bersa is a very decent, reliable gun. I have the Mini 40, bought it used for $235, and have put hundreds of rounds through it without a hitch. Very reliable.

Bigeasy · « **Reply #2 on:** July 08, 2010, 12:29:22 PM »

I never owned a Bersa, but did shoot one years ago. They do seem to have a good reputation among those who use them. The one I shot was a target .22. If you want something very concealable, the Ruger LCP is a good gun at a fair price. Mine has gone thru about 250 rounds without issue, ball and HP.

Larry

Brett · « **Reply #3 on:** July 08, 2010, 12:29:43 PM »

I have never really heard anything bad about Bursas except that their .380s are a little heavy and large for the caliber. However some see this as a plus as it reduces perceived recoil. They do make the Firestorm in 9mm, .40S&W and .45ACP as well. I could not tell you how the Thunder and Firestorm models differ.

Another good option is the Kel-Tec Pf9. Another reasonably priced, very compact 9mm also with a good reputation.

Blackhawker · « **Reply #4 on:** July 08, 2010, 12:49:42 PM »

Hey guys, thanks for the info thus far.
To add to my preferences....and you'll see why I'm interested in the Bersa.....I kinda like external hammers. I know this isn't a good thing for concealed carry but I'm thinking about the gun for its functionality as well as looks. Since I'm more familiar with the 1911 style autos (the only large caliber auto I have as a matter of fact) and I'd kinda like to stay with the external hammer. The only other guns similar to this that I have seen are Walther, Baretta, and Browning, all of which cost a pretty penny.

Thanks again,
Chris

Curtis · « **Reply #5 on:** July 08, 2010, 01:21:53 PM »

Quote

Since I'm more familiar with the 1911 style autos (the only large caliber auto I have as a matter of fact) and I'd kinda like to stay with the external hammer.

Well, the external hammer is the only similarity I see between the two. I have a Bursa Thunder 380 and a Springfield 1911. The Bursa is double action. It also cannot be carried cocked and locked, as the safety also drops the hammer (scares me every time). As mentioned, the Bursa 380 is a bit large and heavy for caliber. By my way of thinking, if I'm going to carry that large a firearm I'd like a larger round to go with it. Otherwise for 380 I'd consider the LCP or P3AT.

All in all I like my 1911 and my Smith M&P 40 compact much better than my Bursa. I like the same trigger pull on each shot.

Curtis

Brett · « **Reply #6 on:** July 08, 2010, 02:57:29 PM »

If you are familiar with and like the 1911 you aught to take a look at the Sig P238. It is asentially a 5.5" long by 4" tall clone of a 1911.

Old Griz · « **Reply #7 on:** July 08, 2010, 09:56:18 PM »

Quote from: Brett on July 08, 2010, 02:57:29 PM

If you are familiar with and like the 1911 you aught to take a look at the Sig P238. It is asentially a 5.5" long by 4" tall clone of a 1911.

They're such a good clone that you can use Colt Mustang mags!

I have heard nothing but good about the Bersa. However, the Bersa is not a pocket pistol. If you want a good fun gun for not-too-much money, look on Gunbroker for a S&W Model 10 or 15. Used .38 Specials don't cost that much and ammo is cheaper than than the .380 stuff. I picked up a 10-5 locally for $200 and it is probably the most accurate gun I own. It is truly amazing. The best buy I ever made.

Blackhawker · « **Reply #8 on:** July 09, 2010, 05:38:16 AM »

Curtis,
Yup, I know the Thunder is DA....trigger pull and action is totally different from a 1911 or any SA. DA or SA, I guess I just like to cock and de-cock my guns myself. I, like you, cringe when I see a gun de-cocked with the safety like the Bersa or by other means. I guess I feel like I have more control over a gun if I can operate the hammer manually, but that's just me I guess.

Brett, the Sig looks great but I'm sure it has a price tag three to four times that of the Bersa unfortunately.

To the rest, I guess I'm not really looking for this pistol to be a conceal carry....I'm just looking for a small pistol to "play" with. Old Griz has the same idea I've tossed around about this....that is, the 38 special revolver. I guess I'll keep looking around the "used" shelves and see what I can find before I make any definite decisions.

Curtis · « **Reply #9 on:** July 09, 2010, 12:48:19 PM »

BH, I hear you. I bought the Bursa as part of a multi-gun deal to help out a widow friend of mine. If 380 ammo had been more readily available for the last couple of years that I owned it I may have had a chance to warm up to it. As it is, The Bursa and I just haven't bonded. I have components now, but not much time to get in the reloading room. If it ain't one thing, it's another.

Curtis

Brett · « **Reply #10 on:** July 09, 2010, 05:48:31 PM »

I could have picked up a NIB Sig P238 for $475 a couple of months back but I am no fan of the .380.

highwayman · « **Reply #11 on:** July 09, 2010, 07:31:12 PM »

ok i got to say it. i have a bursa thunder that jams alot. it went back to service and it will still jam. i can shot a couple of clips and then it will start jamming no matter the ammo i use and it's not the easiest thing to clear. mine is the only one i heard doing this.

williamlayton · « **Reply #12 on:** July 10, 2010, 03:02:32 AM »

My take.
I have owned and carried a PPK for 40 years. It has always functioned flawlessly with ball ammo--but--it took about a zillion--well-maybe only about 700/1000 rounds--for it too feed a HP.
Now that was in the day before a lot of competent Smiths--or maybe, before I knew about them.
Anywho, for the amount of time & $ I spent on ammo I could have had it fixed.
I was young then--maybe about most of you folks age. I am older now and I don't find the PPK in the rotation as much as it used to be. I think this can be transferrred too the Bersa. Just too small and not as much fun to shoot.
The Sig 239 that I have is another story- It is a great piece and in .357Sig is a delight too shoot.
Don't disregard the value of a Smith to be able to provide a service that can make a weapon servicable and fun too shoot.
Any--well, almost any--weapon can be tweaked.
I have never owned a Bersa--always looked like the PPK that I already owned.
Blessings

kctibs · « **Reply #13 on:** July 10, 2010, 04:11:00 AM »

The wife shoots a Bersa Thunder 9mm. She loves it and no problems. She like the external hammer and ambi safety.

Blackhawker · « **Reply #14 on:** July 10, 2010, 12:25:05 PM »

It's good to hear varying opinions and stories about different fireamrs. That's what makes this such a great and valuable web site!
Anyway, I guess I've decided to hold off and take a look around at other options. Although I've heard some good stuff about the Bersas, I've also been personally warned by a few (including a very knowlegable friend) to stay clear. I guess sometimes you take your friend's words for granted. The friend I'm speaking of, ironically, is around guns quite a bit and sees all kinds of stuff come his way. I guess his word is always best for me....and always has been thus far. Well, to make a long story short, I was shopping around a gun store today and the salesperson kinda gave me the same advice as was given by my friend. This store has a range and they see a lot of stuff come and go. He told me that they see a lot of the Thunder's that either shoot well or they are basically "throw aways". He said it's hit or miss and a LOT of them are "miss".....meaning the throw away type.

While I was at the store I came across a very nice, nearly new S&W Model 10. Although it was nice, it was a little pricey at $359.00. In any case, after shopping around a little, I'll pass on the Thunder. I really like it because it looks like a PPK and has a lot of nice options (not to mention the price), but I think I'll take many's advice and search for a better quality piece.

Thanks to all for your input......and keep it coming. It's good for all to see. Again, that's what makes this a great source...hearingall your personal stories etc.

Chris

NickSS · « **Reply #15 on:** July 11, 2010, 02:42:42 AM »

I have a Bersa Thunderer 380 for several years now and love it. It is about the same size as a Walther PPK and feals about the same too but it has one thing the PPK I had does not have and that is a flawless operating history with everything I have put through it. It is also a fairly accurate pistol as well. At 25 Yards I have no problem putting all my shots into the 10 ring of a slow fire pistol target. It is what used to be called a pocket pistol before the came out with the micro 380s made of plastic with a DA only trigger that usually goes off at 6 to 8 pounds. I tried a Kel Teck several years ago and it was fine at 10 feet but at 25 yards it was not so good. They have their place but for a pistol I mostly shoot at the range I want to be able to hit something with it further away. As for CCW I carry either a 2 inch 357 Mag or my Taurus PT145 Millennium Pro in 45 ACP. Personally if I have to defend myself I want to make a real impression on the target.

williamlayton · « **Reply #16 on:** July 11, 2010, 04:23:36 AM »

Nick
If you shoot a .357 you are relying on speed.
If you shoot a .45 you are relying on mass.
You loose a lot in a 2 inch barrel if you are relying on speed.
A .357 mag is really nothing more than a .38/9mm/9x23 with more powder.
A .38 super can outspeed a .357--a 9x23 is greater still.
I can hide a Sig p220 in .45 in more places than you can that snubby.
I am not saying that you should not carry it. I am saying that you should think about things from more angles than the pocket.
Blessings

wganz · « **Reply #17 on:** July 11, 2010, 04:48:37 AM »

The .380's are G2G. Was talking to the local gunsmith about them, he said they had none returned for repair in the past ~20 years that they had been selling them. I'm still tempted to get one.

Now on their other models, you may want to price out the cost of extra mags to get a total package price for a pistol + magazines. The extra mags are $54/each and getting 6 extra mags could push the total package price to the same as a VG condition consignment GLOCK with the same # of mags.

tc scout · « **Reply #18 on:** July 12, 2010, 02:37:01 AM »

I owned a 380 Thunder for awhile, really didn't have any problems with it.
I did think that for a heavy frame 380, recoil was quite sharp compared to a Kel Tec or LCP.
Would have thought the Thunder would be considerably less with its weight and longer barrel.

Then I got to thinking about the effectiveness of the 380 cal. for self defense.
Sold it and bought a 638 with laser grips, maybe not better, but shoots great and I feel it has more defense capabilities.
JMHO

bearmgc · « **Reply #19 on:** July 12, 2010, 06:17:01 AM »

If you are looking at other options, look at a used XD9SC or XD40SC. I had the 9 but traded it like a dumb*ss, and currently have the XD40SC and love it.