:: Bersa Talk ::

http://bersatalk.com/forums/thread/81257.aspx

UTvol:

I have about 400 rounds through my thunder 45uc and have been having the same problem since it was new.  Sometimes when shooting the slide will get stuck back between shots.  It acts like the magazine is empty but its not.  usually it only does this once or twice every 50 shots but yesterday it did it about 10 times in 50 shots.  Sometimes it will get stuck back if I have a full magazine and manually rack the slide.   I was thinking it could be the recoil spring because it feels very very weak.  Even when the gun does function correctly, the slide movement is really slow, definitely slower than any gun i've ever shot.  Would a stiffer spring fix my problem or is it something else? Thanks.

That's the start of a thread in Tech Talk that sounds a lot like the trouble I've been having with my new BT45UC. "Slow cycling" seems like a very accurate discription of the trouble I've had. Sometimes the slide just locks back as if the mag is empty when it's not. Other times the slide stays back momentarily and then closes, chambering the next round. I've put about 400 rounds through it and it's been slowly getting better. The last time I was there I talked about the problem with the guy who runs the range and he told me the ammo I've been using, WWB and UMC, are under powered, and I should try Mag Tech or Blazer. So I bought a couple boxes from him and went back to the range today.

I still had 50 rounds of UMC left, so I finished it up, with no lockbacks, which is an improvement over previous trips, because that's the first time I've made it through 50 rounds without at least one. There was only one incident of slow cyclying. Then I started on the Blazer and I could tell the difference on the very first shot. A lot more bang, and no slow cycling. Then the Mag Tech, which was also an improvement, with no lockbacks and no slow cycling. Hooray!

So I guess part of my problem has been ammo related. No more WWB or UMC for me. Mag Tech and Blazer from now on. Now I have to start checking out a carry ammo.   

Because of the slow cycling, I started using a product called Gunslick, which is anhydrous graphite, on the frame and slide rails, to facilitate as smooth cycling as possible. It seems to have helped. But more than anything else, I think the change of ammo has been the biggest factor. That and the fact that I've put about 600 rounds through the gun, now, which should be enough for break-in.

One thing that surprised me was that there does seem to be a break-in associated with the gun. My 9UC didn't seem to need one, because I never had a problem with it, ever, to this day.

I'd like to hear how your gun is after it gets back from the smith.  

I'm still looking for a reliable SD ammo for my 45UC. I've been unable to locate any Cor Bon DPX either online or locally.

Yesterday I went to the range and test fired a box of Remington Goldern Saber 185 grn +P ammo.  Out of 25 rounds I had 4 failures, 2 of which were FTEs.

This is +P ammo, and there's noticeably more flash and recoil. Being underpowered is definitely not the problem. But my gun doesn't like it.   

Just as a test I ran some Magtech Guardian Gold (185 gr +P) through mine and didn't have any problems.  I haven't seen any testing reports so can't speak to expansion etc. I will say that it was more accurate than Remington UMC FMJ.

Natchez has the Guardian Gold on sale right now for $13.99

http://www.natchezss.com/Ammo.cfm?contentID=productDetail&prodID=MGGG45A&prodTitle=Magtech%20Guardian%20Gold%20Ammunition%2045%20ACP%20%2BP%20185%20Grain%20Jacketed%20Hollow%20Point

Shoot the 230grain Golden Sabre. Let me know what you get. And not +p

Thanks,

p-t-max:

http://bersatalk.com/forums/thread/81257.aspx

UTvol:

I have about 400 rounds through my thunder 45uc and have been having the same problem since it was new.  Sometimes when shooting the slide will get stuck back between shots.  It acts like the magazine is empty but its not.  usually it only does this once or twice every 50 shots but yesterday it did it about 10 times in 50 shots.  Sometimes it will get stuck back if I have a full magazine and manually rack the slide.   I was thinking it could be the recoil spring because it feels very very weak.  Even when the gun does function correctly, the slide movement is really slow, definitely slower than any gun i've ever shot.  Would a stiffer spring fix my problem or is it something else? Thanks.

That's the start of a thread in Tech Talk that sounds a lot like the trouble I've been having with my new BT45UC. "Slow cycling" seems like a very accurate discription of the trouble I've had. Sometimes the slide just locks back as if the mag is empty when it's not. Other times the slide stays back momentarily and then closes, chambering the next round. I've put about 400 rounds through it and it's been slowly getting better. The last time I was there I talked about the problem with the guy who runs the range and he told me the ammo I've been using, WWB and UMC, are under powered, and I should try Mag Tech or Blazer. So I bought a couple boxes from him and went back to the range today.

I still had 50 rounds of UMC left, so I finished it up, with no lockbacks, which is an improvement over previous trips, because that's the first time I've made it through 50 rounds without at least one. There was only one incident of slow cyclying. Then I started on the Blazer and I could tell the difference on the very first shot. A lot more bang, and no slow cycling. Then the Mag Tech, which was also an improvement, with no lockbacks and no slow cycling. Hooray!

So I guess part of my problem has been ammo related. No more WWB or UMC for me. Mag Tech and Blazer from now on. Now I have to start checking out a carry ammo.   

Given the SAAMI pressure limits of the 45ACP, +P isn't that hot, and any modern gun should be able to handle it on occasion.  The Bersa is a solid design, but it's also a fairly light gun, and the recoil will be accentuated.  Anytime an auto is firing hotter ammo than it was designed around, it's going to accelerate wear.  That simple.  I don't bother buying or loading 45+P ammo, it's not needed IMHO, it's already a 45!  At halitosis range I doubt anyone would be able to tell the difference, at either end.

Papajohn