:: Bersa Talk ::

Sunday I took the plunge after a long time and a lot of reading and checking different Kel Tec's. I was originally set on a standard blue steel and gray frame P3AT for $254.95, but I could not get to the gun shop before the Dayton Gun Show this past weekend.

Well my son and I went to the show on Sunday and started looking around. The dealer I frequent was there and still had the one I was looking at. We looked around and a different dealer there had this new hard chrome with a black frame P3AT just sitting there screaming PICK ME! 

Well it was available for $269 yes thats right 15 dollars more for a nice hard chrome P3AT so what could I do but say YES!

After getting home that afternoon I took it apart. I had read all the stories about gunk, oil, chips and all stuff that could be found inside P3AT's.  Nothing I mean absolutely nothing, no chips no gunk no excessive oil!  Wow it was all clean inside! 

Since I had it apart I took photos of it before and after the fluff and buff I did. The ramp now looks like a mirrow as does the bolt face.

After I was all done getting the polishing completed I started on all the sharp edges that cut the skin. Trigger, frame and all points that had sharp edges are now gone.

If you have not guessed it yet I am very happy with this little pistol and have had it in my pocket all day long. Don't get me wrong I still like my Bersa T380 too!

To those who work at Kel Tec thanks for doing a great job! I will attach some of the photos I took later.  

Their a great pocket pistol. Shoot some ball to break in and the get the Bersa finger rest and a 13 lb recoil spring and load with Wanta guess  Thats right DPX.

 Don't slam mags and make sure your fingers are on both side of the takedown pin when removing.

 

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Bersa Thunder,
PPK/S,
1990 Colt Mustang,
380 Kel Tec
380's Rule

"Just say "Lay A Way"

"WWJBD" What Would James Bond Do?

"Hokey religions and plastic glocks are no match for a good 1911 at your side, kid."

michael t:

Their a great pocket pistol. Shoot some ball to break in and the get the Bersa finger rest and a 13 lb recoil spring and load with Wanta guess  Thats right DPX.

 Don't slam mags and make sure your fingers are on both side of the takedown pin when removing.

 

Michael, On the P-3AT you taught me to hold down mag release when I insert the mag and mine still looks factory new due to using that procedure.  Please cover the part of the fingers on both sides of the take down pin, I lost you on that one?  I haven't had any problems pulling the pin before, but if there is a better way to do it I am willing to try it.

RC

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You press down on both sides of the pin.( Outside of the U) Then remove pin. Reason is the little spring that holds the pin in place can slip out of place. This will cause the grip ( all plastic is grip on a KT.) to bow out and its a pain to reset the little clip back into its place. Plastic is light but requires a little more care handling than steel) . One of those little things that takes no effort to do and will save you trouble.    Don't need  finger turning white pressure just a little pressure.

If I remember the manual even shows this.  You did read the manual correct.

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Bersa Thunder,
PPK/S,
1990 Colt Mustang,
380 Kel Tec
380's Rule

"Just say "Lay A Way"

"WWJBD" What Would James Bond Do?

"Hokey religions and plastic glocks are no match for a good 1911 at your side, kid."

Thanks,  I guess I was doing it right. For  some reason I took "press down on both sides of the pin" to be pressing on the back side as you pull from the front side (Thus both sides)  My  2 AM mind didn't pick up on the right and left side.  Thanks for the reply.. I will copy the picture from the manual as a reference.

RC 

 

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How was the Dayton show? Meant to get up there from Cinci, but unfortunately domestic duties prevented that. I went up there several months ago, and some of the local dealers were complaining about lack of sales, and possibly not coming back in the future.

I keep looking at the P3AT, would be curious to see how you are smoothing and polishing it.

The gun show was very good and you know LEO's were there with some in plain clothing and some uniform officers. And guess what - four guys - all felons were there trying to buy guns and they got caught!!! Good job and kudos to the LEO's involved in the bust. They were doing their job nabbing the bad guys and the streets are safer now because they did.

There was a lot of available items of all shapes and discriptions available. Hand guns, rifles, shotguns and some of the prices appeared to me to be down. I picked up the hard chrome P3AT for $269 plus tax new in the box. I had been looking for a regular one with a gray frame for $254 that was there. Most anything you could want was there from antique to exotic and some real reach out and touch rifles like a Barrett 50 cal.

I use 400 wet and dry paper on the steel surface to start the polishing process. Very lightly smoothing the surface using a rubber backing that molds to the surface being worked. Then the Dremel is brought into play with a polishing wheel and polish. This brings the surface to a mirror shine. Once the goal has been reached I stop. No over doing the process just to make it smooth to allow the round to slide up into the chamber with the least resistance possible. The bolt face is another overlooked area of potential FTF problems. My Bersa 380 had FTF's until I polished the bolt face and ramp area. Now there is no problem with FTF unless I get lazy and limp wrist.

mudrunner,

if it's any consolation to you, i think you did good paying a bit extree for the HC finish.  there is a reason that finish is the most desireable of the kt's and the hardest to find.  i looked extree specially hard for my p32 in HC and i also paid $269 for it nib about a year ago. 

with it living in my sweaty pocket here in humid florida, i am so glad i went to the extra effort for the most durable finish they make.

michael t:

Their a great pocket pistol. Shoot some ball to break in and the get the Bersa finger rest and a 13 lb recoil spring and load with Wanta guess  Thats right DPX.

 Don't slam mags and make sure your fingers are on both side of the takedown pin when removing.

 

Bersa finger rest is for girley men.

toni

A little late but here are some photos

This was barrel before anything was done and a light polish of the ramp later.

   

The underside of the slide just as it came clean as can be imagined. I like the steel guide rod too.

Inside the main frame as it came from the factory.

Ejector in place.

Ejector raised for view.

 

Comparison of the P3AT and my T380.  I like them both!

 

 

 

Great photo shoot.. What did you shoot it with?

RC

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I used a Nikon 3200 that I carry at work every day. Old, well used and just keeps on clicking. It has close up functions which helps. It is not as good as my other Nikon but with the price of film this little one does just fine. I was looking at upgrading my N2000 up to a D-60 to get the sharpness I want without using up all my funds. I use to use Nikon F 2's (had a pair of them) but they went on trade in and I should have kept them.

My son and I finally made it to the range for a fun filled time with all the pistols and the shotgun. I am pleased to report the the P3AT did what it was supposed to do. Go BANG every time he or I pulled the trigger. No problem what so ever! The Kel Tec shot point of aim and at 21 feet all the rounds was in an 8 inch ring. Toward the end of the session we were able to hold the group to under 3 inches. I am more than happy with this little pocket rocket.

Do not get me wrong I still am 100% happy with my BT380 which also shot point of aim at the same distance. It also went BANG every time I pulled the trigger. The Sig and the HK also functioned as designed.  All total was about 200 rounds sent down range.  Regular ball and HP were used.

We did have a little extra fun with the 12 gauge punching big holes. All in all it was a well spent and most enjoyable time at the range.