:: Bersa Talk ::

Hello all. When a female friend of mine said she wanted a pistol, I helped her pick one out and we eventually decided a 380CC was the way to go. She bought one, and I fell in love with it. I want one in a bad way.

However, I already have a Kel-Tec P-32, so being the pragmatist that I am, I really can't justify buying a .380. It's only marginally better than a .32, and it's a whole lot bigger than the P-32. But still, I want one.

So I've decided to come to a compromise. Right now the P-32 is the only handgun that I have, so if I am going to buy a Bersa, may as well get a 9mm. I'm not a large guy by any stretch of the imagination and I can't really see myself carrying any full-size auto, so it's come down to the Bersa UC9 and the Firestorm Mini.

The question I have is about the finishes. I like my guns to be virtually wear and rust-proof. My P-32 is hard chromed. What sort of finishes are on the variants of the UC9?

Specifically, is the "matte" finish bluing, or is it anodizing or some other process? Is the black finish on the duo-tone the same as what's on the matte? Is the silver-colored Firestorm Mini chromed or nickeled, and is the frame also plated or painted? Also, I have seen some pics of the UC9 with the stainless slide that appear to show a mirror finish on the slide. Is this the way it comes from the factory or have people just been polishing the slide?

Sorry if these have been asked before. I searched but couldn't find the answer. The Eagle Imports site isn't exactly a wealth of information, either. Thanks in advance!

No seriously asked question is a silly question.

I can't answer your question as to what the finish is. But I can say that I have one of the FS Mini9mm duo tone and it gets carried a lot, it still looks like it rolled of the show room floor.

People that see it are very impressed with it and want to know the brand and then go blank when they hear Bersa/FireStorm.
You know, like if it isn't a S&W or Ruger, Colt or Glock it isn't a real gun.

But much like my HiPoint, once they shoot it they soon see that that POS ( Piece Of Shieza) is actually PFS. ( Pretty Fracken Sweet)

---

God Bless The USA
Proudly Politically Incorrect.

The frames are easy, they are anodized alloy, black or silver, thats it.
It is very hard  and it is very durable but can be scratched. Eventually the sharp edges may wear away from holster wear but mine haven't so far. (mine's black, silver you may never notice)
The slides are:
Matte blued, it's black really. There have been reports of wear and un-even color but mine is a very nice finish.

Nickel plated, shiny but not polished. The finish can be damaged by some bore cleaners eating the substrate of the plating. Not a worry usually as long as you use the right cleaners.

Stainless steel. The ones I have seen are pretty shiny on the sides, I would imagine you could polish the hell out of it if you wanted. The best part is there is no coating to wear through, ever.

The combinations of slide and frame are different between Bersa and Firestorm, AND folks have shown up with combinations that aren't listed as available, so what you may be able to get is a mystery.

I want a UC45 in stainless with a silver frame. Maybe I'll find one one day.

---

You trying to screen for communists? Don't worry, we're all cool. - Dale

I read somewhere (no guarantees ) that the slide finish on the matte black is "tennifer" which is the same coating that Glock (excuse me michael t) uses.

---

Earth is the insane asylum of the universe!
---------------------------------------------------------
Bersa Thunder 9 UC
FNH FNP9
Kahr P9
Kel-Tec P3AT
Browning Buckmark
Smith & Wesson 5903

Thanks for the replies everyone! I forget where I saw it (perhaps in the photos section of this site) but I saw a Bersa UC9 in satin nickel. That's what I want. Previously the only one I had seen with a silver frame was a Firestorm.

parrothead_madness:

I want a UC45 in stainless with a silver frame. Maybe I'll find one one day.

Hmm if I could find a UC9 with a stainless slide and a silver frame I might just have to snatch it up!

One other question for you guys. I have seen the UC9 with both a straight front strap and with the finger grooves in it.




Is this one of those things where different distributors get different features, or was there a design change at some point?

There has been considerable confusion and controversy over the two different styles of front strap, straight or finger grooves. The straight front strap was apparently the earlier design, according to the Bersa Chapterhouse website, which has a lot of Bersa history. Here's a link to the page that talks about that. http://bersachapterhouse.50webs.com/mt9.html

The Bersa 45UC features a straight front strap, whereas the Firestorm Mini 45 features finger grooves. Also, all the Bersas feature recurved trigger guards, where the Firestorms feature the traditional rounded trigger guards. There are all kinds of things to be confused about.

---

p-t-max

I'm no expert, I'm just, well---opinionated!

http://blog648.blogspot.com/

I do like the trigger guard of the Bersa better than the Firestorm. Also, I just don't like the name "Firestorm." Don't mean to ruffle anyone's feathers as there's really no logic behind it, but to me "Firestorm" just sounds like something you would name a toy, not a gun. Again, that's just me. I'm sure Firestorms are every bit as good as Bersas (duh), but I just like the sound of "Bersa" better. ;)

Anyone know if Marschalgrips.com has any plans to make grips for the UC9/Firestorm Mini?

Syndil:

Anyone know if Marschalgrips.com has any plans to make grips for the UC9/Firestorm Mini?

Well, I have a story about that. What Denis needs is for one of us 9UC owners to send him the grip of a 9UC to use for a pattern. I arranged to trade mine for a wood grip, but I didn't want to take the grip off my gun and then be gripless for several weeks waiting for the exchange. So I ordered a grip for the 9UC from Eagle Imports. After several weeks, the grip arrived, but it was for the Thunder 9 (full sized). Well I had a Thunder 9 with a broken grip, so I used it. Then later, I tried again, even sending an email asking to verify that it was a 9UC grip. Again, after several weeks a Thunder 9 grip arrived in the mail. So I gave up. After two tries, I'm not willing to try again. Unfortunately, there is someone at Eagle Imports that just doesn't give a rat's patoot about the quality of their work, so I'm done with them, at least for trying for a 9UC grip.

So at one time Denis was willing to try to make grips for the 9UC, but he needs a grip for a pattern. As far as I know, it never got farther along than that.

---

p-t-max

I'm no expert, I'm just, well---opinionated!

http://blog648.blogspot.com/

p-t-max:

Well, I have a story about that. What Denis needs is for one of us 9UC owners to send him the grip of a 9UC to use for a pattern. I arranged to trade mine for a wood grip, but I didn't want to take the grip off my gun and then be gripless for several weeks waiting for the exchange. So I ordered a grip for the 9UC from Eagle Imports. After several weeks, the grip arrived, but it was for the Thunder 9 (full sized). Well I had a Thunder 9 with a broken grip, so I used it. Then later, I tried again, even sending an email asking to verify that it was a 9UC grip. Again, after several weeks a Thunder 9 grip arrived in the mail. So I gave up. After two tries, I'm not willing to try again. Unfortunately, there is someone at Eagle Imports that just doesn't give a rat's patoot about the quality of their work, so I'm done with them, at least for trying for a 9UC grip.

Good on you p-t-max for taking the initiative. Had your efforts been successful many here would probably be interested in what Denis could create. It's a shame customer service at Eagle Imports dropped the ball on this one.

Thanks for trying. 

As soon as I find my Bersa UC9 I will be more than happy to send the grips to Denis. It will be an occasional carry piece anyway, so not like I will miss it terribly.

If anyone spots a Bersa UC9 in satin nickel OR stainless slide/silver frame for sale anywhere (and you don't want it for yourself) let me know! The sooner I get my UC9, the sooner we can all get wood grips. =)

Syndil,

Very interesting thread.

I bought a T9UC in Oct. 06, matte finish, 13 round with "finger grooves" on the frontstrap. The matte finish left a lot to be desired. After I satisfied myself that the pistol was reliable, I looked for a stainless slide to replace the matte one. Eagle didn't sell them at that point in time, and I don't believe they sell the gun with a stainless slide any more either. All the stainless or nickel 9UCs I've seen were duotone, with a black anodized frame and either nickel or stainless slide. I was considering having the slide on mine redone in black chrome, but hit on a thread in this forum about using Butcher's Boston Polish on the matte finish. After several (maybe a couple dozen) coats of wax, the slide now looks like polished blue, and I really like the looks. It remains to be seen how well it holds up, though. If I had it to do over again, I'd try to find a stainless model (black frame) which I think one might find new somewhere (my local Gander Mountain has one, but they want too much for it IMHO). I don't know if any of this information applies to the FireStorm model(s), or is even current for that matter.

Wood grips. especially Marschal grips, seem like a great idea. I just dug out my T9UC and took a look. The grip (not grips) is a one piece wrap around style that incorporates the backstrap. There is no obvious way to remove it (no grip screw visible). It appears to snap on from the rear of the pistol, and may be held in place by one small screw on the bottom of the grip. I didn't try to remove mine without finding an exploded parts diagram though, and haven't looked for one yet. However the grip being one piece may make it difficult if not impossible to duplicate in wood. A two piece grip ala Walther PPK grips should work though.

Best of luck in your search, and keep us posted on your progress!

Safe shooting!

 Craig

I ruined a (cheap) screwdriver trying to remove the grip on my 9UC before I found out that you insert the screwdriver, then push in and turn 1/4 turn (left, I believe). That releases the grip, but you still have to remove it carefully.

Also, don't mess with anything under there. There's the hammer strut, the strut spring and the grip catch, and if that comes disassembled for any reason, you'll pay hell getting it back together.

Please don't ask me how I know this.  

---

p-t-max

I'm no expert, I'm just, well---opinionated!

http://blog648.blogspot.com/

Syndil - glad to see you here.  As much good info here as the other board you and I frequently use.  I say defintely get the UC 9 so I can check it out at one of our Konventions.  Yeah, its me (mkamer).

---

"Freedom isn't free."

Hey mkamer! You saw and even fired the 380CC I got for my female friend. She's got some purpleheart wood grips on the way from Denes Marschalko, although she doesn't know it yet. Shh! They're going to be the thin grips, but checkered with the Bersa logo. I'll put some pictures up when I get them.

Thanks for all the replies on the UC9. I think what I might do is look for one with the stainless slide and then have the frame plated. There's a local shop in my area that does firearms plating called Kemp's Custom Coatings, and it's owned by an older gentleman named Ron Kemp who's probably forgotten more about firearms than I'll ever know. Great guy, and I'd love to throw some work his way. Heck, he told me he'd beat Kiesler's price on any gun as long as I didn't mind waiting for him to have it ordered, so I may just see if he can get me the UC9. I'll keep you posted.

The top picture in the earlier post is of a UC-45 and the bottom is a UC-9. FYI, I own both. Also most parts are not interchangable due to the 45's barrel/slide being slightly longer and the frame a bit thicker/wider than the UC-9, but the both can use the same holster due to the closeness in size. At a quick glance, you can tell the models apart by looking at the grips. All 9's have checked grips while the 45 has a textured grip.

---

Thunder 380 & 380 Concealed Carry
Thunder 9
Ultra Compact 9 (2+)
Ultra Compact 45
... among others