:: Bersa Talk ::

Can the resistance of the 380CC recoil spring be reduced and still have it work?  Are springs of lesser resistance available as options?  If not, what can we do to make the 380CC easier to use/clean?

I have a hell of a time with disassembly and reassembly (yes, I read the "Let's Pretend" thread and have the muzzle end of the spring at 12 o'clock so it's not binding).

My wife even has a lot of trouble chambering a first round (to be fair, we're in our 60's) - shouldn't it be fairly easy?

M D "Doc" Nugent

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M D "Doc" Nugent - carcentric.com

There are some techniques you can use to make racking the slide easier. I dont have the link in front of me, but a site called "cornered cat" has some useful stuff. It is aimed more at women, but don't let that bother you. There are plenty of folks that for whatever reason have a harder time with some of the actions. The one that comes to mind, I have seen frail blue haired old ladies rack a 1911 like it was nothing by holding the slide, and rather than pull the slide back, push the pistol forward and release the slide. It makes it a lot easier.
Lightening the recoil spring or the hammer spring throws the timing of the firearm off, just like limp wristing does and can cause misfeeds and stoppages.

I am sure someone will come along and point out some more sites with technique tips. Hook him up here folks.

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

EXCELLENT info!  Here's the direct link to the slide racking page:
http://www.corneredcat.com/RunGun/rack.aspx

I don't know why (39-year-ago Army training?), but I was using a push your hands together (left thumb just in front of the safety, ejection port covered by left fingers, elbows out) method; the slingshot method Kathy Jackson recommends is a lot easier.

Thanks. 

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M D "Doc" Nugent - carcentric.com

carcentric:

EXCELLENT info!  Here's the direct link to the slide racking page:
http://www.corneredcat.com/RunGun/rack.aspx

I don't know why (39-year-ago Army training?), but I was using a push your hands together (left thumb just in front of the safety, ejection port covered by left fingers, elbows out) method; the slingshot method Kathy Jackson recommends is a lot easier.

Thanks. 

with the method that you said you use to use can be dangerous, when ejecting a live cartridge (exp. when making the weapon safe). there have been documented cases when attempting to eject a  live round out of the chamber using the method you used (weapon in right hand using off hand thumb on left side of slide and index finger on right side of slide with the other three fingers near or over the ejection port) when the slide is pulled rearward, rather than the extractor pulling the cartridge straight rearward, it can put the round at an extreame angle causing the primer to strike the ejector. and when your hand is cupped over the ejection port it then goes to the example of a fire cracker in a open hand versus closed hand. so just food for thought, the "sling shot" method of charging the pistol is also a great way to unload the pistol as well. you can always pick the live round up off the ground and reuse it.

slimak707:

with the method that you said you use to use can be dangerous, when ejecting a live cartridge (exp. when making the weapon safe). there have been documented cases when attempting to eject a  live round out of the chamber using the method you used (weapon in right hand using off hand thumb on left side of slide and index finger on right side of slide with the other three fingers near or over the ejection port) when the slide is pulled rearward, rather than the extractor pulling the cartridge straight rearward, it can put the round at an extreame angle causing the primer to strike the ejector. and when your hand is cupped over the ejection port it then goes to the example of a fire cracker in a open hand versus closed hand. so just food for thought, the "sling shot" method of charging the pistol is also a great way to unload the pistol as well. you can always pick the live round up off the ground and reuse it.

What firearm has that EVER happened with?  I'm callin' BS.

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

parrothead_madness:

rather than pull the slide back, push the pistol forward and release the slide. It makes it a lot easier.

Yes, push the pistol foward, don't pull the slide back.

RT

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