:: Bersa Talk ::

And what do you think about it?

I got into mine thru a trade knowing nothing about the fullsize Thunders.  I posted here a couple months ago,about the surprising accuracy of the gun. My wife shoots and carries a Firestorm .380, and that thing is a little tank.

I was also wondering who had a mini40, and how bad the recoil in those are?

I think it is a great pistol.

Now I am saving for a compact.

Me, me; I have had a nickle one for about 5 months now and been through a few hundred rounds without a problem; it's the best point and shoot and hit what you point at pistol i've had since a S & W mod. 39 aboout 20 years ago.

If you want additional mags, there is a fellow on auctionarms that has about 75 of them for sale, he usually runs them 2 for $47.00 & 6.00 shipping, right at half of what you would have to pay for them thru eagle or anyone else and yes they are guinine Bersa mags. Good luck.

I'm fixin to start using mine to shoot IPDA with a small group here in baton rouge.

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RUGER LCP
COBRA Patriot 45acp SS
Super Comanche 45/410
SKYY CPX-1 Tu-tone
Bersa 380 Black/Gold
Bersa UC45 Matte
Bersa T9 Hi Cap Nickle
S & W Mod 37-2
WASR-10 black
Mossberg 500
Howa 1500/243
Marlin 1894 - 44 Mag
Plenty reloading Equipt. (To feed them all)

i've had mine for about a year now. it is very accurate. never had a problem. I also am going to use mine to shoot IDPA in Conroe,TX hope you have as much fun with yours as I have had with mine.

I've had mine for about 2 mos. and haven't had a problem yet,KOW. Shoots straight, feeds everything and feels good in my hand. What's not to love? Well, prolly the sights, I've had better. But I'm not gonna complain since I picked it up used very little for $180! I also got an extra mag from the guy on auctionarms for $29 + $6 shipping. Good deal.

I've had the nickle model Thunder 9 for about 2years now and have had no problems with it other than my ignorance about using Hoppe's #9. The pistol it self has been flawless. It is my bedroom gun-17 rounds plus an extra 17 should scare the b'jesus out of an intruder-or make him turn tail and cry "Oh mommy, I done a bad thing"! That is-if it comes to that and he can run and/or cry with 34 or so holes in him...

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Thanks-"CJ"
"Say yah to da U.P. eh!"

I didn't know until today there was an Ultra Compact 9.  I have the full-size.

And I thought I had a full collection.  Now I have to go buy another gun.   Oh, darn.....

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\\I AM the gun lobby\\

Bersa Thunder .380
Bersa Thunder .380 Plus
Bersa Thunder 9mm
Bersa Thunder .40
Bersa Thunder .45
NAA .22 5-shot
Rock Island Armory 1911
Astra .38 revolver

Picked up the Thunder 9 full size today. Came with one mag. I hear that there are two mags with the newer released ones. It'll be a few days before I get to the range.

Got a question for those current owners.  On another post for the 9UC someone said there was a firing pin block. Is this true for the full size Thunder 9? Couldn't see one on my diagram but  then the  diagram leaves a lot to be desired.

Also, for those with the full size how  do you carry?  Cocked and locked?  Can someone  give me some more insight into how the safety works? The instructions gave me the idea that it wasn't safe to carry with one in the chamber.  And when I put the safety on, I did notice that the hammer does come down on the pin quite hard (or at least it looked that way).

On another site in describing the  Bersa 45UC it said,  "the safety decocks the hammer when engaged, then locks the slide and sear, and blocks the firing pin until the trigger is pressed".  Does this hold true for the full size Bersa 9?

Would appreciate your comments.

Yep, carry it with 1 in the chamber, and de-cocked; after de cocking it, return the lever to the fire position; its then ready to go with the first shot being double action,.

If you want additional mags, go to auction arms and search for 'bersa mags', there is a guy in alabama pawn shop who has plenty 17 round mags in stock and usually advertises them at 2 for around $47.00 & about $6 to ship. about half price what factory wants for them.

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RUGER LCP
COBRA Patriot 45acp SS
Super Comanche 45/410
SKYY CPX-1 Tu-tone
Bersa 380 Black/Gold
Bersa UC45 Matte
Bersa T9 Hi Cap Nickle
S & W Mod 37-2
WASR-10 black
Mossberg 500
Howa 1500/243
Marlin 1894 - 44 Mag
Plenty reloading Equipt. (To feed them all)

I have mine for a year now and this is my first gun. I go to range on a monthly basis and everytime I shoot there's FTF. The range officer told me it was due to reload ammo. By the way, I am from Philippines, reload ammo is what they have in the range and this only for practice shooting. The reason why this is so, the original ammo is 3x the cost of the reload ammo.
I got no problem using the original ammo during break-in.

I would own a nickel T40... if they were available in CA!  Been wanting one for many many a year.  As long as I could disable that assinine mag disconnect, I'd be a happy camper.

But I do own a Firestorm Mini 40, so I can at least answer your question about that.  Recoil is sharp, but not uncontrollable or uncomfortable.  The all-steel construction--at least I think it's all steel, but all metal for sure--helps a lot in that regard.  Put it this way: it'll let you know when you fire it, but you won't be too scared to pull the trigger.  My wife wouldn't enjoy shooting it, though.  As you're used to hearing on this board, it's a very accurate pistol, especially considering it's a compact, and it's pretty reliable too (I did have a magazine catch problem that needed to go to CGW once, but functionally it has yet to hiccup).  Frankly, the more I shoot it, the more impressed I am with it.  I hope I didn't just jinx myself (knock on wood)!

But... the one thing you cannot do (or at least I can't) is place your firing thumb on top of the safety lever when firing (a la a 1911).  I get "slide bite" when I do that, and also the tip of my thumb prevents the slide catch lever from rising to lock the slide open after the last round in the mag is fired.  I personally don't like the "finger groove" frontstrap, the "finger rest" magazine basepad, or the rounded trigger guard; but those are personal preferences.  No mag disconnect on the Firestorms, though!   Not to mention that there is no such thing as a T40UC, so it's a Firestorm Mini or nothing if you want a compact .40.

If you're looking for a first-hand recommendation before buying a Firestorm Mini 40 for yourself, then FWIW, I say go for it!  Just remember that accessories for it are almost non-existent, and of course mags are expensive (but have improved a little).  Make sure you get one of the newer models with two mags included.  [And if you only want one mag, we might be able to work out a deal where I'll purchase the 2nd from you! ]

John

Bullwinkle:

 As long as I could disable that assinine mag disconnect, I'd be a happy camper.

I don't believe the larger Bersa Thunders have a mag disconnect, so you should be happy.

And the frame of the larger Bersa Thunders are anodized aluminum. The slide and internals are steel.

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p-t-max

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

http://blog648.blogspot.com/

Wow, just posted the same question.

My T9HC is the most accurate pistol I own.  I really think it is the best pistol for the price on the market.

sssssssssssssssssssssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!  Lets keep this our secret or the prices will start going up just like gas.

I wanted to buy one back in 1994 when Bersa first introduced them into the U.S. 

The Thunder 9 is a licensed copy of the Walther P88 which at the time was a $1000 pistol.   http://bersachapterhouse.50webs.com/model90.html  Here you will see a picture of the original Bersa Model 90.....dead ringer for the Walther P88.

Unfortunately, the 1994 Crime Bill capping the mag capacity at ten rounds came out at the same time. And Bersa ceased importing the gun into the U.S. before they even got started.  When the Assault Weapons Ban expired in 2004, Bersa began importing this fabulous gun to the States once again.

I bought a nickel full size about six months ago and a couple of the UC 9mms for concealed carry.  I own Glocks and XDs and S& Ws and my Bersas (including the UCs) outshoots them all.  I can even outshoot my buddy that owns a SIG 226 9mm......of course he paid $900 for it.  Really bugs him that my Bersa  cost 1/3 of his Holy SIG.  I just don't tell him its actually a Walther in Bersa clothing.

BTW:  The Thunder 380's are also licensed copies of the Walther PPK.  Value priced with a very rich heritage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

jlmcpa1986:

The Thunder 9 is a licensed copy of the Walther P88......

BTW:  The Thunder 380's are also licensed copies of the Walther PPK.

Lol, you don't really go around tellin' people that do you? 'Cause they will snicker and point at you. (I am)

The fullsize Bersa is similar to a P88, not a licensed copy. Not one single part is interchangeable between the two. The same goes for the T380's and the PPK's. Sorry to pee on your little happy parade.

They are very fine and underrated firearms, we obviously like them around here.

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