Bersa Owners still happy?

[Wandering Man]

I was watching my wife clean her Bersa Thunder .380 this weekend and I couldn't help but notice how much more wear her little gun has already than any other gun I've owned for a longer period of time.

I'm not sure if the wear I'm seeing is just cosmetic, or if parts are actually wearing out.

Are you owners of Bersas still happy with your guns?

So you feel like your Bersa has held up well?

Has anyone had one long enough to feel like thier gun has worn out and needs to be replaced?

If you were to make the purchase again, would you stick with Bersa, or would you go with a more expensive .380?

Acquiring minds want to know ... :smt102

Thanks,

WM

[PhilR.]

Happy? Very. Great pistol for the money. In fact, I've yet to find a better centerfire pistol for under $250.

Yes, seems to have held up quite well for the 350 rounds put through so far. Of course, this is just a drop in the bucket...

Obviously nothing has needed to be replaced.

No way would I go with a more expensive .380, and I used to have a Sig 230 a long time ago. That 230 was the most reliable automatic I've ever had (~1500 rounds at 100%), but I wouldn't buy a new one at twice the price of a T380. IOW, if I were going to spend that much money, it sure as heck wouldn't be on a .380 (unless it's a Seecamp).

PhilR.

[SuckLead]

Mine seems to have gotten better over time. I don't shoot mine a whole heck of a lot, though, so I'm probably not the best one to answer in this thread. But I know someone who has a few of these little guns in his collection from various periods of time and he has not had any problems with any of them. He swears by them.

[mactex]

1,500+ rounds and I'm still extremely satisfied. I'll admit that after the first few hundred rounds I had similar thoughts concerning the gun's wear, but it was all cosmetic and never got any worse.

[Fabius]

Same here. Noticed some wear on the slide and frame after the first few hundred rounds, but that seems to have been normal break in and part mating. Since then the wear has stopped and the gun has been very reliable.

[44magFMJ]

I've had my T380CC for about 9 months now and have fired roughly over 500 rounds through it and all of the wear points look to be normal except one. Thats the area under the slide that the trigger disconnect rides on during cycling and for some reason there are deep wear spots on the length of travel where this part seems to have dug into the slide. Two of them are next to each other just forward of the recess, and the other one is forward of those two at the end of travel where the disconnect rubs on the slide.

I'd be interested to know if anyone else has noticed these wear points on their guns.

[Wandering Man]

As long as this thread has been reopened, I've go a question.

We did go ahead and buy my wife a Bersa, and she has loved it.

However, she started having ejection failures and jams a while back. I never had the problem, so she figured it must be her.

She finally got to the point she thought she had figured out what she was doing wrong, when at 1028 rounds one of the internal springs broke, and we had to mail it back to the factory.

After a four week hiatus, the gun has finally returned. Last night she ran 49 rounds through it and had three jams.

She has already been considering getting a 9mm, and she has never had a problem with my Ruger P89. In fact, the Ruger has NEVER had any problems, since I took it out of the box.

I know the jam thing is probably her, but I also know there have to be other guns out there that aren't as sensitive to whatever she is doing.

She thinks she wants an XD 9. She has shot it and can handle it, both compact and whatever the regular size is called.

She's shot Shipwreck's Walther's but felt they were biting her hand somehow, and so doesn't want one.

I've kinda been thinking along the lines of a Sig. I'd like to hear from Sig owners about reliablity. I'll be looking to find one she can shoot before we make that kind of investment, and before she buys the XD 9.

Thanks,

WM

[JaxFL904]

im still happy with it

[Hokkmike]

About 500 rounds through mine. No problem. I guess it is just an infant, however. But, at the price I paid if it doesn't last 10 years (I bet it does) it
is still a great value.

[DevilsJohnson]

I've looked at a few and just always went another direction. I'm not sure why I just haven't got one. Is it true they own Llama now too? I have looked at a few of those and like the idea of 191 freamed in a lot of calibers but hear the parts are harder to find. Ifd I was to get a bersa tomorow and wanted a 9mm, 40, 45 ACP what models would be the ones to get?

[bac1023]

Mine has been great. I don't shoot it that often, however.

[Cap'n]

Wandering Man, could your wife be limp-wristing the Bersa?? I've heard they're sensitive to that, but I've never experienced the problem mysef.

[Wandering Man]

Wandering Man, could your wife be limp-wristing the Bersa?? I've heard they're sensitive to that, but I've never experienced the problem mysef.

We've pretty much decided that was the problem. And I think she has the problem mostly licked.

She also manages to stove-pipe her Glock 19 after three magazines or so. Her tiny wrists just wear out.

Maybe I just need to make her go shooting more to strengthen up those arms and wrists. :mrgreen:

WM

[stormbringerr]

i pretty much doubt i would buy anything under a 9mm. at least for a carry gun.

[jetchey321]

I have put about 300 rds through my .380 cc. I absolutely love it! Compared to the Ruger P345, it feels like a toy, but shoots like a dream. No doubt what my cc weapon will be for years to come! :smt023

[Pointblank]

My Bersa cost me $199 a couple of years back. It has never jammed for me, but it did for a guy I worked with. I think he was limp wristing. I keep it loaded with Corbon DPX. That's probably the most effective ammuntion available in that caliber currrently. I can't say I carry it much at all, but if I had to go downtown and leave my gun locked in the glovebox the $199 Bersa would be just the ticket.

[snaredog]

I have the Bersa DLX model and I haven't had one problem with it at all. It has performed flawlessly out of the box. I would purchase another one if I wanted one. I tell people about my Bersa when they ask. I had a set of custom grips made for it. The grips are made out of Zebra wood. Those black grips that comes on them are just ugly. I had a holster made from K&D holsters for it. Kevin does a nice job. I carry my Bersa about 30% of the time. I carry about 95 % of the time.

[SuckLead]

I have the Bersa DLX model and I haven't had one problem with it at all. It has performed flawlessly out of the box. I would purchase another one if I wanted one. I tell people about my Bersa when they ask. I had a set of custom grips made for it. The grips are made out of Zebra wood. Those black grips that comes on them are just ugly. I had a holster made from K&D holsters for it. Kevin does a nice job. I carry my Bersa about 30% of the time. I carry about 95 % of the time.

Got some pictures? I'm interested in seeing those grips.

[Dannyabear]

Yep, I'm still happy with my T380, HiCap 9, and 45UC; grest pistols for the price.

[rachilders]

I've looked at a few and just always went another direction. I'm not sure why I just haven't got one. Is it true they own Llama now too? I have looked at a few of those and like the idea of 191 freamed in a lot of calibers but hear the parts are harder to find. Ifd I was to get a bersa tomorow and wanted a 9mm, 40, 45 ACP what models would be the ones to get?
Bersa never has had any direct connection with Llama and still doesn't. Llama was located in Spain while Bersa is in Argentina. Llama went out of business around 2 years ago and hasn't built any guns since. Bersa is still going strong and supplies pistols to the Argentine military and police as well as exporting them.

The only "connection" the two companies had was a company called Eagle Imports. EI is the US importer of Bersa and also owns a company called Firestorm. Firestorm is a gun "company" in name only and doesn't actually build any guns of it's own. Instead, they have several suppliers that build their pistols (and a revolver) under the Firestorm logo. Bersa is one of those companies and Llama was as well until it closed shop. Llama supplied all of the Firestom SA pistols (based on the 1911 design) while Bersa builds all of Firestorm's DA/SA pistols using Walther designs. FWIW, Firestorm will soon be introducing a new 1911 type pistol that is mil-spec - unlike the Llama built guns - that will be built in the Philippines.

[crinko]

I do like mine but i cant trust my life with this thing i shot not even 100 rounds through it and the one spring fell off 2 times. I hate to do it but i need a reliable backup gun and this one isn't it.

[DevilsJohnson]

Well, I've had a 380 Bersa a little while. I got it in the beginning of the summer. It fired as well as I would expect a small pistol to fire. No jams etc.

You talking about getting a Sig Sauer. I have two (226 and 229) and want a couple more. Even my 1911 addiction can't keep me away from my Sigs. You can't go wrong with them.

As to the reliability of my Bersa...It does pretty well. I don't know if I'd advise one for a primary protection piece.

[Black Metal]

If your looking at a 9mm that might be a carry gun for your wife I would suggest checking out the Kahr PM9. We sold my wifes t.380cc to purchase the PM9 and she loves it. The Kahr has less felt recoil than the Bersa did and has been 100% since we bought it. They are a bit pricey but IMO the gun was well worth it. If its not for carry the CW9 is a couple hundred bucks cheaper and I have heard lots of good things about them.

[DevilsJohnson]

I found this article while skulking the back alleys of the net. I thought people might want to see it.
http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/Sig%20Sauer%20Bersa.htm

[tekhead1219]

Wandering Man - my wife had problems with jams when she first got it. Explained to her what limp wristing was. She fixed that problem and no more jams. I just had to explain it to her rather than just tell her. She likes it and is accurate with it. When she lets me shoot it, I like it, also.

[Wandering Man]

Wandering Man - my wife had problems with jams when she first got it. Explained to her what limp wristing was. She fixed that problem and no more jams. I just had to explain it to her rather than just tell her. She likes it and is accurate with it. When she lets me shoot it, I like it, also.

We've not shot the gun in awhile. She usually shoots her Glock 19 for practice.

Mostly, we've been shooting Ruger Vaquero's in .38/.357. We discovered the joys of Cowboy Action Shooting.

You should see her pump the shotgun! :smt033

WM

[TOF]

Hey WM, you need to post a movie of your Cowboy Action stuff.

How did you fare with the storm?

I hope you were clear of it's path.

:smt1099

[Wandering Man]

Hey WM, you need to post a movie of your Cowboy Action stuff.

How did you fare with the storm?

I hope you were clear of it's path.

:smt1099

Here's 3Reds:

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x35/pmhamilton/200805031stSASSShoot39a-1.jpg

Ike went far enough North that he just caused us worry and shut down a lot of businesses a few days as we prepared for evacuation.

My office sits about three blocks from the Harbor in Rockport, at about 6' sea level. With tides expected to rise between 3 to 5 feet, I wasn't sure if we would be mopping up on Saturday, but thankfully we stayed dry.

Thanks for asking.

WM

[DevilsJohnson]

You should feed that cow..I's as flat as a board:anim_lol::draw:

[TOF]

Here's 3Reds:

Ike went far enough North that he just caused us worry and shut down a lot of businesses a few days as we prepared for evacuation.

My office sits about three blocks from the Harbor in Rockport, at about 6' sea level. With tides expected to rise between 3 to 5 feet, I wasn't sure if we would be mopping up on Saturday, but thankfully we stayed dry.

Thanks for asking.

WM

I'm pleased to hear that it passed you by. Having spent some years on the mighty blue I consider 1 ft. safety factor to be inadequate in even moderately bad weather.

It looks like 3Reds has that Cowgirl stuff pretty well figured out.

Stay safe :smt1099

[The_Vigilante]

I own both a .380cc and a Bersa Plus (HiCap) and love both of them. I have made the HiCap my "carry" gun and like the idea of having 30 available for duty-15 in the gun and 15 in the spare mag I carry. Am using a Galco Yaqui High Slide holster for both. The Plus is light and I don't even know I have it on at 4:30.

[bluehandgun]

my days as a bersa owner were short lived. got a .380 and just had a heck of a time with it jamming. traded it in for a glock 26 and haven't really looked back... almost forgot about the bersa til i came to this forum.

[oldhack62]

I'm 50-50 -- or maybe 60-40 to the plus side -- regarding my Bersa satisfaction so far.
I own the Bersa .380 Concealed Carry and the Bersa Thunder UltraCompact 9mm and, in fact, took both to the range earlier today for some target rounds. It was my first use of the .380 since putative repair of its trigger disconnect spring, which had disengaged about once every 100 rounds previously.
Well, both pistols fed and ejected flawlessly through c. 300 rounds, and the 9mm UC is a true 'tack driver'. It's been a fine shooter, as pleasurable a gun to 'play' with as any I've ever had. However, the .380 AGAIN threw off its trigger spring after only about 50 rounds, and a second time after its easy, but disconcerting, repair. It will go back for warranty service one more time before I demand trade/refund from the very reputable local retailer from which I purchased it.
Even the .380 is a fine firearm, in terms of ease and accuracy, when it shoots. But, no way is it a reliable carry weapon, for example, and I really don't have much use for a pistol which isn't.
The 9UC, on the other had, has been flawless and a joy.

[jediwebdude]

Had my Bersa Thunder .380 about 4 months now and put through seveal hundred rounds. Never had an issue. Then today, I took my wife to the range and she shot it for the first time. On her 4th shot, it jammed. Bullet was sitting at an angle and never made it to the chamber. It dislodged easily and she continued to fire. No more issues.

[The_Vigilante]

She probably limp-wristed the pistol.

[jediwebdude]

She probably limp-wristed the pistol.

I'm hopin' that's what caused it.

[lovain1932]

Probably just cosmetic wear

[Gregg1LE]

Well, it looks like the Mrs. has decided to get a Thunder .380, especially since we have found them on sale for $249. I just hope we don't the spring problem as others have had,

[Andrew]

I've used my Bersa 380 as my primary carry gun for at least half a year now (it used to be a XD9 but was getting hard to conceal at times). Every time I'm at the range, I always fire at least 100 rounds with it, then switch to my other pistols. The gun feeds and ejects properly, and is very convenient to conceal. However, it is starting to experience some maintenance issues. My sights have cracked (that's right) and fallen off. And the grip and the screws that hold it in (there are only two out of four left) are worn down. But other than that, the gun has still held together, and I still carry it all the time (although at times I will carry my favorite gun my XD9). Currently its got about 8000+ rounds put through it, and every round has fired and ejected flawlessly. Admitantly, a lot of the maintenance issues may be my fault. I have put the gun through hell on many occasions. Once I fell into a lake while carrying the gun. When I got back home, my curiosity got the best of me, and I decided to find out if the gun would work with all the water, mud, and crud from Tenn. lakes left in it. And like I mentioned earlier, it has yet to not function properly. I carry it every time I'm out biking, so it has to endure the weather and me falling off my bike. I strongly recommend this gun as a carry weapon, but try to take better care of it than I have.

[Ogre]

I've run so many rounds through my BT380 that I've lost count, and I'm very happy with it. I also own a Taurus Model 85CH, and I'm very happy with that too. I don't think that either of these weapons were designed to be range guns. I believe they were designed to be self-defense weapons. As such, I don't think their designers envisioned an owner of either weapon hitting the range to fire a gazillion rounds through - maybe just 50-100 per month for proficiency and that off chance a person might actually get assailed. I know plenty of people who own both. We have all broke them in properly and kept them clean, and they have not failed us yet. (They are tools/machines, and any tool/machine could breakdown so I'm sure there could come a time when either my Bersa or Taurus might break-down no matter how much care I give them. No weapon is immune from this possibility).

If I was a hard-core shooting fanatic who had the time and money to send thousands of rounds down range at any given shooting session, I'd probably go with Glock, SIG, S&W, Para, or Kimber. But I don't. I'm a probation officer with a wife/four kids. My money and time is spread thin, so I've gone with Bersa and Taurus. They're right on the money for what I need and what they were designed to do - provide a self-defense that I can count on at an affordable price - and I'd I trust my life on either.

[group17]

I have a 380 duo that has been nothing but reliable. Cost me all of $219 NIB.

[Freedom1911]

I was watching my wife clean her Bersa Thunder .380 this weekend and I couldn't help but notice how much more wear
her little gun has already than any other gun I've owned for a longer period of time.

I'm not sure if the wear I'm seeing is just cosmetic, or if parts are actually wearing out.

Are you owners of Bersas still happy with your guns?

So you feel like your Bersa has held up well?

Has anyone had one long enough to feel like their gun has worn out and needs to be replaced?

If you were to make the purchase again, would you stick with Bersa, or would you go with a more expensive .380?

Acquiring minds want to know ... :smt102

Thanks,

WM

Keep in mind that Bersa has a first rate (lifetime) warranty to original owners.
If your wife was the first owner of the gun you can sent it to Colorado Gun works and have any worn or damaged parts fixed or replaced.

http://www.coloradogunworks.com/ is a certified warranty shop for Bersa and Firestorm firearms (Bersa does not and has never manufactured
the Firestorm 1911 models so Bersa does not cover them, but CGW might do warranty work for them as well.)

2631 West Vine Drive
Ft. Collins CO 80521

970-482-4867

For WARRANTY SERVICE, please send Pistol directly to any of the following gunsmiths:

Reynerson's, 10044 Hooper Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70818
Phone: 225-261-4860

Colorado Gunworks, 2631 W. Vine Drive, Ft. Collins, CO 80521
Phone: 970-482-4867

Ahlman's, 9525 W. 23th Street, Morristown, MN 55052
Phone: 507-685-4243 or 507-685-4244

Danforth Gunsmithing, 7101 Jurupa Avenue #34, Riverside, CA 92504
Phone: 951-343-7765
Fax: 951-343-1621
Website: www.danforthgunsmithing.com

John's Guns, Etc., 156 CR 305, Lott, TX 76656
Phone: 254-749-7940
Fax: 254-224-8246
Website: www.johnsgunsetc.com

T & A Gunsmithing, RR#1, BOX 1650, Route 314, Henryville, PA 18332
Phone: 570-629-3981
Fax: 570-629-9385

Gander Mountain
Store Locator: Click here to find a store near you.http://gander.distanthorizon.com/storelocator/

BERSA LIFETIME SERVICE CONTRACT

Upon the expiration of the one-year Warranty, and for as long as this BERSA firearm is owned by the original purchaser, BERSA S.A.
offers to service and repair any defects or malfunction in this BERSA firearm excluding the finish, grips, sights or magazine, without charge.
Requests for service should be submitted in writing together with proof of purchase and the firearm (insurance and shipment prepaid by the purchaser)
to an authorized service center identified on the enclosed list. Return shipment and insurance shall be paid by BERSA provided the service
is covered by this service contract.

This service contract is only extended to the original purchaser and shall be waived if the defect or malfunction was caused by neglect, abuse,
careless handling, unauthorized ammunition, ordinary wear and tear, unreasonable use or failure to provide reasonable and necessary maintenance
as set forth in the instruction manual.

Please complete and return the enclosed original purchaser registration card, found in you firearm's box, to assist us in providing this service to you.
If you require assistance in connection with this service contract, please contact:

Eagle Imports, Inc.
1750 Brielle Ave., Unit B-1
Wanamassa, NJ 07712
732-493-0302

[AZ 9mm/45]

Freedom1911 has told you the correct skinny. I use CGW in Colo. for any repair to my Bersa's. Remember a blow back gun cannot be limp wristed. Some of the problems they had are easy fix by the smith at CGW. I have 4-5 hundred rounds through my TH 380 and it is as good or better than when new. They are a great gun for a great price. There are some nice wood grips for them from Marshalls grips.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v79/Chortdraw/DSCN0103.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v79/Chortdraw/DSCN0028.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v79/Chortdraw/DSCF0009-2.jpg

[yogiboobooranger]

Get a 12-15 inch piece of broom handle, tie some clothes rope to it in the center about 25-30 inches long and put a small weight on the end of the rope. Then using your hands facing down towards the floor, roll the rope onto the broom stick alternating one hand then the other until the rope is all the way rolled up and then reverse the action letting the rope un-roll. This exercise will strengthen the wrists which will help in the elimination of limp wristing a handgun.:watching:

[Freedom1911]

I've looked at a few and just always went another direction. I'm not sure why I just haven't got one. Is it true they own Llama now too? I have looked at a few of those and like the idea of 191 freamed in a lot of calibers but hear the parts are harder to find. Ifd I was to get a bersa tomorow and wanted a 9mm, 40, 45 ACP what models would be the ones to get?


Have not heard about that.
I have found this http://www.bersa-llama.com/ at several searches, but it seems to be a dead url.
Asking about this at www.bersatalk.com would probably get a definite answer.
MichaelT at the BT sight is in contact with Bersa all the time and if any one can give a yes or no answer to this it would be him.

Checked at the Bersa Talk forum and this is what they said about Bersa Buying Llama.

No, Bersa didn't buy Llama. If you google Llama, or check wikipedia, they'll give you a complete history of Llama, and Bersa is never mentioned, nor is Argentina.

Firestorm is an American brand name, and the owner contracted with Llama to make imitation 1911 pistols under the Firestorm brand name, to be imported into the U.S. They also contracted with Bersa to make .22lr, .380acp, 9mm, .40s&w, and .45acp pistols under the Firestorm brand name. The only relationship that Bersa has with Llama is that they did business with the same American importer, RSA Enterprises.

[vlasfarg]

Still happy with my T9 HC Pro - 575 shots, 1 FTE and less than 10 failure to lock open after the last round in the mag that I all blame the ammo for.
My grouping is getting tighter too.

[diskdoctr]

I was watching my wife clean her Bersa Thunder .380 this weekend and I couldn't help but notice how much more wear her little gun has already than any other gun I've owned for a longer period of time.

I'm not sure if the wear I'm seeing is just cosmetic, or if parts are actually wearing out.

Are you owners of Bersas still happy with your guns?

So you feel like your Bersa has held up well?

Has anyone had one long enough to feel like thier gun has worn out and needs to be replaced?

If you were to make the purchase again, would you stick with Bersa, or would you go with a more expensive .380?

Acquiring minds want to know ... :smt102

Thanks,

WM


I would guess the wear you are seeing to be cosmetic.. The Bersas tend to hold up really well. There is always the exception but I know of a couple of ranges that use them on the rental line and have upwards of 40,000 rounds through them, and you know a range gun does not get the TLC that ours do. I have a UC45 with over 2200 flawless rounds, and a couple different models of 380, one is my wifes and it has 1500 through it and my CC model has only a couple hundred.. Very happy and will add more of them to the collection

[gschnarr]

We have 2 Bersa Thunders. With around 2 thousand rounds thru each without a problem, We are very happy with them. Both my wife and I use them for CCW.

[BigDaveP]

I have a UC9 and a Firestorm 22 and both have been pretty much perfect. Literally no problems with the FS and one stovepipe FTE on the Thunder 9 on the very first magazine, limpwristed it...

a few thousand rounds through both now, and I've pulled them down and cleaned them several times each with no visible improper wear... the FS22 is exactly like the 380, all steel, pretty much no recoil, and the Thunder UC9 for me is better than my wife's Glock, heavier with less recoil... I much prefer a hammer gun with a flip safety... I can put one in the chamber, put the safety on and holster it.. with safety on, the trigger's disconnected, unlike a Glock .. and if I actually pull the UC9 for social work, I just flip down the safety with the thumb and pull DA for the first round.

Seriously, no problems, no disorder of any kind with the UC9 or the FS22 after thousands of rounds in each, and I expect when I go to .45 it will be another Bersa.

I'm also lefty, and not many guns have controls on the right side.. FNP makes a .45 that way, but I might have to stay with Bersa.. :-)

[murky]

:smt023Have had my Bersa Thunder now for about 3 months and love the way it handles. I'm still a little slow in reloading but figure I'll get better with more practice. At the shooting range I am pleased with my target practice and feel that the Bersa is easy to aim and shoot. Just wish I could reload faster - it's still a bit stiff.

[ken2925]

I still like the two I own, a .380 and the Firestorm .45. My wife likes the .380 but she has a problem disengaging the the safety. She has arthritis in her thumb and the safety is stiff and quite a pain literally for her to operate. Any suggestions to help her to be able to use this pistol as her CCW will be appreciated!

[gilly21]

I still like the two I own, a .380 and the Firestorm .45. My wife likes the .380 but she has a problem disengaging the the safety. She has arthritis in her thumb and the safety is stiff and quite a pain literally for her to operate. Any suggestions to help her to be able to use this pistol as her CCW will be appreciated!

Manually drop the hammer, or before placing it in the holster or bag use both hands to engage the safety(which drops the hammer) then disengage the safety. You now have a perfectly "safe" CCW. The double action on the first trigger pull will be in safe carry mode and if she has to use it to defend herself she wont be fumbling with the safety.

[ken2925]

Thanks gilly! I have tried to figure out a way for her to be safe and still carry the pistol which she shoots the best and is most comfortable with. I appreciate your help and Thanks, Ken.

[EVO80]

I bought my first Bersa 380 sometime back in 1998-1999 and have used it on a regular basis. Couldn't even guess at the round count. Not a single issue with it. I think I paid somewhere around $130 for it - best $130 I've ever spent!