Doubts can come from ignorance, snob-ism, lack of exposure, lack of reputation ...
I took the plunge 2.5 years ago with a Bersa Thunder 9 Pro HC. Since then I added a Thunder 22.
The BTh9 Pro HC is my favorite range gun since then. The finish is not as good as the finish of my Glock 26 Gen4, but after 4000+ rounds, the Bersa show very little signs of wear. So, to me, it is a solid, reliable and very accurate pistol. I would carry it with no fear.
It took some time to break it in about 300 rounds (the slide did not lock back when the gun was empty with weaker rounds). I had an issue to eject 20% of the time with 1 mag only. It was perfect with the other mag and the 2 other mags I purchased after.
So, for the heck of it, I got it sent back with that mag before I would have to pay for shipping (i.e. before 1 year). There is life time warranty on the Bersas, but you need to pay for the shipping (I believe). They must have done something right because the gun has been flawless with any kind of ammo I have put through it since then. The service was quick and no question asked (I gave a good description when I gave it back and the gun was back 4 weeks later at Academy for me to pick up). They described what was done clearly: they test fired, changed the ejector, not the extractor, and test fired again, cleaned up (Thanks!).
The 22LR is great (robust, accurate for its size, balanced, great sights) and it fits in small hands and big hands so it is an outstanding gun to introduce young and new shooters to the sport. It is as reliable as the 22lr ammo you put it in. I have lost count of the # of rounds it has been through.
I am very happy with my 2 Bersas - I would be happy to add a UC9, but I really do not need it.
Before that, I had a Beretta 92FS.
I now have a (great) Glock 26G4 (took more time to break it in than the Bersa 9 btw, but after 1000+ rounds it is great), a Walther P22 (not sure how long it will go, but so far, it has 4000+ rounds too), a flawless since day 1 Keltec sub 2000 9mm, and a Maverick 88 (very simple and reliable shotgun).
So I do not believe I can be called a Bersa snob. The price for the Bersas went up about 15% since I bought mines. I would buy them again even at the new price if I had to as they are a lot of guns for the money.
I have no experience with the .380 ACP models except that they fit my hand like a glove (same as the Th22). I heard good things about them though.
Vincent