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[Review] Bersa Thunder & Firestorm .380: Better 007 PPK?

Bersa Firestorm
Looking at the updated PPK from Bersa in the form of the Thunder and Firestorm? We cover the differences and review for reliability, accuracy, and more.
We review products independently. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission to help support our testing. Learn more.
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    Name the most iconic spy firearm ever and 9 out of 10 people will say the Walther PPK – the 10th person would be wrong.

    But the PPK was introduced in 1931 and almost zero changes have been made since…even a classic can use an update sometimes.

    The Bersa Firestorm .380 and Bersa Thunder .380 is that update.

    Bersa Firestorm
    Bersa Firestorm

    In a world of polymer gats that serve every possible role, the idea of choosing something heavy and made of steel might seem…old-timey. And it might well be just that, but that doesn’t mean it’s bad!

    Table of Contents

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    Bersa Who?

    While everyone knows who Walther or Colt is, Bersa isn’t really a popular name in the United States – even though the USA is the place to be for firearms, Bersa is just not huge in our market.

    They are, however, MASSIVE in Argentina where Bersa is based.

    Formed by Italian immigrants in the early 1950s, Bersa has been producing firearms for over 60 years. In 1994 they won a major contract with Argentina when the Bersa Thunder 9 was adopted as the standard issue pistol for the Argentina Armed Forces, Federal Police, and other agencies.

    Bersa’s two most popular models of firearms, in the United States at least, are the Thunder .380 and Firestorm .380.

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    Difference Between the Thunder and Firestorm

    Not much.

    Really, pick what you think looks best and go for it. They take the same parts, the same magazines, and are effectively the same pistol – with some minor, mostly cosmetic, differences.

    Namely, the grips, trigger guard, and sights are different – but not massively so.

    The Firestorm has Finger Groves and Over-Sized Rubber Grips, the Thunder does not.

    Firestorm Trigger Guard is rounded, the Thunder is scalloped and serrated.

    Thunder and Firestorm
    (left) Bersa Firestorm .380 (right) Bersa Thunder .380

    Firestorm sights are Glock-like with a dot front post and U outline rear sight, the Thunder is simple 3-dot.

    Otherwise – it is the same gun. And are roughly the same price.

    I bought a Firestorm because it is on the CA roster and the Thunder is not (don’t ask me why, just California things).

    Outside of these differences…I can’t find anything. And I’m honestly at a loss as to why there are even two versions of this gun.

    Out of the Box

    First off – holy dry gun batman. Handling it in the store, I was worried about it. Bersa ships these guns bone dry and the lack of even the slightest hint of lube really makes them feel rough in the FFL, but for the price and the fact that I just really wanted a PPK-style gun – I rolled the dice and got it.

    Once home I was able to clean it and lube it, that made a world of difference!

    Bersa Firestorm
    Bersa Firestorm, lubed and ready for the range.

    Everything smoothed up nicely and the function of the gun is great now. You can tell this isn’t a high-end gun, but it is a lot nicer feeling and finished than what the price would lead you to believe.

    The quality of the gun is much higher than I expected for the price – the internals show where they cut their cost in that the finish quality inside isn’t outstanding, but it isn’t budget either. For the outside, it’s very well done but the corners are a bit sharp – especially the decocker.

    As a whole, the Firestorm feels solid in the hand and smooth to handle with a manual of arms much akin to a downsized Beretta 92 series pistol.

    Fleas First

    I have one real issue with my Firestorm, but it was easy to correct – although it did require some minor Gun Surgery on my part. Namely: it has a Magazine Safety.

    While some people actually like the magazine safety and California requires it for most pistols sold by an FFL – there is nothing on a pistol that I hate more than this cursed “feature”.

    My belief lies fully in the camp that says magazine safeties make a gun less safe to handle and are entirely pointless in a self-defense or tactical situation. Any gun I own that has one gets it removed the first day I own it.

    The Firestorm was no exception. Thankfully, like most mag safeties, it was easy to remove.

    How to Remove the Bersa Firestorm 380 Magazine Safety

    Not saying you should do this…but if you want to…unscrew and pop the right grip panel off the gun, lay it flat, look at the bottom left-hand corner of the grip.

    You’ll see a C shaped cut out with a flat spring in there. Use a punch and some muscle and you’ll be able to get the spring out…or if you don’t care about preserving the spring, needle-nose pliers and a good yank will pop it out a lot faster.

    That’s it. You’re done. Replace the grip panel and enjoy a un-lawyered firearm.

    …I’ll be honest, I followed a random YouTube video I found to do this – here it is in case that is more your thing:

    And how about the full field strip?

    To the Range!

    My first trip to the range with a new gun I always bring as much ammo as I can carry and from at least a few different brands.

    Here’s our editor with his Firestorm!

    For my Firestorm, I brought out Remington UMC .380 FMJ Ball, Hornady Critical Defense .380, and two types of Sig Sauer .380 ammo – their FMJ and their V-Crown (Sig provided me this ammo, thanks Sig!)

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    I put 300 rounds downrange that first trip – zero malfunctions, zero failures, zero issues of any kind. Everything ran perfectly! Even the defensive JHP Sig Sauer V-Crown ammo ran perfectly. This little Bersa ate everything I gave it and left me very pleased.

    Sig Ammo 380
    Thanks to Sig Sauer for the .380 ammo (top) Sig FMJ (bottom) Sig V-Crown JHP

    You should know (if you don’t already) the Bersa Thunder and Firestorm are both DA/SA guns. That might be a hard no no for some, but it is actually my preferred type of pistol.

    My main competition gun (also my main carry sidearm for hunting, hiking, etc) is a Beretta 92FS with several Wilson Combat upgrades in it.

    So for me, I’m used to and like the DA/SA style manual of arms and the Bersa Firestorm matches up in handling almost perfectly to my Beretta 92FS.

    Shooting for Groups

    I bought my Firestorm with the goal of using it on my CCW permit and that means a live-fire qualification course – so I needed to be sure that this 3.5″ barreled pistol would cut it…but I wasn’t super worried…

    Where I live to get a CCW permit you need to be barely minute-of-bad-guy to pass your CCW course (70% in the black of an NRA B-29 target, you know – the full human torso sized target police use) but I expect better of myself and of my firearm.

    Even though the Firestorm is small, has a tiny sight radius, and a real snap to the recoil – it shoots true.

    Sig FMJ Ball at 7 yards, Bersa Firestorm
    Sig FMJ Ball at 7 yards, Bersa Firestorm (ignore the far left shot off the shoot-n-c target, that wasn’t the same group)

    Not a group that would win the Olympics, but more than enough to protect yourself with against a bad guy.

    Sig’s V-Crown HP ammo also performed well, shooting a much tighter group and with zero feed issues common to JHP ammo.

    Sig V-Crown at 10-yards, Bersa Firestorm
    Sig V-Crown JHP at 10-yards, Bersa Firestorm

    The vertical stringing was clearly my shooting and the fact that it was a bit low was on purpose, the back of the target was getting shot out so I shifted my aim down a bit to preserve the backing.

    Very nice grouping though from the ammo, I am quite pleased with both the ammo and the fact that this little pistol was as on target as it was. Even the sights are on point and sending rounds exactly where I think they will go – right out of the box.

    What surprised me the most was that my POI didn’t really shift between the two types of Sig Sauer ammo. Two different types of bullet, two different weights (10-grain difference but still) and the POI was spot on with both. Nice if you’re looking to train with Sig FMJ and carry V-Crown.

    The Real Test: NRA B-29 Target…

    Since I am getting ready for my CCW course, I decided to splurge at the range and buy an NRA B-29 target to see how I faired against it.

    The course of fire for my city is 1 magazine each at 15, 10, and 7 yards. My indoor pistol range maxed out at 14 yards, so that’ll have to do for now.

    21 shots into NRA B-29 target at 40 feet - Bersa Firestorm
    21 shots into NRA B-29 target at 14 yards (42 feet) – Bersa Firestorm

    For a CCW sub-compact pistol with a 3.5-inch barrel, I am happy with a score of 197/210. I could do better, but I was 250+ rounds deep already and my wrist was getting ready for a break.

    .380 ACP and a Lightweight Gun…

    But while I was pleased with my Bersa, my hand and wrist aren’t. .380 ACP isn’t what most people would consider a powerful round, and it isn’t. But combined with a very small CCW pistol even .380 can be snappy. After 300 rounds in about 2 hours of shooting – the Firestorm had chewed my hand up a bit.

    Bersa Bite
    Bersa Bite: the morning after ~300 rounds of .380

    My hands aren’t soft, I go to the pistol range regularly and have the hands to prove it, but even so – 300 rounds of snappy recoil left me with a small patch of skin missing and a sore wrist.

    While I trust this little gun for a CCW and wouldn’t have an issue shooting it to protect myself, it is clearly not something I would take to the range just to plink with.

    After about 250 rounds is when I noticed the missing skin, I keep gloves in my range bag and with my Pig FDT glove on, I felt almost zero of the recoil and made for a much more comfortable shooting experience.

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    If I was going to take this plinking or to a long CCW class, I would absolutely wear the gloves for it. But for a standard time-to-eat-my-vegetables at the range practicing with my Bersa – I’d leave them off for anything under about 75 rounds per session.

    By the Numbers

    Reliability 5/5

    Well over 300 rounds now of a mix of ball, HP, and ballistic tip rounds – zero failures of any kind with any ammo. Remington UMC was dirty to shoot but worked well for practice ammo. Sig Sauer FMJ was clean and wonderful to shoot groups with (and is what I plan on using during my CCW qualification test) while the Sig V-Crown is my planned on carry ammo. LuckyGunner has tested the Sig V-Crown .380 Ammo and their report is very positive!

    Accuracy 5/5

    For a sub-compact CCW weapon, the accuracy is remarkable and on par with many full-sized firearms. You might need to adjust your grip a bit, but find what works and stick with it. Do your part and the gun will drill holes where you want them.

    Ergonomics 4/5

    I have large hands and most compact or sub-compact guns are very hard or impossible for me to get a good grip with, the Bersa Firestorm didn’t present that problem for me. The overmold grip, the finger grooves, all of it matches up well for me. The only issue I had was the magazine release is set high and forward. While this keeps it out of the way, it is a bit of a reach (even for me) to be able to use. Granted, speed reloads aren’t something you generally look for in a CCW gun – so this isn’t a huge deal to me.

    The over-molded grip also runs to the very edge of the magazine release, with my hands and my grip that made pressing the mag release harder than I would like. I took a razor to the rubber grip and snipped it back a little so that the mag release is more exposed, making it far easier to press and release.

    Bersa Firestorm
    Cleaning up the overmolded grip next to the magazine release

    Looks 5/5

    Classic Walther PPK style looks, I dig that a lot. Every time I go to the range with it I have the Bond theme in my head for that first magazine down range.

    Customization 2/5

    Bersa isn’t a huge name in the game and the options for the Thunder and Firestorm are limited at best. So far I haven’t found a reliable source for aftermarket sights that work with the gun and I would really like to since night sights on a CCW is a big deal to me. There are 3rd party magazines for it, but I’ve heard horrible things about them. Thankfully, Bersa makes 7, 8, and 9 round magazines that are dead on reliable.

    There are some grip options floating around made by Bersa and other brands, but outside of that, your options to customize are almost non-existent.

    Holsters seem to be the easiest thing to find – Alien Gear, Crossbreed, and more have options.

    Bang for the Buck/Value 5/5

    I paid $340 out the door in California for a brand new Bersa Firestorm .380. For the rest of the nation, it can be had for as little as $250-ish out the door. At that price, for the features it offers, the quality of manufacture, and the ease of use – this is a great value. I am outstandingly happy with mine and would highly recommend it.

    Overall Rating 4/5

    All things considered – I really like this gun. Metal frame, DA/SA, .380, 100% reliable, and it was surprisingly cheap. That covers every single box I was hoping to check when looking for a CCW pistol.

    Field Strip & Reassembly

    The Firestorm has a really weird yet fast takedown…we made a video to help you out:

    Conclusion

    The Bersa Thunder 380 and the Bersa Firestorm are both great CCWs. They’re compact with great ergonomics and dead-on accuracy. There’s not much in the way of customization options, but finding a holster is easy. Best of all? It’s cheap.

    The question most people ask when it comes to CCW guns is “Is it the best?” I find that a weird question to ask since…there isn’t a best. Just a best for you or a best for me. I like the Firestorm and if it roughly matches what you’re looking for in a CCW, I would recommend you try it out.

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    Prices accurate at time of writing

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    I’ll be honest, I wish this was a Walther – but sadly Walther isn’t making a PPK 2018 edition and the standard PPK is simply…dated. If Walther ends up making a new version of the PPK, I’ll wait in line overnight to try it.

    But until then my Bersa fills that itch I have and serves my needs in nearly every way I could ask for in my CCW gun.

    Bersa Firestorm
    My Bersa Firestorm

    If you want even more CCW options – take a look at our Best CCW Pistols By Caliber article!

    What do you choose – DA/SA, striker fired, or SA? Do you carry a Bersa Thunder or Firestorm also? Let me know in the comments! Check out more of our favorite guns and gear in Editor’s Picks.

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    55 Leave a Reply

    • Jerry Hunter

      Dude, this article was very well written. I am going to archive your site and look forward to reading more of your reviews. I’m a Glock 19 guy (bought my version 1 in 1989 and a version 3 for my wife 2 years ago) but I’m really interested in Bersa ppl due to your excellent review. Thank you and keep up the good work my friend!

      September 28, 2024 1:29 pm
    • JP

      I really enjoy these small centerfire calibers in compact sized metal framed guns. Beretta 81FS, Bersa Thunder 380 Plus, Taurus PT 58 SS, FEG PP type in 7.65...

      April 14, 2024 4:06 pm
    • Pete

      I noticed you have large hands and how high up on the grip you were holding your Bersa - high enough to basically defeat the large beavertail on the back.

      I, too, have large hands and my simple solution to the same problem was to slap a fat rubber Hogue on the grip which ended all traces of slide bite.

      It's worth mentioning that Bersa made guns that were precursors to the Thunders and Firestorms such as the Bersa 383 (or 83), 85 and 95. Bersa also made a high-capacity Thunder known as Thunder Plus that held 15 rounds. The Plus also had a thicker grip to accomodate the double-stack mags it used (which would also reduce the carnage on your hand).

      The latest Bersa Thunder is the Bersa TPR 380 and Bersa TPR 380 Plus. Bascially, what they did was attach a small Picatinny-type rail to the front of the trigger guard and under the barrel for adding lights and lasers to it. It's similar to some Crimson Trace lasers that were made for small carry pistols.

      April 14, 2024 12:51 pm
    • Alan Dodson

      The Bersa Thunder 380 has always been a staple in my display case in my gunsmithing and sales shop. The ladies love them and many men as well. Well built, reliable, and inexpensive. As for James Bond, he never carried a .380, his PPK was a .32ACP. I have an original German PPK in .32.

      September 19, 2023 9:10 am
    • Jim

      I prefer DA/SA - fully load the gun, with one in the pipe, then decock the gun. You can now safely carry the gun fully loaded (and therefore always ready) without having to use the safety, because that first DA pull is your safety.

      I have stayed away from the Bersa Thunder because of the trigger lock. (That was the only reason.) However, it appears that the Bursa Firestorm does not have a trigger lock. Therefore, I will seriously consider buying one.

      December 25, 2022 3:15 pm
    • James Copeland

      I have the Bersa 380 fire storm, I too couldn't find aftermarket sights. so I opted for the arma laser tr16 witch fits perfectly and looks and function great.

      December 22, 2022 3:17 pm
    • Daniel Rees

      I have been carrying the Bersa Thunder almost exclusively since November 5th of 2017 and am very happy with it. I also carry a Ruger Security 9 when I need a 9mm, but I enjoy the Thunder the best. It feels good in my hand and is comfortable on the belt. It shoots better than I do and I consider the 380 to be an adequate cartridge. Great little pistol m

      July 6, 2022 5:43 am
    • Kurt Schilling

      Well, I've carried a Bersa Thunder Plus for several years now. Primary reason was the double stack mag. It fills my hand nicely. Utterly reliable and digests everything that I've stuffed into a mag. If I'm not carrying the Plus, I carry a Bersa TPR9C, another utterly reliable compact CCA pistol.

      March 13, 2022 4:45 pm
    • Bob

      I'm very pleased with my Bersa Thunder .380. Recently added a 10 round mag as the Cali standard is sorely lacking during extended shooting drills, such as at Frontsight training. In fact, a number of other shooters in the class wished they had a .380 or 9mm to blast targets- such is the drawback of larger calibers.

      March 3, 2022 4:58 pm
    • Scotez

      My two EDCs are A sig365XL and the Bersa Thunder which I have in .380 and .22LR which is excellent for training on the cheap. I love the SA/DA action. I added a grip mounted Crimson Trace which works great for me. The Bersa operates flawlessly and when matched with a Vedder LightTuck holster is is a combo I am very comfortable carrying with confidence.

      September 8, 2021 11:13 pm
    • Jose Fabregas

      Como miembro activo de una unidad táctica en la Policía de Puerto Rico poseo una sig 320 9mm y para mi defensa en mi Hogar Tengo una Ruger sr 1911 45 acp además un revólver Ruger lcpx 22 magnum pero desde que poseo una bersa thunder .380 me a encantado todo de esa arma y es la que cargo más constantemente y estoy de acuerdo con el artículo muy acertado todo .

      July 16, 2021 10:32 pm
    • Ken

      This article is spot on. I have three Bersa pistols and would not trade them for anything.

      June 20, 2021 3:17 pm
    • Fletch

      I suggest keeping the magazine trigger safety in place. If it bothers you when the clip is out, use your thumbnail and push the slide up which easily disables the trigger safety. Not a big deal and easily overcome.

      October 21, 2020 9:48 am
    • Rodney E Cox

      Just bought a Bersa Thunder 380 for conceal carry. It feels much better in my hands than any other 380 that I've held. It definitely has more weight to it than others. Love the safety
      option and the sights. I'll probably buy another one in the near future.

      August 24, 2020 7:14 am
    • william

      Bersa without a doubt

      July 21, 2020 1:16 am
    • DirtyShirt

      The Bersa bite; that raw spot on the web on your thumb. That's caused by the rough edge on the beaver tail. It would be nice if Bersa smoothed over that edge during manufacture but that would add cost to an affordable gun. I carry my Thunder380 for self defense so I don't like to wear range gloves. I put a little piece of tape on that part of my hand so that it doesn't get worn raw.

      December 25, 2019 4:03 pm
    • Terry Smith

      I just purchased the CC version. It's similar to the Thunder, with lower profile sights (!), a smaller hammer, and a flat magazine bottom (no pinky rest). Mine does have the factory Crimson Trace grips, a must as my eyes age. I'm glad it's all metal, as its recoil surprised me. I chose it for its size, I'm more likely to have it with me.
      After the initial lube job (boy did it need that!), I ran a box of ammo through it before using it to (easily) qualify for my CCW - with its tiny iron sights, no less. I like everything about this gun so far.

      November 7, 2019 10:29 am
    • Bill Truax

      I have carried the Thunder for several years and agree with your report. I have the Ruger ARX self defense ammo which boosts the MV to 1250 FPS as well as providing more Impact due to the polymer bullet.
      I can’t shoot as well as Bond, however, who shoots running bad guys at 50 feet and kills with one shot.
      Bit then, I am not licensed to kill.

      October 20, 2019 10:16 am
    • Susan Monroe

      Hi,
      Can you explain why the Firestorm is restricted in CA but not the Thunder?
      Thx

      September 7, 2019 11:32 pm
      • David, PPT Editor

        California has a roster of "safe" handguns that are allowed to be sold by FFLs in California. To get on the roster, a company must submit their firearm for inspection + fees and must do it every year. There are also requirements that the firearm must have, some of these are grandfathered in and some are not. The effect of this is that we have a strang smattering of handguns that are legal for an FFL to sell. I don't know why Bersa decided to get one and not the other.

        September 8, 2019 12:44 am
    • Andrew Rejon Jr

      I've been researching which small caliber to select for my CCW and I keep coming back to Bersa .380. Yes, I know it's not a huge caliber like a 357, but I'm not chasing down thugs as a habit. So, for me, Bersa Thunder/Firestorm does provide what I'm looking for, reliability, cost-effectiveness, and proven performance. For plinking purposes what would you suggest?

      September 4, 2019 4:27 pm
      • David, PPT Editor

        For plinking ammo I use Remington UMC, my Bersa eats just about anything but the UMC seems to make it happier and is on the cheap side. For defensive ammo, I use Sig Sauer V-Crown JHP. Great ammo, highly recommend it!

        September 4, 2019 6:33 pm
        • DirtyShirt

          My Bersa Thunder also like Remington UMC the best for range ammo.

          December 25, 2019 3:59 pm
    • Sam Spade

      Difference between Firestorm and Thunder? How could you miss the little locking hole on the left side above the trigger? It's even pretty obvious in the photo comparison in your article!!

      To the best of my knowledge (as a Thunder cc owner), Bersa went to the Thunder design because some locations required a trigger lock.

      My only question, which you might be able to shed some light on, is why this fantastic little pistol is so unreasonably denigrated by the American firearms press?

      July 28, 2019 6:20 pm
    • Lisa Barba

      Thank you for your review. I just bought the Firestorm and I absolutely love it. My ‘flea’ is that when I load seven rounds, it’s extremely difficult for me to put the last round in the magazine. When I do get the last one in, it would jam every time. I’m curious if you know why it would do that. FYI, this is only my second pistol so I’m pretty new at this. Is it something I’m doing wrong?

      July 14, 2019 6:21 pm
      • David, PPT Editor

        Glad you like it!

        Last round of a new mag is always a bit rough, leave the mags loaded for a couple of weeks and it will soften up a little.

        July 14, 2019 6:30 pm
        • Mike-NM

          Good idea for me

          September 15, 2020 2:21 pm
    • mdpigroaster

      Just picked up a used Firestorm and I really like this gun. Very accurate. I agree with the review. This will be my EDC. I like the looks of this gun with the tapered frame (PPK look) vs other semi's with the more square like frame at the muzzle.

      June 14, 2019 9:18 am
    • Daryl Walker

      Thanks for the great article! The Bersa Thunder 380 Plus is on my wishlist. The slightly larger size of the Plus accommodates a 15 round magazine; fortunately I live in the free state of Georgia! I don't know if I will include it in my EDC rotation, but it definitely has the cool factor.

      June 13, 2019 10:58 pm
    • Austin Powers

      Just to set the record straight here, the Walther PPK(/S) has in fact been updated. Smith & Wesson updated the design when they held the license for domestic production with a one-piece feed ramp for reliable feeding of modern JHP ammunition, extended the beavertail to help protect the shooter's hand from slide-bite, and made a few internal modifications to improve the heavy Double Action trigger. Walther themselves has retained said updates in the current domestic production.
      Also, the Walther PPK(/S) does have a slide stop, it's merely an internally activated slide stop which requires an empty magazine to engage. This was an intentional design choice by Walther to prevent snagging, not merely a product of the time in which it was originally designed, at which point which external slide stop levers most certainly existed.
      Furthermore, the Bersa Thunder series is less of a Walther PPK derivative, but rather more of an amalgamation between the Walther PPK/S and the SIG P230/P232.
      That being said, the Bersa Thunder/Firestorm does indeed make for a fantastic low-cost alternative to the Walther PPK since it goes for roughly half the price.

      May 28, 2019 6:59 pm
    • Shadow

      The Bersa Thunder 380 is my EDC. Absolutely love it. Carries comfortably in multiple positions, and fires more comfortably than smaller frames like the Ruger LCP.

      May 2, 2019 8:31 pm
    • J. Spence

      I have the .22 version and the .380. The .22 is ammo fussy, but very reliable with good high velocity ammo. It works great for handling practice instead of beating up my hand with the .380 and saves some money at the same time. The review is right on, and it is a good choice for the cost.

      April 3, 2019 8:51 am
      • Alan w bresson

        My edc is the Thunder.
        Have small hands and
        It fits like a glove. Also am a
        Da/sa guy. Am skinny so te
        Rests in side pants unseen
        In Arizona. Love it !!

        June 27, 2019 6:06 am
    • Byron Rashed

      Great article. I have the Bersa 380 FireStorm and really like shooting it. On my CCW qualification, the Bersa failed. There are some issues with with it that were fixed by the gunsmith and I qualified the gun afterwards. Depending on who you ask, some love it, some are negative about it. I like the size and form, very similar to the Walther PPK as noted by the author. Good CCW firearm, I’m looking forward to carrying it.

      March 25, 2019 6:02 pm
    • Terry Stevens

      Outstanding article. I concur completely. I own 2 Bersa Thunders, one of which is my EDC/ CCW. I just picked up a new one for $250, the black and gold version. We took it out to the range last week, and it performed Flawlessly. People can pay a lot more for an EDC firearm, but I would trust my life to the Bersa. Just stay away from steel casing ammo. T

      March 23, 2019 10:10 am
    • Jim 380 Fan

      I've had my Bersa Thunder for over 4 years now. I think the model is under-rated. I've only shot ball ammo and haven't had a problem with cycling. The only quality issue I've experienced is when the front site slipped out of its dovetail groove. This was fixed with a dab of locktite. The only functioning issue is when a fresh magazine is inserted with force the slide will release forward, chambering a round. This could be a safety issue, as it chambers a round unintentionally. I prefer the rubber grips with finger grooves, combined with a magazine with a pinky support--I dislike the many mini-380s that leaves one's pinky dangling. Its uncomfortable for me. I like the larger 380s that fit all of my fingers. I wish a manufacturer would make a full sized 380, like the same size as a 1911. If they can make a 22 LR operate a slide, they can get a 380 to operate a full sized slide, don't you think?

      January 2, 2019 7:36 pm
    • Karl Vanhooten

      My ten-year-old Bersa Thunder 380 is my favorite go-to carry gun. It eats any ammo, even steel-cased Russian (Academy Monarch), and at 5-7 yards is deadly accurate. I feel very safe carrying it chambered with the decock and hammer down. The single action trigger is excellent. From my 007 Ian Fleming books of my distant youth, I always wanted a PPK, but would not trade a new one for my old Bersa. My only complaint is not being able to install a fiber optic front sight (nobody makes one to fit it) but Eagle Imports says that is being remedied in 2019.

      December 28, 2018 2:05 pm
    • Jeff

      I am a huge fan of DA/SA. I have the Ruger P89BC and the CZ 2075 RAMI both decockers and both DA/SA. I will check out the Bersa.

      December 28, 2018 9:26 am
    • Douglas W Riding

      I took the grip off my Bersa Thunder - PLUS , to check all of this out... It bears NO resemblance to the Thunder...

      2nd question... I'm wondering if the same spring mechanism helps to eject the magazine... Does removing the spring, or the spring and the bar, make it harder to eject a mag ???

      ( BTW - I REALLY like Pew Pew... I'm glad I ran across the site ! I've learned a LOT which is surprising... I thought I already knew it all !!! ;-D )

      December 28, 2018 9:03 am
      • David, PPT Editor

        I don't believe so, the magazine still drops free for me and slides in and out like butter.

        December 28, 2018 10:00 am
    • Richard

      I got a Thunder when they first came out. Liked the gun but got a good price for it so now after reading this article may look again!

      December 28, 2018 8:54 am
    • Rob Hodge

      Hands down one of the most UNDERRATED firearms manufacturers in the world. I've owned the Thunder, Thunder Pro and the BP9cc.

      More reliable than glock straight out of the box; ergonomically comfortable, aesthetically pleasing, PHENOMENAL trigger in single or double. ALL BETWEEN $250-400 easily. Sig quality firearms at just above Taurus prices!!

      Do yourself a favor....

      December 28, 2018 5:44 am
    • TomC

      I won't comment on whether or not to do the magazine disconnect modification, but I do have a question about the reliability of the mod described here and in the video.


      According to the descriptions, the base of the magazine pushes the bar up when the magazine is inserted and locked in place. This allows the trigger mechanism to operate normally. The spring puts downward pressure on the bar so that when the magazine is removed the bar moves downward, disengaging the trigger mechanism.

      The modification described consists of only removing the spring. With the spring removed there is nothing pushing the bar downward so supposedly the bar will remain up keeping the trigger mechanism engaged even when the magazine is removed.

      BUT -- as demonstrated clearly in the video -- with the spring removed and the magazine removed, there is absolutely nothing holding the bar up or down. The bar is free to float up or down in response to gravity, inertia, or simple whims of fate.

      So, after the mod has been performed, whenever the magazine is removed exactly what keeps the bar from slipping down enough to disengage the trigger mechanism??

      December 27, 2018 10:23 pm
      • David, PPT Editor

        The video I linked only removed the spring, but there are other videos out there that remove the whole bar. I have no idea how the disconnect works, I had the same thought you did when I first saw the video and spent about an hour trying to move and twist and hold it at weird angles trying to get it to malfunction and it never did. That's when I searched further and found people just removing the whole bar.

        December 28, 2018 2:20 am
        • ROBERT

          OJO, la barra también SE DEBE DE QUITAR !!!

          April 9, 2020 9:11 am
    • Marvin L. Graham

      I have thr Bursa Thunder version wich has a !% round magazine BUT I live in a real US state (South Carolina) and not hte communist People's Repunlik of Kalifornica.

      December 27, 2018 7:22 pm
      • David, PPT Editor

        !% is an interesting number.

        December 28, 2018 2:27 am
    • J.f.v.

      I liked the article i just read, and makes me want to buy the thunder 380 in the plus edition, ( 15 rounds ) .

      December 27, 2018 6:54 pm
    • Duke Aquaro

      I have owned a PPK/S for about 8 years. It is a Smith and Wesson version. At first, I had some problems with both feed and extraction, After polishing the feed ramp and removing the main cause of trouble, the loaded chamber indicator, the gun has been 100% reliable. It especially likes, I should say loves, Polycase Ammo. Recoil is significantly reduced and reliability is outstanding. I do carry it on occasion, but it is a bit heavy. My question is when you say the PPK needs updating, what exactly would you want to see? Maybe the sites are somewhat small. Better sites are always good, but is that a required update? Grips? I like the black plastic on my gun, but there are others out there. Maybe a little taller mag release? It is a bit short, but not unobtainable. I really like this style of gun and also own a Makarov and a Polish P64. The 9x18 round is fun, but I still like the PPK/S better. So what could Walther do to improve the PPK/S? I am curious. Thanks for the great publication. I always look forward to this email!

      December 27, 2018 5:23 pm
      • David, PPT Editor

        Slide hold open is the big update for me, the Bersa has one and the PPK and PPK/S doesn't. I would also like either the grip trimmed back slightly or the mag release set forward slightly, just so that they aren't touching. Finally disassembly, I didn't go into it in the article but the Bersa and PPL break down differently, the PPK has that annoying trigger guard pull down - the Bersa you have a lever that you move down. The slide lifts off in the same manner with both though.

        Those minor updates, plus Walther's attention to detail would make for an amazing gun.

        December 28, 2018 2:23 am
        • Nate C

          Hopefully that's what we see! I spotted this video recently, sorry for the long link, I can't figure out how to clean it up.

          January 1, 2019 5:40 pm
          • David, PPT Editor

            I've seen the video before, I have hope!

            Walther also JUST released a steel frame Q5 Match. Looks like they are stepping up their game!

            January 1, 2019 8:24 pm
      • Nigel Villaverde

        The horroble double action trigger (14 lbs.)?

        March 9, 2019 8:04 am
        • ROBERT

          Se puede mejorar muchisimo, simplemente cuando la guardas, pones un cable telefónico apretando el gatillo, un milimetro antes de que se dispare, lo dejas en ésa tensión y lo guardas así. Al cabo de 6 meses tendrás un disparador razonable, dentro de las 9 lbrs doble acción y 4.9 en simple.-

          April 9, 2020 9:16 am
      • ROBERT

        Lo que se podríq hacer es colocar caños LOTHAR WALTHER para mejorar aún más su formidable precisión, aún a 50 mtrs. Como Yo cazo con mis .380 medium game, hasta avestruces de 180 lbs, que tengo que dispararles a 50 mtrs. minimos, el poder tener una 380 pequeña de alta precisión sería muy bueno.-

        April 9, 2020 9:05 am
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