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Forgot where, but methinks Steve Camp did a rather favorable review of the Bersa Thunder while back.

I've had at least 4 CHL students quailify with one without (semi-anticipated on my part) problems.

Rather similar in size - and price - to a Mak. Also as an instructor/range operator, if I had to pick one over the other, I'd probably go with a Mak. Or if budget was not a big issue, a Kahr.

Actually I am PWK’s wife. When I wanted to buy, he took me to a gun show and I handled lots of different guns before choosing the Bersa Thunder. It just felt right in a small hand with shorter fingers. You have to practice with any gun to make it yours. I shoot it often and have really enjoyed it. The weight seems just about right to me.

Good post JB....It is nice to hear that parts are readily available. That is important feedback :) I wish it was so easy with My Star Model B!
Jason

Both myself and my Father in Law carry a Bersa 380 Thunder. It is a heavy pistol, but very easy to carry in an IWB holster. I carry it in a Comp Tac Ghurka.

I have had no problems with mine. My Father in Law was having a lot of FTE's and Bersa took care of it free (it took 6 weeks from Houston to Brazil back to Houston). Since then he has had no problems whatsoever.

This is a pistol that when purchased, needs to be cleaned and oiled, then taken to the range a couple of times, put through 300-400 rounds and see how it's doing. Expect to have a few problems in the first 100-200 rounds, but after that it should be fine. If not, contact Bersa.

I believe in this pistol and that's why I carry it.

For a semi auto - Glock 26, simple, reliable, 11 available rounds, not too heavy, cheap 9mm ammo for practice, and, you can clean it in the dishwasher... For a revolver - Smith and Wesson 637, also simple, reliable, 5 rounds of +P, airweight but not so light it smacks your hand, and cheap 38 ammo. Not dishwasher safe...

I qualified wtih this gun and carried it for over a year! I'm totally AGAINST PURSE CARRY! Purse can be easily jerked away strap or no strap. Then if the perp gets your weapon guess what. If your walking out from somewhere guess what you have to unzip unbulcke whatever and then get your weapon. I already got you! Carjacked wheres your purse behind your seat on the floodboard? Anyway about the .380 now that we got some of the carry issues out of the way. Carry the gun on your person if your gonna carry otherwise it may be used againt you instead. The .380 is a perfect gun I carried it in an Uncle Mikes Hip holster with two extra mags! So a total of 21 rounds! Two mags actaully fit in the mag pouch easily 7 rounds each plus the one in the gun. It probably weighs less than 2.5 lbs with a 3" barrel. The Gun shoots well, hardly any recoil, very easy to field strip, Very easy to clean. I put between 1000 to 1200 rounds through mine in a years time practicing once a month at 100 rounds per pop! I never had one single problem. I highly recommend this gun. Get you some good hollow points hornady or corbon and you shouldn't have a problem. Its not the gun that most of the time its the person carrying and knowing how to use it with the right ammo. Buy a gun that you can shoot and aim with.

I totally agree on the purse carry issue. Does not matter to some women. My wife included. For this one the gun is the issue.Thanks all.

I am a little late on this topic, but FWIW:
My mom got a bersa a couple of years ago. She wanted an auto, but in a caliber she could easily manage, and with a slide that was easy for her to chamber.
As said earlier, the saftey was stiff at first, but loosened with use. My dad and I have also used it, no problems with any. No complaints.
Great pistol for the price. Just a note- the spare mags are can be pricy.

Take a look at http://www.bersatalk.com forum for feedback on the Bersa 380. I have one and love shooting it at the range but mine has been too unreliable to trust for a CCW. It is now back in for warrenty work for the second time. Problems with slide lock not holding and fail to feeds.

Of course, my experience may be an exception to the norm. I truly believe any manufacturer is liable to put out an occassional lemon from time to time and I may have bought one. But as my mama taught me, "You generally get what you pay for." And new Bersa T380s only cost $200 where I live.

I agree with you Pf, all of the companies are capable of producing a lemon. I have a Smith 686 that I have around seven hundred dollars invested in. I had to be patient, but now she is awesome!

Just read jbirds post.

I also have a S & W 686. Mine is a PP 6" barrel. I have never had any problems with it. Zero, none, out of the box perfect. I am a big fan of S & W pistols. I also have a S & W 22A plinker pistol. As with most autos, it did have some misfires at first but after about 300 or so rounds it shoots great. The first time I cleaned it (22A) the sear spring shot the spacer (a small, flat peice of plastic) across the room and I spent about two hours moving stuff to find it.
I still like my Bersa T380 even though a lot of my friends think because it was rather inexpensive it's not a good gun. Mine is very dependable. As mentioned in a previous post, I lost a grip screw and had to order another on the web. While waiting for replacement I put a small, wide rubber band on the grip just below the trigger guard as a temporary fix. This may sound a little crazy but I learned to like the feel of the way the rubber band seemed to give me a more secure grip on the polymer grips. Has anyone tried the after market, wrap around grips for a Bersa? I'm thinking of buying a set.

I took my CHL with a new Bersa T380 a couple of years ago and right out of the box with CCI Blazer ammo I shot 249 out of 250. The Bersa only weights 23ozs loaded and I carried it in a pager pal with my cell phone and I just looked like a fat guy with a cell phone. I agree with everyone about not carrying in a purse as lots of bad things can happen to it. My wife and daughter both had no problems with the Bersa. I am even thinking about getting one of the T45's as it's almost the same size, just a little fatter and maybe 1/2" longer and still only weights in at 28ozs loaded. What ever you get just be sure and practice ,practice, practice.