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Well, I went and got one. Took it out to the range today to test it out with a variety of ammo. Absolutely no problems. Ate everything I put in it. Mixed up the rounds in the mags and it still fed it all. JHP, FMJ, light grain, heavy grain, it just ate it all right up with no issues whatsoever. Pretty impressive for the price. Definitely not the most accurate gun, but it may be that I was wearing my contacts and wasn't sighting in really well. Put about 100 rounds down the pipe with no problems. I did clean it prior to shooting, as it was a bit sticky coming out of the box. Real tight little gun mechanically. I would not hesitate to use it as a BUG or alternate carry when the big Beretta (very seldom) needs a rest.

I did not start this thread to get the ball rolling on the appropriateness of carry calibers, but any that want to do so please feel free. In all my discussions with others regarding the best calibers/weapons to carry, I will always state the opinion that while some rounds/weapons are inherently more effective than others it is the operator's comfort and skill level that make those other things effective. Carrying something you are comforable with and confident using are very important as well. As I am sure many will agree, its better to carry something than to carry nothing at all.

By the way, at some point I'm sure I'll move on up from my 9mm to a .45, but given my comfort and skill level with my Beretta I'm not in a real big hurry.

nice purchase. those little thunders have always intrigued me and I have no idea why. Have you shot any other .380s? Is it really bulky/heavy compared to a lcp or p3at?

I can speak for the Beretta 84 and the Thunder 380, I own both and mine tended to shoot low and left while the 84 stayed pretty much center mass, I took my CHL with the 84, the bersa is a little easier to conceal, the 84 is thick in the grip( double stack)...

I had a Bersa Thunder in stainless. Great little pistol. Sold it to finance an AR-15 build a couple of years ago, but wouldn't mind picking up another one now.

I've shot the Taurus TCP 738. Polymer frame. Too light for me and the recoil was really snappy. Sights were awful on the one I shot. Really light, exacerbating (so I believe) the felt recoil. Lots of muzzle flip despite a quite firm grip.

The Bersa was much easier to hold, control, and keep on target. Much less felt recoil due to increased weight. Balance felt good, too. A young lady was at the range with her boyfriend shooting .40's and .45's. I offered to let her try the Bersa and she said they had bothered her in the past. After three or four shots with the Bersa, she was all smiles and going to get her mother so she could shoot it as well.

On another note, I did observe that "slamming" the magazine in would cause to the slide to release and go into battery immediately, while inserting it slowly the slide remains locked back. An operating characteristic that I have no problem living with. The safety not only moves the hammer block into place, but totally disengages the trigger mechanism. Everything is crisp and tight.

Edit to add: I did consider the double stack model, but nixed it because the wife has smaller hands and I wanted something that would be more comfortable for her. The little extension on the bottom of the mag makes the grip just right, and while the trigger pull is quite long in DA, I found SA to be clean and crisp.

I found a used Bersa Thunder .380 (nickel finish) at a pawn shop for under $200. Brought it home and cleaned it up, then my wife confiscated it for herself .

The gun is a soft shooter and digests everthing we've put through it.

Now it lives on her nightstand accompanied by her flashlight.

My Bersa T 380 is one of the most comfortable shooters that I have. Accuracy, if I do my part it will put them all in a tight group. I don't remember ever having a jam of any kind with it. Like was said above, slamming the mag home does release the slide.

USA1 wrote:I found a used Bersa Thunder .380 (nickel finish) at a pawn shop for under $200. Brought it home and cleaned it up, then my wife confiscated it for herself .

The gun is a soft shooter and digests everthing we've put through it.

Now it lives on her nightstand accompanied by her flashlight.

I didn't get that good a deal but I did buy a new Bersa Thunder .380 with laser sight in the grip. Now wife is confident she can shoot whatever has the red dot on it anywhere in our house - having shot it quite well at the range. And she keeps it handy beside her bed.

I liked this Bersa so well I bought a 9 mm and a .45 and got rid of my two old, heavier S & W .45s. Love these too. Bersa guns are overlooked reasonably priced guns. For people who can't afford the Sigs and Beretta's and S & W's etc, they should look at Bersa.

I had one.

Loved the way it felt in my hand.

Didn't like the SA trigger at all.

Wound up selling it.

Buddy of mine has one and loves it. Never leaves the house without it - has a glock on his night stand and a ar near his bed room door - but his bersa is always with him. Nothing but good things from my range time with it. For the money you cant beat it.

I've got two of the 380s. The regular Thunder and the CC models. I love them they are great. I also have the 45 model. It is just as great and in the beloved 45 cal.

Check out the Bersa forum http://www.bersachat.com/forums/forum.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Step son has one and used it to shoot for his CHL. Easy to conceal and pretty reliable once a recall was done (a few had a bad batch of springs IIRC). Never shot one of their 45's. Have to try one some day.

The Thunder 380 CC has quickly become my favorite pistol for concealed carry. The half inch or so that they shaved off of the regular Thunder's grip really makes a difference for me. After putting four or five boxes of different brands through it I've never had a malfunction of any kind. I feel like they could charge $100 more for this pistol if they wanted.

Don't tell them that!!!

bought one for the wife and have had a few feeding issues with it. i plan on putting another 3-400 rds through it before i pass judgement though.

love the way it shoots, very small yet smooth, predictable recoil.