Пистолет Bersa Thunder 380 Concealed Carry

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, 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.

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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at Brownells

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Аргентина

TALA

Опубликовано admin в Сб, 04/26/2014 – 23:58

Пистолет TALA

Тактико-технические характеристики TALA:
Калибр, мм – .22LR
Длина, мм – 218 / 256
Длина ствола, мм – 112 / 150
Вес без патронов, гр – 810 / 960
Магазин, патр. – 10

В середине 1980-х годов аргентинская фирма Talleres Armas Livianas Argentinas наладила выпуск пистолета TALA (Talleres Armas Livianas Argentinas) под патрон кольцевого воспламенения .22LR.

Пистолет TALA представляет собой копию спортивного пистолета Colt Woodsman для целевой стрельбы, спроектированного Джоном Мозесом Браунингом еще в начале ХХ века, и производился в Аргентине по американской лицензии.

Thunder 9 Pro

Опубликовано admin в Ср, 04/23/2014 – 00:05

Тактико-технические характеристики моделей пистолетов серии:
	Thunder 9 Pro	Thunder 9 Pro XT	Thunder 9 Pro UC	Thunder 40 Pro	Thunder 40 Pro UC	Thunder 45 Pro UC
Калибр, мм	9х19	9×19	9х19	.40 S&W	.40 S&W	.45 ACP
Длина, мм	192	210	165	192	165	170
Длина ствола, мм	110	126	89	110	89	92
Высота, мм	139	142	120	138	120	129
Ширина, мм	37	38	37	37	37	37
Вес без патронов, гр	794	962	695	794	695	766
Магазин, патр.	17	17	13	13	10	7

Пистолеты серии Thunder выпускаются в Аргентине компанией Bersa S.A. Этой компанией выпускается несколько линеек пистолетов, включая описываемые ниже пистолеты калибров 9х19 Parabellum, .40 S&W и .45 АСР.

В 2000-х годах пистолеты Bersa линейки Thunder 9, Thunder 40 и Mini Thunder 9, Mini Thunder 40, Mini Thunder 45 были улучшены путем использования универсальной направляющей типа Picatinny rail в передней части рамы под стволом (для крепления дополнительных приспособлений, таких например как тактический фонарь или лазерный целеуказатель) и новых прицельных приспособлений. Улучшенные модели получили новые названия соответственно: Thunder 9 Pro, Thunder 40 Pro, Thunder 9 Pro Ultra Compact, Thunder 40 Pro Ultra Compact и Thunder 45 Pro Ultra Compact.

Bersa Mod 223

Опубликовано admin в Пт, 04/18/2014 – 00:39

Пистолет Bersa Mod 223 / 224 / 225 / 226 / 223 DA / 224 DA / 225 DA / 226 DA

Тактико-технические характеристики пистолетов Bersa двухсотой серии
	Mod 223	Mod 224	Mod 225	Mod 226
Калибр, мм	.22 LR
Длина, мм	168	183	203	228
Длина ствола, мм	90	105	125	150
Вес без патронов, гр	700	725	740	760
Магазин, патр.	10

В 1982 году аргентинская оружейная компания Bersa S.A. усовершенствовала свой же пистолет Bersa Mod 644 под патрон кольцевого воспламенения .22 LR.

Новый модернизированный пистолет получил обозначение Mod 223 и отличался от 644-й модели новым расположением возвратной пружины, спусковой скобой, наличием рычага для разборки, а также отсутствием флажкового предохранителя.

BP9CC

Опубликовано admin в Чт, 04/17/2014 – 14:05

Пистолет Bersa BP9СС / BP40СС

Тактико-технические характеристики Bersa BP9cc / BP40cc:
Калибр, мм – 9×19 Parabellum / .40 S&W
Длина, мм – 163
Длина ствола, мм – 84
Высота, мм – 122
Ширина, мм – 24
Вес без патронов, гр – 610
Магазин, патр. – 7 / 6

В 2009 году аргентинская компания Bersa S.A. создала новый компактный пистолет BP9cc (Bersa Pistol 9 mm Concealed Carry) предназначенный для использования в качестве оружия скрытого ношения. В пистолете Bersa BP9cc для стрельбы применяются патроны 9×19 Parabellum.

Кроме пистолет BP9cc компанией Bersa S.A. также был создан аналогичный пистолет BP40cc под патрон .40 S&W. Пистолет Bersa BP40cc имеет конструкцию и размеры полностью аналогичные таковым в пистолете BP9cc и отличается только используемыми для стрельбы патронами и связанными с этим изменениями (ствол, патронник, магазин).

Thunder 380 CC

Опубликовано admin в Чт, 04/17/2014 – 11:55

Пистолет Bersa Thunder 380 CC

Тактико-технические характеристики Bersa Thunder 380 CC:
Калибр, мм – .380 ACP (9×17 Browning)
Длина, мм – 152
Длина ствола, мм – 81
Высота, мм – 115
Ширина, мм – 34
Вес без патронов, гр – 465
Магазин, патр. – 8

В 2005 году аргентинская компания Bersa S.A. на выставке Shot Show 2005 впервые продемонстрировала свой новый легкий компактный пистолет Bersa Thunder 380 CC (Concealed Carry) предназначенный в первую очередь в качестве оружия для скрытого ношения.

Пистолет Bersa Thunder 380 CC представляет собой уменьшенную модель Thunder 380 под патрон .380 ACP, максимально приспособленную для скрытого ношения и удобного удержания. Изменения в модели Thunder 380 CC, кроме размеров, коснулись в основном внешнего вида пистолета – изменены форма флажкового предохранителя, рычагов затворной задержки и разборки оружия, курка, рукоятки, прицельных приспособлений, уменьшен задний выступ рамы. Наряду с внешними модификациями в конструкцию пистолета был добавлен указатель наличия патрона в патроннике.

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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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270
at Brownells

Prices accurate at time of writing

View Details

270
at Brownells

Prices accurate at time of writing

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.

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.

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.

(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.

Конструкция

Автоматика работает по принципу использования отдачи при запирании канала ствола свободным затвором. Кожух удерживается в крайнем переднем положении собственной массой и возвратной пружиной, расположенной на стволе. Рама выполнена из лёгкого сплава на основе алюминия. Затвор-кожух изготовлен из оружейной стали.

Ударно-спусковой механизм куркового типа, двойного действия, с предохранительным взводом. Усилие спуска в режиме одинарного действия — около 2,7 кг, в режиме самовзвода — около 5 кг. На тыльной поверхности спускового крючка расположен выступ, служащий ограничителем хода, чем устраняется провал спуска при срыве боевого взвода курка с шептала, повышая тем самым, точность стрельбы. На левой стороне тыльной части затвора-кожуха расположен рычаг флажкового предохранителя, при включении безопасно спускающего курок с боевого взвода и блокирующий его в переднем положении.

Также, безопасность в обращении обеспечивает автоматический предохранитель ударника, блокирующий его до того момента, когда спусковой крючок не будет полностью выжат. Этот предохранитель защищает оружие от случайного выстрела при падении. Пистолет оснащён дополнительным автоматическим магазинным предохранителем, блокирующим ударно-спусковой механизм при отсутствии магазина в рукоятке. Рычаг затворной задержки расположен на левой стороне рамы. Рычаг фиксатора затвора-кожуха, служащий для разборки пистолета, расположен на правой стороне рамы, над передним основанием спусковой скобы. Кнопка защелки магазина размещается под рычагом затворной задержки, позади спусковой скобы.

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:

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 is my planned on carry ammo.  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.

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.

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 (Sig provided me this ammo, thanks Sig!)

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.

Thanks to Sig Sauer for the .380 ammo (top) Sig FMJ (bottom)

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 (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.

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 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: 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.