[tenifer17]

How are these as far as reliability and function ? I am looking at the Bersa Thunder 380 CC . The only thing I dont like is the ILS and the Magazine-safety-disconnect.
The looks are great and so is the grip. It seems to have the blow-back type of action where the barrel is permanantly connected to the frame like my CZ-83.
What do you guys think . Any of you have any experience with them ?

 

[WhiteCoyote]

Best kept secret. Excellent pistol for the money (IMHO). :wavey:

 

[JimmyN]

I bought a Thunder 380 CC a few years ago, not sure how long, I know I've carried it the last two summers. The CC is thinner than the standard Thunder, and I got it to carry in hot weather as it's easier to conceal. Mine is starting to show some holster wear on the sides of the slide, especially at the front, where the black finish is getting thin.

It's certainly not a 100,000+ round pistol, but for the price it's a reliable little handgun, or at least mine has been. It feeds and shoots great with any of the popular hollowpoint self defense rounds I've tried, and the only problem I've encountered is at the range using Winchester White box ammo with the flat nose.

The round will tend to jam against the feed ramp when hand cycling, but works fine when shooting. If I use WWB 380 and put a new mag in I can't slingshot it to chamber the first round, I have to ease the slide forward slowly to get that first round chambered. Once that round is chambered it will rip through the rest of the mag as fast as you can pull the trigger, without a malfunction. I don't recall it ever jamming or malfunctioning when shooting with any ammo, the only problem being getting that first round of WWB into the chamber. But I also have a Walther PPK and it doesn't like the WWB 380 either so I finished off the WWB I had on hand and haven't bought any more.

The ILS hasn't been a problem, I haven't used it, but it hasn't been a problem either. The magazine disconnect is a pain sometimes when you're cleaning or checking function. When cleaning and lubing you'll need an empty mag to stick in it so the trigger will operate and you can check function. The safety/decocker is backwards to me, you move it forward and up to fire, but that's not unusual on blowback style pistols. Do be careful though as when the safety is on (down) it extends below the slide. If you rack the slide with the safety on it will gouge the web of your hand if you're not careful. And when you slingshot it with the safety on, it is in decocking mode so the hammer follows the slide as it goes forward. It's a bit alarming the first time you see the hammer drop all by itself as the slide goes forward.

But the first shot is double action with a long revolver like pull, so I don't carry mine with the safety on, I've used it more for decocking than as a safety.

 

[Steel & Wood]

I have "twins" of the standard T380 and they are FLAWLESS....as are all Bersa pistols!!!!

Best kept secret in the industry for sure!:wavey:

GET ONE - YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT!!!



TGG

ETA....I always wanted the cc model but now I am saving for the BP9cc in 9mm.

 

[Cap'n]

JimmyN gave the OP a really good response. My experience has been the same.

My T380CC was my first carry gun -- one in the chamber and safety off.

The only problem I had was when an internal spring (can't remember which one) failed due to a run of improperly heat-treated springs. This was probably 2008. Colorado Gun Works repaired it under warranty. There were no prior reliability problems (until the spring broke), and there have been none since. Believe I have a total of 650 rounds fired (too lazy to check logbook).

I trusted the pistol for CCW but seldom carry it anymore having moved onto 1911s and Glocks.

Hate to sell it, though. Might go to my daughter. Very accurate at seven yards despite minimal sights.

 

[tenifer17]

Is there any way to remove the ILS ? I was able to remove the ILS on my Springfield-Armory 1911 . Now it is perfect .
Anyway to do this on the Bersa ?

 

[Dave.1]

I've found them to be very accurate but the first one I got wasn't very reliable. Every thing from broken springs to trigger returning to DA on a single action pull and no firing, then firing on it's own.

I will say that every time Colorado Gun Works repaired it quickly for free. They are good representatives of the product. So much so that they recently replaced the problem pistol with one that has 250 flawless rounds thru it at this point. Didn't ask for one, they just decided it was a "Monday morning pistol" and did it on their own.

I trust this one enough at this point to carry it. It's not a show piece but it is a good workhorse and that's all I ask.

Dave

 

[40 0'Glock]

I have the 380 CC in Nickel, my father has the same in the black finish. They are both 100% through hundreds of rounds. I shoot it as accurately as all my full size handguns with good sights. The Bersa is a little gem and it is my edc.

 

[19Glock19]

2000 round and counting... Not one issue at all. For the price, best firearm out there for the money IMO...

 

[DougW]

I have 2 .380 Thunder pistols that have never had any issue in the past 10 or so years that I have owned them. One is always close by. Totally reliable with all ammo.

 

[elde]

I have to agree with the gang above -- never a problem with mine, relatively accurate and a bargain at the going price. In some quarters you may well get flamed for stating you're a fan of Bersa pistols but I'll risk it. IMO they are some of the best values out there on the market.

 

[insanity.]

Just got one of these for my girlfriend for one of "her" Christmas presents. Shes small, 5'3 100lbs wet and has small hands, but I thought the lcp and similar sized guns were a little bit light. This gun has some weight and size to it so she can control it a little better. Ed's Pawn in Stockbridge, GA, $295 or $499 with crimson trace.

 

[NeverMore1701]

Mine was great. I'm pretty sure I removed the magazine disconnect.

 

[Nakanokalronin]

I had one that fed any type of ammo I put in it with great accuracy. Stick with the factory magazines.

 

[Sgt. Rambo]

I have a Bersa Model 83 (Pre-Thunder) and this gun is great. Reliable and accurate, my wife now practices and carries it. No problems and this gun is 20 years old. IMO you can't go wrong!

 

[Hour13]

Get one! You won't regret it, I certainly agree with the above statements of it being "the best kept secret".

I don't have the CC model, mine is the standard Bersa Thunder. I never gave them much thought, until my boss let me try his at the range.

I went out and bought one the next day. 1,500+ rounds down the pipe so far, and it has performed flawlessly. One of the few guns I can honestly say I will NEVER sell. Feels like they custom made it for my hand.

 

[Col J]

I've had the Firestorm 380 (same as Bersa) for years - shoots anything with no problems. Don't have any idea how many rounds are through it!! Perfect size pistol.

 

[NewWaveGuy]

I had one and it functioned liked a charm! I put a lot of rounds through it without a hiccup. I bought it a few years ago merely as a plinker and became a HUGE Bersa fan! As others have stated, it's the best kept secret!

 

[madecov]

Like any manufacturer there are occasional glitches and a bad one slips through.
Overall the Bersa 380 is a very nice inexpensive handgun worth the money, in fact it is generally worth more than you pay.
The service from the various authorized repair centers is very good.

One of the few guns I had that I wish I had never sold.

 

[Reaper19]

I was very pleased with mine, even though I only had it for a month. I ended up selling it to my barber after his shop was robbed. I was thinking about getting another one, but now I am leaning more towards the LCP.