Question on Bersa Thunder?
Late last night I was reading about the Bersa Thunder(or similar name) in a gun magazine.What I liked about the pistol was that it was compact, came in .45 caliber, and was cheap. The author of the article loved it. Firing off-hand, his groups ran about 5 inches at 25 yards which is probably acceptable for a cheap .45 with a 3.5" barrel.
My interest in this pistol is simple. I do a lot of hiking in the woods year round. In the summer, about the only pistol I can fit in a "fanny pack" is a .380. Many consider this caliber to be the minimum for self defense while others reject it completely. A smallish .45 would fill the bill just fine. Yes, I know Glock and others make fine pistols that are both small and powerful but not in the $300 to $400 price range.
I have seen Bersa's in 9mm at gun shows. But, based on never having heard of them, as well as the price, I was afraid to buy one.
The author of the test said his Bersa in .45 fired great and never jammed.
I was wondering if anyone has any observations on the Bersa's in general and specifically the .45 caliber new model (I didn't find this model on their website).
My interest in this pistol is simple. I do a lot of hiking in the woods year round. In the summer, about the only pistol I can fit in a "fanny pack" is a .380. Many consider this caliber to be the minimum for self defense while others reject it completely. A smallish .45 would fill the bill just fine. Yes, I know Glock and others make fine pistols that are both small and powerful but not in the $300 to $400 price range.
I have seen Bersa's in 9mm at gun shows. But, based on never having heard of them, as well as the price, I was afraid to buy one.
The author of the test said his Bersa in .45 fired great and never jammed.
I was wondering if anyone has any observations on the Bersa's in general and specifically the .45 caliber new model (I didn't find this model on their website).
0
-
I owned the Bersa Thunder 9 briefly. Never had any problems with it & it shot decent. Gun was sold to me as being ambidextrius in setup, I bought it being a lefty. It was an ok gun. Nothing to really show off at the range with though. Not that I show off but it's nice to have the best you can afford. Only problem I had with it was that there was no hicap mags avail for it. I was stuck with the one 10rd mag it came with. Finding extra mags was kinda a pain. I think I traded it on a S&W 640 357 revolver, that got traded on a Mini-14.
Have you considered trying to find a used Glock 19 for around the same price? I've seen them come & go for $400 to $500. Here's a few examples:
http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=8483488
http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=8496665
http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=8498025
Sorry one more, zoiks this is a good deal.
http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=8421869
I think you would be more happy with a Glock than a Bersa.
Regards,
FREE IRAQ
0 -
I can't comment on the 45, but I have a Thunder in 380, and I really like it. Fits my hands perfectly, never had any type of misfire. Maybe the 9mm is different, but I have found all kinds of extra mags for mine. Personally, I don't care for Glock, wo I wouldn't look that direction. NOTPARS...for your stated purposes, I don't think you would be disappointed with the Bersa. My take on them is that they are an inexpensive gun, but not a cheap gun by any means.
Taxation WITH representation isn't so hot either!0 -
As I have stated many times, the Bersa Thunder 9 is one of my favoirte pistols, regardless of cost. It rivals the features on my Walther P88 for one-fourth the price. The quality is very high and my pistols have been totally reliable.
I too have been attracted to the .45 and am considering getting one. I looked at one at the SHOT Show and found it to be of quality appearance, although I cannot say anything about its function.
The FireStorm brand is where I saw the .45, but I think Stoegers may still be importing the pistol branded as Bersa. I would have to research that to be sure. I believe they are the same gun.0 -
Your right Judge, that Firestorm/Bersa is one awesome looking and ergonomic pistol.[:)]
Ted Kennedy's breath has killed more people than my car.0 -
For Drobs,
Thanks for the reply. It sounds like it might work for what I want. I "trail gun" that is powerful enough for self defense but small enough to conceal. I like to hike in one particular state park. I have discovered, although they don't publicize this, that there was a murder there a number of years ago and two rapes in the past 4 years. Someone who looks a lot like me enjoys hiking in this state park. Close to his house. And he likes to take his daughters with him. Although a live and let live person by nature, he isn't about to allow someone to assault his kids. But the park does not allow firearms!I often go with my older daughters...and the park does not allow firearms. No, Missouri does not yet have a license to carry law.
So, for this person, a small concealable yet potent pistol would do the trick. Believe me, he is very discrete about how he carries it...very.
P.S. Your advice on the Glock is something I, er, hu, I mean "he" will have to consider. Do you think he could find a used compact Glock in .45?0 -
For Bhayes420,
Thanks for the reply. The Bersa I read about is actually a .45 with a 3.5" barrel. Sugggested retail is about $400. I have an acquaintance with a small country store and an FFL. He usually gets firearms for me at quite a discount. So, I'd be looking at $300-$350 at the most. Again, thanks for the information. This will help me make up my mind.0 -
For JudgeColt,
Thanks for your reply. This all helps a great deal. I have read about this new pistol in two magazines but not actually seen one. My big concern would be for quality and reliability. From what you have said, this shouldn't be a big deal. I wouldn't be buying it for competition just for low key self defense.0 -
For Bhayes420:
I liked your final comment about taxes. I teach high school social studies. Unlike most public high school teachers in the social(ist) studies departments, I am a Life member of the NRA and a member of the Western Missouri Shooters Alliance.
In my government classes I was talking about taxes and whether or not they violate the enumerated powers. One kid pipes up with , "Well, yeah, but we have taxation with representation."
My response was this. What if we all wrote our elected officials and asked for a national referendum on taxes. In other words, the American people would be able to vote on the type of tax structure and rates we would have. My point isn't whether this is a good or bad idea. My point was simply this: Would the politicians allow us to have such a vote? If the answer is no, then one could make the case that we have taxation without representation. I may try this myself. Again, this was just an exercise. I am well aware that taxing is tied to the purposes stated in Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution. But when was the last time Congress paid any attention to the enumerated powers?0 -
Please understand that I have not tried the FireStorm Mini .45, and I know nothing about its function. The difference between a full-size Thunder 9 that is ten years old and a current FireStorm MiniFireStorm .45 is vast and the function of the Thunder 9 may not indicate the function of the Mini .45.
As far as a Glock, they have no safeties and to have one packed deep where there is a remote chance that something could contact the trigger scares me. I do not like Glocks because of their grip angle and lack of safety, although they are probably one of the most reliable handguns available. (However, that said, my early M17 has malfunctioned more than once.) Everyone knows to shoot a gun, you pull the trigger. If someone picks up a Glock, all they have to do is pull the trigger and it goes bang. If someone picks up the FireStorm Mini .45 with the safety engaged, it will not fire until the safety is disengaged.
Ayoob did a test years ago with a Smith & Wesson with the safety engaged and handed it to people at a gun range and asked them to send a round down range. You would think that people at a gun range would be familar enough with firearms to know about safeties, but most did not. It took some a minute or more to get a round off. Some never did because they accidently dropped the magazine and the magazine safety made it so it would not fire even when the slide safety was finally disengaged. This test has always proved to me that a Smith & Wesson or other design with a magazine safety is probably the best house gun there is considering the possibility of kids finding the gun, etc.. One can keep the magazine separate from the gun, etc., and the gun is then safe from unintentional fire even if the safety is disengaged. I realize this comment is off topic, but when considering Glocks, it always comes to mind.0 -
Notpars,
I haven't really seen any used compact glock 45's yet. I too am a big 45 fan, infact it's the only caliber other than .22lr that I shoot in semi-auto's right now. The thing is they are big guns. Being so big it keeps me out of trouble (no concealed carry here). However I've been drooling over that Glock 26, which is a baby 10 shot 9mm. The last 9mm I owned was the Thunder 9. I've since traded that off as I mentioned before.
My thoughts concerning buying a gun that you will carry are... Buy the best you can afford. That Bersa might be worth a try and hey you can always trade it off later. But I'd be sure to shoot a bunch before depending my life on it.
I have the fullsize glock 21, never had a malfuntion with that gun. Not the most concealable gun though. I work part time at a gun shop that requires me to carry. I liked carrying my 1911 because I know it's so dern accurate but get tired of constantly checking that the safety is on, also the thing is so dang heavy compared to the Glock. I just recently got a Sig 220 which I think will replace the glock for store carry depending on how I feel that day. [;)]
I'm not really a fan of the magazine disconnet safety. It seems like a try at idiot proofing which we all know doesn't work. My thoughts are finger off the trigger, always check & double check your chamber, & always be aware of where your muzzle is pointed. As far as storing a gun with children in the home, get yourself some sort of lock box or make sure your children know how to handle firearms safely.
One other gun I might mention for the price range is the Keltec pistol line. Once again these are double action only but are decent inexpensive firearms.
Well best of luck to ya, sorry for the rambling thoughts.
Regards,
FREE IRAQ0
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
10 comments