If you haven't handled a Bersa Thunder 9mm, I highly recommend it.

[kristop64089]

I have seen these guns only on the Inet and have always loved the looks of the walther p88. So, when I found one for trade on AR15.com, I figured I would go for it.

I offered him my Romanian SKS(nice, but not for me) for trade, and the deal proceeded.

First thing I noticed was, the Fit and finish was 2 to 3 times better than my Firestorm 380. No tooling marks(exceptt for on the reciever end of barrel(noticed some swirling). The fit is very tight. My .380 has some slight dings and pitting in the stainless part, Not this Fullsize thunder. It is the all blue model.

I did notice the frame controls bluing, isn't as dark, but, its not transparent either. My ONLY complaint, is the finish Is FLAT. it doesn't take to oil real quick(almost as if it is soaking it up). Doesn't matter tho, i will probably parkerize this or polycoat it.

I have never seen a fullsize or compact Bersa any where(including shows)So, for buying this sight un-seen I'm more impressed than I thought I'd be. Really a nice utilitarian gun.

Only put 50 rnds thru it(cause it's so damn hot here) but no FTF/FTE's at all.
Seems to shoot to P.O.A. within an 1.5" at 25 feet. Didn't really shoot for accuracy at all.

Breakdown was the easiest I have seen(almost as easy as the .380) you just relieve tension on slide, rotate breakdown lever and pull slide forward. Installation is just as easy. Nothing to line up or pins to push.

I know alot of people turn their noses up at Bersa, for cheap manufacture processes, but This is now my second, granted looking at the .380 it does appear to be cheaper made compared to this Thunder9mm. So for those of you that have been wanting one, but afraid to do it, i say do it. And for those "doubting thomas'" I say go look at one and I think you would be surprised. There not that bad.

[varoadking]

Seems to shoot to P.O.A. within an 1.5" at 25 yds. Didn't really shoot for accuracy at all.

If you can shoot an offhand 5 round group of 1.5" at 25 yards with any hangun, you're doing exceptional. Was that 25 yards or 25 feet?

[DoItRight]

I have been looking at the Full-Size Thunder 9 for quite a while as a "nice utilitarian gun." Unfortunately, the only thing people say about it is, "Hmmmm... the 380's are okay but I'd be worried about a Bersa if I were you. They're pretty cheap guns."

Like you, I think it's pretty handsome, if a bit basic looking. I'd bet some nice wood grips would dress it up quite nicely.

Thanks for sharing the info!

[VUPDblue]

I just bought one from a guy here on TFL. The first thing I did with it was put 50 rounds down the pipe. No malfunctions of any kind. The second thing I did was take it apart. I mean all the way apart, trigger, hammer, firing pin, extractor etc. The one I got was the all nickle model. It has black fire control parts, though. I am taking all the black parts off and having them bead blasted and highly polished. The rest of the gun will be DuraCoated in stainless with a satin clear. Lastly, I have a set of custom checkered walnut grips on their way to me. This should turn out to be a nice little carry piece. I will post some before and after pics soon.

[Troy26]

I just bought one from a guy here on TFL. The first thing I did with it was put 50 rounds down the pipe. No malfunctions of any kind. The second thing I did was take it apart. I mean all the way apart, trigger, hammer, firing pin, extractor etc. The one I got was the all nickle model. It has black fire control parts, though. I am taking all the black parts off and having them bead blasted and highly polished. The rest of the gun will be DuraCoated in stainless with a satin clear. Lastly, I have a set of custom checkered walnut grips on their way to me. This should turn out to be a nice little carry piece.

After you spend the money for all that couldn't you have just done the same buying a more expensive gun in the first place?

[kristop64089]

If you can shoot an offhand 5 round group of 1.5" at 25 yards with any hangun, you're doing exceptional. Was that 25 yards or 25 feet?
Today 03:56 PM

OOPS! that was supposed to be 25feet.

Like [I] tell my wife I may be good, but, I'm not that good

[MythBuster]

These seem to be the quality of guns costing two or three times as much.

I bought a used one for $200. It has been 100% reliable so far. I really like it.

[Troy26]

I'd be really interested to hear from those who've had one for a signifigant period of time.

Their price certainly makes them attractive, but I'd like to know how they hold up over the long haul.

Also, how are they in terms of assembly/dissassembly?

[varoadking]

OOPS! that was supposed to be 25feet.

Thank you for the clarification...that makes a lot more sense...

[VUPDblue]

After you spend the money for all that couldn't you have just done the same buying a more expensive gun in the first place?

Yeah, maybe, but that's most of the fun for me. I won't have much more $$ wrapped up in the thing. My father is going to be doing the glass blasting for me, so there is no cost there. I am going to be doing the polishing, no cost there either. I am also going to being the DuraCoating with coating left over from another job I did for a guy (and charged him for) so there isn't much cost there. The new grips were $40 but I don't have stock grips on anything I own (except the Glock) so I figured I would have put those on anyway. I really like doing this work, so I look at it as more recreation than work, kind of like reloading. Here is a "before" pic. I should have all the work done in the next week, so hopefully there will be "after" pics sooner than later.


Dang! I just realized this thread was about the 9. This is the .380, sorry.

[kristop64089]

Also, how are they in terms of assembly/dissassembly

Breakdown was the easiest I have seen(almost as easy as the .380) you just relieve tension on slide, rotate breakdown lever and pull slide forward. Installation is just as easy. Nothing to line up or pins to push.

field stripped and re-assembled in less than a minute........it's that easy