BERSA Thunder 380 Concealed Carry Part 1

The origins of Argentinean company “BERSA” date back to the mid 1950s when Benso Bonadimani, Hércules Montini and Savino Caselli formed a small company to manufacturer parts for the now defunct firearm manufacturer Ballester–Molina. In 1959, the company produced the first of its complete .22 rimfire firearms, the Modelo 60 and Modelo 62 and in 1960 the company became “BERSA”. This proves conclusively that I can read a manufacturer’s web site and parrot their information.

The company’s current pistol lineup includes: four in 22 rimfire, seven in 380 Auto, seven in 9mm Luger, five in 40 S&W, and two in 45 Auto – twenty five pistol models in total. BERSA is a certified ISO 9001.2000 organization, selling firearms with a lifetime warranty on a world wide basis. BERSA firearms are currently imported into the U.S. by Eagle Imports. This proves I can read an importers web site and parrot yet more information. Something a bit more of my own…

The BERSA Thunder

The first BERSA Thunder was introduced as a blowback 22 rimfire in 1989 and currently in production. The blowback 380 Auto version of the Thunder was introduced in 1995. The subject pistol, the Concealed Carry version, was introduced in 2006.

In a crowded 380 Auto market place, the BERSA Thunder, above right, differentiates itself from most other manufacturer’s products in a number of ways. A blow back design, the barrel is stationary and the slide moves to eject and feed. The BERSA is a double action pistol, not relying on the cycling of the slide to cock the action, so it has second strike capability in the event of a misfire. The breech is not locked when closed and spring resistance alone holds the slide closed.

Above left, the Remington Rm380 is a locked breech striker. The barrel is locked in position until a bullet leaves the barrel on discharge. The Rm380 relies on the movement of the slide to partially cock the pistol and the trigger pull to finish the job. It is not a true double action and it has no second strike capability. The above top pistol is the Colt Mustang. It is also a locked breech, however, it is single action and relies on the cycling of its slide to cock the pistol. The trigger only release the hammer from the sear, it does not play a role in cocking the pistol.

The Thunder 380 is slightly larger in profile than the others pictures and a bit more slab sided. In increase is profile appears in the right places; longer barrel and longer grip results in higher velocity and a more controlling grip. The grip could have been even better if the trigger guard were undercut, but then the trigger would have been shorter and that would take away from what amounts to a pretty terrific and smooth 8 pound 11 ounce trigger. Creep is miniscule, pull is uniform and overtravel is held to 0.143″. How do I know on the latter? I just keep sticking progressively larger pin gauges between the back of the trigger and the trigger guard until it will not longer drop the hammer.

From the school of “You can never have too many safeties”…

Controls are well placed and positive in actuation. I like the thumb safety as it is actually a decocker. The grip is comfortable, including the scalloped and serrated front trigger guard that presents a number of options for getting a good grip on the pistol.

I do not subscribe to the school, or lack of school, that is petitioning for the removal of all safeties. They advance the notion that the mechanical innards of safeties can fail and that they introduce a complexity of operation that can confound even the most experienced handgunners. Unfortunately, those advancing the notion have no objective data to support the first part of that notion and it is only their dramatic lack of experience that would permit uttering the second. Safeties are either easy to operate, are not required for use, or are passive to the process of shooting.

Routine cleaning and maintenance

Easy takedown; mag out, check for empty, pull slide back, rotate disassembly lever down, pull the slide a bit further back and lift the slide off the frame rails. The stationary barrel is pinned to the frame. The recoil spring slips over the barrel and holds the slide forward against recoil, but yields to let the slide move rearward to eject and then forward to strip a round from the magazine and chamber.

Racked open, the BERSA looks almost like a Browning design, however, the fixed barrel of course isn’t tilted and there is a drawbar/disconnector running along under the slide and under the grip.

First impression?

The Thunder 380 CC’s look does not reflect a low priced firearm. Well made, the feel is solid, the finish is clean and uniform and slide motion does not have a gritty feel. For a blowback firearm, the slide is easy to rack or remove. The trigger is nice at any price and the sights are appropriate. The size is ideal for the cartridge. Easy to conceal for men or women, the grip size is well balanced for cartridge size and concealment. It is a pistol suitable for anyone looking for a cartridge at this power level, including for folks who have difficulty racking autoloaders and pulling double action triggers.

A combination of factory ammo and handloads are being pulled together. We’ll see if it shoots as good as it looks under close inspection.

BERSA Thunder 380 Concealed Carry Part 1
BERSA Thunder 380 Concealed Carry Part 2