BERSA Thunder 380 Concealed Carry Part 2

Live fire experience with the BERSA Thunder 380 CC was… surprising. It handles like a larger pistol with a good grip, good balance and reliable function. Magazine release and load was clean, the slide always locked upon on empty, and the low profile integral sights presented a good sight picture. The trigger is not like other autoloaders. It is relatively light and feels more like a slick double action revolver’s trigger. Some specifics on performance –

Velocity was recorded over a calibrated chronograph and proved to be uniform shot to shot with the ammunition shown. Recoil was significantly more controllable than similar pistols with a shorter grip or grip extension.

After a few check out magazines, the BERSA was shot from a sandbag rest in a two hand hold with a target placed 10 yards out. What began as 2.5″ groups shrunk to 3/4″ groups, including the five shot Ruger ARX group below right.

Conclusions, without jumping to them…

My sense is that BERSA is sometimes overlooked because of its relatively low price tag and I think that is a mistake. The Thunder 380 CC is too reliable, too controllable, too accurate, and too concealable to skip over on the way to a more expensive, but potentially less competent.

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