Bersa Thunder 380 Review

When we think of country's producing firearms, names like Russia, China, the United States and Argentina come to mind. Wait, what? Argentina? You probably didn't even know it had a firearms industry, did you?

We actually don't blame you, seeing that the only firearm which even bears a slight reference to the Spanish country is the Argentine Mauser, which wasn't even made there in the first place! However, the introduction of the Bersa firearms company is good news for us American gun lovers, as Eagle imports is now importing these Argentine powerhouses to Uncle Sam!

Now let's have a look at one of the flagship Bersa models i.e. the Thunder 380 and see how they actually hold out.

Unless you're a gun enthusiast who can examine minute details on a piece, you will probably mistake the Thunder 380 for the classic Walther PPK of the 30s. The PPK was years ahead of its time, with the double action mechanism being its standout feature.

The Bersa is identical to the PPK, not only in design, but also in the action mechanism. It can best be classified as a revamped PPK, which still boasts of the feature set, while improving on the flaws of the original one such as personal safety. Best of all, it costs half as much as the PPK!

The Bersa Thunder 380 is available in various finishes, including duotone, nickel and the all classic matte black. A wooden grip is also available if required. The gun originally comes with 7 rounds, but you can extend that capacity for an 8th or 9th round at an additional price. Do note that there's also an additional round in the chamber, bringing the grand total to 8 rounds as standard. You can also customize it for concealed carry.

Like we said before, the Bersa bears an uncanny resemblance to the Walther PPK. Practical usage, however, is an entirely different story. One of the main complaints with the PPK was the reloading mechanism and trigger pull. While the Bersa is only a step ahead of the PPK in terms of the former, the trigger pull was much better than the prewar gun.

A quick trip to the local gunsmith will resolve the slightly rough reloading experience. In terms of shots fired, the Bersa is good for up to 10 yards, making it an excellent choice as a last resort weapon. Except for 2 rounds that failed to feed, the Bersa Thunder 380 was flawless in its execution, with perfect reloading and magazine ejection.

There are also other safety mechanisms included in the Bersa Thunder 380, such as the key lock, which disables the gun with a single click, along with adjustable night sights. The latter have three horizontal aiming dots for better accuracy.

The Bersa Thunder 380 is one of the best models which you can get for the price it is being offered at. It borrows a lot of the same features and quality you will find in the Walther PPK. Smooth trigger pull, reliability and value for money are the few factors you should consider if you contemplate on purchasing the Bersa.

Model: THUN380

Action: DA/SA

Caliber: 380 ACP

Overall Length: 6.60"

Overall Height: 4.90"

Overall Width: 1.30"

Barrel Length: 3.50"

Sights: 3-Dot

Capacity: 7 + 1

Weight: 20.00 oz.