Bersa Thunder .380 Handgun Review

When handling the Bersa, you have the correct impression that this is a quality firearm, correct in it's size for what it is manufactured for, but heavy enough to let you know it is a serious gun that will get the job done.

The Thunder .380 is a fixed barrel design that lends itself to increased accuracy, important in a gun this size. The gun sports a rear sight that has a broad white outline. The front sight has a large white dot. The sights are very visible and easy to align.

The grip, fixed barrel, and good sights make for a small gun that is actually startling in it's accuracy for a gun this size. After I had owned mine for a while, I would practice using a full size gun. Then holstering that one, I would draw the Bersa and empty the magazine as backup gun practice. It became sport to me just to see what it would take to miss with this little gun.

There are two primary operational safety features you need to be familiar with when using the gun. The first is the magazine disconnect, which makes the trigger inert when the magazine is removed from the pistol (the gun won't fire). The trigger simply goes "limp" and will not move the firing mechanism until the magazine is reinserted.

The other Bersa Thunder safety feature you need to become intimately acquainted with is the safety / decocker located on the left hand side of the slide. The safety is not intuitive and requires practice to use it effectively.

When the first round is chambered, the hammer is back in single action mode. To carry the gun safely the gun should be pointed in a safe direction and the decocker pushed down. This will cause the hammer to safely drop down with the firing pin blocked.

The gun can then be placed safely in purse or pocket. Leaving the safety lever in the down position provides a double, but unnecessary, level of safety. Taking the safety off when decocked puts the gun in double action mode ready to fire, but safe to carry.

Be advised however, that the first shot will have a long, double action trigger pull (about like a small revolver), followed by the rest of the shots in single action. For more Bersa Thunder details and safety features, download the manual on Bersa's web site.

BOTTOM LINE: The Bersa Thunder .380 is a great handgun in this size and caliber. It will serve you well with dependable performance (mine has over 300 rounds through it), accuracy and your ability to conceal it. And at around $220.00 (real world price) it is easily one of the best tactical handgun values that you will find from any manufacturer.

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