The Bersa Thunder 380 has a
light aluminium alloy frame that reduces weight for easier carry, and yet the
pistol still retains enough mass to help tame recoil. The blowback, fixed-barrel
design theoretically aids accuracy, and it seems the vast majority of Bersa
Thunder 380 users report favorably on that matter. The nearly straight-in
alignment of the chamber and the topmost cartridge in the loaded magazine seems
to be responsible for the pistol's reliable chambering and cycling during use.
The frame features a long rearward tang over the grips, effectively protecting
one's thumb-webbing from hammer-bite or slide-bite. There is an abundance of
safety features built into the Bersa Thunder 380: a slide mounted manual safety
-and- decocker that blocks the hammer, a magazine disconnect safety that
prevents firing if a magazine is not inserted, a long double-action (DA) first
trigger pull, inertial firing pin, and some models have an integral key-operated
trigger lock. Some productions also feature an automatic firing pin block.
The Bersa Thunder .380 ACP is
compact and light. It is a popular self defense cartridge for shooters who want
a light weight pistol with manageable recoil. It is slightly less powerful than
a standard-pressure .38 Special and uses 9-millimetre (.355 in) bullets. The
heaviest bullet that can be safely loaded into the .380 is 115 grains (7.5 g),
though the standard has long been 85, 90 or 95 grains (5.5, 5.8 or 6.2 g). Many
consider the .380 ACP to be the minimum cartridge suitable for self defense,
while others draw the line at the slightly more powerful .38 Special or at the
less powerful .32 ACP.
The .380 has had somewhat of a recent upsurge in popularity due to
some very compact and lightweight pistols chambered for it, known as Mouseguns.
Below are the results of the most popular self defence rounds availible.
BERSA LIFETIME SERVICE CONTRACT
Upon the
expiration of the one-year Warranty, and for as long as this BERSA firearm is
owned by the original purchaser, BERSA S.A. offers to service and repair any
defects or malfunction in this BERSA firearm excluding the finish, grips, sights
or magazine, without charge. Requests for service should be submitted in writing
together with proof of purchase and the firearm (insurance and shipment prepaid
by the purchaser) to an authorized service center identified on the enclosed
list. Return shipment and insurance shall be paid by BERSA provided the service
is covered by this service contract.
This service contract is only extended
to the original purchaser and shall be waived if the defect or malfunction was
caused by neglect, abuse, careless handling, unauthorized ammunition, ordinary
wear and tear, unreasonable use or failure to provide reasonable and necessary
maintenance as set forth in the instruction manual.
Please complete and
return the enclosed original purchaser registration card, found in you firearm's
box, to assist us in providing this service to you. If you require assistance in
connection with this service contract, please contact:
Import Sports,
Inc.
1750 Brielle Ave., Unit B-1
Wanamassa, NJ 07712
732-493-0302