Bersa 380 runs all but last three rounds and then failes to load.

3236 Views 12 Replies 6 Participants Last post by FunGunner, Sep 18, 2019

Hondo Kid

Discussion Starter · Aug 4, 2019

I just picked up a used Bersa 380. Took it to the range and had problems with fail to load all of the time. I brought it home and broke it down and cleaned really well. I checked the ramp and cleaned and polished it. Then I took the magazines (came with three) apart and found them really dirty and 'gunky'. I cleaned them up and reassembled. when I went to the range today the gun ran beautiful until I got to the last three rounds in the mag. Each mad did the same thing and would not load the last three rounds of the mag. Is there a certain way the spring needs to go back in? What else can I look at for the FTL? Thanks in advance for any help.

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bill

· #2 · Aug 7, 2019

Almost the same proplem,

My Bersa also james on the last shop every other load .I have five new mags from Bresa. all jam. Sent it back many times .... Still the same problem... Bresa mags SUCK. AND SO DOES THE GUN..

Do your self a favor GET RID OF IT... I waiting for a police buy back... Maybe I can get $50 for it. Love the gun BUT IT WONT WORK.. Not to mention Trigger disconnect problems And a cracked frame which was replaced..... DONT TRUST IT YOU WILL BE DEAD.

Hondo Kid said:
I just picked up a used Bersa 380. Took it to the range and had problems with fail to load all of the time. I brought it home and broke it down and cleaned really well. I checked the ramp and cleaned and polished it. Then I took the magazines (came with three) apart and found them really dirty and 'gunky'. I cleaned them up and reassembled. when I went to the range today the gun ran beautiful until I got to the last three rounds in the mag. Each mad did the same thing and would not load the last three rounds of the mag. Is there a certain way the spring needs to go back in? What else can I look at for the FTL? Thanks in advance for any help.

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Higgy Baby

· #3 · Aug 7, 2019

Hi Hondo Kid.....I suspect the issue may be weak springs. Since you you bought it used and the mags were dirty. It could also be the follower?
One thing you can try is to take the springs out and stretch them out 3 or 4 inches and try running them again.

I have 5 of the Bersa 380's- 2 of the Plus model, 2 of the CC's, and 1 standard. They all work good- only real issues I have had is that one of the CC's broke an extractor, and most of them get occasional misfeeds on Fiocchi and Winchester White Box. Remington, Federal and most all other ammo runs fine.

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Hondo Kid

Discussion Starter · #4 · Aug 7, 2019

Higgy Baby said:
Hi Hondo Kid.....I suspect the issue may be weak springs. Since you you bought it used and the mags were dirty. It could also be the follower?
One thing you can try is to take the springs out and stretch them out 3 or 4 inches and try running them again.

I have 5 of the Bersa 380's- 2 of the Plus model, 2 of the CC's, and 1 standard. They all work good- only real issues I have had is that one of the CC's broke an extractor, and most of them get occasional misfeeds on Fiocchi and Winchester White Box. Remington, Federal and most all other ammo runs fine.

Thanks for the reply. I thought for a while there I was the only one with the problem and/or solution. I'll try to stretch the springs and I just got a new one in so I'll give that a try. If that doesn't work then it's going to be gone.

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Hondo Kid

Discussion Starter · #5 · Aug 7, 2019

Thanks Bill - you are right....if I cannot fix this then it is gone.....I'll stay with my Sig P320

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Dubar

· #6 · Aug 13, 2019 (Edited)

A couple of weeks ago I took my Bersa Thunder 380 Combat (single stack) and 380 Plus (double stack) to the range. I;ve never had any problems with either before.

The Plus worked fine, almost every round with the Combat failed. When I came out of the range the gunsmith had just come out of his "office" so I asked him if he would take a look, knowing the gun was at fault.

He put in 5 rounds of his ammo and all fired fine. Came out and asked for 5 rounds of my ammo (Fiocchi). Fired all 5 with zero problems. Came out with a smirk on his face and politely said "operator error". Turns out I was limp wristing the pistol. Went back the next week and kept a firm grip on the gun and had no problems.

Never happened before and hasn't happened since. Only thing I can think of as to why the Plus didn't do the same thing is because of the larger grip, must have kept better control of it than the Combat that day.

Buddy of mine has a FMK 9C1G2 9mm and he's been doing the same thing. I finally convinced him to "get a grip" and he's been shooting fine since.

Give it a try before you alter something or toss the pistol.

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bill

· #7 · Aug 15, 2019

Higgy Baby said:
Hi Hondo Kid.....I suspect the issue may be weak springs. Since you you bought it used and the mags were dirty. It could also be the follower?
One thing you can try is to take the springs out and stretch them out 3 or 4 inches and try running them again.

I have 5 of the Bersa 380's- 2 of the Plus model, 2 of the CC's, and 1 standard. They all work good- only real issues I have had is that one of the CC's broke an extractor, and most of them get occasional misfeeds on Fiocchi and Winchester White Box. Remington, Federal and most all other ammo runs fine.

Yea my CC broke an extractor too. And don't forget about a broken trigger disconnect.

I tried stretching the spring also, DIDN'T WORK for me.

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Hondo Kid

Discussion Starter · #8 · Aug 18, 2019

We ll guys - I bought a new magazine, stretched the springs on my old magazines, super cleaned the mags, and took to the range again today - 2 - 3 shots before fail to feed. Again - it seems worse now. So, I'm thinking I'll take to local gunsmith and have him check it out. The one by the house carries a Bersa 380 himself so he up on the latest. Also I noticed that I can load a round, drop the magazine, and still fire the gun. I did not think it was supposed to do that?

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FunGunner

· #9 · Aug 28, 2019 (Edited)

Like someone else had suggested, I too would have probably first looked at the follower and the spring travel. But I would also look to see if the magazine catch is carrying the magazine up high enough.
Part No. 30: https://bersa.eagleimportsinc.com/media/wysiwyg/BersaThunder_Series_manual2.pdf

Are you just having FTFs with no stovepipes?

I have two of these; a Thunder 380 and its big brother, the double-stack Plus. They are both GREAT. I would suggest that, rather than pitching the one you have, go to the trouble of finding out what isn't working. My two will take any 380 ammo I put into them, without issue.

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Higgy Baby

· #10 · Aug 28, 2019

Hondo Kid said:
.......Also I noticed that I can load a round, drop the magazine, and still fire the gun. I did not think it was supposed to do that?....

You bought it used?........Some people will disconnect the mag safety because they do not like it. So I suspect the previous owner may have done that.

Honestly.... I have several handguns- Sig, Walther, S&W, Beretta, Ruger, Kahr, Springfield, Glock, Tristar, Canik....... probably 95% of the time I carry a Bersa 380 Plus or CC.

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Hondo Kid

Discussion Starter · #11 · Sep 8, 2019

Well - I totally cleaned the gun again, polished the ramp again (found a slight burr), disassembled the mags and cleaned them, and took it to the range today. Ran PMC Bronze (suggested by another member) and ran four mags thru the gun back to back with no issues!!! I also concentrated on not limp-wristing it as suggested by someone else. As a hint: When I disassembled the mags I did so in a gallon zip lock bag. I had it fly apart once and like to never found the parts! It's a little awkward doing this in the bag, but SO much easier when I slip up and parts go everywhere!

Guys - thank you for your input!! I was giving up on this little gun and am so glad I did not!!

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dlhamil

· #12 · Sep 14, 2019

Dubar said:
A couple of weeks ago I took my Bersa Thunder 380 Combat (single stack) and 380 Plus (double stack) to the range. I;ve never had any problems with either before.

The Plus worked fine, almost every round with the Combat failed. When I came out of the range the gunsmith had just come out of his "office" so I asked him if he would take a look, knowing the gun was at fault.

He put in 5 rounds of his ammo and all fired fine. Came out and asked for 5 rounds of my ammo (Fiocchi). Fired all 5 with zero problems. Came out with a smirk on his face and politely said "operator error". Turns out I was limp wristing the pistol. Went back the next week and kept a firm grip on the gun and had no problems.

Never happened before and hasn't happened since. Only thing I can think of as to why the Plus didn't do the same thing is because of the larger grip, must have kept better control of it than the Combat that day.

Buddy of mine has a FMK 9C1G2 9mm and he's been doing the same thing. I finally convinced him to "get a grip" and he's been shooting fine since.

Give it a try before you alter something or toss the pistol.

Yep, quite often the problem is operator/user error ... me included vs the gun! Thanks for the reminder!!!

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FunGunner

· #13 · Sep 18, 2019

Using the two-handed approach, with the gun holding hand pushing forward and the bracing hand pushing rearward will also tighten up the whole muscular triangle that includes the pectoral muscles. That lateral "tripod", if you will, will also help stabilize the weapon for the next target reacquisition.

When firing with one hand, it isn't just the forearm muscles that me need to make a secure grip. We should also remember to tighten up our upper arm and shoulder muscles, as well. It's just that the two armed triangle, or however they refer to it, tends to do that automatically. Try that and report back in.

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