[Zsnark]

Hi Gunners!

I am new to this forum and have question. Have Firestorm .380 which has performed flawlessly since the first two mags went through it. Got a Thunder .380 for my GF. Have a persistent jam which I'll describe.

Pistol ejects a round and the following cartridge goes too high (nose up); slide slams back of case, jamming the case into the magazine feed lips. Need to pry the cartridge tip down off the slide hood to allow the magazine release so I can clear the jam. Got about 200 rounds through gun. Happens about once a magazine. Looks to my inexpert old eyes to be that something is causing the cartridge tip to leap higher than it should when the slide is running home. Anyone had this problem and/or got any solutions.

The only decent gunsmith I know is a state away and is so overworked that he groaned when someone brought a piece in to him last time I was in his shop. I'd like to fix it myself if possible.

Thanks,

AAW

 

[Tony1990]

A long time ago I had feed problems with my Bersa Thunder 380 and it was caused by non Bersa magazines. I got several new magazines from Bersa (had Bersa name on them, if no Bersa or firestorm name on it trash them) and had not had another jam or misfire and I have fired well over a thousand round thru it. I guess it is not a new gun or you would have sent it back to the manufacturer for repairs or replacement. Anyway new or used clean it very carefully with a good grade of oil made for guns.

P.S. Do you really have to travel to another state to find a good gunsmith???

 

[GypsyMindTrik]

I would make sure the shooters form is correct, bending at the elbows , as opposed to bending at the wrists. the blow back can take some getting use to. If there is no problems there, sadly I too would recommend sending it back to Bersa.

 

[Zsnark]

A long time ago I had feed problems with my Bersa Thunder 380 and it was caused by non Bersa magazines. I got several new magazines from Bersa (had Bersa name on them, if no Bersa or firestorm name on it trash them) and had not had another jam or misfire and I have fired well over a thousand round thru it. I guess it is not a new gun or you would have sent it back to the manufacturer for repairs or replacement. Anyway new or used clean it very carefully with a good grade of oil made for guns.

P.S. Do you really have to travel to another state to find a good gunsmith???

I am using three Bersa mags, two of which performed flawlessly with my Firestorm .380. After being on this Bersa site, I submitted a similar query and have gotten a number of possible solutions. A lot of the suggestions are useless because the readers don't really read my original post. Fr'instance, make sure the mag is firmly seated and make sure you're not using an OEM mag, and clean the gun thoroughly and try again. It's frustrating because if anyone really reads what I wrote, I state that the Thunder .380's close cousin, Firestorm performed flawlessly.

You commented about gunsmiths. I have had dreadful luck with supposed experts who turned out no results except a large price. Of course you can't tell the job wasn't done until you get to the dessert or a range. And, your option is small claims court.

I am now in AZ, was in CA, half the year I'm in CT (arghhh!). That's a whole other story. If you've got a no BS kick ass smith in TX, lemme' know.

And, thanks so much for your reply. You are the one and only responder to my query. So much for the Bersa Forum, I guess there are just not very members. THR was much more fruitful.

Sorry for the delayed response,

Al W

 

[Tony1990]

Been traveling for a few days. Any luck with your jamming problem???

 

[Gretschguy]

"Nose Up" might be a reversed magazine spring. Did you disassemble the magazines for cleaning? Even if not, try reversing them, and see if that helps. Good Luck.

 

[MickHLR]

Zsnark, is that an OEM magazine? We had a lot of the same issues with my wife's Thunder 380. I had bought a ProMag to go along with the OEM magazine. And, the ProMag would stovepipe the last round every time...whether you had 5, 6, or 7 rounds loaded, it just didn't like the last one. At first, I thought she might've been limp-wristing, as it wasn't doing it with me. Then, I figured out I just happened to be shooting it with the OEM magazine, while she was hitting it with the ProMag. Threw the ProMag magazine away, bought another OEM magazine...problem solved.

 

[rabbit hunter]

If you are in Arizona, you could try Jensens in Tucson. I've had gunsmith work done there.

 

[robhic]

I had a similar problem with my Thunder 380 when it was new (7 months ago) in that it would jam EVERY 6TH ROUND! Every 6th round exactly. There is a rather lengthy thread on it here from a couple of months back if you care to search for it. Title was, I believe "I Am NOT Happy!". The 6th round in each (Bersa mags AND one ProMag which I like and have had good luck with...) would sit atop the 7th round (7 rd mags) and jam between the breech face and slide. Frustrating. So I jammed 8 rds in the 7 rd mags and set them aside for 2 weeks to relax the springs. Next trip to the range and all was well. Something to think about.

This is just a shot in the dark. Here's a website for tweaking .22 mags to stop problems feeding, ejecting, etc. http://www.1bad69.com/ruger/stovepipe.htm Some info might give you something to think about and apply to your situation. My experience has been, so far, that problems are far more likely to be mag-related than gun-related so a few divergent ideas might give you some stuff to formulate a fix on your own. Good luck!

 

[jacob374]

Do you really have to travel to another state to find a good gunsmith???

 

[Tony1990]

Do you really have to travel to another state to find a good gunsmith???

Sure hope you don't have to travel to another state for some gun repair work, that would be a real bummer. Maybe if everyone would indicate what state or country they come from, someone close where they live can recommend a good gunsmith to use.

 

[daft_vagrant]

Hi Gunners!

I am new to this forum and have question. Have Firestorm .380 which has performed flawlessly since the first two mags went through it. Got a Thunder .380 for my GF. Have a persistent jam which I'll describe.

Pistol ejects a round and the following cartridge goes too high (nose up); slide slams back of case, jamming the case into the magazine feed lips. Need to pry the cartridge tip down off the slide hood to allow the magazine release so I can clear the jam. Got about 200 rounds through gun. Happens about once a magazine. Looks to my inexpert old eyes to be that something is causing the cartridge tip to leap higher than it should when the slide is running home. Anyone had this problem and/or got any solutions.

The only decent gunsmith I know is a state away and is so overworked that he groaned when someone brought a piece in to him last time I was in his shop. I'd like to fix it myself if possible.

Thanks,

AAW

Bear with me here please. I'm gathering that the magazines work fine in the Firestorm 380 but not the Thunder 380 correct?

 

[noble]

I'm interested in the same question too. I greet you.

 

[Tony1990]

I'm interested in the same question too. I greet you.

Howdy and a big welcome to Bersa Pistol Forum, glad to have you on board. Please let us know a little about yourself by going to New Member Introduction and posting.

Thank you.

Tony

 

[Tony1990]

I'm interested in the same question too. I greet you.

I have not had this type of feed problem however Bersa recommends several sites you can send your Bersa to. There is even one site in called JGE in Lott, Tx, Plus Gander Mountain also does Bersa service.
Here is the short list.

All BERSA, METROARMS CORPORATION (American Classic, MAC, SPS), and COMANCHE pistols and revolvers in need of service must be sent directly to one of our warranty repair centers listed below. Before you send a new Bersa in for repair please be sure to use standard ball ammunition during the break-in period (200-300 rounds). Proof of Purchase is required for all Comanche Revolvers and Super Comanche Pistols. Warranty work cannot begin without your proof of purchase for these models.
PLEASE DO NOT SEND FIREARMS TO THE NEW JERSEY OFFICE FOR REPAIR, this will only delay your repair, as there is no gunsmith at this facility.
Send your firearm, magazine, copy of photo ID, FFL (if a dealer), and a brief note with your contact information and a description of the problem. Do not send ammunition. You are responsible for the shipping costs to send your firearm in for repair. Only FFL holders may ship via USPS, all others must use UPS or FedEx.
For your records please write down your serial number before shipping.
Colorado Gun Works, 2333 State Road 67 South, Lyons, IN 47443
Tel: 812-659-4867
email: [email protected]
Ahlman's, 9525 W. 230th Street, Morristown, MN 55052
Tel: 507-685-4243 or 4244 Fax: 507-685-4280
email: [email protected]
JGE, 156 CR 305, Lott, TX 76656
Tel: 254-749-7940
email: [email protected]
The Gun Doctor, 60690 Stoney Point Drive Rd., Vernonia, OR 97064
Tel: 503-429-7342
email: [email protected]
Please visit the "Shipping/Repair Info" page of The Gun Doctor's website, Shipping_Repair Info for useful, legal & money-saving tips before shipping your pistol.
Bersa firearms can also be serviced by Gander Mountain. Gander Mountain locations can be found at Gander Mtn ? We Live Outdoors | Free shipping on all orders. Please call Gander Mountain before sending or bringing your firearm in for repair. Gunsmiths are at limited Gander locations.
If you have any questions, please visit us on the web at: Home - BERSA by Eagle Imports or email us at: [email protected] Many questions can be answered with our FAQs.
Tony