[imarangemaster]

OK, I know Mec-Gar 8 round 380 Thunderer mags work great in the FireStorm. I carry in an ankle holster, though, and the finger rest sticks out a little too far. Will a Bersa CC (non-polymer) 8 round flat bottom mag fit in the FireStorm? I hate to hack a finger rest off, if there already is a flat bottom magazine that works.

Thanks in advance...

 

[Tony1990]

OK, I know Mec-Gar 8 round 380 Thunderer mags work great in the FireStorm. I carry in an ankle holster, though, and the finger rest sticks out a little too far. Will a Bersa CC (non-polymer) 8 round flat bottom mag fit in the FireStorm? I hate to hack a finger rest off, if there already is a flat bottom magazine that works.

Thanks in advance...

To the best of my knowledge the Bersa Thunder 380 and Firestorm 380 are basically the same pistol except for the hand grips. The firestorm grip is rubber with finger grooves while the Bersa grips are plastic with no finger grooves which is why I have the firestorm grips on my Bersa 380. When I go to the range with my Bersa 380cc for fun I fire 10 of my 11 mags ( always keep one loaded on hand ) and 6 of the 10 have the finger extension. I have not experienced any problems with the mags. mag always lock in, no mags falling out by itself, slide locks back on empty mag. The only problem are with the Winchester 380 flat nose..

Tony

 

[imarangemaster]

Thanks! I'll just pick up a CC flat bottom 8 rounder. I wonder why they make the standard Thunder and FireStorm mags 7 rounds. I plan on messing with the one factory 7 and making it an 8 rounder.

One difference between Thunder and FireStorm, besides grips, is that the FireStorm is assembled in USA using all Argentine parts. Also the trigger guard on the FireStorm is rounded (instead of the Thunder's bump on the front), so it can use all Walther PP holsters (that's what I am using for an IWB holster is for a Walther PP). The FireStorm is aluminum framed, and has a nice matte finish overall. Aren't some Thunders steel framed?

I REALLY like the grips on the FireStorm. They fit my hand perfectly. After shooting my Glock 19, Kahr polymer framed CW45 45 ACP, and my 2" Taurus 85 with .38 Special +P+ loads, the recoil on the FireStorm was non-existent, even with the Federal Hydra-Shock's 90 grain bullet at 1,000 FPS.

"Shooting the Bull" labs did extensive testing of all .380 loads using ballistic gel and 4 layers of denim. The Federal Hydra-Shock was an absolute top performer, passed only by Buffalo Bore's 90 grain +P. Hydra-Shock even performed slightly better than Hornady's Critical Defense, The federal maintained the FBI's 12" penetration minimum, ad opened up to .48" or so, even after denim.

Final Results of the .380 ACP Ammo Quest | Shooting The Bull

 

[Tony1990]

Thanks for the info on the Firestorm I always want to learn more about the pistols I count on to protect myself and family.

 

[Steamer]

Thanks for the link on .380 defensive ammo testing. I'll be adding my Firestorm to my CCW next month.

 

[imarangemaster]

I need to get some of the Buffalo Bore 90 grain +P! 260 ft lbs of ME from a 380! Wow, It probably would not be a good idea to shoot a steady diet of it! LOL. Maybe just one mag to see if it functions. Standard velocity (non-+P) 9mm 115s from a sub-compacts like Glock 26s and Taurus Millenniums barely hit 290 to 300 ft lbs! I would absolutely not hesitate to use the FireStorm with 9 shots of Buffalo Bore 90 grain +P as my everyday, primary carry weapon. The only time I would step up to the Glock 19 is large urban areas (Sacto, SF, LA, etc.)

 

[imarangemaster]

After looking at a CC flat base plate, I decided to just modify one of my Mec-Gar 8 rounder mag's floor plate. I used a Dremel with a 1.5" cut-off wheel to cut off the finger rest even with the level of the rear of the floor plate. I then trued up the bottom with a medium flat file, slightly beveled the edges, and finally finished it off with a fine grit foam sanding block. Very nice! Considering a flat bottom CC 8 round mag is $36 to $38, and the Mec-Gar was $20, I saved some bucks. Works MUCH better in the ankle holster, and even in the IWB holster. I'll post pictures later.

 

[imarangemaster]

Here's some pics...

 

[Tony1990]

Looks great and if it is easy you can save $16.00 per mag which is not chicken feed.

Tony