I'm gonna assume then that it does fit in the gun for a total of 9 rounds in the gun. Am I correct with that assumption? If so, then at least you can carry 9 rounds in the gun, which is what I was trying to achieve with mine….I cannot replace that 8th round in the mag and reinsert it into the gun for a total of 9 rounds.
Affirmative Dutch. I can insert a a fully loaded mag of 8 in the Combat with one in the pipe, albeit with more insertion resistance than I expected. Previously my experience with Mec-Gar's was limited to my trusty 9mm Sig Sauer P226 into which Mec-Gars insert effortlessly and feed predictably.
I've not heard back yet from "David" at Mac-Gar but expect a call back soon - but don't wait on calling him because of me. It may be that there are variations between newer Bersa .380s that will muddy the waters on magazine function & options, especially with the advent of new 8 round mags from both Bursa and Mec-Gar. I'll let you know what I hear from them.
The only thing I can add at this time is that I clearly recall that the fully loaded 8 round magazines were difficult to insert immediately after I received the Combat .380. I believe that I began to perceive a reduction in resistance when inserting the magazine (8+1) over time after I loaded and unloaded each of them a number of times with the BabyUpLULA .22LR-.380ACP single-stack loader and exercised the spring with the UPLULA loader with both seven and eight rounds loaded in the mags. Have you taken down, serviced, and reassembled those problematical magazines?
I need a range run bad to test drive this little beauty which I will view as a remarkable bargain if she performs well during her planned sea trials.
Noting your New Jersey roots takes me back to some of the best years of my life when I schooled in Philly from '66-'70 where two recollections stand out: 1) The birth of the original
"God Bless America" Broad Street Bullies and 2) The original Latin Casino in Cherry Hill where on any given evening we could pop cross the river and for the cost of a few beers take in the likes of vintage James Brown perfecting his exceptional skills.