I'm writing this incase it might be of help to someone searching for their first cc gun, as I was until 2 days ago. Let me start by saying that I have been shooting pistols for only 2 years, so I am far from an expert. I have shot quite a bit in that time, and I figure I've put about 12,000 rounds through my 22 cal. Ruger Mark 3 (pistol league helped a bit) and 7,000 rounds through my Beretta 92FS 9mm. Both are great guns!
While there are things I like about 380s, the cost and difficulty finding ammo here in north Georgia make that caliber a non-issue for me. There was a Beretta 1980s model. Nickel slide and frame, walnut grips, shot beautifully. If it was a woman, I'd have married it but the ammo thing ended that relationship like a broom riding mother-in-law so I decided to search for a 9mm. That way I only have two readily available calibers of ammunition. As this is already long-winded, I'll just say that I looked at (fondled) many, many weapons that for one reason or another, I found lacking. I finally decided that a Ruger SR9C would be my gun and when I was in final acquisition mode, I was shown a Bersa Thunder Pro 9mm UC (what is BERSA?)
After reading this and other forums, I decided that I would give it a try, and while the gun is too new to say definitively, I think is it a keeper.
I bought the Duo Tone one because of concerns about the finish wearing off that I've read so much about. I paid $370 for NIB at a local gun store and range, and got $25 free range credit to boot. I also bought the only magazine they had for another $45. I got a IWB holster for a Sig 228(?) but that was uncomfortable as the gun is thick and heavy as cc guns go. Traded it for a Tagua belt holster designed for a Springfield XD which seems like it will work fine.
I cleaned all the factory goo the night of my purchase and put 100 rounds of Winchester 115 grain ball through it last night, and I was AMAZED by this gun. The three dot sights are clear and dead on right out of the box (literally, it's a cardboard box). The "weight" I just mentioned helped keep recoil very manageable. Being what its intended use is and tha fact that this Bersa is totally new to me, I started shooting at 5 yards. Surprised by how well it shot. Moved the target to 10 yards and put 19 of 20 rounds in the 10 ring! Davey Crocket I ain't but that made me a believer. If I miss, it's me, not the gun. Remember, I'm using my Beretta as the yard-stick so this thing was really impressive to shoot.
I didn't have a single problem except for loading the three mags as the springs were incredibly stiff, although they did start to loosen up and I eventually completely loaded them by the end of my session.
On the subject of the magazines, I wonder about them. The pusher doesn't look like it will last and looks like a cheap casting. The metal kind of looks like a Crescent wrench finish. Time will tell.
As I said, I had no problems whatsoever and wished that I had brought 200 rounds with me. I must have thought to myself, "God, I LOVE this gun!" 30 times.
Anyway, I next took it home for cleaning and it field strips REAL easily. Reassemly is also easy except for getting the guide-rod back in. Apparently others have this problem too so it's probably a matter of getting used to, like field stripping my Ruger which I have done blind-folded when I'm bored. I don't expect the guide rod will be too much trouble. Make note, while the gun came with 2 magazines, it had no cleaning rod, brushes. Fortunately my Beretta came with those.
Bottom line, I couldn't be happier with a gun at this early stage. Time will tell but I can say without reservation this this gun is extremely accurate, a pleasure to shoot, feels great in the hand and was a tremendous bargain. It's not as cool as the H&Ks or the EMP I looked at (Fabulous by the way) but the way it has performed, and for the price? I say get one!
While there are things I like about 380s, the cost and difficulty finding ammo here in north Georgia make that caliber a non-issue for me. There was a Beretta 1980s model. Nickel slide and frame, walnut grips, shot beautifully. If it was a woman, I'd have married it but the ammo thing ended that relationship like a broom riding mother-in-law so I decided to search for a 9mm. That way I only have two readily available calibers of ammunition. As this is already long-winded, I'll just say that I looked at (fondled) many, many weapons that for one reason or another, I found lacking. I finally decided that a Ruger SR9C would be my gun and when I was in final acquisition mode, I was shown a Bersa Thunder Pro 9mm UC (what is BERSA?)
After reading this and other forums, I decided that I would give it a try, and while the gun is too new to say definitively, I think is it a keeper.
I bought the Duo Tone one because of concerns about the finish wearing off that I've read so much about. I paid $370 for NIB at a local gun store and range, and got $25 free range credit to boot. I also bought the only magazine they had for another $45. I got a IWB holster for a Sig 228(?) but that was uncomfortable as the gun is thick and heavy as cc guns go. Traded it for a Tagua belt holster designed for a Springfield XD which seems like it will work fine.
I cleaned all the factory goo the night of my purchase and put 100 rounds of Winchester 115 grain ball through it last night, and I was AMAZED by this gun. The three dot sights are clear and dead on right out of the box (literally, it's a cardboard box). The "weight" I just mentioned helped keep recoil very manageable. Being what its intended use is and tha fact that this Bersa is totally new to me, I started shooting at 5 yards. Surprised by how well it shot. Moved the target to 10 yards and put 19 of 20 rounds in the 10 ring! Davey Crocket I ain't but that made me a believer. If I miss, it's me, not the gun. Remember, I'm using my Beretta as the yard-stick so this thing was really impressive to shoot.
I didn't have a single problem except for loading the three mags as the springs were incredibly stiff, although they did start to loosen up and I eventually completely loaded them by the end of my session.
On the subject of the magazines, I wonder about them. The pusher doesn't look like it will last and looks like a cheap casting. The metal kind of looks like a Crescent wrench finish. Time will tell.
As I said, I had no problems whatsoever and wished that I had brought 200 rounds with me. I must have thought to myself, "God, I LOVE this gun!" 30 times.
Anyway, I next took it home for cleaning and it field strips REAL easily. Reassemly is also easy except for getting the guide-rod back in. Apparently others have this problem too so it's probably a matter of getting used to, like field stripping my Ruger which I have done blind-folded when I'm bored. I don't expect the guide rod will be too much trouble. Make note, while the gun came with 2 magazines, it had no cleaning rod, brushes. Fortunately my Beretta came with those.
Bottom line, I couldn't be happier with a gun at this early stage. Time will tell but I can say without reservation this this gun is extremely accurate, a pleasure to shoot, feels great in the hand and was a tremendous bargain. It's not as cool as the H&Ks or the EMP I looked at (Fabulous by the way) but the way it has performed, and for the price? I say get one!
