[bdevaux]

Hello

I am a new Bersa Thunder owner. Having fired my friends, I decided to get one myself. Saw a great deal for one on Gunbroker. Looked like it had some finish wear, but $135 I would deal.

When I received it I noticed right away that it was a little different. It has a steel frame rather than the typically alloy frame. The gun weighs a little more than my friends and the frame attracts a magnet.

I can find any info on a steel framed Bersa Thunder existing. I know there were older pre-Thunder 380's but those had their own numeric model numbers. This one says thunder on the side.

I also checked the frame and slide and the serial numbers match, so this isn't something that was pieced together from 2 different guns.

I have attached some pictures. Any help in trying to see what sort of variation this is would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[Tony1990]

Hello

I am a new Bersa Thunder owner. Having fired my friends, I decided to get one myself. Saw a great deal for one on Gunbroker. Looked like it had some finish wear, but $135 I would deal.

When I received it I noticed right away that it was a little different. It has a steel frame rather than the typically alloy frame. The gun weighs a little more than my friends and the frame attracts a magnet.

I can find any info on a steel framed Bersa Thunder existing. I know there were older pre-Thunder 380's but those had their own numeric model numbers. This one says thunder on the side.

I also checked the frame and slide and the serial numbers match, so this isn't something that was pieced together from 2 different guns.

I have attached some pictures. Any help in trying to see what sort of variation this is would be appreciated. Thanks
View attachment 167 View attachment 168 View attachment 169

First: Welcome to Bersa Pistol Forum, glad to have you on board.
The BT 380 you have is a very very old model as per the serial number. Also you do not have the Internal locking System (ILS) so it is an older model. My BT 380 is a little newer than yours however i also don't have the Internal locking System.
The Barrel, slide, spring, hammer, Manual safety and decocker lever are all steel but the frame is an alloy. Maybe i can check with Bersa since they would know.

 

[Nico]

Steel one seems like it would last longer! I'd say you got lucky for 135$!!
It may not have the (ILS) but it's got the annoying magazine safety still, you can youtube how to get it off if it's not your style. The video is 10 minutes long and that's about how long it took me to do it.

 

[cavelamb]

I have one with a very close serial number that I bought new about 1996.
It's a good pistol.