[NixaMO]

I'm shopping for a 380 (Standard, Plus, or CC), but can't find any locally or online. Has Bersa/EagleImports said when their factories will be shipping more?

 

[imarangemaster]

FireStorm 380s are out there. The main difference is they are assembled in the US (I have been told) and they have the rubber finger grooved grips. My LGS has had a steady flow of them.

 

[NixaMO]

Looking at the Bersa Homepage, the Firestorm is no longer available. Does that mean it's not made any more in Argentina, or that it's made in the US (as you've been told) and is sold through another company or dealer?

 

[9UC]

Welcome to the forum NixaMO from the great state of Texas. Firestorm is actually a Philippine gun company that contracted with Bersa to manufacture several guns, the 9/40/45UC and the 380 under the Firestorm name with some appearance variations, the trigger guards and the sights. I don't know when the basic agreement ended, but Bersa has continued to manufacture the 380 with the Firestorm name as it, under that name, is on the only Bersa on the California approved list and IIRC, the 380 under the Firestorm brand is only sold in California. If you are a resident other than there, go with the Bersa Thunder model.

 

[imarangemaster]

Looking at the Bersa Homepage, the Firestorm is no longer available. Does that mean it's not made any more in Argentina, or that it's made in the US (as you've been told) and is sold through another company or dealer?

I just downloaded the Bersa 2016 catalog and it has the Firestorm listed.

 

[NixaMO]

Welcome to the forum NixaMO from the great state of Texas. Firestorm is actually a Philippine gun company that contracted with Bersa to manufacture several guns, the 9/40/45UC and the 380 under the Firestorm name with some appearance variations, the trigger guards and the sights. I don't know when the basic agreement ended, but Bersa has continued to manufacture the 380 with the Firestorm name as it, under that name, is on the only Bersa on the California approved list and IIRC, the 380 under the Firestorm brand is only sold in California. If you are a resident other than there, go with the Bersa Thunder model.

Thank you for the clarification about this interesting but odd situation. Texans tend to be knowledgeable on all things guns. I'm no longer in CA, so I'll continue to look for Bersa Thunders in the other 49 states.