Bersa .380 Thunder Operations.....

[exoduster18]

Just recently received my first semi-auto as a gift. It is a Bersa .380 Thunder.

Pistol seems to be of good quality. Solid. Fits my hand. Handles/points well.

The only problem I seem to be having is the operation of the safety. It seems as though it is a three position safety: Safe, Decocker (?), Fire.

I have noticed that if the slide has been brought back and the hammer is fully cocked for SA shooting on the first shot, if I push the safety lever from Fire all of the way back to Safety, the hammer goes all of the way down except for the last 1/8 inch or so. I have noticed that a bar stops it from seating fully against the firing pin but it slams hard, but doesn't seem to contact the firing pin at all. Once I get the safety lever all of the way down, the hammer fully seats and rests in contact with the firing pin although it does so gently.

If my assumptions are correct, this pistol is DA/SA. SA on the first shot after racking the slide. SA for each successive shot.

If I lower the hammer via the safety lever and leave the it in second position (decocked?), then it is DA with each successive shot.

My next question is this: How is/should this pistol be carried for CCW? I am thinking a leather thumb break IWB Holster for the SA first shot and leave the hammer all of the way cocked/down with the safety lever sitting in the third position. This will provide for a quicker first shot with less trigger squeeze.

Or should I carry it with the hammer fully resting down and use the full DA trigger pull for the first shot?

Or is this all a matter of personal preference?

Or am I completely incorrect on all counts and this is only a DA first shot followed by SA follow up shots?

The manual leaves something to be desired as far as the operation of the pistol and I need to know this pistol works prior to actually loading it up and firing it for the first time.

[No3buckshot]

This is a DA/SA pistol.

It should be carried hammer down with a live round in the chamber and your choice of safety on or off.

You draw the firearm, take the safety off if you carry it with it on, and pull it through like a double action revolver.

There really should only be TWO positions for the safety, FIRE and SAFE/DECOCK.

Sounds like there is a burr or catch in there that is giving a third, and false position that you SHOULD NOT TRUST.

You can carry it safely with the safety off for the same reason you can carry a double action revolver, long, heavy trigger pull.

Carried with the safety on, it is an extra layer that many appreciate should they be the subject of a gun grab, someone has to move one of the levers on the gun in some way to get it to fire before it can be used against you.

Your choice, there.

Look the company up on the net and ask them about that "third detent" in the safety, I am betting they will tell you that it will wear in and the third detent will go away.

Let us know what you find out.

Buckshot

[230RN]

That surprised me when I dry-fired my recently-acquired PPK. (With dummies, all live ammo in another room.)

Decocked, put it back up on safe, pulled it out at my usual dry-fire point of aim --nuthin'.

Almost strained my trigger finger.

Decided that if I ever carry it, to carry live round, safety off.

[Varmiter]

As it is a new gun, the middle detent you are feeling is well known.

Remove the mag. Empty the chamber. Return the slide to battery if not already there. Re-insert the mag. No real need to empty it at this point unless you want to do so. Until finished with this test, DO NOT RACK THE SLIDE.

Now, cock the hammer back manually. Holding the hammer back to full cock, move the decocker to the safe position and notice if you have that middle detent. If you do, then shortly you will wear the burr down and that detent will disappear. Now, holding the hammer back, return the de-cocker to fire. Walk the hammer full down . NOW slowly move the de-cocker to the safe position while watching for movement of the hammer. At the detent, the hammer will move slightly back. The hammer, and possibly a sharp edge or burr on the decocker is what you are feeling, and this will disappear very shortly and is nothing to worry about.

Lastly, I’m of the old school. Regardless of what the manuals or opinions of others, when I decock, I ALWAYS....ALWAYS hold the hammer back while decocking. I NEVER let the hammer fall hard onto the decocker......but that is just me.

Lastly, I always carry with the decocker in the fire position. While others may not like this stating safety reasons, I also carry a revolver. The Bersa, with the decocker in the fire position, operates exactly the same as a revolver for that first shot.

Chris

[exoduster18]

Varmiter - Excellent how to. Works just exactly as you describe.

Thank again for the help all.

Any input on what holster I should carry this with? Need some ideas there too.

[jonmerritt]

I put about 300 rounds through my Bersa Thunder .380 to get things to start smoothing out. Notice I said "start". I love this little pistol, will fire anything I put in it. Kholster has a inside the pants holster that is well made and reasonable on the wallet. It is comfortable, and you can alter it if you need to (I did) with a hot air hair dryer. I wanted it to grip the Bersa a little better for retention. A little heat and a little squeaze with a towel, and perfect snap in and snap out fit. Look them up online.

[cluznar]

N82Tactical makes some nice holsters for it. Also try Comp-Tac Holsters.

[STW]

My wife got the Comp-tac holster for hers and seems to like it. It's the same style as the one she uses for her M&P.

[cluznar]

The Bersa .380 is one of the nicest carry guns there is.
Easy to shoot, low recoil, accurate, dependable.

Rack a round in the chamber then decock it then carry it.
No need for the Safety on because of the heavy trigger pull.
Use a good holster and get a gun belt.

Bersa makes good dependable guns.