Bersa Firestorm 380 review

[NorcalGSG]

I forgot about this thread but the other Bersa post reminded me. So I thought I would update with results, since there is so little info out there about Bersa upgrades.
I went ahead and trimmed the beavertail (haha) with a cutoff wheel on the Firestorm. I trimmed it flush with the back spur of the hammer, when the hammer was cocked. I then rounded and smoothed it back out. This worked great to eliminate the weird pain in the web of the hand from the excess frame material pushing in that awkward spot between thumb and fingers.
Then I ordered the Wolfe heavy spring for a Walther PP. The heaviest one, 18 lbs. It's just a tad shorter and smaller diameter than the stock one, but it fits and really works well. It slows the slide down to reduce that annoying snap that these Firestorms have with the stock lighter spring. I had to do this because I couldn't find any specific heavier springs advertised for Bersas. The spring will kinda scratch the barrel a bit on installation since it's smaller, but whatever. I already re-contoured the frame anyways.
Anyway I wish I had photos to post and make it super detailed, but I just wanted to put the info out there to help out others that are wondering. These are a good priced option. One of the few left on the roster we have. I would say these mods cut the snappy recoil it had down to probably half or less. Definitely worth it, in my opinion.

[newbie1234]

I have one, and I really like it. It is very accurate and seems to like all ammo. I find the recoil to be pretty uncomfortable though. I will have a red mark on my hand where the beavertail rests after about 15-20 rounds.

Had one, same problem but around 70-80 rds.
The recoil seems very similar 9mm metal frame, I guess due to the the small size of the Bersa.

[Angrysnarf]

Great gun, feels great in the hand but my wifes has a mushrooming issue. The slide stop/release was mushroomed causing the slide to be released at the slightest jolt. The slide was also mushroomed where it contacts the release. Replaced the stop and filed the slide a bit but my gunsmith buddy says itll happen again. What to do?

[NorcalGSG]

Great gun, feels great in the hand but my wifes has a mushrooming issue. The slide stop/release was mushroomed causing the slide to be released at the slightest jolt. The slide was also mushroomed where it contacts the release. Replaced the stop and filed the slide a bit but my gunsmith buddy says itll happen again. What to do?

You could send it in for warranty repairs. Or to do it yourself, if it was me I would file the angles right so you were happy with the slide stop, and then spot harden the slide where the slide stop engages. But probably best to send it in for a slide replacement. On the old 1911's, you can see the difference in parkerizing color where the old slides were spot heat treated kinda like this, instead of being uniformly heat treated in an oven like modern stuff is.
However for a cheap gun, you might just run it and see what happens. Lol might run for quite awhile.

[Angrysnarf]

You could send it in for warranty repairs. Or to do it yourself, if it was me I would file the angles right so you were happy with the slide stop, and then spot harden the slide where the slide stop engages. But probably best to send it in for a slide replacement. On the old 1911's, you can see the difference in parkerizing color where the old slides were spot heat treated kinda like this, instead of being uniformly heat treated in an oven like modern stuff is.
However for a cheap gun, you might just run it and see what happens. Lol might run for quite awhile.

Spot harden?

I tried sending it in but she's the second owner this no warrsnty

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

[NorcalGSG]

I won't clutter this thread with heat treatment instructions. Super common easy to find info.
I would say just run it. You'll probably be fine for quite awhile. If it really bugs you, just buy another used slide for it.

[slugbuster]

Ive been looking at the firestorm off and on for a while two. I notice the thunder isn't available but after researching the two and would rather have the firestorm. It has a rounded trigger guard, unlike the thunder, that has more of a squared off trigger guard with checkering. The thunder does have that key lock that renders the pistol inoperable. Don't like that function of the pistol. Especially if you misplace the key. Think I'm going to pick up the firestorm for $279. By reading the comments it seems to be a nice little gun for the price.

[rumble phish]

Ive been looking at the firestorm off and on for a while two. I notice the thunder isn't available but after researching the two and would rather have the firestorm. It has a rounded trigger guard, unlike the thunder, that has more of a squared off trigger guard with checkering. The thunder does have that key lock that renders the pistol inoperable. Don't like that function of the pistol. Especially if you misplace the key. Think I'm going to pick up the firestorm for $279. By reading the comments it seems to be a nice little gun for the price.

You won't be disappointed. Bought mine for $279 on a whim because I thought "what the hell". Turns out it became my favorite small pistol. It's on my nightstand as we speak, and it travels with me regularly.

Sent from my Z970 using Tapatalk

[slugbuster]

Nice. I have a CZ83 and like that snappy little guy. I put some VZ grips on it and love it even more. The firestorm will be a nice addition to the collection.

[slugbuster]

Hows the break in period for the firestorm? My CZ83 took about 100 rounds for it to get rolling.

[NorcalGSG]

Pft a little Miltech oil on the rails, ready to go! I haven't heard of many break in problems with them. I have had good service. I have read of one guy who had the trigger return spring break after lots of service, and one frame cracked. Not much flaws, certainly less troubles exposed than say for the Shield .40 which pretty much every possible forum has different guys posting pics of blown up guns for example. I know anything can have a problem, I'm just saying for how long these have been imported, they seem to be pretty solid. Especially better, IMHO with the beaver tail fixed and the heavier recoil spring!!

[slugbuster]

cool. Thanks Norcal.

[trackcage]

I forgot about this thread but the other Bersa post reminded me. So I thought I would update with results, since there is so little info out there about Bersa upgrades.
I went ahead and trimmed the beavertail (haha) with a cutoff wheel on the Firestorm. I trimmed it flush with the back spur of the hammer, when the hammer was cocked. I then rounded and smoothed it back out. This worked great to eliminate the weird pain in the web of the hand from the excess frame material pushing in that awkward spot between thumb and fingers.
Then I ordered the Wolfe heavy spring for a Walther PP. The heaviest one, 18 lbs. It's just a tad shorter and smaller diameter than the stock one, but it fits and really works well. It slows the slide down to reduce that annoying snap that these Firestorms have with the stock lighter spring. I had to do this because I couldn't find any specific heavier springs advertised for Bersas. The spring will kinda scratch the barrel a bit on installation since it's smaller, but whatever. I already re-contoured the frame anyways.
Anyway I wish I had photos to post and make it super detailed, but I just wanted to put the info out there to help out others that are wondering. These are a good priced option. One of the few left on the roster we have. I would say these mods cut the snappy recoil it had down to probably half or less. Definitely worth it, in my opinion.

I'm seeing on the Wolff website that they are quoting a 20lb factory spring and 24lb extra power spring. Are you sure the one you purchased was 18lb and that it's correct for a heavier weight spring? See below

https://www.gunsprings.com/WALTHER/PPK%20&%20PPKS%209mm%20(.380)/cID1/mID70/dID305

[Old4eyes]

I have a Bersa Thunder and a Firestorm. I prefer the 3 dot sights of the Thunder. The recoil stings, that can be mitigated slightly on the Thunder by getting the finger grooved rubber grips that come with the Firestorm. If am going to shoot more that a couple of magazines, I'll put a glove on to eliminate the sting. With the Bersa supposedly a clone of the PPK, I will say that James Bond is a tough fellow to shoot this without shaking his hand once in a while.

I've had problems with both of mine, the safety/decocker broke on the Thunder and the Firestorm had a poorly milled area near the extractor which caused both feed and extraction problems. The accuracy for both is good and for the price point, they are decent guns but it is large and you can find 9mm recoil operated pistols near that size that are more have more power and don't hurt as much to shoot. The Sig P238 is smaller and is pleasant to shoot. The disadvantage of being small is that you have a very short sight radius and a greater loss of velocity on a caliber that is marginal for SD work to begin with. The big disadvantage of the Sig is the price.

[NorcalGSG]

I'm seeing on the Wolff website that they are quoting a 20lb factory spring and 24lb extra power spring. Are you sure the one you purchased was 18lb and that it's correct for a heavier weight spring? See below

https://www.gunsprings.com/WALTHER/P...1/mID70/dID305

Hey I didn't catch your question until now. Sorry about that, Track. Please PM me in the future if I am slacking on reply. As for your question, you are looking at the entire wrong model I used. I said to use a spring from a Walther PP. You posted one for a PPK. Big difference in parts. The K at the end means it's a lot smaller size than the older PP, hence the heavier weight to compensate. The part # should be 48518

https://www.gunsprings.com/WALTHER/PP%209mm%20(.380)/cID1/mID70/dID302

Hope this helps.