Bersa Thunder Vs Firestorm

[IrishPirate]

Is there any functional difference between the Bersa Thunder and the Firestorm? I know the grips and the sights are different, and the firestorm comes with a some other stuff...but other than that they appear to be the same gun. Is that right?

Thunder Top, Firestorm Bottom

[Bullwinkle]

I don't have direct experience with either pistol, other than admiring them through the display case and doing a lot of research on them (the Bersa in particular); but since nobody else answered your question, here's what I know about it.

Firestorm has finger grooves in the grip, Bersa doesn't.
Firestorm has rounded trigger guard, Bersa has squared (with serrations on the front).

Or in other words, the Bersa looks much better aesthetically! In fact, although I've never compared the two side-by-side and can't say with 100% accuracy, I believe you'll find that the Bersa has a better finish, too; but you'll have to verify that for yourself. If I'm not mistaken, the Firestorm is a few bucks less expensive, probably because of the more Spartan finish; I haven't heard of any discrepency in quality of construction as far as fit or parts are concerned.

The Bersa uses a 3-dot sight system, whereas if the Firestorm 380 is like my Firestorm Mini 40, the Firestorm uses a dot front and white outline rear.

Internally, the guns are the same. I can't say if parts are interchangeable between the two, but I'd wager they are.

Firestorm started out as a co-venture between Bersa and Llama. I don't know why, but (fortunately) Llama left the scene quite early on, and Firestorm became a wholly owned subsidiary of Bersa. If you look on the Firestorm's slide--again, assuming it's like my Mini 40--it'll say "Firestorm" on one side and "Bersa" on the other.

I have yet to find any Bersa owner who doesn't love his/her pistol, nor have I ever read a negative review in the gun press. Actually, I haven't ever heard anything negative about the Bersa Thunder 380, or if I have I sure can't remember it. It's definitely one of the better diamond-in-the-rough bargains out there. I've always wanted a Bersa Thunder 380... just seems I've always wanted something else just a little bit more all the time! I don't think you will make a bad purchase with either of the two 380s.

There used to be a Bersa Talk forum, but my old "Favorites" browser link to it doesn't work anymore, so it either got moved or disbanded. I personally didn't like the moderator and a couple of the senior members all that much, but it was a good resource for Bersa/Firestorm owners and potential buyers nonetheless. Try and find it if you're really interested in these pistols.

Just my $0.02... but I'm sure there will be several dissentions now (there always are when a budget-priced not-well-known-brand pistol gets praised, right?).

Edited to add: That Thunder pistol in your photo... I'm sure you're aware that's not a current-production model, right? What's with the trigger... looks like it's a SA model, which would be news!

[loose_electron]

Both of those pistols are made by Bersa.

Bersa is the manufacturer. If I am not mistaken one of those pistols is an older Bersa model?

- and yes, I do like the quality/cost or the Bersa. When you get right down to it, its a Walther PPK clone, but at half the price.

[Bullwinkle]

Gotta correct myself. I have indeed heard some bad things about the Bersa. The Bersa Talk forum that I referred to in my earlier post used to have a "gunsmithing" section, and there were indeed Bersa owners who, for example, would purchase a new pistol and have some kind of problem with it. Colorado Gun Works was the moderator of that section of the forum, an authorized Bersa warranty center.

Lifetime warranty!

All problems were taken care of, usually w/o having to ship the pistol; but yes, sometimes it would need to be sent in, too. The owners were all happy with their pistols in the end.

HTH

[rabidmonk]

There were quality issues with Bersa Thunder 380s a few years back, but earlier models and the more recent ones have no problems. Mine eats up every kind of ammo without any problems and is a pretty accurate shooter for what it is. I can't speak for the firestorm, but as far as the finish on the Thunder 380, you get what you pay for. The finish is a bit rough, no burrs or sharp edges, but definitely not smooth. Also, not a fan of the mag disconnect, and the trigger is not the greatest. Fit between the slide and frame is nice though, and it takes cheap promag mags and uses them well.

[Rekrab]

Man, that old Thunder looks hot! I wish mine was like that...

[Carsgunsandchics]

I have a MiniFirestorm in 9mm and am quite happy with it. And if anyone has one in 40s&w I bought a mag for one instead of 9mm if interested in a spare.

[Old4eyes]

The Bersa Talk site is no more. But there is a Bersa Chat forum:

http://www.bersachat.com/forums/forum.php

The rear sight on the Thunder is adjustable for windage, the Firestorm has a fixed rear sight. You can pick up the grooved finger grips for the Thunder.

[evidens83]

I miss my Thunder .380 now

[kevgozoom]

I'll buy your extra mag.

I have a MiniFirestorm in 9mm and am quite happy with it. And if anyone has one in 40s&w I bought a mag for one instead of 9mm if interested in a spare.

Carsgunsandchics,

I have the Bersa MiniFirestorm 40 S&W and would be interested in buying your extra mag.

kevgozoom.