Bersa Thunder 380 mag question.

[iamamultitasker]

I just bought one of these and saw that there is a 9rd mag available at the Bersa website (vs the 7rd std), probably with extended protrusion from the gun handle. Are these CA legal?

Thanks.

[Ksmash01]

yes it's legal. It only protrudes slightly, and the finger rest is more prominent.

It's only 9 rounds, we have a 10 round limit.

I just got one too...I'm about to go shoot it soon.

[iamamultitasker]

@Ksmash01, thanks for info.

I know about the 10rd limit so I guess the question boils down to whether adding a bigger mag to this gun conflicts with the CA DOJ approval list. In other words, can you add a higher-cap mag (but 10rds or below) to any approved handgun without nullifying the legality of the gun?

[Salty]

Just don't get the 8 round mag for the 380 concealed carry model. It will work for a while in a normal Bersa 380, but eventually the last shot slide stop notch on the follower will shear off and cause the gun to jam. At least that's what happened to me, and when I called Bersa they confirmed that the 380 concealed carry mags should not be used in a normal 380.

[Big Ben]

@Ksmash01, thanks for info.

I know about the 10rd limit so I guess the question boils down to whether adding a bigger mag to this gun conflicts with the CA DOJ approval list. In other words, can you add a higher-cap mag (but 10rds or below) to any approved handgun without nullifying the legality of the gun?

CA DOJ simply limits the guns that can be sold in CA (although private party transfers are exempted). Once you buy the gun, you can modify it to your hearts content, as long as it doesn't violate other stupid CA gun laws.

This is how people are able to purchase off-roster guns via the single shot exemption - factory gun is modified prior to sale to single-shot, long barrel form. Once sold, the purchaser is able to modify it back to factory condition.

Long story short, you're good to go with a magazine of up to 10 rounds in your Bersa. Have fun.

EDIT: For clarity, (and before someone jumps in and beats me up) you're good to go with a 30 round magazine in your Bersa, too, assuming they made one and you own it legally.

[paul0660]

EDIT: For clarity, (and before someone jumps in and beats me up) you're good to go with a 30 round magazine in your Bersa, too, assuming they made one and you own it legally.
Reply With Quote

You are a fast learner. What he said.

[Eddie1965]

I bought the Bersa kit and it came with one of the 9 rounders. You're good to go.

[Big Ben]

You are a fast learner. What he said.

Thanks. I spent a year+ lurking before registering and feeling comfortable commenting/posting. I've seen how quickly things can get ugly if you aren't crystal clear in your comments.

[Ksmash01]

Glad I can help you.

Enjoy your Bersa. If you want to have some fun, load up with Hydrashocks. They have considerably more recoil than the FMJ's I was shooting.

[RedFord150]

Glad I can help you.

Enjoy your Bersa. If you want to have some fun, load up with Hydrashocks. They have considerably more recoil than the FMJ's I was shooting.

I normally keep Cor-Bon DPX in mine. Buffalo Bore also has some decent ballistics.

[Ksmash01]

I normally keep Cor-Bon DPX in mine. Buffalo Bore also has some decent ballistics.

I was just shooting them because I wanted to see how it fed HP's. Those were the widest HP's I could find, and I figure if it cycles those fine, then most other defensive rounds would work in it as well. It surprised me how much more recoil the Hydrashocks had compared to the Ultramax FMJ's I was shooting to break the pistol in. Me and my friend concluded that shooting the hydrashocks in my Bersa was more harsh than shooting his M&P40c. The muzzle flash was incredible too...I'd go blind if I shot those in the dark. I guess that's why they call it a Thunder 380. LOL.

I currently have some Hornady Critical Defense in it now, but I plan on getting a few different types of HP's, mainly to shoot/test. I really want to get my hands on some Winchester SilverTips, just to make sure it will cycle HP's without a problem.