Bersa???

[JLaw]

Does the Bersa Thunder .380 qualify as a SNS? It's small and cheap, but I've heard lots of good things about it? Any opinions? (No opinions on .380 vs 9mm or anything, just on the pistol itself)

[fastvfr]

No, it isn't. At least by most people's definition, it isn't...even though they do sometimes get sold in Pimp Trim!
http://www.jimpruett.net/Online%20specials%20folder/Two%20Gold%20Bersa%20380s.jpg

Neither is the Makarov. Inexpensive does not a SNS make, IMHO.

Now THIS is a SNS!!
http://www.marstar.ca/usedguns/pistols-p/images/Jennings-652397.jpg

[michael t]

It is not a SNS .The Bersa is a fine pistol that is trouble free and well made, I belive these guns are a steal at current price.

Vist bersatalk.com

[VinVega]

They're like all of the Llama pistols are. They're not expensive, but they aren't cheap guns. What's better is they come with a lifetime warranty, and that always appeals. I have a Firestorm .45 (same company), and it shoots perfectly fine. No complaints whatsoever. They're built pretty solid, too. Don't let anyone tell you a gun under $400 ain't worth having. That's just not true. A lot of the time, that price is just because of the name, and nothing else.

[JellyBelly]

IMHO, yes.

It's small, fires a weak cartridge, and is inexpensive. They don't have to be "junk guns" to be SNS.

When I was growing up, a S&W .38 snubbie was considered a SNS. Many of the gun brands mentioned here are actually beneath the SNS reputation.

[Laserlips]

Originally posted by JellyBelly
IMHO, yes.

It's small, fires a weak cartridge, and is inexpensive. They don't have to be "junk guns" to be SNS.

When I was growing up, a S&W .38 snubbie was considered a SNS. Many of the gun brands mentioned here are actually beneath the SNS reputation.

Sorry, But have to disagree with you. I think when most people hear of "Saturday night specials" they are thinking of a firearm that costs a very small amount of money new, is not dependable, not accurate, and is often a favorite of the "Saturday night crowd" (whatever that is) because it is so cheap to acquire in the first place.

IMO the Bersa/Firestorm line of firearms is NOT CHEAP, but reasonable. The Bersa/Firearm pistols are VERY reliable. The Bersa/Firestorm pistols ARE not only inaccurate, but remarkably accurate. If you will check various forums you will find out that the Bersa/Firestorm pistols are extremely well thought of, and in fact have their own website: wwwBersaTalk.com. You might consider reading a test of both on www.GunBlast.com in the archived articles section. I don't think Bersa/Firestorms are necessarily in favor with the "Saturday night crowd". Seems most of those folks have no problem picking up stolen Glocks and other "quality" firearms without resorting to purchasing any pistol new.....

I recently purchased a Firestorm FS22 after continually reading positive comments about the Bersa/Firestorm products. After approximately 850rds it has been 100% reliable, very accurate, and a pleasure to shoot.

I have found my Firestorm to be basically an improved Walther PP/PPK, and I plan to buy another Bersa in my personal favorite caliber (9MM) in the future.

I think you need to hold and shoot one for yourself and see if your opinion might need adjustment.

As for the basic caliber, 380, I don't particularly care for it either. But apparently as time passes different caliber's seem to be in fashion, and in America bigger is deemed better by lots of folks. But the 380 round and even the 32 round has served as an adequate cartridge, particularly outside the U.S. for generations.

My Uncle (now deceased) once commented to me that when he was running moonshine here in Georgia back in the 1930's - 40's that he always carried a "damn good" 32 pistol with him for protection.. Seems that was adequate for his needs.

I really think you might be mistaken when you are tossing the Bersa/Firestorm line in with the "real" Saturday night Special firearms... There are certainly plenty of SNS's floating around but you are doing the fine little pistols from Bersa/Firestorm a disservice by clumping them in the pile.

Not trying to start a flame war, just feel you are mistaken in this instance.

Best Wishes..

^3 ^d ^3

[RoyG]

Originally posted by JellyBelly
...
When I was growing up, a S&W .38 snubbie was considered a SNS. Many of the gun brands mentioned here are actually beneath the SNS reputation.


Same here... When someone mentioned a SNS first thought back then was a .38 special snub nose throw away gun.

[JellyBelly]

Originally posted by RoyG
Same here... When someone mentioned a SNS first thought back then was a .38 special snub nose throw away gun.

Remember that Lynyrd Skynyrd song about em'?


Two feets they come a creepin'
Like a black cat do
And two bodies are lyin' naked
Creeper think he got nothin' to lose
So he creeps into this house, yeah
And unlocks the door
And while a man reaching for his trousers
Shoots him full of .38 holes

(Chorus)
Its a Saturday night special
Got a barrel that's blue and cold
Ain't no good for nothin'
But put a man six feet in a hole

Big Jim's been drinkin' whiskey
And playing poker on a losin' night
Pretty soon, Big Jim starts a thinkin'
Somebody been cheatin' and lyin'
So Big Jim commences to fightin'
I wouldn't tell you no lie
And Big Jim done grab his pistol
Shot his friend right between the eyes

(Chorus)

Hand guns are made for killin'
Ain't no good for nothin' else
And if you like your whiskey
You might even shoot yourself
So why don't we dump 'em people
To the bottom of the sea
Before some fool come around here
Wanna shoot either you or me

[keltic]

Bersas are very nice guns for little $$$,no sns

[CajunBass]

My wife has a Bersa Firestorm 22 that is one fine shooting little pistol. She's probably run a couple of thousand rounds through it in the few months she's had it, and while I can't say it's 100% reliable, it is 100% reliable with CCI mini-mags. At 7 yards she shoots ragged one hole groups with it.

Inexpensive? yes. SNS? No, I don't think so.

[MrGlock21]

Originally posted by michael t
It is not a SNS .The Bersa is a fine pistol that is trouble free and well made, I belive these guns are a steal at current price.

Vist bersatalk.com

+1

Mine never jamed, never gave me trouble, and believe me, at times I shoot the snot out of the little thing.

[beefums]

Went shooting with a couple of guys from Glock Talk yesterday and they agreed that the Bersa is very well made. Its a solid gun and I carry it everywhere I go.

[costanza187]

<---- Has the Thunder .380 :cool: