03-12-10 02:51 PM - Post#91534    

I bought a new Bersa thunder .380 and hit the range. The first couple shots were ok but then it started acting up. It seems like the mag is trying to push up a new round to fast, I dont know if that is possible. Also after the first shot it goes to single action and sometimes the hammer dropped and nothing happened, but if I pulled the trigger again it would fire from the double action position. Is it a matter of the gun breaking in or do I need to return it?

03-12-10 03:51 PM - Post#91535    

    In response to rdog157h

Exactly why do you think the mag is pushing up a round too fast?

Also did you field strip the gun per manufacturer instructions and then clean and lube the gun before taking it to the range?

Jeffrey Mountain Perspectives

03-12-10 04:05 PM - Post#91536    

    In response to who me

I dont know I was thinking since the spring on the mag is brand new and hard to push down maybe it was pushing up to hard, I just took the gun out of box and to the range.

03-12-10 05:32 PM - Post#91544    

    In response to rdog157h

Also I just noticed when I ******* the gun it locks the hammer back, that is not right is it? Shouldnt the first pull of the trigger be a full trigger pull?

03-12-10 10:34 PM - Post#91553    

    In response to rdog157h

The Bersa .380s are Double action/single action. Pulling back the slide cocks the hammer back. For a single action pull

The hammer can then be lowered if desired to a half cocked position for a double action pull.


Since it was brand new to it come with a manual?

Edited by JohnMallory on 03-12-10 10:35 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.

03-13-10 01:34 AM - Post#91554    

    In response to JohnMallory

2 things - first, check your magazine to make sure it appears correct, no bent feed lips etc. and that it seats and locks in place and your magazine release button is not sticking. It sounds like your magazine might not be seating fully, the catch may be sticking. Second, try different ammo. Ammo is made in batches based upon demand. The .380 caliber is traditionally only made at certain times of the year which is why it was in short supply for so long. Occasionally bad batches slip through. I've bought American Eagle .380 that had misformed cases that wouldn't feed correctly before. The Bersa is generally very reliable - I have one. You should consider getting a ProMag replacement magazine and I would recommend the soft rubber grips Bersa sells.

03-13-10 05:09 AM - Post#91561    

    In response to Jess

Any time you buy a new gun, read the manual before you take cthe gun out of the box.

Then field strip and clean it, in accordance with the manual before firing it.

A gun is a tool. A complex tool. You wouldn't use a new bench power saw without reading the instructions would you??

"Diplomacy" is the final hiding place of liars, thieves, murderers and back-stabbing cowards. Locutus

03-13-10 07:37 AM - Post#91569    

    In response to locutus

I read the instructions, it didnt say to clean it first. It was covered in oil when I got so I am guessing it was well lubed, I field striped it and cleaned it today anyway, hopefully that helps.

03-13-10 08:21 AM - Post#91571    

    In response to rdog157h

Sorry. I wasn't trying to be rude. But I've never seen an owner's manual that didn't say to remove the factory lubricant/preservative first.

I guess even old dogs get hit with new stuff every now and then!

"Diplomacy" is the final hiding place of liars, thieves, murderers and back-stabbing cowards. Locutus

03-14-10 01:26 AM - Post#91614    

    In response to locutus

Out of all the guns I have owned, I never never never had to strip a BRAND NEW gun for it to shoot well. Thats total non sense...... And you should not have to tinker with it to get it to fire correctly. This gun should have not been passed thru QC with the problems you are having. You have to cross your fingers whenever you buy an imported firearm. There QC is not up to par compare to the USA's. Take it back and get it fixed, period. Good luck!

03-14-10 03:05 AM - Post#91620    

    In response to plasticman

I have purchased many guns that were in "brand New" condition that still have been in storage for a long period. Many have been covered in a Preservative grease that will keep the gun from cycling properly.

Besides that, everyone should strip down the gun before hand as to become familiar with it before shooting. So there won't be any questions like "Why does the hammer stay back when I pull back the slide?"

So Locutus's advice is still good.

03-14-10 03:51 AM - Post#91621    

    In response to plasticman

• plasticman Said:

I have had trouble with american made firearms, it is not something unique to imports. You must keep things in perspective. A firearm is tested at the factory and then sent for cleanup and processing for shipping. Imports tend to be more heavily lubed as they anticipate that the weapons may sit in a warehouse for sometime prior to been shipped overseas and pass thru the hands of importers, unlike american which go straight from the factory to a local warehouse. Locutus is correct in that a good cleaning may be necessary. Additionally, 99% of feed problems stem from magazines and it highly probable that the weapon tested fired fine and later was packaged for shipment with a different magazine that may have an issue. I own 2 Bersa pistols - a .380 and a .45acp ultracompact and I've had absolutely zero issues with mine.

p.s. - FYI - more and more of american brand firearms are being made overseas under contract these days.

03-14-10 04:05 AM - Post#91622    

    In response to plasticman

• plasticman Said:

Uhhhh..... were you referring to Glock, SIG, Walther, Beretta, CZ, Mauser, J.P. Sauer, Holland and Holland, Browning, Weatherby.................

"Diplomacy" is the final hiding place of liars, thieves, murderers and back-stabbing cowards. Locutus

03-14-10 12:47 PM - Post#91646    

    In response to locutus

Several things - my Ruger 10/22 owner's manual says to thoroughly clean the gun, especially the barrel, because of the lube they used. Shooting the gun could cause the lube to harden and gum up the barrel.

I own a lot of firearms; if it didn't come with an owner's manual I will try to find one to download; then I will read the manual - and as others suggest I'll field strip the gun, clean, lube, and reassemble just as I do with all my guns.

I really think you should re-read your owner's manual; I just read the Bersa Thunder .380 Owner's Manual from Bersa's website; here's what it says about the gun (from the factory)

• Quote:

After going through all the above, it is a single/double action gun so cocking the gun will leave the hammer back; however, what you describe (the chambering issue) is not normal for a brand new gun to you should call Bersa and talk to them....before you shoot it again (for safety sakes...) they will advise you what to do.

Tim Hecht www.iwantthatknife.com

03-15-10 12:44 AM - Post#91669    

    In response to rdog157h

• rdog157h Said:

This sounds like the magazine is either not seating properly - locking in place/magazine catch sticking - or it's attempting to double feed - spring. Cleaning may resolve the sticking catch unless the spring is bad or magazine might need replacing.

This sounds like a light strike which could be from firing pin/spring sticking - again cleaning may solve - or the round not fully chambering due to magazine placement or the case is misshaped.

Either way, a good cleaning should be attempted and different ammo should be tried. As I posted before, I have had brand new Federal/American Eagle ammo not chamber properly because some of the rounds in the box were not formed properly and you had to look close to notice. Remember that Bersa's are made in Argentina so they may be a bit gummy from preservative and the long journey to the states.

03-15-10 02:53 AM - Post#91675    

    In response to Jess

I have never fired a new gun without cleaning it first. Often the packing/preservative grease is far thicker than standard lube oil. Most importantly, I have never fired a new gun without looking down the barrel and making sure it was clear. Who know what could get in there between assembly, testing, storage, oiling, storage, packing, storage etc.

Please, think about it and include a field strip, light cleaning in your own SOP every time you bring a new gun home.

03-15-10 12:42 PM - Post#91701    

    In response to locutus

uhhh...yes bud, I am talking about them as well

03-15-10 02:01 PM - Post#91702    

    In response to plasticman

just to throw this out there, I've had problems with this gun. I don't own one, but I've used several of them belonging to buddies and I've never had one whole range trip where the Bersa Thunder .380 didn't either fail to feed, or fail to eject.

the sound of light rain and burning leaves is the same.

Edited by nolaoe800 on 03-15-10 02:06 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.

03-15-10 02:12 PM - Post#91704    

    In response to plasticman

• plasticman Said:

I think that your statement is a little broad and general. for example, Chinese quality control is complete BULL@#%^ compaired to German and/or Austrian quality control.

i would trust a (Austrian manufactured) Glock, or Sig any day.

the sound of light rain and burning leaves is the same.

03-15-10 02:50 PM - Post#91705    

    In response to nolaoe800

• Quote:

plasticman: I don't know how many guns you've owned in your life; my total ownership count is over 150. I make a conscious effort to acquire a hard or soft copy of the owner's manual for every gun I own. My first "task" is to become familiar with the new gun. That begins with reading the manual, field stripping it, and cleaning and lubing it in accordance with the owner's manual.

Some of the best firearms in the world come from overseas makers; as do some of the worst. Quality Control is something that seems to have fallen by the way side everywhere and is now (as manufacturers realize just how critical their customers are about quality and the lack of it.

One US maker, who would like you to think they are the oldest US firearms maker (they claim in their ads they are the oldest name in US Firearms) well - they have license to use the name; well most of their guns are made in South America or Croatia.

I agree with one thing plastic - tinkering with a gun is never a good thing; if any new gun is having problems like the OP said contact the maker and have them fix the gun under warranty.

The Argentinians make some good guns; Bersa is one of them.

Country of origin is not a indicator of good or bad quality; many US makers have had declining quality for years now just visit people who've bought Colt, S&W, Ruger, Wilson, Bauer, Sig, etc. during the last few years...

Tim Hecht www.iwantthatknife.com