UPDATE – this gun was NOT in stock like it appeared to be. After 3 days of waiting to see movement on the order, I contacted the store and asked if they actually had the gun in stock. They did not and said all their suppliers were having issues getting this particular handgun, so I told them to cancel the order, since it’s very apparent that there’s a stocking issue with this gun. Argentina is experiencing significant economic difficulties, from what I understand. This could be the cause of the nationwide backorder.
I bought another gun. This is a bit different. It’s a .380ACP handgun. It is small in stature. It is also small but double-stacked and will hold 15 rounds. It is a double action / single action gun and also has a decocker/safety. It is a non-U.S.-made gun.
What is it?
A Bersa Thunder Plus.
There are several variations of this particular model of gun:
- Thunder (base model)
- Thunder Combat (lower profile slide with wide serrations, rounded trigger guard, smaller profile beaver tail, ergonomic rubber grip surface)
- Thunder Plus (enhanced capacity)
- Thunder Concealed Carry (small beavertail and unique frame grip)
There are also different caliber versions: .22 caliber and .380ACP
There are different paint and color schemes, as well as variants that have color-coded controls (nickel and gold, for example).
The gun looks somewhat similar to the Walther PPK, and shares the PPK’s barrel layout.
One thing that I’ll immediately remove once I have it is the magazine disconnect. I do NOT need that abomination. The gun also has an integrated lock (which I’ll never use). I do need to order an extra magazine, as the gun is delivered with one magazine only.
I had a choice between nickel or black. I actually wanted a Plus Combat (new for this year) but most places aren’t carrying them yet. In fact, when looking for the Plus, most places online were out of stock. And when I say most, I mean like 95% of the stores I checked. I don’t even know if the place I ordered from actually has them in stock…I order went through without verification (the other places I checked wouldn’t let you order if they were out of stock or back-ordered). I almost bought the nickel version, because I think it’s rarer, but it was $397…that’s a chunk of change for a Bersa Thunder, as the MSRP is like $420. I got the black version for $379 from Delta Three Outfitters, which is also where the nickel Plus is currently stocked.
Why this gun? Because it is cheaper than the Walther by a long shot, shoots just as well as the Walther, and carries double the ammo. It’s reliability is great and has a lifetime warranty for original owners (not so with used Thunders, which is why I went ahead and bought it new… plus, I couldn’t find new ones…I know for a fact a used one will be difficult to find locally). I like small-statured guns and wanted something I could shoot with my kids. Also, because of it’s fixed barrel, it is very accurate.
Depending on how much I like this handgun, I may eventually get one or two single-stacked version.
Some people can’t stand the .380 round, though. I’ve never shot it, but people have been killed with far less. Shot placement is key, as I always say. And with 15 rounds to get on target, I highly doubt someone will walk away without a scratch. Plus, if I really wanted power, I can always look for +P .380 ammo…or, as a last resort, carry with FMJ, which I hear is what a lot of people are doing since .380ACP doesn’t appear to penetrate as well as 9mm (it has a smaller charge unless the round is hot).