Categories
.380ACP 15-round Bersa DA/SA Delta Three Outfitters double-stack double-stacked Plus PPK/S Thunder Walther

Another Gun Is On The Way!

UPDATEthis 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).

Categories
15 2075 380 AR-556 Bersa Canik CZ Glock M&P Plus RAMI BD Ruger S&W Shark Shark C T-100 T100 Thunder Tristar

New Wishlist

I’m probably not going to get any new guns any time soon…I’m still OK with what I currently have.

I do wonder if I should try to sell a couple since I’m no longer going to California and no longer have the need to be able to bring non-attainable guns with me to that state.  I currently have two Canik TP9SAs, for example…I only really need one.  The plan was to bring two and possibly sell one of them to a CA resident since those are not on the CA DOJ roster.  As well, I’ve two Rock Island Armory 1911s that shoot 9mm ammo…I really only need one, although I can keep one of them to modify/paint.  I’ve even thought about selling my Sig Sauer SP2022 and even my P220…of the two, the P220 has more ‘keep’ potential, although it won’t hurt to keep both of the (I’ve the space).

Some guns I’m thinking about buying next are:

CZ 2075 RAMI BD in 9mm

UPDATE (7/20/2014):  I’m adding the Tristar T-100 to the list.  It is a CZ75 clone and resembles a Baby Desert Eagle (itself a CZ clone).  They are 9mm DA/SA hammer-fired handguns.  There’s also the Canik Shark C, which is identical to the Tristar T-100.  The two colors I’m interested in are the platinum and black, but I only want one of the two:

sootch00 has a good review of the T-100 here:

UPDATE (1/22/2016):  I changed my mind about the Bersa Thunder Pro Ultra Compact.  I have also changed my mind about the RIA rifle and the S&W E-Series 1911…I no longer want any of them.  I do want a Bersa Thunder 380 Plus (or Combat model).  A Glock 22 Gen 3 (used) is also desirable, as well as a Grand Power P1 (mk7 is preferable, to cut costs).  Oh, and a long gun is pretty much mandatory:  I’ll considering either a Ruger AR-556 or a S&W M&P 15 Sport (the Ruger would be the better buy for the same amount of money, though).

To be honest, not a lot is jumping out at me and I should really start thinking about taking a few self defense courses and focus on trying to sharpen my shooting skills.