Bersa

[Garys]

A few months back I bought an almost new Bersa Thunder .380CC from a fellow NES member. Nice little pocket carry pistol. My son has a non CC version, which I've shot and liked. Since Bersa doesn't sell to MA, my only alternative was a FTF.

About a month or so ago I was shooting and noticed a problem. Just about every magazine had a Failure to Feed on the 7th round. That was weird and I tried a couple of different types of ammunition. Then I noticed that the slide release is very touchy. I don't think the two problems are related, but at the least the FTF issue has to be solved.

I'll skip the in between part and get right to today.

I called Eagle imports and spoke with a very nice young lady. She offered to either send me new magazine springs or if I wanted to send the magazines in to them, they'd send me new ones. I opted to try the springs first. She didn't know about the slide stop, but offered to give me the number of one of their warranty stations. She asked where I lived. When I said MA, she was surprised that anyone here had them. I explained the "loophole" that would allow me to buy a Bersa in MA. Unlike most people, who think I'm making it up, she told me that she wasn't surprised.

"You have the worst gun laws in the country." For reference, Eagle is in New Jersey. I did ask her if there were any plans to get on the MA list. She told me after they get back on the CA list (apparently you can drop off the list somehow), they'll look at MA. She said it's harder to get a gun certified for sale in MA than anywhere else.

Anyway back to the gun. Tomorrow I'll call the gunsmith and see what he has to say. I like this little gun and it's handy for pocket carry. If it feeds reliably and the slide stop isn't an issue, I'll start carrying it on a regular basis.

I think they'd sell well in MA if they were on the list. The have a safety and a loaded chamber indicator. Other than a minimum 10.4 pound trigger pull, I don't know what else they'd need.

 

[atilla]

where does it stop and not feed? can you take a picture of the failure? if it's the same gun i'm thinking, we have one here i can compare yours to...

 

[Garys]

where does it stop and not feed? can you take a picture of the failure? if it's the same gun i'm thinking, we have one here i can compare yours to...

It stops on the 7th of 8 rounds. The round points up vertically and the slide holds back. I probably won't get to the range until Friday, so I won't get a picture before then. The conventional wisdom is it's likely the springs, the quality of which is uneven. I'm going to strip those down and look for burrs on the follower, dents in magazine body, etc... When the new springs get here from Eagle, I'll try those. I still have to call the gunsmith, maybe I'll find some time tomorrow.

 

[92G]

It stops on the 7th of 8 rounds. The round points up vertically and the slide holds back. I probably won't get to the range until Friday, so I won't get a picture before then. The conventional wisdom is it's likely the springs, the quality of which is uneven. I'm going to strip those down and look for burrs on the follower, dents in magazine body, etc... When the new springs get here from Eagle, I'll try those. I still have to call the gunsmith, maybe I'll find some time tomorrow.

Im thinking more of a mag/follower issue. Is follower catching on something inside magazine and changing angle of follower upwards?

 

[Garys]

Im thinking more of a mag/follower issue. Is follower catching on something inside magazine and changing angle of follower upwards?

That's a possibility as well. I'm going wander downstairs to the gun safe and take a look at the magazines. Before I go to the range again, I'm going to mark the magazines so I can confirm if it's both of them or just one that exhibits the problem.

 

[92G]

That's a possibility as well. I'm going wander downstairs to the gun safe and take a look at the magazines. Before I go to the range again, I'm going to mark the magazines so I can confirm if it's both of them or just one that exhibits the problem.

Yup, try different mags...ideally like 5+'different mags to really hone in on the issue. If all mags cause issue then its likely the gun...although this sounds unlikely. As you suggest mark them in advance.
does the follower fit snug or does it wobble around inside the mag?

anytime issue w feeding on last round or two, i become suspicious of the mag follower. Reason is that when multiple rounds are in the mag, they keep each other in line to assist feeding. However on last round or two, the angle of feed becomes the job of follower. If the rear part of the follower is snagging or not moving up correctly, it can "nose up" and lead to the slide pushing the round upward such that it cannot contact the feed ramp.

 

[Garys]

The followers feel pretty tight. I don't think it's the gun, but it might be. I have to call one of their warranty gun smiths and ask about that and the slide lock. Maybe he'll have some idea.

Yup, try different mags...ideally like 5+'different mags to really hone in on the issue. If all mags cause issue then its likely the gun...although this sounds unlikely. As you suggest mark them in advance.
does the follower fit snug or does it wobble around inside the mag?

anytime issue w feeding on last round or two, i become suspicious of the mag follower. Reason is that when multiple rounds are in the mag, they keep each other in line to assist feeding. However on last round or two, the angle of feed becomes the job of follower. If the rear part of the follower is snagging or not moving up correctly, it can "nose up" and lead to the slide pushing the round upward such that it cannot contact the feed ramp.