Problems with Bersa?

[Joe Smith]

or cheaper because they don't pay people for R&D (copy the success of others) and make them in less expensive countries.


Not trying to fight but every gun will fail, and with the exception of wolf laquered ammo it has been one of the most reliable handguns I have owned.

[Shawn.L]

Originally Posted by jpavoncello

. Inexpensive handguns like Bersa, Highpoint and others aren't cheaper then Glocks, H&K, Walther and others because the manufacturer feels like giving you a break, they're cheaper because they use lower quality materials, production, assembly, etc.

Most things in life are not TRUE in the sense that say, gravity is TRUE. But are true enough to be a good rule of thumb and a viable concern. I believe this is one of those things.

price does not equal quality, but most times higher quality items demand a higher price due to both demand and higher production costs.

The Bersa is a decent gun. But the XD or GLOCK is not way way more and is much more reliable. I would say you get more reliabilty for your money from an XD or GLOCK than from a Bersa in my experiance.

We had a Bersa Thunder 380.
It would FTF or FTE often enough to be a concern but not all the time. The frame to slide fit wasnt right and after a considerable break in period (more money in 380 ammo than the gun costs to begin with) it became 90% reliable.
Also the pin and spring that holds in the rear sight popped out while shooting one day. Thats not what I would call high quality.
But this is just an example of one, and not even a real bad one at that.
I would say a used GLOCK or XD would give you a much better performance for not much more money.
And if you need to shoot X number of rounds to break a gun in, that ammo cost should be considered part of the purchase price.

[P-11 shooter]

Originally Posted by jpavoncello

I'm not trying to pick on Bersa owners directly. Yes, some owners have good results with them and may never have a problem. But I have seen several Bersa 380's malfunction, and or parts break. Yep, they have a lifetime warranty but the local gun store isn't going to give you a loaner while the Bersa is out being repaired or replaced, a feat which can take a month or longer.
On the other hand, in three years of selling guns, I never had a Glock or H&K returned or needing repair, and only one Springfield Armory XD when they first came out (weak firing pin spring).
You're right that higher price doesn't always relate to higher quality, but I personally would rather spend an extra couple dollars and purchase a proven, high-quality firearm platform then skimp when it comes to the protection of myself and family. Inexpensive handguns like Bersa, Highpoint and others aren't cheaper then Glocks, H&K, Walther and others because the manufacturer feels like giving you a break, they're cheaper because they use lower quality materials, production, assembly, etc.

I've seen all types of guns break. Including really expensive 1911's. All guns break sometimes.

And sometimes we're not talking about a few dollars difference. We're talking about hundreds and hundreds of dollars that many people just don't have. Bersa's are good guns. They aren't in the same class as hi-points IMO. I'd rather see people with a good firearm that fits their lifestyle and budget than see people get shot while struggling to make ends meet and paying off their $1200 gun on lay-away.

You can have your opnion that anything that costs less than $500 is utter garbage, but I have seen those little bersa's do good by alot of people.

They're good little guns.



P-11gunsnobspissmeoffSHOOTER

[P-11 shooter]

We really need to ask this question to Collagrrl

She has probably 8 pistols including S&W M&P sub-compacts in both 9mm and .40 and you know what she carries every day?

A Bersa

nervimd, she beat me to it.

I think they're good little guns. Comparing them to hi-points is really a stretch.

Anyway, we're all entitled to think whatever the hell we want.

[Shawn.L]

Originally Posted by P-11 shooter

P-11gunsnobspissmeoffSHOOTER

I dont think its snobish to suggest you can get much better quailty for not much more money.
And why do people not pay attention to when i say BUY USED !!!

A new Brersa is around $250, plus taxes and such
I just had a used XD in 90-100% condition on here with night sights for $425, a $400 cash offer could have taken it. So we are looking at a little over $100 diff between the guns. After you count in the ammo cost (380 is mucho denaro compared to 9mm, and the XD will eat elcheappo wolf all day long) i am saying you will spend less money after doing some shooting AND GET A MORE DEPENDABLE GUN going with a used XD or GLOCK.
JoeSmith bought a used XD + nice holster + 250 rounds of ammo for (I think) $375.
Shop around.

$100 in intitail investement is not much.

In the end It all comes down to prioritys.
Its like my mother who feels she NEEDS a TV as big as a wall and a $150 cable bill but wont put good tires on her car bitching about always getting stuck in tiny amounts of snow.
I hear people all the time complain about money, and yet talk about how they go to the bar, or out to eat.
If you dont think that the gun you may very well use to save a life is more important than daily trips to starbucks, or cable, or going out to a movie, thats fine. But it is not snobbish to have a different prioity list.

[P-11 shooter]

point taken.

Well-said shawn.

[Pennywise]

Originally Posted by Shawn.L

I dont think its snobish to suggest you can get much better quailty for not much more money.
And why do people not pay attention to when i say BUY USED !!!

A new Brersa is around $250, plus taxes and such
I just had a used XD in 90-100% condition on here with night sights for $425, a $400 cash offer could have taken it. So we are looking at a little over $100 diff between the guns. After you count in the ammo cost (380 is mucho denaro compared to 9mm, and the XD will eat elcheappo wolf all day long) i am saying you will spend less money after doing some shooting AND GET A MORE DEPENDABLE GUN going with a used XD or GLOCK.
JoeSmith bought a used XD + nice holster + 250 rounds of ammo for (I think) $375.
Shop around.

.

I don't know if it's the way I was brought up or the times I've been burnt before (other stuff, not guns) But I have a real hard time trusting things that are used. I stated in my other thread that I saw a used Glock in my price range that felt pretty good in my hand BUT I have no idea who owned it before now. For all I know it could have been a range rental with 500,000 rounds through it. Of course it COULD have been shot sparingly and well taken care of too. Being a novice I just don't know. I do have 1 friend who shoots but he's always so busy he don't have time to go with me to look over any choices and make recomendations.
I will be buying a new Glock or XD. Yes they are more money than I want to spend but it's not just my life on the line, It's my familily's also.

Maybe a couple years down the road when I have more experience with guns and know what to look for as far as wear & tear I'll be confident enough to buy used. But I ain't there yet.

[mrnyman]

Sadly most Americans equate a low price with being "cheap" the Bersa is inexpensive because the American Dollar is very strong in south America as oppsed to Europe where the American Dollar is pretty weak making European products such as Hk's , BMW's Mecedes etc . very expensive here .

The Japanese conquered the World Auto market in the 70, 80's by keeping thier currency low , avg.
Y= 350 to the Dollar.

[jpavoncello]

Just for the record, I'm not trying to dis anyone for their choice in carry guns. It's better to have something then none at all. As Shawn said above, it's just a matter of priorities. I don't own a 30 inch tv let alone a HD, I use a five year old computer, and drive a 95 Corolla with 235,000 miles. But I do purchase the highest quality handguns that I can afford. I do buy them used and have no problem doing such. Most higher end firearms, like Sigs and H&K, that end up on the used shelf have seen very little ammo and carry. Both of my H&K USP's were practically brand new and I paid less then $500 for each. Same with my Sig 228.

[Whiterook]

How much did M3 Greaseguns or STENs cost to produce? They didn't use primo parts, either. They worked well enough for combat.

Sure, my life isn't worth $200. It isn't worth a $600 SIG either. It ain't worth a $2000 custom 1911.

If having a more expensive gun on ya makes you feel better, do it. Sometimes people only have 200 bucks to spend on a gun. They can't just "save a few hundred more", it might not be possible for them.

That being said, almost everything I have heard about the Bersa has been positive. I'd carry one.