The Thunder 380 is a lightweight, relatively small semi-automatic pistol series chambered in the .380 ACP caliber made by Argentine firearms manufacturer Bersa, S.A.[1]
| Bersa Thunder 380 | |
|---|---|
 Bersa Thunder 380 with Satin Nickel finish. | |
| Type | Semi-automatic pistol |
| Place of origin | Argentina |
| Service history | |
| Used by | Ecuadorian Air Force |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1995 |
| Produced | 1995–present |
| Variants | Thunder Concealed Carry (CC) Thunder 380 Plus |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 20 oz (570 g) unloaded |
| Length | 6.61 inches (168 mm) |
| Barrel length | 3.54 inches (90 mm) |
| Cartridge | .380 ACP (9×17mm Browning Short) |
| Caliber | .380 |
| Action | Blowback |
| Muzzle velocity | 1050 ft/s (Cor-Bon JHP) |
| Feed system | Regular: 7, 8, 9, or 10-round single-stack magazine Concealed Carry: 8-round single-stack magazine Plus: 15-round double-stack magazine |
It is similar in design to the Walther PPK, but also has design features vaguely in common with the compact Beretta 70 pistol; although it sells for about half the price of a PPK.
Development
editThe Thunder 380 is part of the current Bersa product lineup that also includes the Thunder 32, Thunder 22, Thunder 22–6, Thunder 380 Deluxe,Thunder 380 Combat, Thunder 9, Mini Thunder 9, Mini Thunder 40, and Mini Thunder 45. A light variant of the Thunder 380, called the "Concealed Carry" model (or 380CC), and a 15-round capable "Bersa Thunder 380 Plus" were released by Bersa in the United States, and variants "Firestorm 380" and "Firestorm 22" are sold by Firestorm SGS of New Jersey; assembled from parts manufactured by Bersa.
Intended market
editThe Thunder 380 is suited for concealed carry due to its small size and rounded trigger guard.[2] One reviewer calls it "very easy to maintain".[3] The Thunder 380 is quite popular in many South American countries, where the .380 ACP is often the most powerful cartridge allowed for civilians.
A number of military and law enforcement forces have included Bersa 380s in their inventory, including the Ecuadorian Air Force.[citation needed]
Design advantages
editThe Thunder 380 has a light aluminum alloy frame that reduces weight for easier carry, yet the pistol still retains enough mass (weight) to help tame recoil. The magazines are designed with an extra section of grip, so that all fingers of the firing hand are accommodated. The blowback, fixed-barrel design theoretically aids accuracy, and it appears that the vast majority of Thunder 380 users report favorably on that issue. The nearly straight-in alignment of the chamber and the topmost cartridge in the magazine seems to be responsible for the pistol's reliable chambering and cycling. The frame features a long rearward tang over the grips, which effectively protects the shooter's thumb web from hammer-bite or slide-bite. There are several safety features built into the Thunder 380: a slide mounted manual safety and decocker that blocks the hammer, a magazine disconnect safety that prevents firing if a magazine is not inserted, a long double-action (DA) first trigger pull, an inertial firing pin, and (in some models) an integral key-operated trigger lock. Some versions also feature an automatic firing pin block. The pistol has a rear sight windage adjustment.
References
edit- ^ "Bersa Thunder 380 review". Guns & Ammo. Archived from the original on 2016-12-03. Retrieved 2014-08-20.
- ^ Torres, Vanessa (2016-01-14). "Gun Review: Bersa Thunder .380 Combat". Gun Carrier. Retrieved 2016-09-06.
The Bersa .380 Combat is a great firearm to carry concealed. The rounded trigger guard and overall small stature allows for it to fit easier into just about any holster.
- ^ Bertomen, Lindsey (2015-07-23). "Accurate fire from the pocket ... and affordable, too". Officer.com. Retrieved 2016-09-06.
The design is simple and very easy to maintain.