Bersa Thunder .380 Holster

The Bersa Thunder .380 was produced and injected into the market in 1995 by the Bersa SA Corporation out of Argentina. In addition to the Thunder .380, Bersa also produces a number of other Thunder models including the Thunder 32, the Thunder 22, and the Thunder Mini 45.

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Built using a traditional blowback design, the Thunder .380 has above average accuracy. While the weapon is fairly lightweight, it still has enough mass to keep the recoil very manageable. The standard model comes with a 7 round magazine so the capacity is 7+1. Bersa also offers enhanced mags that carry 9 or 10 rounds.

Designed with a number of features that are commomly found on more expensive weapons, the Bersa comes well equipped. It has features like a manual safety/decocker, a magazine disconnect safety (so the weapon won;t fire with the magazine removed, and a beavertail in the grip that protects your hand from slide bite.

Bersa decided to chamber this model in the .380 caliber in light of the popularity of this round internationally. A number of countries have legislation and laws that restrict the caliber of handguns that civilians can possess. In most countries, the .380 is the upper limit of these restrictions.

While the Thunder has a substantial following, it's not without it's detractors. Some people complain that the Thunder has a small grip so they have problems getting a firm handle on the weapon. This seems to be most prevalent with individuals with large hands. In these cases, a magazine extension or Pearce grip extension can be helpful.

As the Thunder .380 is a popular model, holsters for it are fairly easy common. A number of people seem to think that the Bersa Thunder will also fit a holster for the Walther PPK or PPKS, but that isn't the case.

Overall, the Thunder .380 performs very well in the areas that it was designed for. The weight is low enough to make it ideal for CCW, and it carries enough rounds to deal with most self defense situations. I wouldn't carry it bear hunting, but, it wasn't designed for that.