J Frame vs. Bersa Thunder

N

new_camper

New member
I noticed that j frames and Bersa thunders have very similar dimensions. I was wondering which many of you would rather have, 5 shots in a j frame or 7+1 in a bersa thunder.
 
Had both, still have the J Frame. Would get another Bersa Thunder, nothing wrong with it, just like the J Frame better. J Frame is a beautiful thing.
 
I still own both. The Bersa is thinner for IWB carry but the J-frame is fine IWB, too. The J-frame fits in pants pockets better (normal size pockets). Finally, .38 spl. +P ammo (even from a snubby) is superior to .380 from the Bersa. So, if I had to choose one, it would be the J-frame.
 
I had a j-frame, realized it was impractical to have 5 rounds equivalent to 9mm, just harder to reload and three fewer rounds. I now carry a Kahr K9.
 
Have both, like both, carry the J frame every day. The Bera Thunder is a great gun especially for what they cost but the J frame to me in my enviroment is a perfect carry option and I like .38 Special more than .380acp. The J frame is one of my NEVER sell handguns.
 
I have both. The Bersa Thunder 380 is a great little pistol. Accurate, reliable, fun to shoot, feels great in my hand, points naturally. If 380 range ammo were as cheap as 9mm it would be one of my favorite range fun guns.

However, I carry the J-frame (S&W 642). It's lighter, fits better in a front pants pocket pocket which is my preferred method of carry. And .38 +P trumps .380 in my opinion.
 
Have both within reach everyday. J-frame IWB and Bersa either in a back pocket behind my wallet or in a holster between the front seats of the truck.

Carried the bersa for 3 yrs exclusively until I got the j-frame. Both great guns. As far as available rounds go, IMO,if you have to fire more than 5 shots to stop an assailant, then you need a little more range time.

On the other hand, one of my favorite stories is the one about the guy who was attacked and emptied his gun into the bad guy. When the cops asked why he shot the man 8 times, he replied... " cuz I only had one magazine..."

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Tapatalk 2
 
If you are a reloader, stick with the J-Frame. .38 Special is MUCH easier to reload than those tiny .380 empties. (How the hell people reload .32 and .25 is beyond me, .380 is the smallest I'll ever reload and I cuss like a sailor when I do :mad:.)

You also have more ammo selection with .38 Special (i.e I've never seen a .380 shotshell).

Just a couple of points that I hadn't seen brought up yet.
 
I noticed that j frames and Bersa thunders have very similar dimensions. I was wondering which many of you would rather have, 5 shots in a j frame or 7+1 in a bersa thunder.
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Bersa Thunder what? I'm assuming the .380. The Bersa Thunder UC 45 is also a 7 round gun.

I think I would lean to the J-frame class (to include similar size guns from other makers (Taurus small frame, Ruger LCR)).
 
That's why I carry both. A 380.LCP(about the same as the Bersa) in my back pocket, and a J frame model 37 in my front pocket.
Lately I've been going to the LC9 with 7+1 in 9mm. in my front pocket on occasion.
They're all good pocket pistols,but I do love my snubbies.
 
The Bersa Thunder is a good gun. I CC a Bersa Thunder 9 UC Pro and have never had a failure of any kind with it
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I like my Thunder 9 UC a great deal as well though I generally don't carry mine, preferring something more compact.

Somehow I think the OP is talking about the Thunder .380 because of the mag capacity. It could also be the .45, maybe. Not being a revolver guy anymore, I'd go with the Bersa myself
 
J-frame.

In a pistol of that size and weight, like the Bersa, you may as well get a Kahr or something in standard 9mm.
 
I have owned both but only one remains... J frame. The Bersa was a great value when they were sub $200 guns these days not so much IMHO.

I also prefer 38 spl to 380 auto.
 
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In this package, you get a great CCW caliber, small package and you will need less shots to disable.
 
I gave away my Bersa to a fellow who needed it more than I did. No disrespect to the gun, . . . but after carrying a 1911 for so long, . . . it just never gave me that comfortable feeling.

If I carried a 5 shooter, . . . it would have to be at least .357 mag or .44 special. Like one of the other posters mentioned, . . . today's altercations are as often as not multiple opponents, . . . .357 and .44 do more damage in singles than a .380 does in triples, . . . IMHO.

'Course then again, . . . my opinion is negligible, . . . I'm back to my 1911, . . . unless I'm going to the church, . . . then sometimes it is my DetSpec in .38, but it is a 6 shooter, . . . and I very seldom do that.

May God bless,
Dwight
 
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