Makarov or bersa

My impression, viewing the replies to this post, is that only some folks who don't own, or who do not indicate ownership of a Bersa, at some time, and who own a Mak think the Bersa is junk. Is this the "if I don't own it, it must be junk" or the "what I own must be far superior to what anyone else owns" mentalities? One reply here, even goes as far to speculate that given a sample of 100's of guns, the Mak would be better - based on what? Wishful thinking? No stats presented.

I do not own either, but am a little tired of the 'if I don't own it, it must be crap' replies.

I have read a lot about Bersa .380s as of late, but here and at other forums. I really don't recall more than one, or maybe two persons, who actually owned a Bersa, having reported problems with HIS/HER Bersa. On that note, if someone has had an actual bad experience with one, please post your experiences with it.

Thanks
 
i've had several bersa 380's and i love them!

the first one i had i shoot about 100 rounds through it and tried to field strip it. after about 3 hours i got it back together. after that, all i did was clean the breachface, ramp, and run a brush down the barrel. very accurate, dependable, and comfortable to shoot!

one word of caution- when buying a new one,get one with a blued slide. i had a stainless one once, and had a hell of a time picking up the stainless sights.
 
INFO: There's a Bersa thread just started over at www.shooters.com. Would post a link, but don't know how.

Also, a lot of discussion on the Mak's in recent past over there, you may want to do search on each.

Lots of luck!
www.shooters.com

May be a link afterall.
 
I can't vouch for the bersa's since I don't own one but I recently bought a Mak and liked it so much I bough another one. I have a bulgarian and a russian, and I'm on the lookout for a good deal on a east german model. If you've never shot a Mak you are missing out. The 9x18 ammo is chaeap and my two maks gobble up everything I feed them without a hitch. Good shooting, Weagle
 
I had a Bersa back in the mid 80s and it was a POS and I haven't even looked at one since I dumped mine. I also had an Auto Ordnance 1911 back in the same time frame and it too was a POS. Compared to my East German Makarov, my Bersa was downright cheesy.

7th
 
I just got a Bersa Thunder 380 the last night after lots of careful thought and research. I'm thrilled! It looks great, it's very compact and concealable, and it's very accurate (too bad I'm not). It looks and handles like a quality firearms. And . . . the price is right.

I had a minor problem with a sticking spring in the magazine, but that was caused by the excessive amount of oil put on the gun for shipping. After running 50 rounds through it, I had no problems.
 
I must concur on the performance of the little Bersa. I had been shopping for my wife (she's been too comfortable with the little Beretta 21A in .22LR)...she just wasn't comfortable with a 9mm, tried Glock, my Kahr, Sig...just wasn't there yet. So, we looked for a .380, of which we looked at BDA, Beretta (slim model), Walther (jammomatic!), Bersa and the Mak (of which I was hoping she'd go with). In the end, she like the feel and controls of the Bersa over all others (the Mak was a little to big and much heavier). Of course, I had to break it in for her :D and have put about 300 rounds of ball and then some Corbon and other HPs just to try out. Never had a hiccup and it is a pretty accurate little gun. At least the wife likes it!

PLF
 
I have one of each: An EG Makarov in 9x18 and a Bersa .380 - they are both great guns, especially for the money. I haven't had a problem with either gun that I could fault the gun for. The right one for you will depend more on your use for the gun and which features are important to you.

Here is my opinion of the advantages of each compared to the other:

Makarov
Less expensive gun/ammo
Parts, accessories, magazines readily available + inexpensive
IMO more accurate

Bersa
Better sights
Better mag release (if for defensive use)
Lighter, more compact
In my hands, points more instinctively than the Mak

Good luck.
 
Redlg 155,

Will Sothern Ohio gun sell to a non-FFL holder as long as the gun is transferred to an FFL? Or, are the strickly wholesale where the FFL must make the purchase?

Thanks
 
I bought a factory new Bulgarian Mak at auctionarms.com a couple months ago with 4 magazines for only $170 and I'm SUPER pleased with it. I immediately went out and bought a trigger kit, makawrap, 19# wolf spring, and a holster for it. It's a fun little gun, more accurate than I am, and will shoot everything from reloads to corbons.

I just looked up the Bersa and found a picture of a stainless one. Man, does it look sexy! What do they cost?
 
If you plan to carry the pistol a lot, and if weight is an important consideration, then I would get the Bersa. It will be noticeably lighter than the Mak.

Otherwise, I would get the Mak.
 
Never owned a Bersa, but I do own a Russian Markarov. Two years ago two pit bulls jumped my fence and destroyed one of my cats. The markarov did a very professional job on them. I dont have anything against Bersa's I have never owned or shot one. I do own a Markarov and I love it!
 
I have never handled a Bersa.
I do own three Maks, A Russian commercial, EG, and Bulgie.

I agree that the EG is the best finished. However, I don't find it any better, functionally, than the others.

I think the sales which offered 2 Bulgarians for $99 each were great. I would rather have a Bulgie for $100 than an EG for $150.

Yesterday I was at my dealer's and she said that she couldn't find any Maks now. She is looking for some.

I own various handguns, including 1911s and a Glock 26. It is my opinion that the Mak is the best, most reliable handgun made for anywhere near the price. Mine all function flawlessly. I did have to have the barrel ramps smoothed on the EG and the Bulgie for them to be reliable with the large HPs. With that done all my Maks are 100%.

Ammunition is readily available and cheap. Reloading is as easy as anything else, and components are available.

Jerry
 
I have a bulgie mak and a firestorm 380.

The firestorm is a nice weapon, it is light weight, accurate and easily concealable, and I like the grip, but I have small hands, and I've had no problems w/ it. I primarily got it for my wife, knowing I'd you use it more than her. con - a spare mag cost me $30, and apparently they are getting tuff to come by.

The mak is also a nice weapon, but it is significantly heavier. It has a much tighter sight on it, which allows it to be more precise than the firestorm. it also has a reputation of being one of the most reliable guns on the market. I think I've had 2 jams, both when shooting cheap wolf ammo. I bought 2 new spare mags for mak for ~$15.

It's all a matter of preference. I think I like the firestorm better, mainly because of the grips. mak cost ~$150 w/ 2 mags, firestorm cost ~$220 w/ one mag.
 
Makarov for sure. Bersa is low quality junk.
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Where, exactly, do you get your information from? I'd be real surprised if you've ever even TOUCHED a Bersa. :rolleyes:

Bersa's NIB run from 180-250, 250 being on the VERY high end.

'Nuther vote for Firestorm here, the grips are unmatched by any other automatic pistol I've ever picked up. I have picked up some revolvers with similar grips that felt almost, if not just, as good. Just my opinion.......
 
I don't have experience with Macarov but Bersa is a good little shooter. I own the Super Thunder series with 15 rd mag.


vega
 
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