Thanks a lot for the unbiased comparison review. I am glad that I save my money and got the Bersa instead. The Bersa may not have the best polishing job nor the most durable coating, but I read that the slide is made of 4140 alloy steel and the frame is made of 7075 aluminum. AFAIK, those are decent material for making pistols.
My Review: Walther PPK/S vs. Bersa Thunder 380
- Thread starter David the Gnome
- Start date
elprofeloco
New member
Bersa for me
Good review, much more detailed than mine:
I had Interarms version of PPK/S - it was not a good shooter for me: would not reliably feed some good quality ammo (many JHP, some FMJ using two factory mags). No problem for me w. hammer/slide bite, though. I sold it.
Much later I got a Bersa Thunder .380 - love it: great price, unfailingly reliable, accurate. True, finish on PPK/S is better than Bersa - but not nearly enough difference in finish to make up for reliability and price superiority of the Bersa.
For the same money I'd take a Bersa over a PPK/S; given that the Bersa is much less costly than the PPK/S, it is no-brainer for me.
Good review, much more detailed than mine:
I had Interarms version of PPK/S - it was not a good shooter for me: would not reliably feed some good quality ammo (many JHP, some FMJ using two factory mags). No problem for me w. hammer/slide bite, though. I sold it.
Much later I got a Bersa Thunder .380 - love it: great price, unfailingly reliable, accurate. True, finish on PPK/S is better than Bersa - but not nearly enough difference in finish to make up for reliability and price superiority of the Bersa.
For the same money I'd take a Bersa over a PPK/S; given that the Bersa is much less costly than the PPK/S, it is no-brainer for me.
Bersa /w wide grips more comfortable than PPK ?
Well Dave, why not buy wider grips for PPK ? That's what I did and I wouldn't trade it for a Bursa. The skinny plastic grips were intended for a slim conceal/carry, if you don't like them there are beautiful wood /w thumb rest grips available.
PS - extended beaver tail on recent PPKs eliminates the old Walther bite.
Well Dave, why not buy wider grips for PPK ? That's what I did and I wouldn't trade it for a Bursa. The skinny plastic grips were intended for a slim conceal/carry, if you don't like them there are beautiful wood /w thumb rest grips available.
PS - extended beaver tail on recent PPKs eliminates the old Walther bite.
Sparks1957
New member
Nice review and comparison. I know my Bersa .380 is looked down upon by a lot of folks, but it is one of the most reliable little guns I have ever met.
Actually, I have the "plus" version coming in a few days as well, with 15-round capacity
Actually, I have the "plus" version coming in a few days as well, with 15-round capacity
Great review...I love shooting my S&W PPK/S (have wood grips)
No bite, and accurate for it's intended range.
Have never handled,or shot a Bersa,but my wife and I both carry Ruger LCP'S
for concealed carry weapons when we want to carry a 380. So I don't think I'll need another model 380.
No bite, and accurate for it's intended range.
Have never handled,or shot a Bersa,but my wife and I both carry Ruger LCP'S
for concealed carry weapons when we want to carry a 380. So I don't think I'll need another model 380.
Great review, thanks so much for doing it. Just bought a Bersa a couple of months back and really like it a lot. Doesn't seem to be of the same quality level as the Walther like you mention but ... the proof is in the pudding and this thing has been reliable, pretty accurate, and it is a joy to shoot. The longer I have it, the more I like it. And their web sight rocks for service and parts. No complaints.
I had been reading so many positive comments on the Bersa, I had to see for myself. Since I am a rimfire fan, I bought the Bersa Thunder 22 in nickel. This little pistol is supurb. Its accurate, reliable, and very nice in every way. I have always been intrigued by the .380 cartridge, but never warmed up to my Ruger LCP, so I bought a Bersa Thunder 380 in Matte Black. The Thunder 380 is a great handgun. Its very accurate, has digested everything I have fed it, and is simply one of the best bargains out there. I bought a couple of the 9 round magazines for the Thunder Deluxe(works in the standard Thunder), and a Crimson Trace LaserGrip. For someone who needs a value handgun, the Bersa Thunder is the way to go. With the Crimson Trace, and 10 rounds of 380, the Bersa is a great self defense gun. For the price of the mentioned Walther, I got both of my Bersa Thunder pistols. There are so many budget handguns that have issues either of quality, or performance, but the Bersa Thunder series suffers from none of these. You can spend a lot more money, and get a pistol with a nicer finish, but when it comes down to actual performance, the Bersa Thunder can go head to head with any of those, and come out equal with the best.
leadchucker
New member
Interesting revival of a five-year-old thread. 
Coltman 77
New member
Agreed.
It's Christmas time not Easter. The resurrection season is many months away.
With all respect, a five year old thread should have been archived yrs ago.
Very good review, regardless of age
What is amazing is that there was a informative discussion of PPK's without anyone mentioning Bond, James Bond. One of the things learned from this post is that Bond may have accepted his PPK if it was made by Smith & Wesson.
For what it's worth, I really like my Bersa and think it is one of the most under-rated weapons out there.
What is amazing is that there was a informative discussion of PPK's without anyone mentioning Bond, James Bond. One of the things learned from this post is that Bond may have accepted his PPK if it was made by Smith & Wesson.
For what it's worth, I really like my Bersa and think it is one of the most under-rated weapons out there.
bedbugbilly
New member
Great review . . . thank you very much!
I've never shot a Walther or owned one. I did buy a used Bersa Thunder 380 CC with the intent of using it for my CC. The previous owner evidently had done some trigger work on it . the first DA shot was fine but when it then went in to SA after the first shot, it was way to "light" for my liking and I actually had a couple of unintentional "double taps". I traded it off but am seriously thinking of gettin a new Bersa. The one I had was a great shooter (with the exception of the too light trigger - not Bersa's fault). As you say, appearance wise, the Walther probably wins but performance wise, I loved the Bersa. It ate anything I fed it and it was a very comfortable pistol to shoot.
If I could find one fault (and it isn't limited to Bersa) . . . I wish that every manufacturer would include TWO magazines with a new weapon. At the time I purchased my used Bersa, I couldn't find a spare magazine. Perhaps they are more available now . . . but after much searching, I found one before I traded it off and the cost was around $35.
Thanks again for the great review! Very helpful!
I've never shot a Walther or owned one. I did buy a used Bersa Thunder 380 CC with the intent of using it for my CC. The previous owner evidently had done some trigger work on it . the first DA shot was fine but when it then went in to SA after the first shot, it was way to "light" for my liking and I actually had a couple of unintentional "double taps". I traded it off but am seriously thinking of gettin a new Bersa. The one I had was a great shooter (with the exception of the too light trigger - not Bersa's fault). As you say, appearance wise, the Walther probably wins but performance wise, I loved the Bersa. It ate anything I fed it and it was a very comfortable pistol to shoot.
If I could find one fault (and it isn't limited to Bersa) . . . I wish that every manufacturer would include TWO magazines with a new weapon. At the time I purchased my used Bersa, I couldn't find a spare magazine. Perhaps they are more available now . . . but after much searching, I found one before I traded it off and the cost was around $35.
Thanks again for the great review! Very helpful!
Stringfellow
New member
I, for one, enjoyed reading reading this thread.
Unless our friends at The Firing Line can't afford digital storage, I am not sure why they would archive this. Nor do I understand why anyone would have a problem about resurrecting an old thread.
Unless our friends at The Firing Line can't afford digital storage, I am not sure why they would archive this. Nor do I understand why anyone would have a problem about resurrecting an old thread.
Stressfire
New member
Yup, still a good review, age aside.
It's not like either gun is out of production or no longer available
It's not like either gun is out of production or no longer available
leadchucker
New member
If you are looking at the Bersa Thunder, also consider the Bersa Firestorm. I have one, and I consider it an excellent "poor man's Walther PPK."
Ignition Override
New member
Despite being an old "thread", some of us are considering buying our first handgun: in .380 or 9x18.
It is a very valid topic, despite any Carbon 14 dating technology being used. Do servers run out of byte capacity?
leadchucker: Will the Bersa Thunder fit into (the appropriate) front pocket holster as easily as an actual Makarov or Polish P-64?
I will soon try out the Sig 232 and another friend's P-64. My decision might include a Bersa, but I don't know anybody in this area who has one.
It is a very valid topic, despite any Carbon 14 dating technology being used. Do servers run out of byte capacity?
leadchucker: Will the Bersa Thunder fit into (the appropriate) front pocket holster as easily as an actual Makarov or Polish P-64?
I will soon try out the Sig 232 and another friend's P-64. My decision might include a Bersa, but I don't know anybody in this area who has one.
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About 18 years ago when we (police) stopped carrying J frames and went to 380 it was always the Walther. One Officer with an FFL started selling Bersa and it was a more reliable gun then the Walther. The Bersa would fire HP and the Walther had trouble. I've always recommended Bersa and a few friends bought them in the in last few years and they have been very happy with them. I'm glad to see that the Walther was reliable in your test. Good review.
I understand why the bersa is the go to handgun. When my daughter desided to get a house pistol we went thru all mine and being very small built she wanted something with less recoil but reliable. She liked the bersa but the 380CC model. Lighter than the regular bersa thunder by several oz and with a 8 round mag it is also a bit shorter in lenght. Turned out to be a great pistol with zero issues with ammo and easy on the shooter and easy to mantain. Hard to understand after have one of these first the need for a costlier version even with the name walther on it.
leadchucker
New member
It just wouldn't look cool if James Bond pulled out a Bersa.