Bersa Thunder .380 - Stovepiping?

[GBranton]

I have a used Bersa Thunder .380 that I bought used at a gunshow. I love the looks and feel of this gun. However, I have a problem in that about every 3rd or 4th round it stovepipes and jams so bad that it is hard to get the clip out to clear the jam. I've taken it to a gunsmith to see if there is a fix. I'm not sure if it is the extractor spring, the extractor or the ammunition. I did not buy very expensive ammo to burn up at the range. Has anyone else had these issues with the Thunder .380 and if so, what was the fix? All replies appreciated.

 

[cmj0968]

At least try a box of good factory ammo. Also look at your grip. A breaking wrist can cause a stove pipe. If it's pulling the case from the chamber then I wouldn't think it was the extractor. I had a similar issue with a small 45 and it was me (grip) not the gun. Hope you figure it out....

 

[BenDibble]

Frustrating problem to say the least.

I have thrown everything from Russian steel cases ammo to fine brass Ranger-T's trough my Bersa without trouble. I'd like to think that the problem is the ammo you are using. Like the previous comment said go to the range with a box of Winchesters or other quality American ammo and see of you get the same.
Also make sure to give it a solid deep clean and remove and buildup that could be jamming it as well?

 

[Rhino]

I had the same problem with a used Thunder 380 CC. There was an extractor issue that caused a feeding problem but I still got stovepipes after that was fixed, so I called the repair facility back. The conversation went something like this:

"This is a very common problem. You have other guns, don't you?"

"Yes."

"Are any of them higher caliber?"

"They all are."

"How much higher?"

"Most of them are 45s or 357s."

"Do you have any other small caliber handguns?"

"No."

"Then you have a grip problem. To people who commonly shoot higher caliber guns, the 380 is like a cap gun, so they relax when they shoot it. They problem is that they relax too much and they 'limp wrist' it. Don't worry. That phrase isn't a reflection on you. It's just a term for being too relaxed and letting the gun pop your wrist back too easily. Since your wrist is actually absorbing most of the recoil now, the slide and extractor on the gun don't have enough energy left over to do their job and a stovepipe is the most common result. Sometimes it will fail to feed as well. Try gripping it like your 45 and see if the problem goes away."

Sure enough, he was right. When I stopped being so casual with it and used a proper grip, the gun fired flawlessly. However, if that doesn't work, Bersa warranties are transferable to the second owner and they do honor them. Those repairs I mentioned earlier were absolutely free even though I was the second owner of the gun, because it was still in the warranty period. All I paid was shipping.

 

[GBranton]

Thanks for this reply. I will definitely try it upon the return of the gun. Regarding Bersa however, I'm not too pleased. I did email them about handling the repair if needed. I even told them that I bought the gun used. I even said that I would pay for the repair. I got a terse email back that the gun was not under warranty and that I should take it to a local gunsmith. I'm not sure how they knew the gun was not under warranty since the only information I sent was "Bersa Thunder .380". The reason I even emailed them was because a local gunstore said that they would take care of the product and stand behind it. Not the case. If it is not under warranty, they won't touch it. Here is the email I received: (sent to [email protected])


Thanks for contacting us. Used firearms have no warranty, the warranty is only valid for the original owner. We recommend having a local gunsmith repair it for you.

Thank you
Eagle Imports
- Show quoted text -
Eagle Imports
1750 Brielle Avenue
Unit B-1
Wanamassa, NJ 07712
732-493-0333 phone
732-493-0301 fax
Hours: 9AM-4PM M-F(EST

 

[Rhino]

Strange. They honored the warranty for me. I didn't contact Bersa directly though. I contacted one of the authorized warranty repair centers.

EDIT: But now that I look at their site, it does say original owner. I guess I got lucky.

 

[cluznar]

Have a Bersa Thunde .380 and luv it, and yes because it has little recoil it is easy to relax too much and limp wrist it, causing FTF, Stovepipes, etc.

:triniti:

 

[MPO Southy]

Lots of good suggestions.One more very simple,but often overlooked one is to check the ammo seating in the mag.,and also check the physical condition of the mag.Just a thought,good luck.

 

[LottoTx]

I have had this problem with my Bersa Thunder 380 CC. In my case it was ammunition. I believe Amscor was the one that gave me trouble. It was odd because I've shot the same ammo manufacture in several other pistols I own without a problem.

Good Luck

 

[navyguy59]

All good points on the stove piping. Also check the ejector spring if it is in backwards it will give you problems, also excessive oiling of the weapon may cause it to stovepipe . I like my 380 Thunder and have fired it a lot, the stovepiping also tends to get better after about 500 rds go through it. That said I trust my Tarus 38 special a whole lot more

 

[45pocketpistol]

I had an issue with another gun, which will remain un-named. The gun performed flawlessly for over a year, then suddenly began to stovepipe. Took it to the gunsmith, who put it through his ultrasonic cleaner and fixed the problem. I had cleaned and oiled the gun, but he said that sometimes an unburnt piece of powder or some other debris will get lodged in the gun where you cannot remove it by conventional cleaning. The gun looked brand new after ultrasonic cleaning. He charged $50. Maybe you should give it a try.

 

[marine sgt]

If it is a failure to eject,it may be weak ammo or a loose grip on the pistol. if the stovepipe is the round which is coming out of the magazine, then it is probably a weak magazine spring.

 

[ksdalet]

I have the same problem when using "cheap" ammo, especially the flat nosed type. Switching to good ammo and solid grip works.

 

[GBranton]

I appreciate all the replys and suggestions. I definitely want to keep my Bersa. I carry a Ruger LCP but enjoy shooting the Bersa much better.

gkb

 

[FredF]

You might want to check your recoil spring and make sure the tight end is over the barrel and the slide end has the cut part of the spring at 12:00. I purchased a used Bersa 380CC and had all kinds of problems like you until I saw a cleaning video one of the Bersa techs put on Youtube and described how to properly install the spring. If you reverse it, it causes excessive friction.

 

[Rocketgeezer]

I have a used Bersa Thunder .380 that I bought used at a gunshow. I love the looks and feel of this gun. However, I have a problem in that about every 3rd or 4th round it stovepipes and jams so bad that it is hard to get the clip out to clear the jam. I've taken it to a gunsmith to see if there is a fix. I'm not sure if it is the extractor spring, the extractor or the ammunition. I did not buy very expensive ammo to burn up at the range. Has anyone else had these issues with the Thunder .380 and if so, what was the fix? All replies appreciated.

I know it may be difficult to do, but I have purchased two guns from gun shows over the years and had issues with both, except we left the show and ether went strait to the range or when I got home we shot the gun, and if it screwed up, it went right back to the dude at the show, this is most important to do this the same day, the gun show venders normaly wont give you any crap, because they don't want it to get around they sell junk, and if it was to late in the day to test it and get back, I did not buy the gun..........that said I have had three Bersas, a 45, a 9mm and the 380 we still have, but we have had 0 issues with any of them, they all worked like a swiss watch, and they shot anything, we did not have any limp wrist problems with ours but its a good bet thats what your dealing with, if not a good gunsmith should be able to straiten it out