Got home tonight witha .45 ACP Bersa in Stainless Steel! It is the Bersa Mini Fire Storm model, and has kind of unique grips in the front, kind of like finger holds. The pistol was $399.99 and I traded it straight across for a .38 Spl. Colt Official Police in 5" barrel, blue I had. The Colt had never been fired, and was made around 1959 or so. Even had the original box.
So now to try this hummer out. Is there much difference between the two? It also, has the double spring. I could have gotten .40 S&W just as well. He had one of those there and was the spitting image of this one, except in 10 shot rather than 7.
It appears that the gun would fire if I don't have a magazine in there. Unlike my Bersa BT380 if you take out the magazine it won't fire, period. This one you can *** the hammer back and it will go forward, or you can double action it, even without a magazine. Unless there is some sort of block....
Hope it turns out well. The end of the barrel has a large oval opening (not barrel, but the end of the gun where the end of the barrel sits. I hope that is not a detriment for accuracy. I took pictures if anyone is interested. I also polished the slide tonight. Looks like a mirror finish. I'll post picture of it sometime as well.
Later....
Addendum from shooting:
1. Unlike the .380, you cannot chamber a round while it is on safe. With the Bersa BT380 I could chamber the first round and the hammer would come back down on it's own accord and be on safe. I kind of liked that. The .45 FireStorm you cannot work the action with it on safe.
2. I had a live round in the chamber, dropped the magazine, and took aim and fired. The FireStorm .45 will fire when there is no magazine in place, but there is live round in the chamber and it is off safe.
3. I thought that the .45 has a loaded indicator? Not this one, other than the fact that you can fell along the side where the ejector rod is located and it is now smoothe, flush, with the slide.
I did a 3 shot test with the old Federal Hydra Shock I had. One was dearly dead center, and the others were on either side. This is at night, with flashlight in mouth. I fired a Cor-Bon all copper bullet into a gallon jug of water and another big jug behind it. I'll have to dig the bullet out of the ground tomorrow during daylight. Does have penetration that is for sure. Does remind me that I am NOT holding onto that little .380 anymore as well.
I could live ok with #2, and #3, but I sure do wish I could put the first round in other than in cocked and ready to go.... just my thoughts after the first shoot.
Vern
Vern
http://vernsdidj.com Didgeridoo info and pictures
http://Taurus45ACP.com My new site with some great links.
NRA member
Taurus 24/7 PRO .45 ACP, Bersa Thunder .380