[ddwilson1]

The last time I was at the range suddenly my thunder 380 would not fire, felt like the trigger was not fully engaging. When I got home and broke it down to clean it and see what was going on the disconnect spring that is in the grip had come lose from where it had obviously been connected. Put it back in place and reassembled it now appears to be working fine again. This is the only problem I have ever had from this gun. Has anyone else ever had this problem?
Doug

 

[hilandr]

I haven't. I hope that's the last you have to deal with it!

 

[dave017]

I had this problem. I don't know what caused it, I just noticed it the first day I had it. I just took the cover off and put it back in. I didn't shoot many more rounds until I had another problem and had to stop And send the gun to one of bersa's gunsmith. Once again, this happened to me as well but I'm not sure why

 

[Bjdiaz1]

It happened to me the last week of November while at the range. Found gouges on the slide. Could not get the slide back on when I inspected it. Sent it to Reynerson's in Baton Rouge and got it back a couple weeks later with a report stating that transfer bar had come loose. I recalled taking the grips off when I cleaned the gun before going to the range and when I put it back together I obviously didn't make sure everything fell into place correctly. You need to jiggle the trigger a bit to make sure everything does fall into place. I have not had a problem since and in the last two trips to the range I've put over 300 rounds through it. Moral of the story... be very careful when putting the gun back together when you take the grips off. The BT380 is an Argentinian copy of the Walther PPK and PPK/S, but these don't have the transfer bar Bersa uses. I'm paranoid about this now and always check and double check that all parts are in place and working smoothly. The other problem I've had with the gun is that is very particular as to the type of ammo it likes. It absolutely hates Sellier & Bellot. Lot's of FTF issues. Stick to US made ammo.

 

[ddwilson1]

Will take a look at the slide, do not remember seeing any gouges but will check.

 

[Bjdiaz1]

Will take a look at the slide, do not remember seeing any gouges but will check.

Look what it did to mine.

 

[Bjdiaz1]

Happy to report that today I tried UMC ammo and not a single problem. S&B ammo was definitely the problem. Have to buy more UMC to start enjoying my BT308.

 

[Buddy]

I have had all the problems described above with the 380cc. Still like and carry.Sent in for warrany 2 times bought in Sept.2012. I have 4 Bersa pistols so you can see I am a fan. I beleive they have a quality control problem .

 

[rjgnwdc]

This was a very common problem in 2008, 2009 but they (bersa) change the geometery of the disconnector and allegedly fixed the problem, mine came off a couple times before it broke for good sent it to a Colorado authorized gunsmith for Bersa and they fixed it right up this was early 2009 since then have shot 1,000's of rounds with no problem at all

 

[ddwilson1]

Thanks for the information, I think I got it in 08 or 09 and looking at the way it is not held in too well thought it looked like could be improved upon, may have someone take a look at it. This is the first problem have ever had with it.
Doug

 

[rjgnwdc]

You are welcome. Once this disconnector spring problem was fixed it has been flawless and at 25ft it truely is a tack driver everybody that has shot my BT380 agree... I looked up the gunsmith I mentioned here it is: http://www.coloradogunworks.com/gunsmith.html its a good website for lots of info.

 

[Gibbs]

I actually bought another magazine disconnecter, and then took the original out. I took the replacement and ground of the L at the top so that it was straight, no hook, put it back in with the spring (takes about 3-4 min total) and voilà, no magazine disconnecter. It fires with or without the magazine and I like it that way. However, if I had ever so inclined to sell it, I can easily reverse it with the original mag disconnecter that is in the original box.

 

[MLittle5]

Disconnector Spring

Mine Came off not too long after buying, I had about 300 rounds through the gun. Only thing I thought happened was when wiping out the inside of the mag well I might have knocked the spring loose. After another couple hundred rounds the spring broke. I called Bersa and talked to them about the issue they said to send the gun back, I told them to just send me the spring, which they did. The new spring was slightly different than the original and it has never had an issue since.

 

[SmokeyJoe]

Just bought the Thunder 380 last Friday... this has happened twice! Took it to Gander Mountain today and they are sending it to their regional gunsmith. Gotta say - I'm disappointed. Got this for the wife for Christmas. Hope to get it back in time to get it under the tree.

 

[9UC]

An early noted problem related to disconnect spring was loose grip panels. As part of initial maintenance, remove screws from grip, clean screw threads including internal threads on frame and apply light application of blue loctite, reinsert and screw in only snugly. I periodically check to insure that loctite is still holding and grip panels are still tight.

 

[jpshaw]

Never had a problem with the disconnect spring but did have a trigger spring break several months ago. That required hammering out the pin.

 

[jpshaw]

I actually bought another magazine disconnecter, and then took the original out. I took the replacement and ground of the L at the top so that it was straight, no hook, put it back in with the spring (takes about 3-4 min total) and voilà, no magazine disconnecter.

I just removed the spring and connector. Same effect and when I would need to return for warrantee work or sell I would put it back in. I am a true believer that if you install something to interfere with the guns firing it will surely work . . when you really don't want it to.

 

[SmokeyJoe]

I appreciate the advice, but in this case the grip panels were tight. Disconnect spring unseats regardless.

An early noted problem related to disconnect spring was loose grip panels. As part of initial maintenance, remove screws from grip, clean screw threads including internal threads on frame and apply light application of blue loctite, reinsert and screw in only snugly. I periodically check to insure that loctite is still holding and grip panels are still tight.

 

[ColoradoGunWorksGunsmith]

Joe, I'm sorry I didn't see this earlier. When you get your pistol back, if it still has the issue, please contact us and we will perform our disconnector upgrade to it and that will cure the issue. You may get lucky they will forward it to us, which several of the GM Regional shops do anyway.

We are here to help, please let us know if we can be of assistance.
Thank you,
C.R.H.

 

[SmokeyJoe]

Thank you...

I appreciate your concern, CGW. I don't have it back yet, but if it continues to have issues after return, I will certainly contact you.

Merry Christmas!

Joe, I'm sorry I didn't see this earlier. When you get your pistol back, if it still has the issue, please contact us and we will perform our disconnector upgrade to it and that will cure the issue. You may get lucky they will forward it to us, which several of the GM Regional shops do anyway.

We are here to help, please let us know if we can be of assistance.
Thank you,
C.R.H.