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Opinions about Bersa 85

6.4K views 14 replies 7 participants last post by  C. Royce Honeycutt  
#1 ·
I would like to hear your experience with this gun. Not being able to find one that I can lay my hands on. Purchasing online is my only option. Does its clip hold 13 or 15? I feel that it would be just like my BT380 except for the fatter grip and slight weight gain from its steel frame. I think it has plain black sights which I can change to white dot maybe.

Chris
 
#4 ·
Its funny that every one and his dog seem to know what I am talking about when I say gun clip. All my life I have understood that clip and magazine are one in the same. Doing an online search seems to know what I mean when I key in clip instead of magazine. I thought that this was a casual discussion forum, not an English language class.
You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.
Getting technical, I do know that a clip is a device that holds cartridges together such as a stripper clip and a mag encloses them. I was just talking casual. Oh no! I used another bad word....."mag" in place of magazine.

Chris
 
#5 · (Edited)
To start with gunnutbs answered a very hard question for you and for Zens. Thank you gunnutbs. While I never correct anyone for using the term "clip" since I know what he meant but I will jump in if the user tries to admonish someone for using it correctly. Yes, we are losing the term clip to mean what it should since folks refuse to use it correctly and that is very SAD. So if clip finally means mag (shortening a word is fine) what do we call a real clip. Actually the difference is a magazine has a spring and a follower and a clip does not. I guess my friend will have to start using metallic cartridge hangers in his 1917 revolver. So no it's not an English language class. If it was we would start with to and too and finish with there, their and they're. It is a forum on Bersa's and they take magazines and if I happen to use a term about them incorrectly I would appreciate if someone would correct me. I will personally say "Thank you" for setting my straight on that issue. I will not jump your case because you offended me.
 
#6 · (Edited)
10gaOkie is correct in his terminology. Gunnutbs needs to check his. Originally a magazine is a room where powder and munitions are stored, typically in a fort or on a ship.. A clip is a device that holds bullets. A charger is a device that loads clips. Some of these terms have been used since at least the 1500's. A history of language, or just a quick check of merriams-webster will prove my point.

Language over time gets convoluted. Remember some time ago when they recomissioned a few battleships, there were a few deaths when the "magazine" of one of them exploded? I promise you it was not a spring loaded box that fed shells into the chamber of the ships guns that exploded. Also what is the slang for the curved , spring loaded box that feeds AK47's and M16's. Ever heard them called banana magazines?

Today, the term magazine and clip are used interchangeably. The word charger, rarely heard today, is used interchangeably with clip, and is sometimes called a stripper clip. My grandfather, a watchmaker and gunsmith, said that a magazine was desigened to be integeral to the gun and a clip was designed to be removed from the gun. I also have seen early literature that referred to the "magazine" of a 1911 as a "clip".

I get aggravated when someone chides another for using terminology that, while maybe not what we consider correct for our time, historically is actually correct. Especially when the accepted reference material backs it up.

Not too long ago at the range, I stuck my nose in where maybe I should not have. An "experienced" shooter was ridiculing a new shooter for using the term clip. I turned the tide on him when I remarked that my .45 used clips. He called me an idiot too. I then showed him a full moon clip used in my 1917. Turned the tide on him. I have since become friends with the new shooter, he confided to me the first range trip would of been his last had I not intervened. Said he felt totally humiliated. We need to band together as shooters and gun owners, not divide ourselves.

Sorry for this post, rant over.
 
#7 · (Edited)
Good morning greg-r. While I knew that all storage rooms for artillery ordinance were called magazines I didn't know about full moon clips for the 1917. My friend only had the 3 round half moon clips for his S&W 1917 until he discovered the .45 Auto Rim. Thank you for the update. I rarely put any faith in literature or the Internet since you can back up the Flat Earth Society in either. I got my clip/mag definitions from the Fort Polk Social Club. Drill Sergeant was about 8 foot tall, 20" waist, 60" chest, had his boots and uniform permanently tattooed to his body. Only had to remove his hat to shower or sleep and he did little of either. Between him and about 40 range instructors I have it ingrained in me that clips come in two forms; stripper (also called chargers) and En bloc (remains in weapon, ah la Garand). The latter required a spring and follower in the weapon. Magazines were removable and contained both a spring and a follower. You had the option to disagree with this and the only requirement was a tour of the post with your M-14 at high port. Yes, we trained totally with the M-14 to be later issued an M-16 you knew little about. From your avatar I assume you were a Marine. Thank you for your service.

I'm assuming gunnutbs answered the original question. Thank you gunnut. Don't give up on us since I don't care what you or 10ga call that silly thing. I only speak up when someone get their panties in a wad. See, greg and I had a difference of opinion and I think we're still friends. As previously stated in 20 years both opinions will probably be wrong.
 
#8 ·
It's all good. Just hate to see all the hate and discontent over something so trivial. We as gun owners need to be cohesive, not divisive. Strength in numbers and all.

I went to basic at Parris Island. Had a DI who looked just like a 45 acp round. Made Mr T look like a kitty cat!

I normally shoot auto rim also. Use the full moon clips when shooting competition. Makes for faster reloads.
 

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#11 ·
Gee Chris, I wish I had that one. I don't think anyone is making .45 Auto Rim at the moment but I believe you can still get brass from Starline.
Remington makes it too.
 
#13 ·
If I were choosing a most accurate bullet for the Smith 45acp revolver and using tumble lube, I would choose the Lee TL452-200-SWC and size to .452. Most accurate in 1911 too. Load with 4.5gr Bullseye.

Chris
I have the Hand Ejector U. S. Army Model 1917. They have shallow rifling and like the long shake bullets better. It likes the Lee 452-250-SWC best.None of my automatics like it. Does well with the TL452-230-TC also as do my automatics, it is my favorite.. I have the Lee 452-200-RF. It does ok, saves a bit on lead!