Bersa 380 Vs. Bersa 45 ACP

Bersa Thunder series pistols are designed to be lightweight, affordable, reliable and easy to clean. While the Thunder 380 is advertised as Bersa's "best-selling model," the Thunder 45 ACP is advertised as just as good for personal home defense and target shooting.

  1. Size

    • The Thunder 380 is 5 inches long overall, as well as 5 inches wide and 5 inches high. It has a 3 1/2-inch-long barrel and weighs 20 ounces. The Thunder 45 ACP is slightly larger but more slender, measuring over 6 inches long overall, over 1 inch wide and over 5 inches high. It has a 3 1/2-inch-long barrel and weighs 27 ounces.

    Features

    • Both the 380 and the 45 ACP have extended slide releases, integral locking systems and a variety of finish options, including matte and satin nickel. The 380 also has a combat style trigger guard, three-dot sight system, a manual safety firing pin, a notched-bar dovetailed rear sight and a blade integral front sight. The 45 ACP has an ambidextrous safety, a loaded chamber indicator, a dovetailed to frame rear sight, and a front sight integral to the slide.

    Ammunition

    • The 380 takes .380 ACP caliber ammunition and has a seven plus one capacity magazine. While the 45 ACP has a similar capacity, it takes larger, .45 ACP caliber ammunition. They are both single and double action, semiautomatic guns.

    Purchasing

    • While the 45 ACP is no longer available for purchase directly from the manufacturer, it can be found from resellers and gun stores. It retails around $400, depending on the features included. The 380 is sold through Bersa as well as retailers and gun shops. It is priced cheaper than the 45 ACP, at around $200 to $300, also depending on the features (prices as of June 2011).