When it comes to automatic pistols the potential buyer faces an endless array of options. The selection for target pistols is likewise vast. So one might think you can have just about anything you want for the right price. No? Well, almost. As long as it’s a popular design in the most common cartridges. More fittingly, the most popular cartridges. Then it was no surprise that I had quite the trouble finding a target pistol in 32 auto. They’re out there alright but in an age of polymer framed 9mm, 40, and 45 autoloaders there’s not a whole lot of room in the marketplace for the diminutive 32 or 380 for that matter.
But like most shoppers searching for that perfect item or at least one that will satisfy the purpose, one occasionally lucks out. Now I’m aware of the Beretta 81 and its more recent variation, the 81FS but none were to be found within budget during my search. Mid-sized pistols in my desired cartridge graced the online listings but none were found locally. None that could be inspected by hand, checked for function, and serviceability. As it were during one of my weekends perusing of the local pawn shop I spotted a peculiar pistol. I immediately realized it as a Bersa although figured it was chambered in the common 380 auto. Surprisingly it wasn’t. Also, surprisingly was the price. $249 for a used Bersa Thunder in 32 auto, a cartridge since abandoned by Bersa and Walther among others, was a steal. There were some faint scratches in the black oxide coating on the slide but everything else checked out. Front sight post with white dot, drift adjustable rear sight with two dot notch. And a double action / single action trigger pull that was definitely acceptable for the price range. Heck, even the top strap of the slide was textured for anti-glare effect.
Included with the Bersa was one ten round single stack magazine. And the magazine, dear reader, is an abomination. I’m not talking about function as the pistol runs great. Durability is no question as the body is made of steel and blued. But what I cannot figure out is how the engineers at Bersa came to the conclusion that a sub compact pistol in 32 auto needed a magazine extension to allow a full grip on the pistol. I could give some credit if that extension afforded additional rounds but no joy. This thing, this horn protrudes a solid inch from the bottom of the frame. After some fiddling around with different holsters I came to the realization that the height from the top of the slide to the bottom of the magazine extension precluded any effective concealment with all but roomy flannel shirts and a jacket for layering. No problem, I’ll just file off the bottom. The problem? The magazine spring extends into the recess of the hollow extension. Long story short I supplemented a Kel-Tec P32 magazine base plate with the original spring and it works, albeit with only eight rounds. It took some relieving of the Kel-Tec part but it slides in snuggly without too much trouble. There is, however, a small gap at the base of the magazine but I’ve yet to have a problem with the pistol due to this modification.
So it’s not perfect. For concealment anyways. But in single action, this pistol shoots. And recoil, oh the recoil. What is that anyways? The Bersa sports a blow back action and takes many design cues from the Walther PP. Under the hood you will find a barrel attached to the frame. The leading edge of the chamber is beveled in line with an inserted magazine for ease of feeding. The recoil spring fits over the barrel and rests against the inside of the slide. Field stripping the Bersa is just like the Walther. After ensuring the magazine is removed and the chamber empty, pivot the takedown lever on the right side of the frame located forward of the slide stop. While holding the lever in the down position, retract the slide until it becomes available to lift it from the frame. Once accomplished, let recoil spring tension ease the slide forward until it separates from the frame. The recoil spring just slides off the barrel for easy cleaning. To reassemble, I would say reverse the procedure but the Bersa can be sort of finicky in that regard. Seating the slide back on the frame will take some getting used to but does not require much practice. It is a task best left to feel and will come naturally with practice.
Now to the features. My particular model contains a magazine safety, meaning the trigger will not actuate the double action or single action sear without the magazine in place. The plastic grip panels are held in place with a single screw and will need to be removed to disengage the magazine safety, a simple ten minute task. I decided to leave mine in as the intention is recreation and the safety does not noticeably interfere with trigger pull weight. Other exterior controls are the slide stop lever and magazine release. The slide stop operated smoothly with no hang ups and is easily accessible. Same for the magazine release. One thing I found unusual for a pistol in this price range was the grooved trigger and grooves on the front of the grip below the trigger guard. For its intended purpose as a defensive pistol, Bersa put out an attractive package for the sub-$400 market.
Bullets cast with RCBS 32-77-RN and sized to .312″
For ammo I used every kind of factory offering available. The Bersa does fine with FMJ and hollow points alike. I had some difficulty with a couple reloads but that was not the fault of the gun. I found that if the ammunition functioned in the Colt 1903 it worked equally well in the Bersa. Over the years I settled on a standard 32 auto load consisting of an RCBS 32-77-RN cast of range scrap over 2.2 gr. of W231 powder, primed with a CCI 500 small pistol primer. Most of my cases have been European and Central American origin with the bulk being Fiocchi and then Aguila.
Out at the range the Bersa did ok. During my last outing I experienced a stove pipe and some magazine spring issues. Rest assured it was only my reloads. 32 auto is not a overly challenging cartridge to load but with small cases and stubby bullets it is easier to seat a bullet slightly off center. With factory ammunition the pistol runs flawlessly. My recent target practice with the pistol left some things to be desired. While the trigger is nice for what it is, there is a noticable spongy feeling prior to the break. The Bersa is not a pistol I frequently shoot so the initial groups show that. The grip provides ample real estate for a steady hold but those with larger hands may need to adjust grip to provide correct trigger finger placement. For almost every pistol I own, the proper placement of the trigger finger would be the pad of the index finger on square on the rigger. For the Bersa, I couldn’t obtain the best groups with that technique. I found that using the first distal joint, like how one would fire a revolver, proved the most controlling for precise shots.
Not my best shooting but average for the day.
My initial groups are were shot from 12 yards using the pad of the finger. After adjusting to the first distal joint, groups tightened up to less than an inch. I managed to squeeze off a pair of shots touching at 10 yards.
As shooters of 32 auto pistols will attest, those wishing to reload the brass will spend some time finding it. Every pistol I’ve shot in the diminutive cartridge has a tendency to throw cases into another dimension. The Bersa is no different. A full 120 degrees encompassed my littered brass.
Slightly better
While not the purpose built target pistol, the Bersa offers a decent platform for just such activities. While it lacks a dedicated target trigger and leaves some of the more desired features out like being able to raise or lower the rear sight. But for $250 on the used market and maybe 50 clams more for a new-in-box model, that ain’t too bad.
Land & Goove 