{
  "apiVersion": 1,
  "kind": "work-order",
  "purpose": "Taking the firearm apart for a job such as refinishing, and putting it back together to specification.",
  "firearm": {
    "slug": "bersa-thunder-380",
    "name": "Bersa Thunder 380",
    "manufacturer": {
      "id": "bersa",
      "name": "Bersa"
    },
    "category": "pistol",
    "action": "blowback",
    "calibers": [
      ".380 ACP"
    ],
    "alsoKnownAs": [
      "Thunder 380 CC",
      "Thunder Plus"
    ],
    "coversAlso": [
      "Bersa Thunder 380 CC",
      "Bersa Thunder Plus"
    ],
    "page": "firearms/bersa-thunder-380.html",
    "bundle": "api/v1/firearms/bersa-thunder-380.json",
    "lastUpdated": "2026-10-29"
  },
  "notices": [
    "Bersa limits owner disassembly: Field strip only: magazine out, slide pulled back, lifted and slid forward off the fixed barrel, recoil spring off the barrel.",
    "This work order is written for the Bersa Thunder 380. It is reported to cover Bersa Thunder 380 CC; Bersa Thunder Plus — if the firearm on the bench is one of those, check the torque notes: values do not always carry over.",
    "No torque values are recorded for this firearm. Get them from the manufacturer or a gunsmith; do not estimate."
  ],
  "disclaimer": {
    "headline": "Read this before you use anything here.",
    "points": [
      "This is a guide, not an authority. Entries are compiled from manufacturer manuals, technical manuals, published references, and community knowledge. Some of it comes from sources that are not authoritative, and some of it may simply be wrong.",
      "Always consult the manufacturer's manual for your specific firearm and serial-number range. Manufacturers change designs mid-production without renaming the model. The manual that shipped with your firearm outranks anything on this site.",
      "Consult a licensed gunsmith for anything beyond routine field stripping and cleaning, for any firearm you are unsure about, and for any procedure marked as gunsmith-recommended here.",
      "Treat every firearm as loaded. Verify it is unloaded, with the magazine removed and the chamber physically and visually checked, before any procedure in this database. Point it in a safe direction the entire time.",
      "Disassembly can damage a firearm or injure you. Springs are under tension, parts can launch, and reassembling a firearm incorrectly can make it unsafe to fire in a way that is not obvious from the outside. If a reassembled firearm does not pass a function check, stop and see a gunsmith.",
      "Torque values are shown in two groups. Values from the manufacturer or the issuing military are shown as such, with the document they came from. Values reported by anyone else — parts makers, gunsmithing publishers, articles, forums — are shown separately with who said them, how reliable that source is, and their exact words. Those are not specifications. Confirm any torque value with the manufacturer or a licensed gunsmith before relying on it.",
      "Nothing here is legal advice. Firearms law varies by country, state, and city, and some modifications or configurations are regulated or prohibited. You are responsible for knowing and following the law where you are.",
      "No warranty of any kind. Contributors and maintainers accept no liability for damage, injury, or loss arising from use of this material."
    ],
    "page": "disclaimer.html",
    "legal": {
      "summary": "Legal notice: this material is third-party information compiled from sources of varying reliability and is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not gunsmithing, technical, safety or legal advice, it is not verified or endorsed by any manufacturer, and it must not be taken as fact. Any work on a firearm beyond the routine field stripping described in its own owner's manual should be performed only by a licensed and insured gunsmith. You use this material entirely at your own risk. Fundamental Build LLC and the project's contributors make no warranty of any kind and accept no liability for death, injury, damage or loss arising from its use. Full terms: LEGAL.md.",
      "page": "legal.html",
      "notice": "https://github.com/Fundamental-build-LLC/Pew-Takedown/blob/main/LEGAL.md"
    }
  },
  "sourcing": {
    "confidence": "medium",
    "verification": "community-reviewed"
  },
  "manufacturerDisassembly": {
    "status": "limited",
    "limit": "Field strip only: magazine out, slide pulled back, lifted and slid forward off the fixed barrel, recoil spring off the barrel.",
    "statement": "Bersa's manual gives only the field strip. Its warranty certificate says any work done outside Bersa's Technical Service, or any parts substitution, voids the warranty; the manual recommends that repairs go through Bersa's service.",
    "source": {
      "title": "Thunder Series — Manual de Instrucción y Seguridad",
      "publisher": "Bersa S.A.",
      "reliability": "primary",
      "url": "https://bersa.com.ar/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Thunder-espanol-baja.pdf",
      "page": "44",
      "pdfPage": 44,
      "pageUrl": "https://bersa.com.ar/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Thunder-espanol-baja.pdf#page=44",
      "quote": "Toda intervención ajena a nuestro Servicio Técnico, la sustitución de partes, la alteración del número de serie o fecha de compra del producto, anulan de por sí la garantía."
    }
  },
  "recalls": [],
  "shopTier": {
    "tier": 2,
    "group": "pistol",
    "rating": "Pew-Takedown editorial rating (1 easy – 3 hardest), not the manufacturer's",
    "reason": "58 line items in Bersa's numbered list; a Walther PPK-pattern DA/SA blowback with a barrel pinned to the frame and a built-in key lock (SBI) that Bersa calls extremely laborious and nearly impossible to remove without damage. Moderate part count, a couple of real traps, no timing.",
    "confidence": "medium",
    "partCount": {
      "value": 58,
      "kind": "line-items",
      "covers": "Complete pistol incl. magazine; the parts list on this page = Spanish 'Denominacion de las piezas', Modelos Thunder 380 / 380 Combat / 22 (numbered exploded view); 58 pieces",
      "basis": "manufacturer-parts-list",
      "source": {
        "title": "Thunder Series — Manual de Instrucción y Seguridad",
        "publisher": "Bersa S.A.",
        "reliability": "primary",
        "url": "https://bersa.com.ar/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Thunder-espanol-baja.pdf",
        "page": "22–23",
        "pdfPage": 23,
        "pageUrl": "https://bersa.com.ar/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Thunder-espanol-baja.pdf#page=23",
        "quote": "66 Aro de retencion del tirante del martillo"
      }
    },
    "painPoints": [
      {
        "issue": "The barrel is fixed to the frame by a pin (PPK-style), so the barrel and frame stay together unless the barrel pin is driven out.",
        "during": "disassembly",
        "source": {
          "title": "Thunder Series — Manual de Instrucción y Seguridad",
          "publisher": "Bersa S.A.",
          "reliability": "primary",
          "url": "https://bersa.com.ar/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Thunder-espanol-baja.pdf",
          "page": null,
          "pdfPage": null,
          "pageUrl": null,
          "quote": "16. Perno del tubo cañón"
        }
      },
      {
        "issue": "The recoil spring is tapered and goes on the fixed barrel one way only, large end toward the muzzle.",
        "during": "reassembly",
        "source": {
          "title": "bersa thunder .380 ongoing problems",
          "publisher": "Canadian Gun Nutz",
          "reliability": "anecdotal",
          "url": "https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/threads/bersa-thunder-380-ongoing-problems.2409063/",
          "page": null,
          "pdfPage": null,
          "pageUrl": null,
          "quote": "Is the recoil spring a larger diameter on one end? If so the larger end should be towards the front."
        }
      }
    ],
    "minutes": {
      "strip": 30,
      "rebuild": 45,
      "basis": "estimated",
      "note": "Estimate for an experienced tech with the right tools, detail strip to coatable parts (slide internals, frame pins, trigger group, sights) and rebuild to a function-checked gun; scale used across pistols: Glock-pattern 15/20 min, other strikers 20-30/25-40, DA/SA hammer guns 30-35/45-50, Hi-Power, Colt 1903 and Mark 23 40-45/60-75.",
      "source": null
    },
    "stripScope": [
      {
        "assembly": "Slide",
        "removes": [
          "safety/decocker lever, spring and stop",
          "firing pin and spring",
          "extractor, spring and pin",
          "rear sight, spring and screw"
        ]
      },
      {
        "assembly": "Frame",
        "removes": [
          "grips and grip pin/screw",
          "slide stop lever and spring",
          "slide stop (tope de corredera) and spring",
          "disassembly lever",
          "trigger, pin and spring",
          "automatic safety and spring",
          "hammer, strut, spring, pin and washer",
          "sear and pin",
          "hammer release cam, bushing and pin",
          "magazine catch, spring and pin",
          "magazine safety and spring",
          "ejector"
        ],
        "tools": [
          "punch set"
        ]
      },
      {
        "assembly": "Barrel",
        "removes": [
          "recoil spring (barrel stays pinned unless the barrel pin is driven)"
        ]
      }
    ],
    "hardware": {
      "pins": 0,
      "springs": 0,
      "detents": 0,
      "basis": "counted from the manufacturer's parts list (one per key number unless a quantity is given)"
    },
    "specialTools": [
      {
        "tool": "Punch set incl. a long barrel-pin punch",
        "usedFor": "Barrel pin if the barrel is separated from the frame"
      },
      {
        "tool": "Bersa SBI key (supplied hex key)",
        "usedFor": "Locking/unlocking the integral lock; no standard tool fits"
      }
    ],
    "fitOnRebuild": [
      {
        "check": "Recoil spring orientation",
        "why": "Tapered spring, large end to the muzzle",
        "source": {
          "title": "bersa thunder .380 ongoing problems",
          "publisher": "Canadian Gun Nutz",
          "reliability": "anecdotal",
          "url": "https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/threads/bersa-thunder-380-ongoing-problems.2409063/",
          "page": null,
          "pdfPage": null,
          "pageUrl": null,
          "quote": "Is the recoil spring a larger diameter on one end? If so the larger end should be towards the front."
        }
      },
      {
        "check": "Barrel alignment if the barrel pin was driven",
        "why": "The barrel is fixed to the frame by a pin; any removal needs re-pinning tight with the barrel indexed",
        "source": null
      },
      {
        "check": "Full function check (trigger reset, safeties, slide lock-back, drop of striker/hammer only on trigger)",
        "why": "Standard after any fire-control strip; confirms springs and sears went back correctly",
        "source": null
      }
    ],
    "assessed": "2026-10-29"
  },
  "videos": [
    {
      "title": "Limpieza Bersa Thunder 380/22",
      "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cd7puAuYios",
      "platform": "youtube",
      "embedUrl": null,
      "shows": [
        "field-strip",
        "cleaning",
        "reassembly",
        "maintenance"
      ],
      "appliesTo": "Bersa Thunder 380 / Thunder 22 (title); description says TPR, Thunder and Thunder Pro",
      "published": "2024-12-02",
      "note": null,
      "channel": {
        "id": "UCxDJVSB13LfRzLwto31xsxg",
        "name": "Bersa Oficial",
        "url": "https://www.youtube.com/@bersaoficial",
        "owner": "Bersa S.A. (manufacturer, Argentina)"
      },
      "accessed": "2026-10-15"
    },
    {
      "title": "Pistola BERSA thunder 380 cambió percutor",
      "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvoCLA0PQps",
      "platform": "youtube",
      "embedUrl": null,
      "shows": [
        "detail-strip",
        "detail-reassembly"
      ],
      "appliesTo": "Bersa Thunder .380 and Thunder 22 (per description)",
      "published": "2020-04-16",
      "note": null,
      "channel": {
        "id": "UCxDJVSB13LfRzLwto31xsxg",
        "name": "Bersa Oficial",
        "url": "https://www.youtube.com/@bersaoficial",
        "owner": "Bersa S.A. (manufacturer, Argentina)"
      },
      "accessed": "2026-10-15"
    }
  ],
  "configurations": [],
  "tools": [],
  "phases": [
    {
      "id": "clear",
      "title": "Clear and make safe",
      "steps": [
        {
          "n": 1,
          "instruction": "Point the muzzle in a safe direction and keep your finger off the trigger."
        },
        {
          "n": 2,
          "instruction": "Press the magazine release and remove the magazine.",
          "partsFreed": [
            "Magazine"
          ]
        },
        {
          "n": 3,
          "instruction": "Retract the slide fully to eject any chambered round and lock it open."
        },
        {
          "n": 4,
          "instruction": "Visually inspect the chamber and magazine well, then physically feel the chamber to confirm it is empty.",
          "warning": "Look and feel. Both, every time."
        },
        {
          "n": 5,
          "instruction": "Remove all live ammunition from the work area."
        }
      ],
      "videos": []
    },
    {
      "id": "disassemble",
      "title": "Disassemble",
      "videos": [
        {
          "title": "Limpieza Bersa Thunder 380/22",
          "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cd7puAuYios",
          "platform": "youtube",
          "embedUrl": null,
          "shows": [
            "field-strip",
            "cleaning",
            "reassembly",
            "maintenance"
          ],
          "appliesTo": "Bersa Thunder 380 / Thunder 22 (title); description says TPR, Thunder and Thunder Pro",
          "published": "2024-12-02",
          "note": null,
          "channel": {
            "id": "UCxDJVSB13LfRzLwto31xsxg",
            "name": "Bersa Oficial",
            "url": "https://www.youtube.com/@bersaoficial",
            "owner": "Bersa S.A. (manufacturer, Argentina)"
          },
          "accessed": "2026-10-15"
        },
        {
          "title": "Pistola BERSA thunder 380 cambió percutor",
          "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvoCLA0PQps",
          "platform": "youtube",
          "embedUrl": null,
          "shows": [
            "detail-strip",
            "detail-reassembly"
          ],
          "appliesTo": "Bersa Thunder .380 and Thunder 22 (per description)",
          "published": "2020-04-16",
          "note": null,
          "channel": {
            "id": "UCxDJVSB13LfRzLwto31xsxg",
            "name": "Bersa Oficial",
            "url": "https://www.youtube.com/@bersaoficial",
            "owner": "Bersa S.A. (manufacturer, Argentina)"
          },
          "accessed": "2026-10-15"
        }
      ],
      "procedures": [
        {
          "procedure": "field-strip",
          "title": "Field Strip",
          "level": "field-strip",
          "configuration": false,
          "steps": [
            {
              "n": 1,
              "instruction": "Complete the Clear and Make Safe procedure and let the slide forward."
            },
            {
              "n": 2,
              "instruction": "Pull the front of the trigger guard straight down and offset it to one side so it rests against the frame."
            },
            {
              "n": 3,
              "instruction": "Pull the slide fully to the rear past its normal travel."
            },
            {
              "n": 4,
              "instruction": "Lift the rear of the slide up to clear the frame rails and ease it forward off the barrel.",
              "warning": "Lift the rear first. The recoil spring is compressed.",
              "partsFreed": [
                "Slide"
              ]
            },
            {
              "n": 5,
              "instruction": "Slide the recoil spring off the barrel.",
              "partsFreed": [
                "Recoil spring"
              ]
            },
            {
              "n": 6,
              "instruction": "Return the trigger guard to its normal position."
            }
          ]
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "refinish",
      "title": "Refinish",
      "components": [
        {
          "name": "Slide",
          "procedure": "field-strip",
          "level": "field-strip",
          "step": 4
        },
        {
          "name": "Recoil spring",
          "procedure": "field-strip",
          "level": "field-strip",
          "step": 5
        }
      ],
      "manufacturerPartsList": {
        "parts": 58,
        "scope": "Spanish 'Denominación de las piezas', Modelos Thunder 380 / 380 Combat / 22, with numbered exploded view. Separate lists for Thunder 380 Plus (p.26) and 380 CC (p.30) were left out; English Firestorm list not used (names Firestorm only)."
      },
      "partsDiagrams": [],
      "materials": [
        {
          "component": "Frame",
          "material": "Alloy",
          "finish": null,
          "appliesTo": "Thunder 380, SKU T380M8",
          "note": null,
          "source": {
            "title": "Thunder 380 — Specification (SKU T380M8)",
            "publisher": "Bersa USA",
            "reliability": "primary",
            "url": "https://bersausa.com/product/thunder-380/",
            "page": null,
            "pdfPage": null,
            "pageUrl": null,
            "quote": "Frame Material Alloy"
          }
        },
        {
          "component": "Slide",
          "material": "Steel",
          "finish": null,
          "appliesTo": "Thunder 380, SKU T380M8",
          "note": null,
          "source": {
            "title": "Thunder 380 — Specification (SKU T380M8)",
            "publisher": "Bersa USA",
            "reliability": "primary",
            "url": "https://bersausa.com/product/thunder-380/",
            "page": null,
            "pdfPage": null,
            "pageUrl": null,
            "quote": "Slide Steel"
          }
        },
        {
          "component": "Whole firearm",
          "material": null,
          "finish": "Cerakote or Anodized",
          "appliesTo": "Thunder 380 (colour options Nickel, Pink, Robins Egg Blue, Two Tone; Black)",
          "note": "The maker states this for the firearm as a whole, not for a named part.",
          "source": {
            "title": "Thunder 380 — Specification (SKU T380M8)",
            "publisher": "Bersa USA",
            "reliability": "primary",
            "url": "https://bersausa.com/product/thunder-380/",
            "page": null,
            "pdfPage": null,
            "pageUrl": null,
            "quote": "Finishes Cerakote or Anodized"
          }
        },
        {
          "component": "Grips",
          "material": "Checkered Polymer",
          "finish": null,
          "appliesTo": null,
          "note": null,
          "source": {
            "title": "Thunder 380 — Specification (SKU T380M8)",
            "publisher": "Bersa USA",
            "reliability": "primary",
            "url": "https://bersausa.com/product/thunder-380/",
            "page": null,
            "pdfPage": null,
            "pageUrl": null,
            "quote": "Grips Checkered Polymer"
          }
        }
      ],
      "note": "The components the procedures above separate. Coating, masking and cure are outside this database; follow your coating system's instructions. A part the manufacturer marks \"factory fit\" should not be swapped or reworked."
    },
    {
      "id": "reassemble",
      "title": "Reassemble",
      "videos": [
        {
          "title": "Limpieza Bersa Thunder 380/22",
          "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cd7puAuYios",
          "platform": "youtube",
          "embedUrl": null,
          "shows": [
            "field-strip",
            "cleaning",
            "reassembly",
            "maintenance"
          ],
          "appliesTo": "Bersa Thunder 380 / Thunder 22 (title); description says TPR, Thunder and Thunder Pro",
          "published": "2024-12-02",
          "note": null,
          "channel": {
            "id": "UCxDJVSB13LfRzLwto31xsxg",
            "name": "Bersa Oficial",
            "url": "https://www.youtube.com/@bersaoficial",
            "owner": "Bersa S.A. (manufacturer, Argentina)"
          },
          "accessed": "2026-10-15"
        },
        {
          "title": "Pistola BERSA thunder 380 cambió percutor",
          "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvoCLA0PQps",
          "platform": "youtube",
          "embedUrl": null,
          "shows": [
            "detail-strip",
            "detail-reassembly"
          ],
          "appliesTo": "Bersa Thunder .380 and Thunder 22 (per description)",
          "published": "2020-04-16",
          "note": null,
          "channel": {
            "id": "UCxDJVSB13LfRzLwto31xsxg",
            "name": "Bersa Oficial",
            "url": "https://www.youtube.com/@bersaoficial",
            "owner": "Bersa S.A. (manufacturer, Argentina)"
          },
          "accessed": "2026-10-15"
        }
      ],
      "procedures": [
        {
          "procedure": "reassembly",
          "title": "Reassembly",
          "configuration": false,
          "steps": [
            {
              "n": 1,
              "instruction": "Pull the trigger guard down and offset it against the frame."
            },
            {
              "n": 2,
              "instruction": "Slide the recoil spring onto the barrel in its correct orientation."
            },
            {
              "n": 3,
              "instruction": "Set the slide over the barrel and push it rearward, compressing the spring."
            },
            {
              "n": 4,
              "instruction": "With the slide fully rearward, press its rear down onto the frame rails until it seats.",
              "tip": "The hammer must be down or the slide will not seat."
            },
            {
              "n": 5,
              "instruction": "Ease the slide forward and snap the trigger guard back up into position.",
              "warning": "Confirm the trigger guard is fully seated before the pistol goes back into service."
            },
            {
              "n": 6,
              "instruction": "Rack the slide several times and perform the function check."
            }
          ],
          "instruction": null
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "torque",
      "title": "Torque",
      "coverage": "none-recorded",
      "manufacturer": [],
      "reported": [],
      "notes": null
    },
    {
      "id": "function-check",
      "title": "Function check",
      "checks": [
        "Verify the pistol is unloaded with no magazine inserted before each check.",
        "With the hammer down, press the trigger for a double-action hammer fall.",
        "Cock the hammer, operate the safety or decocker as fitted, and confirm the expected behaviour.",
        "Rack the slide and press the trigger for a single-action break.",
        "Hold the trigger back, rack the slide, release slowly and confirm the reset.",
        "Confirm the slide locks open on an empty magazine and the magazine drops free.",
        "With a magazine disconnect fitted, confirm the trigger is disconnected with the magazine removed. This is not a clearing check."
      ],
      "videos": []
    }
  ],
  "troubleshooting": [],
  "sources": [
    {
      "n": 1,
      "id": null,
      "title": "Bersa Thunder 380 Owner’s Manual",
      "publisher": "Bersa S.A.",
      "reliability": "primary",
      "url": null,
      "accessed": null
    },
    {
      "n": 2,
      "id": "bersa-thunder-380-parts-manual",
      "title": "Thunder Series — Manual de Instrucción y Seguridad",
      "publisher": "Bersa S.A.",
      "reliability": "primary",
      "url": "https://bersa.com.ar/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Thunder-espanol-baja.pdf",
      "accessed": "2026-09-27"
    },
    {
      "n": 3,
      "id": "bersausa-specs-fd9ecb",
      "title": "Thunder 380 — Specification (SKU T380M8)",
      "publisher": "Bersa USA",
      "reliability": "primary",
      "url": "https://bersausa.com/product/thunder-380/",
      "accessed": "2026-10-03"
    },
    {
      "n": 4,
      "id": "tier-3f064876",
      "title": "bersa thunder .380 ongoing problems",
      "publisher": "Canadian Gun Nutz",
      "reliability": "anecdotal",
      "url": "https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/threads/bersa-thunder-380-ongoing-problems.2409063/",
      "accessed": "2026-10-29"
    }
  ]
}