Bersa’s Thunder 9 Ultra Compact Pro has a name so long it barely fits on the compact pistol’s slide. The Ultra Compact’s alloy frame has an integral Picatinny-spec accessory rail. The grip houses the gun’s 10-round magazine (which we tested; a 13-rounder is also available). Its frontstrap is grooved, and the backstrap is covered by wraparound, checkered plastic grip panels.
The Argentinian gun maker Bersa has a cult following. And for good reason. While I’ve never found them to be particularly good looking guns, I’ve shot a few of their Thunder .380ACP pistols in the past. I’ve found them to be good, simple guns at a relatively low price points. The Bersa Thunder 9 Pro XT is a step up in power and features. Is it still a great value?
Two such handguns chambered in 9mm Luger we hoped would produce these qualities were a Smith & Wesson 908 and a Bersa 9mm. The Bersa has been known as the Mini Firestorm or the Bersa Pro, and is currently named the Thunder Pro Ultra Compact.