bersa thunder 9 pistol - national firearms museumnramuseum.com/media/363964/jan-feb 95.pdfmind when...

56 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN • January/February 1995

ARGENTINA probably doesn’t come tomind when one calls the roll of pistol-

making nations, but Bersa, S.A., has beenmaking pocket pistols there for many years.

Now the firm has stepped up to the chal-lenge of a full-sized 9 mm with the newThunder 9. There’s such a glut of 9 mmautoloaders these days that it takes some-thing a bit out of the ordinary to make asplash, and the Thunder 9 provides it, withseveral interesting features.

When first examining the Thunder 9, weimmediately were reminded of the WaltherP88 (July 1991, p. 50), a superb pistol thatsuffered in the U.S. market because of a veryhigh retail price. Like the P88, the Thunder9 has very trim lines that follow the lead ofthe Browning Hi-Power, rather than theblocky shapes of many contemporary 9 mms.

Like its costly German inspiration, itcaters for the left-hander with bilateralcontrols, in the Bersa’s case, the thumbsafety/decocker and slide stop. While theP88’s magazine release is ambidextrous,the Thunder 9’s is reversible for the for-gotten minority.

Like a lot of moderndouble-action autoloaders, the Thunder 9has no provision for “cocked and locked”carrying. Pressing up on the decocking leverdrops the rowel hammer, disengages thetrigger bar from the sear and locks the slideforward for an “uncocked and locked” con-dition. The lever then can be pressed down(with a loud click) to allow immediate dou-ble-action firing.

No magazine safety is fitted, but there isa passive firing pin safety to help preventaccidental discharges if the pistol isdropped. It is a plunger in the right rear ofthe slide that is lifted by a lever as the trig-ger is pulled, allowing the firing pin to moveforward.

Overtravel is regulated by a hex socketscrew that passes from the magazine wellthrough the matte-finished aluminum frameto touch the back of the trigger blade whenit is pulled.

The barrel and slide are locked on the

SIG system, with ablock at the breechend of the barrelengaging the ejectionport. Cam surfaces on

MANUFACTURER: Bersa, S.A., Castillo312, (1704) Ramos Mejia, Argentina

IMPORTER: Eagle Imports, Dept. AR, 70Brielle Ave., Unit B1, Wanamassa, NJ07712

MECHANISM TYPE: recoil-operated semi-automatic pistol

CALIBER: 9 mm ParabellumOVERALL LENGTH: 71⁄2"BARREL LENGTH: 41⁄4"WEIGHT: 31 ozs.WIDTH: 17⁄16"HEIGHT: 51⁄2"MAGAZINE CAPACITY: 15RIFLING: six-groove, 1:10" RH twistTRIGGER: single-action pull, 8 lbs., double-

action, 10 lbs.SIGHTS: three-dot with rear click-

adjustable for windage and elevationPRICE: $414.95

BERSA THUNDER 9

The Bersa Thunder 9 seemsto have been inspired by theelegant but very expensiveWalther P88. The Argentine-made Bersa offers many ofthe Walther’s features for less.

The Thunder 9 hadthe rarely seen com-bination of a superbdouble-action triggerpull and a mediocresingle-action trigger.

BERSA THUNDER 9 PISTOLBERSA THUNDER 9 PISTOL

Dope Bag is compiled by Staff and ContributingEditors: David Andrews, Hugh C. Birnbaum, Bruce N.Canfield, Russ Carpenter, O. Reid Coffield, William C.Davis, Jr., Pete Dickey, Charles Fagg, Robert W.Hunnicutt, Mark A. Keefe, IV, Ron Keysor, AngusLaidlaw, Scott E. Mayer, Charles E. Petty, Robert B.Pomeranz, O.D., Charles R. Suydam and A.W.F.Taylerson.

CAUTION: Technical data and information containedherein are intended to provide information based on thelimited experience of individuals under specific condi-tions and circumstances. They do not detail the compre-hensive training procedures, techniques and safety pre-cautions absolutely necessary to properly carry on simi-lar activity. Read the notice and disclaimer on the con-tents page. Always consult comprehensive referencemanuals and bulletins for details of proper trainingrequirements, procedures, techniques and safety pre-cautions before attempting any similar activity.

the bottom of the barrel slide against a steelinsert in the frame to raise or lower the barrel.

Sights are on the three-dot pattern, withthe rear sight click-adjustable for windageand elevation. The rear sight is very nicelyblended into the slide and rounded at thecorners for a snag-free draw. The ejectorpivots in a deep flare in the slide that copiesthe P88 pattern.

Takedown also follows the convenientmethod of the P88. Remove the magazine,ensure the chamber is empty and rotatedownward the takedown lever above thetrigger. Slip the slide/barrel assembly for-ward off the frame. Then remove the barrel,plastic guide rod and spring in the usualfashion. Reassembly is in reverse order.

To reverse the magazine catch, use ascrewdriver to push in and turn the screw atthe back of the butt. Then spread the gripcover slightly at the front and pull it off.Press in a bit on the magazine catch and turnits screw. It then can be pressed out andreversed.

The Thunder 9 was fired for accuracy,with results shown in the accompanyingtable, and function-fired with CCI,Hornady, PMC, Remington and Uzi ammu-nition. There were no failures of any kind.

We initially thought to call a failure thefact that the slide would move forward when

a full magazine is firmly inserted, thenrecalled that the same feature is part of theP88, and has been around at least since theMauser Model 1910.

The instructions don’t mention it, and itshould be noted that the slide won’t fall ifthe magazine is inserted gently. Theimporter has announced a 10-round maga-zine version for 1995.

Our sample’s single-action and double-action trigger pulls were almost the same,at 8 and 10 lbs., respectively. This gave thecombination of a rather poor single-actionpull and a very good double-action.

The double-action pull was quite theequal of many guns costing twice as much.The single-action pull, while heavy, wasclean, though 8 lbs. is a bit much for bestaccuracy.The decocking lever was easy touse with the pistol unloaded, but a full mag-azine load caused it to bind enough that itwas almost impossible to disengage withthe thumb of the shooting hand. Pushing itdown from the “uncocked and locked” posi-tion was no problem.

We were tremendously impressed withthe Walther P88, but pre-dicted correctly that its costwould limit its success inthe competitive U.S. pistolmarket. The Bersa Thunder9 provides many of thesame features and much ofthe feel of the P88 at a priceabout a quarter of theGerman original’s. Ifyou’re one of those notglutted on big-capacity 9mms, it’s well worth acheck.

All major controls(above) are bilateral forthe convenience of left-handers and IPSC shoot-ers.Takedown begins byrotating the lever abovethe trigger (r.). The slide assembly then isfree to move forward off the frame forremoval of the barrel and the recoil spring.

The magazine catch can be reversed by slid-ing the grip cover partway off and turningthe catch screw. The catch can be pressedout and reinstalled from the other direction.

Five Consecutive 5-Shot Groups at 25 Yds.Fired From Sandbags

9 mm Parabellum Vel. @15' Smallest Largest AverageCartridge (f.p.s.) (ins.) (ins.) (ins.)

Hornady No. 9020 1385 Avg. 2.54 5.49 3.6890-gr. JHP 14 Sd

PMC No. 9B 1200 Avg. 2.06 5.40 3.70115-gr. JHP 15 Sd

Remington No. GS9MMC 998 Avg. 2.08 4.46 2.83147-gr. BJHP 15 Sd

Average Extreme Spread 3.40

Abbreviations: Sd (standard deviation), BJHP (brass-jacketedhollow-point), JHP (jacketed hollow-point)

ACCURACY RESULTS

Pressing upward on thethumb safety decocks thehammer, disengages thetrigger and locks the slide.

AMERICAN RIFLEMAN • January/February 1995 57

IN 1908, Colt lengthened the frame andadded a quarter-inch to the cylinder of

its three-year-old Police Positiverevolver (chambered for .38 NewPolice/.38 S&W cartridges) and cameup with the .38 Spl.-chambered PolicePositive Special (PPS).

The PPS remained in Colt’s line until1973 and, along the way, was chambered forseveral cartridges, including the .32-20, .38Short and Long Colt, .38 New Police(S&W). .38-44 and .38 smoothbore, withthe .38 Spl. remaining the most popularchoice.

The 4" barrel was the most popular, but11/4", 2", 21/2", 3", 41/2" , 5" and 6"-barreledmodels have been reported.

In the 1977-79 period, at $175, it reap-peared briefly as the Police Positive (PP),dropping the word “Special” except for the.38 cartridge description. A revolver identi-cal except for an aluminum frame in placeof steel was sold as the Viper.

Now the D-framed Colt is back, not onlyin its 2"-barreled Detective Special guise(August 1993, p. 66), but with a 4" barreland the new name “Police Positive MK V.”

It differs from the walnut-stocked 1978version in its MK V name suffix, itsPachmayr rubber wraparound stock and itsfull-length ejector rod shroud accountingfor an increase in weight of 31/2 ozs.

The Police Positive MK V was fired foraccuracy, with results shown in the accom-panying table, and function-fired withFederal, Remington and Samson ammuni-tion. There were no failures of any kind.

We found the PP every bit as easy andpleasant to shoot as we had expected, withthe single-action trigger pull reminding uswhy Colts were the favorite of convention-

al pistol shooters back in the days when“three gun” competitors really used threeguns. The double-action pull was a bit stiff,though not unduly heavy at 12 lbs.

Those among us who are fans of the clas-sic prewar Colts could take or leave the

heavy lugged barreland Pachmayr rubbergrips, but these made thenew Police Positive a softshooter, whatever their aes-thetic qualities.

Many who saw the new Police Positiveat last year’s SHOT Show questioned theneed for another .38 revolver whenautoloaders are getting all the attention.

The answer, to us, seemed obvious. Theself-protection market, especially amongwomen, has become red-hot, and womenhave, until now, at least, shown a clear pref-erence for revolvers. The new PP is small-er and lighter than S&W’s K-frames or the

Ruger GP100, but doesn’t carrythe psychological baggage of“snub-nosed” pieces like theDetective Special.

During its long tenure (thelongest of any double-actionColt), the PP/PPS was a favorite ofpolice and a home defense staple.Minimal weight and bulk coupledwith the effective .38 Spl. cartridge(it is +P-approved) accounted forits past popularity; its continuedsuccess is probable.

MANUFACTURER: Colt’s Mfg. Co., Inc.,Dept. AR, Box 1868, Hartford, CT 06144

MECHANISM TYPE: double-action revolverCALIBER: .38 Spl.OVERALL LENGTH: 91⁄8"BARREL LENGTH: 4"WEIGHT: 30 ozs.WIDTH: 13⁄8"HEIGHT: 43⁄4"CYLINDER CAPACITY: 6 TRIGGER: single-action pull, 4 lbs., double-

action, 12 lbs.SIGHTS: fixed with notch rear PRICE: $384

COLT MK V

COLT POLICE POSITIVE MK VCOLT POLICE POSITIVE MK V

The modernized incarnation of thefamed Colt Police Positive sports afull barrel underlug and Pachmayr’srubber grips. It carries a 4" barrel.

Colt Police Positive PolicePositive Mk V


FFiivvee CCoonnsseeccuuttiivvee 55--SShhoott GGrroouuppss aatt 2255 YYddss..FFiirreedd FFrroomm Ransom Rest

.38 Spl. Vel. @15' Smallest Largest AverageCartridge (f.p.s.) (ins.) (ins.) (ins.)

Federal No. 38B 726 Avg. 2.28 3.72 3.00158-gr. LRN 10 Sd

Remington GS38SB 1005 Avg. 1.47 3.52 2.57125-gr. BJHP 21 Sd

Samson No. 38-35B 905 Avg. 1.72 2.89 2.38125-gr. JHP 16 Sd


Abbreviations: Sd (standard deviation), LRN (lead round-nose), BJHP (brass-jacketed hollow-point), JHP (jacketedhollow-point)

ACCURACY RESULTS

The lockwork of the new D-framed PolicePositive (at r.) is very similar to the mecha-nism that made earlier versions (above)such favorites. Chambering is in .38 Spl.


LARGE-capacity 9 mms and .40 cals. areall well and good, but many of us still

prefer the good old .45, especially in adefensive pistol. There’s something reas-suring about that big, blunt bullet, regard-less of how some interpret the ballisticstables.

Canadian manufacturer Para-Ordnancestarted the trend to big-load .45s when itintroduced its accessory frame in the late1980s and then added complete pistols acouple of years later. The first frames werealuminum, but the firm added blued andstainless steel later.

Para-Ordnance frames and pistols havebecome favorites among practical pistolshooters, who stuff 18 or more rounds of .38Super into a magazine.

Now the maker has gone in the otherdirection with the P12-45, a compact ver-sion with a 12-round magazine in place ofthe full-sized version’s 14-rounder.

Magazines for pistols made after the ViolentCrime Act became law will be 10 rounds.

The P12-45 is almost exactly the samesize as the Colt Officer’s ACP—it’s 1/16"wider and 1/8" longer. And at 27 ozs., thealuminum-framed version weighs the sameas the 3"-barreled Ruger SP101 revolver.

Like previous Para-Ordnance pistols,the P12-45 uses a “fully supported” barrelconfiguration. The feed ramp is part of thebarrel and fits into a mortise in the frame.This supports the full circumference of thecartridge base, rather than leaving some

exposed, as in most M1911 designs. Barrelsof this type are essential in IPSC competi-tion in which very heavy .38 Super loads arede rigeur.

Para-Ordnance has performed consider-able slimming of its frame and grip panelsin response to competition from the likes ofCaspian Arms and Strayer-Tripp. Theresults make a big differencein the pistol’s feel in the hand.

Where holding an earlierPara was much like holdinga baseball bat, the new onesrestore an M1911-like feelthat inspires familiarity andconfidence. The P12-45looks and carries small, butfeels like a full-sized pistol inthe shooter’s grasp.

The mainspring housingis the original flat M1911style, while the trigger is the shortM1911A1 type for easy reaching by evensmall-handed users. The grip safety has amodest beavertail that coordinates with theCommander-style rowel hammer.

The thumb safety and slide stop are con-ventional in configuration; extended typeswouldn’t do for a carrying pistol.

Para-Ordnance has added the Colt Series80 type passive firing pin safety to its line.This helps prevent accidental discharges incase the pistol is dropped on its muzzle. Acylindrical plunger in the left rear of the

slide locks the firingpin rearward unlessthe plunger is pressedup by a lever that moveswith the trigger.

The slide is of a very dark-finished steelthat contrasts with the charcoal color of theframe. An M1911-type barrel bushing is

used, but it is larger than most to accom-modate the flared muzzle. It was very tight-ly fitted on our sample P12-45, and was dif-ficult to remove, since standard bushingwrenches wouldn’t fit. We resorted to dri-ving it with a wood block.

There is no recoil spring guide rod, butthe spring plug differs from the conven-tional M1911 style. It is retained by a stud

Manufacturer: Para-Ordnance Mfg., Inc.,3411 McNicoll Ave., Scarborough, Ont.M1V 2V6

Importer: Para-Ordnance, Inc., 1919 N.E.45th St., No. 215, Ft. Lauderdale, FL33308

Mechanism Type: recoil-operated semi-automatic pistol

Caliber: .45 ACP Overall Length: 71⁄4" Barrel Length: 33⁄4"Weight: 27 ozs.Width: 13⁄8"Height: 51⁄8"Magazine Capacity: 12 Trigger: 5 lbs. pullSights: three-dot with rear drift-adjustable

for windageAccessories: plastic carrying case Price: $708.75

P12-45 PISTOL

PARA–ORDNANCE P12-45 PISTOLPARA–ORDNANCE P12-45 PISTOL

The Para-Ordnance P12-45offers large ammunitioncapacity in a small package forthe diehard .45 ACP aficionado.

The flared muzzle requires a special bush-ing that is larger than that of standard M1911derivatives. Getting the bushing off wastough, since standard wrenches didn’t fit.


THE Ruger Magnum Rifle (August1990, p. 46) was an interesting design

exercise that incorporated some unusualfeatures, but clearly was not, given its .416Rigby chambering, a gun for every hunter.The addition of .375 H&H and .404Jeffery caliber choices widens its appealonly a bit.

For those who liked the MagnumRifle’s styling but don’t need the foot-pounds of energy those cartridges deliver,Ruger now offers the Express Rifle in pop-ular calibers like the .270 Win. and .30-’06.

The Express is built on a standardModel 77 Mark II action. Those who recallthe original Model 77 with its tang safetywill immediately notice the Mark II’s

three-position safetythat functions much like theWinchester Model 70’s. When the safetylever is rotated to the rear, it presses in aplunger that locks the bolt, preventing itsmoving if snagged on a branch or otherobject. The safety button also engages a slotin the cocking piece, preventing it frommoving forward.

Rotating the lever forward allows thebolt to be cycled, but the trigger remainslocked. This allows emptying the magazineby cycling rounds through the action.Moving the safety fully forward allows firing.

The Magnum Rifle’s magazine catch isretained. It is on the front of the trigger guard

in its rear that engages a slot in the slideapron rather than by the barrel bushing.This, combined with the very tight fit of thebushing, made removing it a chore. Wefinally resorted to pulling out the slide stopand removing the slide as a single assembly.

The fixed sights are the three-dot type,with the rear drift-adjustable for windage.

The P12-45 was fired for accura-cy, with results shown in the accom-panying table, and function-firedwith Black Hills, Federal,Remington, Samson, USA and Uziammunition.

It quickly became apparent thatthe P12-45 simply would not firewadcutters. This probably could becorrected with some polishing of theramp and adjustment of the maga-zine, but the pistol clearly is intend-ed for FMJ and JHP ammunition,which it fed without complaint,except for Remington’s new GoldenSaber ammunition.

This also gave rather sluggishoperation, as has been our experi-

ence with other autoloaders. Those whointend to use it as defensive ammunitionshould test-fire thoroughly.

With the kinds of defensive ammunitionone would expect to use in a compact pis-tol of this sort, the P12-45 worked quitewell. One might expect that a 27-oz. .45might recoil unpleasantly (the standard

M1911 weighs 39 ozs.), but this proved notto be the case.

The small beavertail grip safety, whilenot as comfortable as the wide ones foundon competition pistols, effectively prevent-ed pinching of the web, and the grip frameis still broad enough to spread the recoilacross the palm.

Given the preference of manywomen for smaller pistols, wethought the P12-45 might appeal,so we asked one of our stafferswho has a bit of experience withstandard .45s to give it a try. Shefound it quite easy to handle andshoot, and wasn’t disturbed a bitby recoil.

This reinforces the opinion ofsome authorities that a .45 is a bet-ter defensive arm for those withsmall hands than powerfulrevolvers like the .357 Mag.Regardless of gender, anyonerequiring a compact pistol withplenty of firepower will want toexamine the P12-45.


.45 ACP Vel. @15' Smallest Largest AverageCartridge (f.p.s.) (ins.) (ins.) (ins.)

Black Hills 841 Avg 1.88 4.37 3.06185-gr. JHP 17 Sd

Remington No. GS45APB 687 Avg. 1.74 2.86 2.28230-gr. BJHP 19 Sd

Uzi No. 45-46A 715 Avg. 1.92 4.39 3.38230-gr. FMJ 14 Sd


Abbreviations: Sd (standard deviation), JHP (jacketed hollow-point),BJHP (brass-jacketed hollow-point), FMJ (full metal-jacketed)

ACCURACY RESULTS

RUGER MODEL 77 EXPRESS RIFLERUGER MODEL 77 EXPRESS RIFLE

The Ruger Model 77 Express Rifle combines the styling of the bigMagnum Rifle with popular calibers like the .270 Win. and .30-’06. Itsquarter rib and express sights are picturesque, but they limit scop-ing options to relatively low-powered scopes with small objectives.

MANUFACTURER: Sturm, Ruger & Co.,Inc., Dept. AR, Lacey Pl., Southport, CT06490

MECHANISM TYPE: bolt-action rifleCALIBER: 7 mm Rem. Mag. (tested), .270

Win., .30-’06, .300 Win. Mag.OVERALL LENGTH: 421⁄4"BARREL LENGTH: 22"WEIGHT: 71⁄2 lbs.MAGAZINE CAPACITY: 3 (4 in standard

calibers)TRIGGER: single-stage, 51⁄2 lbs. pullSIGHTS: bead front, express rearSTOCK: French walnut: length of pull, 131⁄2";

drop at heel, 21⁄8"; drop at comb, 17⁄8"ACCESSORIES: scope ringsPRICE: $1,550

RUGER MODEL 77


WHILE the name Weatherby will ever belinked to very powerful bolt-action

rifles, the firm has a quarter-century ofexperience in the shotgun field, too.

The original Weatherby shotgun was theRegency over-under, made in Italy byAngelo Zoli, 1967-82. This was supple-

mented in 1972 by the Patrician pump andCenturion autoloader made in Japan, firstby KTG and later by Nikko. These weresuperseded in 1982 by the Models 92 and82, respectively.

Even while production of the Regencycontinued, Weatherby introduced the

Nikko-madeOlympian in 1977.The Olympian lasted until 1981.

The following year, Weatherby intro-duced a pair of over-unders made by anoth-er Japanese firm now familiar to U.S. shoot-ers, SKB. The top of the line was the Athena

WEATHERBY ORION CLASSICWEATHERBY ORION CLASSIC

and is pressed in to release the rifle’s steelfloorplate.

The barrel and quarter-rib are machinedfrom a single bar of steel, and the rib is care-fully blended with the forward scope mountatop the receiver ring. The rear sight unit isdovetailed into the rib and secured by a slot-ted screw. This allows easy windage adjust-ment. The sights are a fixed V-notch and aflip-up U-notch for more elevation.

The front sight rises from a beefy rampaffixed by a barrel band. The 1/16" bead’sbase is dovetailed into the ramp and securedthere by a detent. Pressing in the detent witha punch allows the sight to be driven out forreplacement.

The front sling swivel also is mountedon a barrel band and is both drilled trans-

versely and drilled and tapped from the bot-tom to allow multiple swivel options.

The sample rifle’s stock was of Frenchwalnut whose impressive figure we admiredbut whose overall greenish cast left us cold.Checkering was in a point pattern at 18 linesper inch, a practical measure but perhaps a

bit coarse for a rifle in thisprice range. A blued steelgrip cap, plain black rubberrecoil pad and contrastingfore-end tip complete theensemble.

The Model 77 Expresswas fired for accuracy, withresults shown in the accom-

panying table, and function-fired with hand-loads, PMC and Remington ammunition.There were no failures of any kind.

The quarter-rib is clearly the most visi-ble feature of the Express, but potential buy-ers should be aware that it severely limitsscoping options. We eventually resorted toan old Weaver fixed 2.5X after several morepowerful scopes couldn’t be mounted,thanks to interference with the rib or rearsight.

Given that limitation and its price, theExpress is clearly intended for a specialist

market. We suspect it may prove quite pop-ular in France, where hunters like the odd,to us at least, combination of ribbed, iron-sighted rifles and calibers like the 7 mmRem. Mag. or .300 Win. Mag. for huntingnative species like wild boars. The ribbedsights, they think, aid fast target acquisition,and French hunters are forbidden militarycalibers like the .30-’06 or .308 Win.


7 mm Rem. Mag. Vel. @15' Smallest Largest AverageCartridge (f.p.s.) (ins.) (ins.) (ins.)

PMC No. 7MB 2653 Avg. 0.85 1.51 1.16175-gr. PSP 21 Sd

Remington No. R7MM4 2829 Avg. 1.15 2.52 1.79140-gr. PSP 23 Sd

Remington No. ER7MMA 2752 Avg. 1.76 2.65 2.05165-gr. ER 22 Sd


Abbreviations: Sd (standard deviation), PSP (pointed soft-point),ER (Extended Range)

ACCURACY RESULTS

Windage is easily regulatedby turning the screw andsliding the rear sight. Thefront sight can be removedby pressing in on a detent.

The Japanese-made Weatherby Orion over-under now can be had in 28-ga.,and with a more subdued stock design as the Classic.We questioned whetherthe combination of the Euro-look and Weatherby nameplate will prove a suc-cess, but found that we liked the gun’s handling qualities and workmanship.


(February 1986, p. 52), with high-gradewood, false sideplates and plenty of scrollornamentation.

The more economical model was theOrion, with a relatively plain blued receiv-er and somewhat more ordinary wood. Itoriginally was offered only in 12- and 20-ga., but 28-ga. skeet and field guns wereadded to the shotgun line in 1988. Now the28-ga. Orion can be had with choke tubesand with a new round-knob stock thatWeatherby hopes will appeal to traditional-

ists who might abhor the “California”styling of existing models.

Leaf hammers springs are the heart ofany SKB-made over-under. While coilssprings are less prone to break, leaf springsare thought by many shotgunners to providea shorter lock time and more reliable igni-tion, since they provide maximum power atthe end of their stroke, rather than at thebeginning, as do coil springs.

The barrels are bolted to the action bodyby a Kersten-style top lock that passesthrough two extensions from the barrel

breech. A cube-shaped projection from thebottom of the monobloc mates with a squarerecess in the bottom of the action body forgreater rigidity.

The action body is decorated with a mod-est amount of scroll and a pheasant on theleft side and a duck on the right.

The mechanical trigger allows barrelselection by a button in the top of the trig-ger blade. The bottom barrel is selectedwhen the button is pressed left to right. Thesafety is manual, a configuration many

experienced hunters pre-fer, but which is lessdesirable for the newshooter.

The selective ejectorsare tripped by rods thatpass along the bottomsides of the action body.The Orion can easily beconverted to extractoroperation by pressing theejector 3/16" into themonobloc and tilting itsbottom edge out. Be care-ful to maintain control ofthe ejector spring andplunger. The barrels havesolid side ribs and a medi-um-height straight-sided

ventilated top rib with brass bead.The big news, of course, is the stock,

which is certainly a long step away fromWeatherby tradition. Our sample gun’s wasof a well-figured Claro walnut with lots ofbold black figure against a lighter brownbackground, with an overall subdued satinfinish. The stock’s checkering was in a bor-dered point pattern at 16 lines per inch, cer-tainly a serviceable measure for a huntinggun, but a bit coarse, we thought, for a shot-gun of this one’s pretensions.

The round-knob semi-pistol grip is

familiar from generations of Browning A-5s, and is nicely complemented by a round-ed fore-end. When a prototype of this designwas shown to a group of gun writers in 1992,the unanimous reaction was that the piece“didn’t look like a Weatherby.”

The unanimity was short-lived, howev-er, breaking down over the question ofwhether not “looking like a Weatherby” isa good thing.

The Orion was pattern-tested, withresults shown in the accompanying table,

and function-firedwith Remingtonand Winchesterammunition atAmerican trap andskeet and at hand-thrown targets.There were no fail-ures of any kind.

Though a 28-ga.field gun, the scoresturned in with theOrion reflectedwell on the gun’squick mountingand handling quali-

ties. There was no tendency to whip past thetarget as with some other light field guns,and the hits came consistently. Felt recoilwas virtually nil because of the small gaugeand shotgun’s thick rubber recoil pad.

The new Orion Grade II, then, offers theshotgunner who’s has been put off by theexuberant California styling of previousWeatherby shotguns something a bit moretraditional. Those who like a bit more spicemay prefer the appearance of Weatherbyguns that “look like a Weatherby.”

MANUFACTURER: SKB Arms Co., Box1401, Tokyo, Japan

IMPORTER: Weatherby, Inc., Dept. AR,3100 El Camino Real, Atacadero, CA93422

MECHANISM TYPE: over-under shotgunCALIBER OR GAUGE: 28 (tested), 12, 20OVERALL LENGTH: 43"BARREL LENGTH: 26"WEIGHT: 7 lbs.TRIGGER: single-stage, 5 lbs. pullSTOCK: Claro walnut: length of pull, 141⁄4";

drop at heel, 21⁄2"; drop at comb, 11⁄2"ACCESSORIES: choke tubes, spannerPRICE: $1,235

WEATHERBY ORION

AVERAGE OF 10 PATTERNS AT 25 YDS.

20 18 21 17

34 31 56 48

31 30 55 49

17 18 15 12

IC Tube Modified Tube

=Point of HoldWinchester Super-X Max.-1-71⁄2

Pellet count—320

Total Hits 199 (62%) Total Hits 285 (89%)21.2"Inner Circle 126 (39%) 21.2" Inner Circle 208 (65%)30" Outer Ring 73 (23%) 30" Outer Ring 77 (24%)

WEATHERBY ORION CLASSIC

The Orion uses the proven SKBaction with its large leafsprings and Kersten top lock.

The Orion uses a Kersten-style top boltingsystem that allows a lower profile than aBrowning-style bolt below the monobloc.

bersa thunder 9 pistol - national firearms museumnramuseum.com/media/363964/jan-feb 95.pdfmind when...

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