At GOA 2025, I had the opportunity to sit down with Raphael from Bersa to talk about some of the company’s latest firearms and the legacy behind the brand. For those who may not know, Bersa has been manufacturing firearms in Argentina since 1958, giving them nearly 70 years of continuous production. That kind of longevity is rare in the firearms industry. Despite sometimes being overlooked because of their price point, Bersa has built a reputation for producing reliable, accurate firearms backed by a lifetime warranty. In fact, many law enforcement agencies throughout Argentina—including federal, provincial, and local police—issue Bersa pistols as their standard sidearm.
Many shooters in the United States remember the popularity of the Bersa Thunder .380, which was for years one of the best-selling .380 pistols in the country. Long before other major manufacturers flooded the concealed carry market with .380 handguns, Bersa had already established itself as a leader in that category. While companies like Ruger, Glock, and Smith & Wesson eventually entered the market and increased competition, Bersa never changed its focus on reliability and value. According to Raphael, many of the people who criticize Bersa often have never owned one, while those who have frequently describe them as some of the most dependable pistols they’ve ever carried.
Bersa has also been evolving to meet modern demands. The company recently opened a U.S. manufacturing facility in Cartersville, Georgia, allowing them to expand their lineup and bring new products to market. One example is their BAR-15 rifle platform, which offers premium features like a cold hammer forged barrel, durable 7075 components, and upgraded furniture while still coming in at a price point significantly lower than many comparable AR-15 rifles. They’ve also entered the competitive 2011-style handgun market with a new pistol featuring a stainless slide and frame, optics-ready cuts, ambidextrous controls, and a tuned trigger—again staying true to Bersa’s philosophy of delivering high-quality firearms at a price most shooters can afford. It’s clear that Bersa is continuing to innovate while staying committed to what made the brand successful in the first place: dependable firearms that deliver real value to the everyday shooter.