$287.99
4 in stock
Online inventory may differ from in-store availability.
Quick turnaround so you get your gear sooner.
Trusted checkout with industry-standard protection.
Keeping Traditions Alive Since 1953
Secure Transactions provided with 
There's a reason the Bersa Thunder 22 keeps finding its way into gun cases alongside more expensive pistols. It's built on the same bones as the well-regarded Thunder 380, sharing nearly the same size and weight, but chambered in .22 LR for significantly cheaper trigger time. The aluminum-alloy frame and steel slide give it that dense, metal-framed feel that's become rare at this price point, and the classic PPK-influenced lines make it look the part too. At just 18.9 oz, the gun carries well without feeling like a toy.
The T22M runs a traditional DA/SA action with a slide-mounted safety that doubles as a decocker, so you can carry hammer-down and transition smoothly into single-action on the first press. The extended slide release and extended magazine floor plate with a finger rest make the controls accessible and ergonomic, and both sides of the grip feature thumb rests that help left- and right-handed shooters feel equally at home. Field stripping is intuitive for anyone familiar with Walther or Makarov-style pistols: pull down on the takedown lever, run the slide back and off the rails, and the whole thing comes apart in seconds. The fixed barrel and recoil spring-wrapped-around-the-barrel design is proven, simple, and easy to clean.
The 3-dot sight system uses a blade front integral to the slide with a dovetail-mounted notched-bar rear, and the rear is adjustable for windage. For a compact pistol, the sights are surprisingly easy to pick up and the accuracy at typical range distances holds up well. Recoil from .22 LR through an all-metal frame is about as gentle as it gets, making fast follow-up shots easy and extended range sessions comfortable. Like most blowback-operated .22 semi-autos, the Thunder 22 is happiest running high-velocity ammunition. Quality loads like CCI Mini-Mags and Remington Golden Bullets run reliably; cheap bulk ammo with inconsistent velocity can cause cycling issues, so it's worth sticking with name-brand high-velocity rounds for the best experience.
The gun ships with one 10-round single-stack magazine, a key for the integral locking system built into the frame, and a warranty card. Safety-wise, the T22M covers the bases with a manual safety/decocker, firing pin block, integral key lock, and magazine disconnect. It's a thoughtfully built little pistol from an Argentine manufacturer with decades of experience making affordable, quality handguns.
The Thunder 22 is a blowback-operated pistol that requires enough gas pressure to reliably cycle the slide, so high-velocity .22 LR is the way to go. CCI Mini-Mags, CCI Velocitors, and Remington Golden Bullets are consistently reported performers. Cheap bulk ammo with inconsistent velocity can lead to failures to cycle, so it's worth spending a little more per round to keep things running smoothly.
The T22M is a hammer-fired pistol with a traditional double-action/single-action setup. The first trigger press from the decocked position is a long, heavier double-action pull that cocks and fires the hammer simultaneously. Every subsequent shot fires in single-action with a shorter, lighter pull. The slide-mounted safety also functions as a decocker, so you can safely lower the hammer after chambering a round and carry the gun ready for that smooth first DA press.
It's a solid option for both. The .22 LR chambering keeps recoil extremely mild, the all-metal frame adds just enough weight to soak up what little muzzle flip there is, and the DA/SA action teaches good trigger discipline. The ergonomic controls, thumb rests on both sides of the grip, and extended finger rest on the magazine make it comfortable for a range of hand sizes. It's also a practical way to build trigger time without burning through expensive centerfire ammunition.
The two pistols are nearly identical in size, weight, and design, which is part of what makes the Thunder 22 a popular companion to the .380 for practice. The main differences are the caliber and a slightly lighter slide on the .22 to accommodate the lower-pressure cartridge. The DA/SA trigger, controls layout, takedown procedure, and overall feel translate directly between the two guns, making the .22 version an effective trainer for anyone who carries the Thunder 380.
The T22M has multiple layers of safety built in. There's a slide-mounted manual safety that also decocks the hammer, a firing pin block that prevents the pin from moving unless the trigger is fully pressed, a key-operated integral locking system built into the frame, and a magazine disconnect safety that prevents the pistol from firing with the magazine removed. It's a well-covered safety package, especially for a pistol in this class.
Field stripping is straightforward and doesn't require tools. With the pistol unloaded, pull the slide rearward while simultaneously pulling down on the takedown lever on the right side of the frame, then guide the slide forward off the frame rails. The recoil spring is wrapped around the fixed barrel, similar to a Walther PP or Makarov, so it lifts right off once the slide is removed. Reassembly is simply the reverse, and the whole process takes under a minute once you've done it a couple of times.
| UPC | 810083201504 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | |
| Manufacturer Part Number | T22M |
| Action | |
| ATF Type | Pistol |
| Barrel Length | 3.5" |
| Caliber/Gauge | .22 LR |
| Capacity | 10 |
| Color | Black |
| Length | 10 |
| Model | |
| Number of Magazines | 1 |
| Package Height | 2.5 |
| Package Width | 6.7 |
| Product Type | Double / Single Action |
| Safety | Firing Pin/Integral Locking System/Manual |
| Shipping Weight | 1.65 |
| Sights | 3-Dot Sight System |
| Sights Type | Blade Front, Notched-Bar Rear |
| Slide Description | Serrated |
| State Restriction (CA) | NO DIRECT SHIP TO CALIFORNIA |
| Units per Box | 1 |
You must be logged in to post a review.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.