Bersa's American Manufacturing Journey Marks Industry Shift

Bersa USA's recent presence at the IWA Outdoor Classic Exhibition in Nuremberg, Germany, represents a significant milestone in the company's evolution. The Argentine firearms manufacturer has joined the ranks of numerous prestigious international firearms companies by establishing production facilities on American soil. This strategic move follows a pattern set by industry leaders like Beretta, FN Herstal, SIG Sauer, Taurus, Glock, Walther, IWI, and Armscor.

The brand's dedicated enthusiasts faced challenges when Bersa firearms and components disappeared from the U.S. market after longtime importer Eagle Arms ceased operations in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The drought ended in 2021 when Bersa, founded in 1958, formed a partnership with Talon Distributing, gradually restoring product availability.

This partnership was just the beginning of bigger developments. In October 2022, Bersa USA revealed plans for a substantial 45,500-square-foot manufacturing facility in Kennesaw, Georgia—the same location where Talon Distributing and its affiliate Talon Armament operate. Rafael Del Valle, Bersa's U.S. Sales & Marketing Director, emphasized the significance of this expansion by stating that "All new models Bersa introduces, going forward, will be made in Kennesaw."

By 2023, the Kennesaw facility was already producing firearms chambered in 9mm Luger, 5.56 NATO, and .300 Blackout, including modern sporting rifles and pistols. The expansion into AR-platform firearms aligns with Talon Armament's existing AR-15 offerings, suggesting strategic product line coordination between the partners.

Bersa continued its product diversification in 2024 by launching American-made M1911 variants. Over the following year, the company further expanded its domestically manufactured lineup, resulting in an impressive array of U.S.-produced firearms to showcase at the European exhibition.