[Gixerman1000]

I picked up a LNIB Browning BDA-380 Friday, I always thought they were pretty classy looking little pistols and when I found one with a 1982 date code that looked like it had never been fired in the original box with two factory 13rd mags, I had to bring it home. :D

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/Gixerman1000/BDA380.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/Gixerman1000/Handguns/BrowningBDA380.jpg

[Murphster]

That's beautiful. I like .380's and have never heard anything but good about the Brownings. Came that close to buying one but went momentarily insane and got something else which I've since forgotten and traded off. Still kicking myself. Enjoy your new Browning and congrats on your find.

[usp9]

Very nice find. Great guns, made with care and craftmanship. I am curious about the date code. Would you explain please.

[distra]

I got one NIB last year. Nice little pistol, but watch that hammer, it bites.

[Alan Fud]

The BDA380 is a very nice gun. Good luck with it.

[Lone_Gunman]

How is the recoil compared to similar sized 9mm guns?

[Gixerman1000]

Thanks for the replies everyone

Here you go USP9
http://www.browning.com/services/dategun/detail.asp?id=20

[kbheiner7]

Let us know how it shoots. I've been thinking of getting one of those "for my wife." It is one of the few smaller caliber guns I like the looks of.

[Cliff47]

The BDA 380 is made by Beretta, for FN. The sister Beretta model is the 84, and lo and behold, the magazines interchange!! I have been looking for a Model 84 to add to my collection (I have two BDA 380's, one is deep blued, the other is the polished nickle finish). The one drawback to my mind is the medallions in the grips, I've lost a couple (one on each pistol), and the grips just don't look right without them. Another feature of the Beretta 84 is the safety is on the frame, as opposed to the slide-mounted decocker of the BDA 380. Just so you know about another source of magazines.

[makarovnik]

That is sweeeet! I love .380's. Browning makes a nice gun. I also like the Beretta and the CZ's. Does it feed hollowpoints or have you had a chance to try them? I wonder if a rubber slip on grip with finger grooves might help with the hammer bite. 380's tend to have a pretty snappy recoil because of their small size and unlocked breech. It would be a shame to cover those beautiful wood grips though.

[Alan Fud]

How is the recoil compared to similar sized 9mm guns? The BDA380 isN'T a 9mm Parabellum but a 9mm Kurtz. As far as recoil is concerned, it kicks like a .22!

[Lone_Gunman]

Oh, I know its a 380, but some 380's recoil as much as 9mm Luger to me.

Is the Browning 380 blowback or recoil operated?
Does it have a magazine disconnect safety?

[makarovnik]

As far as autoloaders go the ones that have kicked me the hardest are the PA-63 (9x18 makarov) and the Hi-Point .45acp with polymer frame. These pistols have two qualities that make them hurt. Both have fairly light frames and use a straight blowback type action. Almost all pistols chambered for the 9mm luger or higher use a "locked breech". That is to say that the barrel and slide lock together somehow for part of recoil operation of the cycle. This soaks up some of the recoil before the slide gets to it rearward most position. If they didn't do this the gun would eventually brake and the slide would become a missile headed right for your face. The 9x18 makarov is the highest caliber commonly using a blowback action (yes there are a few exceptions like the Hi-Points & detonics). The only thing holding the chamber closed is the weight of the recoil spring. That is why the Hi-Points have such a massive slide. When I was in my shooting class a couple of years ago I fired a Kel-Tec P11 (9mm) and my Russian Makarov (9x18 which is 1mm longer than the .380acp) and while the Kel-Tec had nasty recoil the makarov seemed more painful to shoot. People perceive recoil differently. I think that a 1911A1 has nasty muzzle flip (watch somebody shoot one) but it doesn't hurt my hand when I shoot one. The Hi-Point on the other hand has a recoil that drives the backstrap right into my hand and it hurts. It wasn't your imagination.

[Lone_Gunman]

OK, but is the Browning 380 blowback?

[usp9]

The Browning BDA is a straight blowback. Because of it's great grip, overall size and weight, it is a very easy gun to shoot...a lot.

[Mr. Two Guns]

The BDA 380 is made by Beretta, for FN. The sister Beretta model is the 84, and lo and behold, the magazines interchange!! I have been looking for a Model 84 to add to my collection (I have two BDA 380's, one is deep blued, the other is the polished nickle finish). The one drawback to my mind is the medallions in the grips, I've lost a couple (one on each pistol), and the grips just don't look right without them. Another feature of the Beretta 84 is the safety is on the frame, as opposed to the slide-mounted decocker of the BDA 380. Just so you know about another source of magazines.

I had the same problem with the medallions on my BDA...I called Browning and they sent me two new ones at no cost to me.


Very nice BDA! They are great little guns.

[usp9]

Here you go USP9
http://www.browning.com/services/dat...tail.asp?id=20


Thanks.:D

[Marshall]

My Browning Hi Power 9mm kicks less than my BDA 380. Actually, I think it's fairly harsh considering the round.

Congrats, nice gun!

[bulbboy]

My favorite gun is my nickel BDA .380! I just love that gun. Good find - enjoy it!!

[rtl]

That's so pretty it gave me chills, almost made my eyes water.