Browning BDA .380

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CajunBass

CajunBass

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I don't buy or use a lot of semi-auto's, but over the weekend I looked at a really NICE Browning BDA .380. That is one pretty gun. About the best blue I've seen on a gun in a while, and not a scratch on it. I literally can't tell this gun has ever been fired. Other than a few dings on the grips, it looks to be in "like new, no box/papers" condition. They were asking $425.00, and if they hold to pattern, I can get it for $375.00. Actually either price seems reasonable.

Yea, it's a .380, and pretty big for a .380. That doesn't really worry me. I doubt I'll carry it much, if at all. Why get it? Well, it's a nice looking gun. Seems to be reasonably priced. I've never owned a .380. My wife thinks it's "cute."

So why not?
 
It's not a bad gun. I owned one several years ago, traded it and never looked back. It's pretty, but not that nice to shoot. It would pinch the webbing between my thumb and trigger finger. Hammer bite was also an issue with this little pistol. As for accuracy it was just fine for a small 380. YMMV
 
My wife has one and loves it. I have the Beretta version. Neither one of us has any trouble shooting it and neither one of us has had any problem with pinching. It's pretty heavy for a .380 when fully loaded (definitely not a pocket pistol) but the weight soaks up the recoil very nicely and there's not another .380 that can match its ammo capacity.

The price is excellent, considering a new one runs close to $800.00 when you can find them. The BDA is not a regular production item; Browning makes a run whenever one of their distributors orders them.

If you can get it for $375, you should do it. I think you'll be pleased with it.
 
TexasBill said:
My wife has one and loves it. I have the Beretta version. Neither one of us has any trouble shooting it and neither one of us has had any problem with pinching. It's pretty heavy for a .380 when fully loaded (definitely not a pocket pistol) but the weight soaks up the recoil very nicely and there's not another .380 that can match its ammo capacity.

The price is excellent, considering a new one runs close to $800.00 when you can find them. The BDA is not a regular production item; Browning makes a run whenever one of their distributors orders them.

If you can get it for $375, you should do it. I think you'll be pleased with it.
Click to expand...

Just for clarity, this gun isn't made by Browning

The Browning BDA .380 is a rebadged Beretta 84, with a different slide and hammer. They were manufactured by Beretta for Browning...Browning doesn't manufacture guns, they just import them. The larger size is due to the original design being for duty holster wear
 
The Browning BDA 380 is hands down one the the most elegant designs for 380 caliber ever made. It was first mfr around 1977 and ceased in 1997. It was the BUG fro thousands of LEO's in Europe and the USA.

I own two of them and will never part with them, they will be handed down. I traded a SIG P232 for one of them, if that tells you anything. Never fails to shoot, one has over 2000rnds. Accuracy is exceptional. Well balanced and holds 13+1. Difference between the Beretta 84-5 and the BDA is that Beretta after they quit making the BDA re-introduced it as the 84 with the safety on the frame instead of the slide.
 
Onmilo The BDA isn't a rebadged Beretta.
It is a licensed copy made by FN in Belgium.
Click to expand...
Wrong.
Look at any Browning BDA .380 and you'll see a "PB" (Pietro Beretta) logo as well as the "Made in Italy" rollmark.

FN contracted with Beretta to manufacture the BDA .380 and Browning arms imported them. FN has never built the BDA themselves.
 
On,
Dead wrong. :)
Made in Italy by Beretta for Browning, as stated.
Denis
 
So why not?
Click to expand...
No reason. :) Back when I had more dollars than sense ;), I bought its relative, a Beretta 86 Cheetah, simply because I liked its craftsmanship and (in this case) unusual design. I hated having to sell it when things went bad a few years ago, but getting $200 more than I paid for it helped ease the pain a little. Yes, the gun is as large as many compact 9mms, but you can do worse for self defense than 14 .380s.
 
I would concur that it is one of the aesthetically best looking pistols ever manufactured, not to mention very accurate. Pretty much point and shoot. Absolutely a great price if you get it under $400. I wouldn't even think about it - just do it.
 
Bought the Beretta years ago, all I had to do was pick it up and I said I'll take it. I don't favor a .380 as a carry pistol but when I do it's that Beretta and I've never found a .380 I'd trade it for.
 
The BDA .380 is not a good gun. It's a great gun. Looks good. Comfortable to shoot. Accurate. I have the Beretta Cheetah (same gun, basically) and love it. The only drawback is the large double stack grip. But you can get it in a smaller capacity, which is more concealable. Ny the way that also sounds like a fair price for the Browning you looked at.
 
The BDA is a really nice gun, but I would prefer the Beretta only because of its superior sights and the fact you can get it in the single stack version.
 
surfinUSA said:
The BDA is a really nice gun, but I would prefer the Beretta only because of its superior sights and the fact you can get it in the single stack version.
Click to expand...

I prefer the double stack but also don't forget the safety is positioned on the frame and flips down to fire on the 84....The way it should be.

Regardless, both are as good as gets, despite the caliber!

FS-84abstract.jpg
 
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I had been looking for a PPK when I saw the dark blue of the DBA. I kept mine beside the bed. Someone broke into our house about two years ago and took mine with him. I'd love to have mine back. That's a excellent price also.

Grapevine:banghead:
 
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