Any information or experiences with Browning BDA 380's?

[Joe Mamma]

I saw an advertisement for Browning BDA 380's in the CDNN catalog. I haven't heard much about these guns and I didn't see them on the Browning website.

But, I'm curious. Does anyone have any experiences with them? Are they discontinued? Any thoughts or information is appreciated. Thanks.

Joe Mamma

 

[Byron]

I have had one for about two years and it is a favorite. The accuracy is good. I shoot reloads but the Federal and Winchester Winclean are accurate, especially the Winclean. I belive Browning dropped it. Beretta made it and their 84 is almost identical and takes the same magazines.
I use FMJ's for defense. Byron

 

[MICHAEL T]

Good shooting pistol except a little large and heavy for caliber. With that size and weight might as well go with a 9mm.

 

[jmoln]

I can compare and contrast three different .380's: Browning BDA, Beretta 84FS, and Walther PPK/S.

Browning - beautiful chrome weapon that fit my hand well, had snappy recoil and clumsy controls, poor accuracy mainly due to tiny sights that I could not see. I've sold it off.

Beretta - fills my hand well, softer felt recoil, better sights, better trigger, better accuracy, this is my dad's gun and his favorite.

Walther - very slim, easy for carry but hurts to shoot with thin, squared off backstrap, ok accuracy, better than BDA but not as good as the 84.

 

[Joe Mamma]

With regards to overall fit and finish, which is consdered to be better, the Beretta 84 or Browning BDA? Also, does anyone know if you can get checkered wood grips with a blued Beretta 84?

Does the Browning have the same open slide design as the Beretta? It didn't look like it from the picture but, that would be a pretty big difference (if they were supposed to be the same).

Thanks again.

Joe Mamma

 

[Jim Watson]

Browing has an enclosed slide, spur hammer, hammer drop safety on slide, all I have seen had thick wooden grips. I guess it was worthwhile for Beretta to tool up for the differences. Especially since they were under the same ownership at the time.
The only one I have ever shot was smooth and reasonably accurate, I do not understand all the difference jmoln saw between BDA and B84.
But Michael is right, it is large for a .380 and I can have a 9mm P (or .45) for the same bulk.

 

[Ala Dan]

Joe, the Browning BDA .380 in nickel is a handsome devil!

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[huntsman]

I've had mine now about a year and I love it. to me it's a "classic" steel and wood, what handguns should be made of. I'm trying to come up with the cash to buy another nickel model before they're gone.

 

[jmoln]

The differences to my hand and eyes were in the sight picture and trigger. The BDA is all chrome with tiny sights, all that bright finish made it hard for me to get a good sight picture. The trigger was also very stiff - even in single-action. By contrast, the B84, being all black, had no issues with glare or reflection and the red dots really stood out. Finally, this particular B84 had a very smooth and light trigger. So, again, to my eyes and finger I found the 84 easier to shoot and use even if the BDA is a better looking gun.

 

[jmoln]

The differences to my hand and eyes were in the sight picture and trigger. The BDA is all chrome with tiny sights, all that bright finish made it hard for me to get a good sight picture. The trigger was also very stiff - even in single-action. By contrast, the B84, being all black, had no issues with glare or reflection and the red dots really stood out. Finally, this particular B84 had a very smooth and light trigger. So, again, to my eyes and finger I found the 84 easier to shoot and use even if the BDA is a better looking gun.

 

[Daniel L]

First handgun I've ever shot. It tends to jam up after around 2-300 rounds in a row. I took it (my father's gun) to my first training class and it started having trouble later on in the day. However, it has a nice trigger feel and was very comfortable in MY hand.

Anyone know where I can get one of those replacement Browning logo things? Father's been looking for one since his fell off the wood grips.

 

[eldomatic]

It's a classic

I've got a Browning BDA 380 too, in nickel. It is an accurate shooter with a classic appearance. Thirteen round mags are available from time to time from CDNN.
The nickel sights are hard to see so I drilled dimples in mine and filled the dots in with white Bright-Sights paint. Another option is to order a blued rear sight from Browning ($5 including shipping) for added contrast with the front sight.

Daniel,
Call Browning, they will send you the medallion for free.
1-800-322-4626 Ext 863

 

[Joe Mamma]

I have another question. I believe the Beretta's have a magazine disconnect safety where the gun cannot be fired unless a magazine is inserted. I really do not like this. But, my question is do the Brownings have the same magazine disconnect safety? Is is a situation where some of them do and some don't?

Thank you in advance for your responses.

Joe Mamma

 

[CZ52GUY]

for what it is...

...it does the job nicely, and they are beautiful.

My wife ended up with the BDA-380 I bought. I take it out on occasion...shoots strait, can't complain MUCH.

It is what it is, a comparitively heavy .380 which totes 13+1. It's more of a safe-queen now, but if you have the safe-space, it could fill a niche...I think it would make a terrific little BUG...I just need to find the right carrying approach and gear to deploy it that way.

Safe shooting,

CZ52'