Bda 380 Bug ?

[Josey]

I carry a hi-cap Browning HP in 9MM daily. IWB, strongside. I am considering replacing my BUG with a new one. BDA 380. What pros, cons or alternatives can you suggest? Do the BDAs come in a matte finish as the MKIII has?

 

[MikeJ]

The Browning BDA .380 comes in a polished blue as well as bright nickel finish. I have the blued version and it is a beautiful gun but not something that I would think of as a BUG. I find that it is simply too big, IMHO, to fit that role. It is a DA/SA vs. SA action so it isn't the same as your Hi-Power 9mm.

 

[BHPshooter]

I've had the same thought, though I suppose it is a bit large. It would be nice to have an extra 13+1 rounds of .380 in case of a MAJOR emergency, though.

To answer your question, no, I don't think the BDA comes in a matte finish like the BHP's epoxy finish. The Nickel would probably hold up the best out of the two (nickel and polished blue).

Wes

 

[Marshall]

I have a BDA .380 in nickle. Again, it's too heavy and bulky for a BUG. Mine shares safe queen duty with a Colt King Cobra I have in extra mint condition.

The nickle is the better finish for endurance.

 

[kokapelli]

If you are going to carry a 380 as a BUG, I would suggest you go with the super light, seven and a half ounce, super thin, three quarters of an inch thick KelTec P-3AT instead of BUG that weighs 1-1/4 to 2 pounds and is 1-1/4 inches thick!

Bersa 380 and KelTec P-3AT 380

 

[MICHAEL T]

Find a Colt Mustang Pocketlight Cost about same as BDA

 

[CZ52GUY]

I have a BDA-380 (well...it's my better half's) that I had considered for BUG (would need to borrow).

Depends on how you carry I suppose. 13+1 of very reliable smooth firing .380 on the plus side.

Sort of oversized...and, it's a .380 on the down side.

Safe shooting,

CZ52'

 

[pauli]

the numbers i'm seeing show that an unloaded bda is all of 10g lighter and 7mm shorter than an unloaded xd9. this seems a tad large for a backup gun, and if that much size and weight is acceptable for you... why the heck would you use a .380?

that size range is a very big market. the bda may be a fine gun, but it's got a lot more competition worth checking out than, say, a p3at.

 

[Josey]

Size isn't an issue. How many 14 round 380s are out there? The Browning quality is a big factor. I could carry two BHPs. The BDA has features I am used to. Walther is a possibility. I really would like the BDA in matte finish.

 

[pauli]

two bhps would make a heck of a lot more sense, as they'd share mags and ammo.

 

[CZ52GUY]

Size isn't an issue. How many 14 round 380s are out there? The Browning quality is a big factor. I could carry two BHPs. The BDA has features I am used to. Walther is a possibility. I really would like the BDA in matte finish.

Have you considered an Arcus for BUG?

If size is not a problem, you can share mag's (Arcus is basically a BHP "clone"...shares many parts)...I actually have the 98DAC (double-action-compact)...a little smaller...comparatively thin...mine had no mag' safety...trigger is working in nicely...good value (can be had for approximately $250). If SA-Only was essential you can get a 94C which is a compact version.

Appearance to be sure is utilitarian...this is nothing to show off ooohh's and aaahhh's...but a very dependable little piece. Some folks don't like the Hogue FG "style" grips...fit me fine, but BHP grips are pretty much interchangable...

...it's a thought...

Good luck and safe shooting,

CZ52'

 

[Alan Fud]

The Browning BDA380 is one of the finest guns that I own but even with it's large 14 round capacity, I would rather be armed with a more serious caliber ...