Browning BDA .380, Oddball in a Tactical World
- Thread starter Marko Kloos
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IMTHDUKE
Member
Turn yourself in asap...you stold that gun
nitetrane98
Member
jbkebert, have you no shame sir?
Since this has kind of turned into a BDA love fest, I'm wondering what the extra stamping is on the right side of the frame. I've seen this on several BDAs. Especially the CAT number. Anybody know what it is? Mine is slick on the right side. It has a 2 stamps on the right side of the trigger guard. One pre annodizing and one post annodizing.
Since this has kind of turned into a BDA love fest, I'm wondering what the extra stamping is on the right side of the frame. I've seen this on several BDAs. Especially the CAT number. Anybody know what it is? Mine is slick on the right side. It has a 2 stamps on the right side of the trigger guard. One pre annodizing and one post annodizing.
Peter M. Eick
Member
I just picked up a NIB one of these and after 50 rnds at the range both grip medallions fell off. I found one of them but the other is gone.
Dang!
Now I will have to call Browning on monday and see what they can do for me if anything.
here is before the grip medallions did a walk about.
Dang!
Now I will have to call Browning on monday and see what they can do for me if anything.
here is before the grip medallions did a walk about.
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I thought that the marks on the RH side were import markings. The later models wear a few more marks as the legal BS got deeper. As for the medallions taking a walk. You notice mine is not wearing any either. Thinking of replacing the grips to something with better grip and texture.
AJChenMPH
Member
I've found relatively few holsters specifically for the BDA, but the High Noon Bare Asset is available for the Beretta 84, so it should fit the BDA:
http://www.highnoonholsters.com/Product_Line/Bare_Asset/bare_asset.html
I use one for my S&W 6906 (and I use it for triple-duty for both my Glock 19 and Taurus PT-709 Slim), and I like it a lot for a standard IWB holster. High Noon also has the tuckable version as well.
For grips -- I know Pachmayr makes a grip for the BDA, but pics look like it's really more for the Beretta 84 as it has the cutout for the frame-mounted safety. And at one point, I put the OEM Beretta 81/84 grips on my BDA. The only problem (as I see it) is that the cutout for the frame-mounted safety of the 84 allows the pin (which the hammer pivots on) to work itself out, which is what happened to mine.
And the Pachmayr isn't as aesthetically pleasing as the wood grips...
http://www.highnoonholsters.com/Product_Line/Bare_Asset/bare_asset.html
I use one for my S&W 6906 (and I use it for triple-duty for both my Glock 19 and Taurus PT-709 Slim), and I like it a lot for a standard IWB holster. High Noon also has the tuckable version as well.
For grips -- I know Pachmayr makes a grip for the BDA, but pics look like it's really more for the Beretta 84 as it has the cutout for the frame-mounted safety. And at one point, I put the OEM Beretta 81/84 grips on my BDA. The only problem (as I see it) is that the cutout for the frame-mounted safety of the 84 allows the pin (which the hammer pivots on) to work itself out, which is what happened to mine.
And the Pachmayr isn't as aesthetically pleasing as the wood grips...
I Googled "Browning 380" and came across this web site. Pulled up this thread and read all the posts back to '03. I've got a 1995 BDA blued and Beretta nickle, both in mint condition. Both are great looking guns. Was offered $600 a piece for them last week, but declined. Great guns.
oldfool
Member
I be utterly shameless, posting on a thread re: BDAs (not even owning one, just lusting in my heart)
but always did love anything w/ a Browning logo on it
(and always just wanted to post something on same thread that "Tam" did, even if just once)
dunno why I ever thunk it was, but pretty certain 'tis not so...
they never did make the BDA in a single stack, did they ??
they had one in local shop, mebbe still do, scared to pick it up, lest it follow me home, double stack it be
but always did love anything w/ a Browning logo on it
(and always just wanted to post something on same thread that "Tam" did, even if just once)
dunno why I ever thunk it was, but pretty certain 'tis not so...
they never did make the BDA in a single stack, did they ??
they had one in local shop, mebbe still do, scared to pick it up, lest it follow me home, double stack it be
Fastcast
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Hey oldfool.....Sounds like you're looking for the Beretta model 85. I've never heard of a single stack BDA but Beretta made one for themselves.
http://www.berettausa.com/products/85fs-cheetah/
http://www.berettausa.com/products/85fs-cheetah/
Well.. this is the thread that made me go ahead and "pull the trigger" on a new BDA.. saw it at a shop when I put my S&W 642 on consignment and thought it was a beautiful gun.. walked away thinking .. why pay the $$ for a gun just 'cause it looks nice...
Couldn't get the gun out of my head so did a google search.. came upon this thread, read it, and called the owner of the shop right after and told him to put the BDA back for me..
As a note, this one is nickel NIB and I'm paying $675. Thought that was a huge amt (since I went in to look at Walthers 380) but after reading this .. think I will be very happy!!
As a note, new to handguns... just took firearm orientation and cc class.. really enjoying the hobby and it's much cheaper than my Harley Davidson obsession..
Couldn't get the gun out of my head so did a google search.. came upon this thread, read it, and called the owner of the shop right after and told him to put the BDA back for me..
As a note, this one is nickel NIB and I'm paying $675. Thought that was a huge amt (since I went in to look at Walthers 380) but after reading this .. think I will be very happy!!
As a note, new to handguns... just took firearm orientation and cc class.. really enjoying the hobby and it's much cheaper than my Harley Davidson obsession..
huntsman
Member
^welcome to the club My BDA was the only gun I bought on looks alone.
My BDA was the only gun I bought on looks alone.Well, I just recently picked up a pristine mint BDA that was never fired in beautiful blue. It is a 1981 Model. But, the original consignment owner had replaced the factory BDA wood grips with the very nice Pachmayr Sinature grips. Unfortunately, this pistol didn't come with the wood grips! Does anyone here know where I could obtain a mint set of these factory wood grips? Or, might have a set they'd want to sell? Thanks!
SteveP55419
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- Jun 9, 2010
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Grips
There was a pair up for auction on gunbroker within the last two weeks. I think they were bidding them in the mid $30s.
I bought a mint used BDA on gunbroker a few weeks ago. Beautiful gun. The finish on the grips is as smooth as glass.
There was a pair up for auction on gunbroker within the last two weeks. I think they were bidding them in the mid $30s.
I bought a mint used BDA on gunbroker a few weeks ago. Beautiful gun. The finish on the grips is as smooth as glass.
1)Thanks! I will check out Gunbroker to see about those grips-and, if they are still available?
2)Yes, the original wood BDA grips were as smooth as glass! I'm glad that you also have landed a mint BDA! Did you check the code on your BDA to determine it's year of manufacture?
SteveP55419
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- Jun 9, 2010
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Date of Manufacture
slick6: mine was made in '82
slick6: mine was made in '82
Well, that's great, Steve! Congrats! So, the code on your BDA should be PY=1982, mine has the code PZ=1981. I'd like to see some pictures of your BDA? I'll try to get some pictures taken of my BDA, and will post these here soon! I think the bluing was nicer on our earlier vintage BDA's compared to the newer batches of these, currently showing up on Gunbroker. Also, I prefer the fewer BS stampings on these guns too!
Finally got mine
I handled a BDA 19 years ago in a local gunshop and never got it out of my head. For my hands the most comfortable hand gun ever. Comfort and style. Just didn't buy it! I saw one yesterday and bought it instantly. Used, but never shot - how's that? And only $459. Can't wait to shoot it. Drove around town looking for some .380 rounds. Tomorrow noon to the range.
I handled a BDA 19 years ago in a local gunshop and never got it out of my head. For my hands the most comfortable hand gun ever. Comfort and style. Just didn't buy it! I saw one yesterday and bought it instantly. Used, but never shot - how's that? And only $459. Can't wait to shoot it. Drove around town looking for some .380 rounds. Tomorrow noon to the range.
GarbageCat
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- Aug 2, 2010
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about to be a proud owner
So about six months ago I started thinking maybe I wanted to add a .380 to my growing gun collection and I started looking around. I passed over the PPK and the sig and some other pretty standard ones just cause I knew there was some other stuff out there. I drifted toward the Beretta 84 at some point but for whatever reason I just didn't fall in love with it, and in the meantime I decided to get a sig p226 elite, which I had been lusting over for about 3 years, and then the trail went cold for a while cause I started looking at long guns, thinking I was done with pistol buying for a year or so.
Then the BDA caught my eye, and suddenly the idea of a .380 went from the "maybe in the next year or two" to "absolutely must be next gun purchase" status. Then I was at the gun show last weekend and it got even worse cause I actually saw one in person for the first time and something inside me just went crazy, I got the BDA fever baaaaad. I took a picture of it on my phone and would literally just sit on the couch at the end of the day and stare at it...my girlfriend even said she wanted me to get it, she's not a gun person and she could tell it was something special. It has been as though the universe is conspiring to make me purchase this damn gun...
BUT I'm about to start law school and I can't really afford to add a new gun to the pile right now, so for the first time in my life I actually started trying to think of a gun I would want to swap out of the lineup. I settled on my Glock -- since I can pick one of those up practically anywhere at a moment's notice -- and began feverishly trying to sell it to one of my friends to finance a BDA.
Well, voila, my buddy tried it out at the range the other day and agreed to give me $400, so I'll only have to fork over another $100 or so for one of the most beautiful pistols I've ever seen...I'm sooooo stoked. Now I just have to decide whether to wait for the next gun show and hope that same booth has them again NIB, or to just start hunting around town...
Anyway, I'm excited if you can't tell.
So about six months ago I started thinking maybe I wanted to add a .380 to my growing gun collection and I started looking around. I passed over the PPK and the sig and some other pretty standard ones just cause I knew there was some other stuff out there. I drifted toward the Beretta 84 at some point but for whatever reason I just didn't fall in love with it, and in the meantime I decided to get a sig p226 elite, which I had been lusting over for about 3 years, and then the trail went cold for a while cause I started looking at long guns, thinking I was done with pistol buying for a year or so.
Then the BDA caught my eye, and suddenly the idea of a .380 went from the "maybe in the next year or two" to "absolutely must be next gun purchase" status. Then I was at the gun show last weekend and it got even worse cause I actually saw one in person for the first time and something inside me just went crazy, I got the BDA fever baaaaad. I took a picture of it on my phone and would literally just sit on the couch at the end of the day and stare at it...my girlfriend even said she wanted me to get it, she's not a gun person and she could tell it was something special. It has been as though the universe is conspiring to make me purchase this damn gun...
BUT I'm about to start law school and I can't really afford to add a new gun to the pile right now, so for the first time in my life I actually started trying to think of a gun I would want to swap out of the lineup. I settled on my Glock -- since I can pick one of those up practically anywhere at a moment's notice -- and began feverishly trying to sell it to one of my friends to finance a BDA.
Well, voila, my buddy tried it out at the range the other day and agreed to give me $400, so I'll only have to fork over another $100 or so for one of the most beautiful pistols I've ever seen...I'm sooooo stoked. Now I just have to decide whether to wait for the next gun show and hope that same booth has them again NIB, or to just start hunting around town...
Anyway, I'm excited if you can't tell.
SteveP55419
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- Jun 9, 2010
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Cost of BDA
GargageCat: Check out the completed BDA auctions on gunbroker. Nice ones are regularly going for under $400. Someone had a nickle plated one that looked perfect to my eye with three sets of grips including walnut for $356. The price of used handguns has really gone down in the past few months.
GargageCat: Check out the completed BDA auctions on gunbroker. Nice ones are regularly going for under $400. Someone had a nickle plated one that looked perfect to my eye with three sets of grips including walnut for $356. The price of used handguns has really gone down in the past few months.
GarbageCat
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- Aug 2, 2010
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Yeah I'm going to start hunting soon, I'm pretty busy with starting law school these days so it's on my list but it might take me a week or two to start looking. First I need to sell my Glock to my friend, and I've never done a gun transfer so I'm about to call my gun store and ask them if maybe they can handle it for me.
I've also never bought a gun online and had it shipped to an FFL holder or anything so I'd need to wade through that process as well for the first time...so it might be slow going.
But thanks for the tip! I'm going to check them out. I know I can find them NIB for about $500-550 here in the Houston area but I'm also going to keep an eye on the possibility of a used one.
I've also never bought a gun online and had it shipped to an FFL holder or anything so I'd need to wade through that process as well for the first time...so it might be slow going.
But thanks for the tip! I'm going to check them out. I know I can find them NIB for about $500-550 here in the Houston area but I'm also going to keep an eye on the possibility of a used one.
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