Browning BDA .380, Oddball in a Tactical World

Status
Not open for further replies.
FYI, I ordered the 30 round extended mag for my good friend and his BDA .380 :) The mags work flawlessly. The extra weight of the longer magazine is nice. It's impressive to have 60 rounds of .380 in only 2 magazines; funny to see them gobble up a box of ammo so quickly...


https://www.dkmags.com/Browning.html
Browning BDA .380 30rd extended Blued steel NEW $29.95
 
XDKingslayer

"Damn, you just added another gun to my wish list...

I seem to be collecting .380s for some reason."


There's just something about .380s that seems have me collecting them as well. I'm up to 3 now, CZ83,Sig 232 and a FEG-SMC 380.
 
I have a PPK and the BDA. I love the BDA, everyone who shoots it wants to get it from me. Such a beautiful gun. I look for another one all the time.
 
Swapped a Sig 230 for a Beretta 84BB

Hi all,

Newbie to the Forum checking in and adding my 2 cents to the discussion . . .

As the caption says just last week I swapped my nice Sig 230 kit even up for a lightly used Beretta 84BB (with Packy grips), the kissing cousin of the BDA. I can understand why the BDA has generated such enthusiasm.

Reason for the swap? I fell in love with the feel of the Beretta and, though, somewhat bigger overall, was sold on the 13 round mag. The Sig was nice, printed smaller, but the Beretta spoke to me.

Plus it, like the BDA, is a work of art.

Regards to all,

Kookie B.

PS - It's so recent that I haven't even shot it yet. Also, in the amazin' department, was the incredible amount of pocket lint inside when I took it down to clean it out! ;)
 
I don't remember when I actually bought my BDA. It was the first really quality semi-auto pistol I'd ever purchased, and it was NIB. It was some time between '78 and '88, probably closer to the former than the latter. Thankfully it was under the seat of my car in 1990 when our home was burglarized and I lost all my other firearms. However, I had not put more than 25 rounds through it until last year when Kansas begin issuing CCL's. Then I discovered what a great shooter it is! It is understated elegance with its rich black finish and still in mint condition except for one grip which fell victim to the power seat under which it traveled with me. Looking for replacement grips brought me to this forum. I am amazed that this thread has gone on so long! What a testimony to a great weapon! If I thought I could find another in as good condition I'd be sorely tempted, but I just bought a S&W 4053 NIB, so. . . .
 
Last edited:
I bought my first one in 1992 and sold it in 1994 for some reason. Finally bought another one in 2003 or so. Beautiful handgun!!
 
I just recently fired my buddy's BDA.
I have always been a .38 snubbie guy and wasnt comfortable with semi's. Well, my first magazine thru the Browning was at 15 yards, with a quick draw and one hand rapid fire,(12 rounds in 6 seconds). All 12 shots were in a 5 inch cluster, about 2 inches above the bullseye. Since then, I've shot about 10 more magazines, and now they are in a 3 1/2 pattern. My buddy tells me that he's never seen a handgun fit someone better than this BDA seems to fit me and has told me he is going to give it to me! What a great gift from a great friend! I love this little pistol !
 
Most of all, it just oozes craftmanship and class, something that's lacking in many modern tactical wunderguns. Call it the autopistol equivalent of a nice Detective Special or 3" K-frame.
Click to expand...

Agreed......I have wanted one for a while and had a chance to buy Hank Williams Jrs BDA...was documented and authenticated to be his gun he traded at a Montgomery, AL gun shop, but the price got too steep....second thought I should have bit the bullet and snagged it. I still think they are one of the most appealing firearms made...the scream...shoot me.
 
Hi Bulbboy..
I'd like to post a pic for ya but i just lost my little digital camera last month and havent had a chance to replace it yet.. I can tell you that my "new BDA" from my buddy is a 1989 model, he had bought it then for his mother, who has now been gone for some time now.. It has just been sitting in his safe all these years as he prefers a larger caliber.. He always hung onto it for sentimental reasons until he saw the way it shoots so naturally for me.
He told me the 80 or so rounds ive put through it are far more than had ever been throught it before, so it looks like brand new..It has the very dark finish blueing on it, almost black.
 
Last edited:
All these posts really has me wanting another one, either a BDA or Beretta 84, doesn't matter which one. Someone asked about the Beretta being more reliable because of the open slide, and I'm not sure if it is or not, both were amazingly reliable, shooting anything but obviously bad ammo. If there is a difference, it's very slight. I wish they had made a stainless one, as I'm not really a nickel fan ( even though I own 3 nickel guns!).
 
I have the nickel finish. I think that is the pinnacle of the BDA .380. It is a great little gun and there are few left like it. Enjoy one if you find one. The 84 or 85 is ok too!
 
I've seen a lot of people asking how to determine the year their Browning BDA .380 was made. The chart here is from Browning's website and show how to determine that from the letters in your serial number....
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

BDA-380 Pistol
The BDA-380 Pistol was introduced in 1977 and discontinued in 1997.

Date Historic Information Serial Number Info
1977-1997 In 1975 Browning standardized its serial number identification which it followed until 1998.
1. BDA-380 Type 425=BDA 380
2. Date of Manufacture
is a two digit code Z=1
Y=2
X=3
W=4
V=5
T=6
R=7
P=8
N=9
M=0
3. Serial Number
beginning with 01001
at the start of each year.
Serial
Number Example:
425RR01001
This would be an BDA-380 pistol, manufactured in 1977 with the serial number 01001.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Well,

Clearly mine has had some wear on it. 1990.;)
I would also like to find some replacement emblems for the grip.
I've shot many rounds through this weapon.

bda-380b.jpg
 
Last edited:
jman---
if you go to this website you will find the handgrip medalians you are looking for... the shipping will be more than the parts but you will spend less than $10 total....copy and paste this in your browsers address bar ...

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=926287

I had to buy 1 for my new BDA ,, i got it in 4 days
Good luck and keep on shootin'
 
Forum newbie ... in fact I found it because I googled this gun.

My first handgun was the Army's 92F and since that's what I was best trained on, I decided to buy a gun that was either identical or similar enough in function that it didn't matter. The 92F has the slide safety with down in the safe position. Since this is how I was trained, I didn't want to have to fight that training.

My research showed me that the only option to the variants of the Beretta 92 series guns was the BDA .380.

I wasn't specifically looking to buy this gun, but came across one in nickel at a pawn shop in Louisiana with the right combination of cash and motivation. I am incredibly glad I bought it.

The gun feels right in my hand with the right balance of weight and size. It is concealable on my 6'2" 200lb body, though not as much so as a compact 92. However I agree that 14 rounds of .380 more than offsets the slightly smaller cartridge. In a personal self defense condition, it'll more than get the job done.

Best of all, it's just a dang sweet piece to look at, hold and shoot.

Now I've gotta find a sexy model to pose with it... if I do, I'll post some pics back here.
 
They may never make another hi cap 380 with all these pocket guns being the rage. The theory is a sound one at least.
 
I can't say enough good things about this little Beretta FS84.....A real beauty, just like the BDA, Beretta made for Browning. These pistols aren't just about beauty though, they are absolutely life or death realiable. This 84 has yet to fail....It just keeps spitting 'em out, one after another.

I personally prefer the frame mounted safety (where it should be) on the 84 and the open slide, just adds to the beauty and practicality......Someone mentioned they're like a Mercedes, I like to think of them more like a silver Ferrari. :D

FS-84.gif
 
bda

I picked up another BDA .380 a few months ago, had a missing medalion and if u call Browning they will ship u replacements free of charge. Mine was missing buckhead and they sent me 4 extras! Mine has s.# of MM AND CALLED THEM for manufacture date, MM was from a special edition that was made in 2000. I never tire of admiring the beauty of those ss works of art! They are like comparing Rembrant to modern day comic book artists!
 
I had two of the Berettas years ago; a Model 84 and a Model 85. I actually preferred the wider grip of the double stack Model 84 over the the single stack design of the Model 85. With Pachmyrs, it just felt really comfortable and solid in my hand. And while the nickel BDA 380 looks stunning, I liked the blued Berettas with their frame mounted thumb safety better.
 
Mine looks nearly identical to jman_131. Except mine is in an '89. I have 2 13 round clips for it. I love my BDA 380!
 
DSC00376.jpg Purchased my Browning BDA .380 not too long ago. It was manufactured in 1990 and has NEVER BEEN FIRED! Couldn't believe it. It came with the 2 original nickel magazine's, original box, and the owner's manual. It's a beauty!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

Konko
  • Locked
Need help about a BDA Browning mag.
Replies
8
Views
417
pmiya
P
K
  • Locked
Browning BDA 380
Replies
18
Views
4K
berettashotgun
B
B
  • Locked
New Browning BDA
Replies
12
Views
647
usp9
usp9
G
  • Locked
Browning BDA's, both big and small (OK, smallish)
Replies
3
Views
474
velobard
V
K
  • Locked
Browning carry gun
Replies
6
Views
529
bulbboy
B
Back
Top