Help explain this Browning BDA to me

[browningguy]

I thought I knew a little about Brownings, but that's what I get for thinking. I went to pick up my new rifle that arrived today and they had a minty looking nickle BDA .380, with the original box etc for $375. Seemed like a good deal so I bought it.

Then I noticed the date code was MM, which as I recall should mean 2000. But they were not made after 1997 according to the Browning site (except for an apparantly small run in 2006). Anyone have any ideas?

 

[bannockburn]

This is the BDA .380, a somewhat modified version of Beretta's Model 84. Mag capacity I believe was 12 to the Beretta's 13; the only other difference was the BDA had an enclosed slide with a slide mounted safety, while the Beretta had their open slide design and a frame mounted safety. Weight is around 23 oz.; an alloy frame helped keep the weight down, but still no pocket auto. In the late 80's, a nickel BDA would probably retailed for a little over $400. A little wide in the grip, but a nice gun overall.

 

[modifiedbrowning]

Then I noticed the date code was MM, which as I recall should mean 2000

MM is 2000 according to Roman Numerals, but most manufacturers use a different code. For example my Walther P99 has a date code of AA, which according to their code is 2000. A=0, B=1 etc and they skip I or J, not sure which. So, I would imagine that a Browning with a MM code could possibly be 77 or 88.

 

[browningguy]

I just checked to make sure and the Eastman book lists MM as "00", so I guess maybe it was wrongly marked somehow.

 

[HammerBite]

It has been my experience that the dating information on Browning's website can be a bit misleading sometimes, as indicated by the fact that your Browning date code indicates that it was manufactured 3 years after it was discontinued.

The Browning date code (PM) on my BDA-380 indicates a manufacture date of 1980. The Italian date of proof code (AH) on the right side of the backstrap tang indicates that the gun was proofed in 1981. I guess it is not unreasonable for the assigned manufacture date to predate the proof date by one year.

I suggest you check to see the Italian date of proof code on your pistol.

In any case, the BDA-380 is a very nice pistol.

 

[usp9]

From Brownings web site
http://www.browning.com/services/dategun/detail.asp?id=20

 

[hemiram]

I had one, and a Beretta 84, both were great, and since they used the same magazines, they both held 13 rounds.

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

Yeah, great pistol. slickitty-clickitty. best .380 I've ever shot. comfortable to practice with due to the good-sized grip.