Marko Kloos
Moderator Emeritus
I've finally given in to a long-hedged desire and purchased a Browning BDA .380 in nickel finish. For those not familiar with the gun, it's a slightly modified copy of the Beretta 84, made by Beretta for Browning. The magazines hold 10 rounds, but pre-ban 13-rounders are still available. Magazines for the BDA and the Beretta 84 are identical.
In a world where guns need to have "tactical" attributes to be considered true fighting tools, the BDA is an anachronism. It's large for a .380, it's a blowback gun chambered in what some consider an anemic caliber, and it's finished in very un-tactical shiny nickel. The grips are smooth wood with Browning medallions instead of rubber or carbon fiber, and there's not a single piece of plastic on the gun other than the mag follower. The slide-mounted safety is smallish and counterintuitive.
There are much smaller guns in more potent calibers available, so why did I add this thing to the stable?
It's extremely well made, and possibly one of the best-looking and elegant handguns ever made. It has a reputation as a mild and accurate shooter. Its grip is a wee bit bulky, which works well for shooters with big hands, yet its slide is very slim, so it carries well IWB. Its exterior dimensions are right in the "small enough to be convenient, just large enough to inspire confidence" category. The gun offers 13+1 rounds when used with preban magazines. 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.
In a world where guns need to have "tactical" attributes to be considered true fighting tools, the BDA is an anachronism. It's large for a .380, it's a blowback gun chambered in what some consider an anemic caliber, and it's finished in very un-tactical shiny nickel. The grips are smooth wood with Browning medallions instead of rubber or carbon fiber, and there's not a single piece of plastic on the gun other than the mag follower. The slide-mounted safety is smallish and counterintuitive.
There are much smaller guns in more potent calibers available, so why did I add this thing to the stable?
It's extremely well made, and possibly one of the best-looking and elegant handguns ever made. It has a reputation as a mild and accurate shooter. Its grip is a wee bit bulky, which works well for shooters with big hands, yet its slide is very slim, so it carries well IWB. Its exterior dimensions are right in the "small enough to be convenient, just large enough to inspire confidence" category. The gun offers 13+1 rounds when used with preban magazines. 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.
