Browning BDA .380, Oddball in a Tactical World

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Just saying "hi" for my first post. I'm impressed this thread has refused to die for over six years! I've learned a lot just by reading this thread alone.

I was just given my dad's BDA-380 two weekends ago, completely unexpectedly. Made in 1979 (if you believe the s/n), my dad bought it in early 1981 and only enjoyed it for about five months before he was killed in a car accident.

BDA380.jpg

Since I didn't anticipate getting it (I was told all of his guns were given to a local deputy sheriff whom he had befriended), and since I live in NJ (*cough* yeah, it is what it is :banghead: ), I never got a firearms ID card in the past. The paperwork is in, so I'm just waiting so I can get to the range and send some rounds downrange. Plan is to also get a Florida's CCW permit (since I learned they'll issue one even if you live out of state), and then I'll carry when I travel somewhere where it's legal to do so with a Florida CCW permit.

Has anyone put on Pachmayr grips? If so, what does it do to the grip size and what do you think of them? I'm also looking forward to handling a Beretta 84 just to see how those grips feel, I'm thinking a slightly thinner grip will suit me better and will make the gun easier to conceal.

Thanks, looking forward to learning more...

Andy
 
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bsteffine said:
ldp4570, you've got me wondering. I wasn't aware you could put Beretta grips on the Browning. Doesn't the frame safety lever on the Beretta 84 interfere with installation? I thought there was a cutout on the Beretta grips for that.
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FWIW, I put on the Beretta 81/84 grips on mine (compare to the original grips in the pic above):

DSC02105.jpg

Doesn't interfere with the safety, but there is a small gap where it's been cut out to fit around the frame-mounted safety of the Beretta:

B84GripGapDetail.gif

Not too bad, IMO. It thins out the grip just slightly, and provides a less slick feel...the original wood grips will go back on once I get a subcompact 9mm for CC...
 
My BDA was my all time favorite semi auto and the only one I really trusted.

It got away from me in the divorce unfortunately. I tried every way I could to get it back when I got into concealed carry and I struck out. If I had scored it would proably be my carry gun right now. Lots of great memories with that gun.

I don't know if I could justify it compared to others in 9mm. But I would be carrying it anyway. Nothing wrong with 14 .380 rounds in a teacup at 10 yards as fast as you can pull the trigger. No recoil. Accurate as all get out. No malfunctions - EVER.

The gun oozed old world quality and sex appeal IMO.:cool:

One consideration that led to it's purchase in the first place some 30 years ago was having a very high capacity auto that still had a grip that didn't make it a far reach to the trigger. With it, even a woman with small hands could fire a high capacity auto comfortably because of the short reach to the trigger.

I wouldn't in all likelihood buy one of the BDA's from scatch now for carry. But, like I said, if I still had that particular gun I'd be carrying it now.
 
My wife has the Browning in blue and I have a two-tone Beretta 84FS. I also have a Walther PK380 First Edition.

The Browning-Beretta pistols feel as good in my hand as any handgun I have ever held. Both shoot very well.

Considering the typical self-defense range, I feel quite comfortable with the Beretta's 14 rounds of Federal .380 or Remington Golden Saber.

THe only reason the Beretta is not my most-often carried handgun is the hot weather in SE Texas: it's just easier to drop my S&W 637 in a pocket. When cooler weather prevails; the Beretta rides in either a shoulder rig or a hip holster, both also made by Beretta.

I just saw a Browning BDA for sale at Able Ammo for about $650. I am very tempted...
 
Now that I've fired more than a few rounds through mine -- very accurate, very little recoil. However, it really does a number to the web of my hand, between my thumb and the carpal bone to my index finger -- I have to wear a glove to shoot it, otherwise it really cuts me up pretty good (and despite being a medical guy, I'm not fond of seeing my own blood). I don't have this issue with my Glock 19, Taurus 709 or my S&W 6906 -- go figure.

Still not gonna let go of it, though. :)
 
AJChenMPH I am seriously considering asking my gunsmith to put on a Beretta 84/85 hammer on my Browning.
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Hammers are not interchangable between the BDA & 84/85.

I feel your pain, I hate the spur hammers on my BDA's.
 
BDA's & FL CHL

I enjoy both the BDA's I've got, but carry Sig P239's. As for an earlier note concerning the Florida CHL, I did carry that and the TX CHL, but dropped the FL when I started checking up and found a number of states now restrict reciprocity to only person's home state (i.e. Colorado).
 
i had one and loved it i hated to get rid of it but i had to i traded it for a mint colt goverment 380 strait across the board lol
 
Kick it up a step...

I showed my wife a BDA today.
She LIKES it.
Maybe after I get a S&W Bodyguard to match her Model 37 Airweight, I'll pitch in for a pair of BDA's...nyah-ah-ahhh!!!:evil:

I traded off a Beretta Tomcat and a Cheetah 84FS for my Mini-Cougar .40, and I don't regret it, but I really liked that .380.
Everybody that shot that pistol liked it.
The Tomcat was the best size for carry, but it was not reliable enough...I just didn't trust it fully.

So, now, unless I can convince her to go for a Mini-Cougar, we'll be looking at some BDA's.
Think about this: the safety works the same as on the BIG Berettas, so it makes sense in that regard.
I believe this thread still has some life in it.
:D
 
That's odd, neither my wife nor I have had any problems with the hammer on the Browning. Frankly, IMHO, a pistol with the Browning hammer and grips and the Beretta frame-mounted safety would be about the ideal pistol. Either slide would be fine with me.
 
Hi, I'm new to this site but wanted to comment on the Browning (nick) BDA 380. I'm 5' 5" 137 lb female and a life member of the NRA & have had my Concealed Firearm Lic. since I was old enough to have one. I purchased BDA years back and have had no regrets. Over 2000 rounds and still going, never a miss. Bigger may be better, however, if you want to carry a good dependable gun for defense and NOT assault the .380 is perfect. If you use a gun with more of a "punch" to it (9mm /. 45 etc) you stand a higher chance of your round going through your target and hitting an innocent by stander in which goes from self defense on one to man slaughter on the other. Browning (nick) bda, beautiful, sexy, does the job and fits in my bag. Doesn't fit in your bag?, get a bigger bag, it fits medium size handbag just leave the "crap" you really don't need at home, don't trust the .22's they jam too often. However, the bda fits under your jacket in the cooler months. (I love the shoulder holster with 2 extra 13 round mags on opposite side of holster) For a backup gun I used to think the colored guns were too "sissy" and no one would take you seriously. Boy was I fooled, I pull my new 38 special light weight "The Lavendar Lady" that my husband got me for Christmas, at the range and fire a couple of shots and people took notice. (but it's only 5 shots) Still prefer 13 round Browning BDA, chamber 1 round reload 1 in mag and that gives you 14 rounds! with 2, 13 round clips as backup. NOTE TO ALL WHO READ: Take the Firearm Class, Get your Concealed Firearm Permit, Join the NRA and always be safe. (Which includes working on your accuracy, even though John Wayne said "it's not always about being accurate that counts, it's being willing".)
Happy Shooting!
 
This thread just refuses to die.
Click to expand...

That in an of itself speaks volumes. I'd say it's a testament to what a quality pistol Beretta build for themselves and Browning!
 
OK guys. My first post: I purchased a Browning BDA in the early 80's and put it away in the safe having never fired it. I checked it from time to time and made sure it was lubed. Loved the look and feel of it but had other larger calibers and 22 rimfires and the 380 just did not get me excited. I thought about selling it many times since it just did not seem to be a gun I planned on shooting much. After buying an LCP in early 2009 for a pocket gun I searched high and low for 380 ammo. After scoring a lot of 380 I decided to shoot the BDA. This is one of the finest auto pistols I have ever shot. Feels good in the hand, well made, and looks like a quality pistol should in terms of fit and finish. After my first trip to an outdoor range I dixcovered that both of the little emblems had fallen off the wood grips. I was able to find some replacements and resotred it to its original good looks. I later found out this was a common problem. I later purchased Pahmayr grips and they really make it a better feeling tactical weapon but don't have the same classic look. I have purchased several extra 13 round mags in case they ban them(again) and intend to keep this one forever. No offense to my Glocks and Kahrs but this all metal framed pistol is truly a classic and should be in everybody's collection.
 
I know what you mean...BDA

I just bought a single stack 9mm from a Cabelas store. But what catched my eye? Browning BDA! While waiting and browsing I said to my son - check that one out, that is just a super looking piece - thats the best looking gun in this place.

Someday...someday.
 
i love the way these things look and i have seriously considered buying one but.... something keeps me from doing so

i don't know if its me, but is the trigger on these things kind of heavy? i have fiddled with one at my gun shop, maybe its just on that particular gun (brand new)... could be an oddball but the trigger feels heavy (and i own a Ruger SR9, so i know something about the El Guapo trigger.... you know, a Man's Gun... 3 Amigos...)
anyway, whats your take?

i love everything else about those little Brownings but after buying that SR9, i swore not to buy a gun with a bad trigger hoping it would get better again....
 
does anyone know where to get one of these besides GunBroker?

are there any at CDNN, SOG, or J&G?
 
I just walked into our local shop and they had a brand new nickle plated one for $650.00. It seemed pretty high priced for a .380, but after reading this thread, I feel good about the purchase. Just out of curiosity, why are new BDA's still showing up in shops after being discontinued years ago?
 
I had a blued BDA. It was beautiful and so well made. It was a good shooter. I sold it to buy something else. I can't remember now what that was but I still remember the BDA.
 
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