Browning BDA .380

kcub · November 13, 2013, 12:36 PM

A long time ago in a galaxy far far away I found myself debating whether to get a Beretta 84 BB or a Browning BDA .380. I bought the Beretta but I've been haunted by the Browning since even though there is no good reason to have a high capacity .380 these days.

This popped up so I bought it. I think if nothing else it's a beautiful pistol.

Erich · November 13, 2013, 01:02 PM

Um, I can't see the pic.

But because I agree with you on your assessment of beauty, here's one of my FN 140 DA .380 (same as the Browning BDA, but with different markings and stocks; they were not imported to the States for commercial sale with the FN marks) - it's Israeli police surplus.

Dunecigar · November 13, 2013, 01:46 PM

FYI: Your picture isn't coming up... at least not on my computer.

Anyway, I did a Google Image. That is one nice looking handgun.

Best regards,
D. Idaho

James K · November 13, 2013, 01:52 PM

IIRC, both guns were made by Beretta, variations of the model 84.

Jim

Herluf · November 13, 2013, 02:09 PM

James K,
That explains it. I also googled a picture of the BDA 380 and though I had accidentally gotten a picture of an 84 (Which I have) until I noticed the slide safety.

Can these guns share magazines?

Erich · November 13, 2013, 02:51 PM

Yes they can.

I worked in a gun store between college and law school from '88 to '90, and the BDAs were a teensy bit pricier and considered fancier than the Beretta 84BB of the era. Both Beretta-made guns were at the upper edge of .380 pricing at the time, more expensive than the Made In USA (by Ranger) stainless Walther PPK.

Bigger, too!

SpareMag · November 13, 2013, 02:58 PM

Had a Browning BDA in .380 stolen from me, still miss that piece. It is a wonderful pistol. Tremendous "load it on Sunday and shoot all week" capacity, fed everything I gave it, fit me perfectly.

Need to get another sometime.

kcub · November 13, 2013, 05:39 PM

I thought they were both beautiful but figured the open slide of the Beretta might be more reliable and the safety wasn't backwards. But they are very nearly the same gun.

Picture came from here; not sure why you can't see it:

http://www.waltherforums.com/forum/n...da-380-va.html

Anyone know where to get nicer wood grips for it?

Erich · November 13, 2013, 06:10 PM

There are all sorts of stocks for sale out there - start checking eBay and Gunbroker regularly and toy should find some you like within a month.

GyMac · November 13, 2013, 06:41 PM

I think that both are handsome, but prefer the looks of the Browning.

PetahW · November 13, 2013, 06:46 PM

.

The only real difference, between the Beretta & the Browning versions, is that the Beretta version's slide top is open, exposing the barrel like the M92, while the Browning version's slide top is closed ala a Model 1911.

.

PSP · November 13, 2013, 06:55 PM

... and the safety.

Kcub, that's a really nice looking pistol. Enjoy.

Erich · November 13, 2013, 07:48 PM

It most certainly is - you'll like how it shoots, too.

I find that S&B gives me the best velocities and the best accuracy from mine.

carguychris · November 13, 2013, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PetahW

The only real difference, between the Beretta & the Browning versions, is that the Beretta version's slide top is open... while the Browning version's slide top is closed...

Quote:

Originally Posted by PSP

... and the safety.

I'd argue that the BDA safety is a pretty big difference, since it operates in a substantially different way than the 84 (or other Series 81) safety.

The BDA safety physically blocks the firing pin. The 84 safety simply locks the sear ("base" or no-suffix 84) or disconnects the trigger (B, BB, F, FS).
The 84 safety locks the slide closed (all versions). The BDA slide can be opened on-safe, although the factory BDA manual warns prominently and repeatedly against closing the slide with the levers in the SAFE position.
The BDA safety drops the hammer to the half-cock position. The 84, 84B, and 84BB have half-cock notches, but the safety does not function as a decocker; the F and FS safety adds this function, but there is no longer a half-cock notch, and the hammer is dropped all the way to the slide. (The half-cock shortens the DA pull.)
The BDA is field-stripped with the slide locked back. The 84 is field-stripped with the slide in battery. (I kinda prefer the BDA system, as the 84 can be fussy about going back together if the slide and frame are not perfectly aligned when the takedown latch is turned.)

Also, the BDA has different sights.

Gotta get me a BDA someday.

ftttu · November 14, 2013, 01:21 AM

I can't see the image either but I'm sure it looks like mine if it is blued. This is my second one-the first one being sold in the mid-'90s for some reason I can't remember now. I carry it off-duty when I don't feel like carrying my other weapons. Also, I will shoot it more now since ammo is becoming more available.

kcub · November 14, 2013, 05:11 AM

I like the rounded trigger guard of both BDA and 84BB. The 84 F added the square trigger guard and they just don't look as nice to me.

Mine is blued. I like the bright nickel ones also.

I heard there have been more current special runs of BDA's.

Billy Shears · November 14, 2013, 07:52 AM

Classy [classic?] and beautiful pistols. I wish I still had mine, but the hammer bite was pretty bad so I sold it a while back.

Herluf · November 14, 2013, 08:22 AM

kcub,
Pictures posted at other sites often won't be visible except to folks who are signed-in members of the site. I went to that site and clicked on the picture and got a "sorry members only" type of message.

You can attach the picture to your message here or use a free hosting service like photobucket to have it appear here.

FM12 · November 14, 2013, 05:28 PM

I had the BDA. Carried it in a shoulder holster in cold weather as a back up when in uniform, or as a primary in plainclothes.

gyvel · November 14, 2013, 08:11 PM

FYI, there is some interchangeability of frame parts.

rickmelear · November 14, 2013, 08:16 PM

I have both, prefer the 84bb. I find both works of art from a gone era.

kcub · November 15, 2013, 05:46 AM

Photos uploaded to Flickr:

Not bad condition for a pistol manufactured in 1982.

hemiram · November 17, 2013, 01:18 AM

I had both back about 1981. I bought them both new in blue. Neither one of them had any flaws at all, both would shoot anything that could be chambered in them. I needed $$ and I sold the BDA first, and about 5 years later, the 84 went too. I bought a nice 84BB a couple of years ago, and it's as good as ever.

joe-lumber · November 19, 2013, 09:51 AM

Anything Browning puts it name on is tops with me. I realized about 3 years ago that I had an over and under 12 ga Salt gun and sent it back to Browning. About 2 months later it came back beautiful with a new stocks and pad to my specs but I haven't shot it. I sent a copy of my lifetime guarantee card and all I paid was the shipping.

I also passed on a 9mm HP at a gun show a few years back for $375 - $400 and I still kick myself for passing on that.
J

smee78 · November 20, 2013, 06:36 PM

I had a Taurus 58 SS in 380 and sold it years ago an have been thinking about replacing it with a Browning BDA 380. I really like a full size 380, makes the round feel like a 22 when shooting.

November 13, 2013, 12:36 PM	#1
kcub Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2010 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 3,318	Browning BDA .380 A long time ago in a galaxy far far away I found myself debating whether to get a Beretta 84 BB or a Browning BDA .380. I bought the Beretta but I've been haunted by the Browning since even though there is no good reason to have a high capacity .380 these days. This popped up so I bought it. I think if nothing else it's a beautiful pistol. Last edited by kcub; November 14, 2013 at 05:05 AM.

November 13, 2013, 06:55 PM	#12
PSP Senior Member Join Date: June 2, 2006 Location: Bowling Green Virginia Posts: 4,487	... and the safety. Kcub, that's a really nice looking pistol. Enjoy. Last edited by PSP; November 13, 2013 at 10:06 PM.

November 19, 2013, 09:51 AM	#24
joe-lumber Senior Member Join Date: January 11, 2013 Posts: 257	Browning Anything Browning puts it name on is tops with me. I realized about 3 years ago that I had an over and under 12 ga Salt gun and sent it back to Browning. About 2 months later it came back beautiful with a new stocks and pad to my specs but I haven't shot it. I sent a copy of my lifetime guarantee card and all I paid was the shipping. I also passed on a 9mm HP at a gun show a few years back for $375 - $400 and I still kick myself for passing on that. J

November 20, 2013, 06:36 PM	#25
smee78 Senior Member Join Date: July 14, 2008 Location: South Carolina Posts: 2,918	I had a Taurus 58 SS in 380 and sold it years ago an have been thinking about replacing it with a Browning BDA 380. I really like a full size 380, makes the round feel like a 22 when shooting. __________________ We know exactly where one cow with Mad-cow-disease is located, among the millions and millions of cows in America, but we haven't got a clue where thousands of illegal immigrants and terrorists are

November 13, 2013, 01:02 PM	#2
Erich Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 1999 Location: Albuquerque, NM, USA Posts: 2,543	Um, I can't see the pic. But because I agree with you on your assessment of beauty, here's one of my FN 140 DA .380 (same as the Browning BDA, but with different markings and stocks; they were not imported to the States for commercial sale with the FN marks) - it's Israeli police surplus.

November 13, 2013, 01:46 PM	#3
Dunecigar Junior member Join Date: August 24, 2012 Location: Guatemala City, Zone 10 Posts: 76	FYI: Your picture isn't coming up... at least not on my computer. Anyway, I did a Google Image. That is one nice looking handgun. Best regards, D. Idaho

November 13, 2013, 01:52 PM	#4
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	IIRC, both guns were made by Beretta, variations of the model 84. Jim

November 13, 2013, 02:09 PM	#5
Herluf Senior Member Join Date: September 22, 2013 Posts: 126	James K, That explains it. I also googled a picture of the BDA 380 and though I had accidentally gotten a picture of an 84 (Which I have) until I noticed the slide safety. Can these guns share magazines?

November 13, 2013, 02:51 PM	#6
Erich Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 1999 Location: Albuquerque, NM, USA Posts: 2,543	Yes they can. I worked in a gun store between college and law school from '88 to '90, and the BDAs were a teensy bit pricier and considered fancier than the Beretta 84BB of the era. Both Beretta-made guns were at the upper edge of .380 pricing at the time, more expensive than the Made In USA (by Ranger) stainless Walther PPK. Bigger, too!

November 13, 2013, 02:58 PM	#7
SpareMag Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2012 Posts: 514	Had a Browning BDA in .380 stolen from me, still miss that piece. It is a wonderful pistol. Tremendous "load it on Sunday and shoot all week" capacity, fed everything I gave it, fit me perfectly. Need to get another sometime.

November 13, 2013, 05:39 PM	#8
kcub Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2010 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 3,318	I thought they were both beautiful but figured the open slide of the Beretta might be more reliable and the safety wasn't backwards. But they are very nearly the same gun. Picture came from here; not sure why you can't see it: http://www.waltherforums.com/forum/n...da-380-va.html Anyone know where to get nicer wood grips for it?

November 13, 2013, 06:10 PM	#9
Erich Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 1999 Location: Albuquerque, NM, USA Posts: 2,543	There are all sorts of stocks for sale out there - start checking eBay and Gunbroker regularly and toy should find some you like within a month.

November 13, 2013, 06:41 PM	#10
GyMac Senior Member Join Date: April 19, 2012 Posts: 189	I think that both are handsome, but prefer the looks of the Browning.

November 13, 2013, 06:46 PM	#11
PetahW Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 4,678	. The only real difference, between the Beretta & the Browning versions, is that the Beretta version's slide top is open, exposing the barrel like the M92, while the Browning version's slide top is closed ala a Model 1911. .

November 13, 2013, 07:48 PM	#13
Erich Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 1999 Location: Albuquerque, NM, USA Posts: 2,543	It most certainly is - you'll like how it shoots, too. I find that S&B gives me the best velocities and the best accuracy from mine.

November 14, 2013, 01:21 AM	#15
ftttu Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2011 Posts: 226	I can't see the image either but I'm sure it looks like mine if it is blued. This is my second one-the first one being sold in the mid-'90s for some reason I can't remember now. I carry it off-duty when I don't feel like carrying my other weapons. Also, I will shoot it more now since ammo is becoming more available.

November 14, 2013, 05:11 AM	#16
kcub Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2010 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 3,318	I like the rounded trigger guard of both BDA and 84BB. The 84 F added the square trigger guard and they just don't look as nice to me. Mine is blued. I like the bright nickel ones also. I heard there have been more current special runs of BDA's.

November 14, 2013, 07:52 AM	#17
Billy Shears Senior Member Join Date: January 17, 2011 Posts: 606	Classy [classic?] and beautiful pistols. I wish I still had mine, but the hammer bite was pretty bad so I sold it a while back.

November 14, 2013, 08:22 AM	#18
Herluf Senior Member Join Date: September 22, 2013 Posts: 126	kcub, Pictures posted at other sites often won't be visible except to folks who are signed-in members of the site. I went to that site and clicked on the picture and got a "sorry members only" type of message. You can attach the picture to your message here or use a free hosting service like photobucket to have it appear here.

November 14, 2013, 05:28 PM	#19
FM12 Senior Member Join Date: February 5, 2007 Location: Monroeville, Alabama Posts: 1,683	I had the BDA. Carried it in a shoulder holster in cold weather as a back up when in uniform, or as a primary in plainclothes.

November 14, 2013, 08:11 PM	#20
gyvel Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2009 Location: Northern AZ Posts: 7,172	FYI, there is some interchangeability of frame parts.

November 14, 2013, 08:16 PM	#21
rickmelear Senior Member Join Date: October 8, 2005 Location: palm beach county, fl Posts: 257	I have both, prefer the 84bb. I find both works of art from a gone era.

November 15, 2013, 05:46 AM	#22
kcub Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2010 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 3,318	Photos uploaded to Flickr: Not bad condition for a pistol manufactured in 1982.

November 17, 2013, 01:18 AM	#23
hemiram Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2005 Location: Toledo, ohio Posts: 762	I had both back about 1981. I bought them both new in blue. Neither one of them had any flaws at all, both would shoot anything that could be chambered in them. I needed $$ and I sold the BDA first, and about 5 years later, the 84 went too. I bought a nice 84BB a couple of years ago, and it's as good as ever.