The Browning BDA Auto Pistol resembles the Berreta Model 84 in most respects and is actually made by Beretta in Italy, but there have been one or two modifications to bring it to the specification demanded by Browning. Another plus feature is that, in the United States, it costs considerably less than an imported Beretta Model 84.
This model was sold in the United States as the Browning BDA 380. On the right side of the slide is marked Fabrique National Herstal with the FN logo followed by “Made in Italy.” In the same manner as the larger BDAs, the left side of the slide is marked “Browning Arms Company Morgan Utah and Montreal, P.Q.”
Design
The Browning BDA is a conventional blow-back automatic pistol, perhaps unusual in having a larger magazine capacity that is common in American pistols. The principal difference between this and the Beretta 84 is the use of an enveloping slide and the addition of a slide-mounted safety and decocking lever which operates from both sides of the slide.
Depressing this lever lowers the hammer from a full-to-half-cock position and locks it; once the safety is down the pistol cannot be cocked by thumbing the hammer back. Pulling the trigger allows the hammer to fall from the half-cock to the fired position, without touching the firing pin. Releasing the safety allows both thumb-cocking and double-action cock-and-fire action with a single pull on the trigger.
Sights
Sights on Browning BDA pistol consist of a fixed front sight and a non-adjustable rear sight which is held in a dovetail groove and can be laterally shifted for zeroing. Accuracy is satisfactory, the pistol grouping within a five-inch circle at 50 yards. The finish is excellent, with walnut grips inlaid with the Browning medallion.
Technical specifications
| Manufacturer: | Armi Beretta SpA, I-25063, Gardone Val Trompia, Italy |
| Marketed by: | Browning Arms, Rt #1, Morgan, UT 84050, United States |
| Type: | Blowback double-action semi-automatic |
| Caliber : | .380 / 9 mm SHORT |
| Barrel: | 3.8 in (97 mm) |
| Weight (empty): | 23 oz (652 gm) |
| Magazine capacity: | 13 rounds |
I bought mine in 1978 brand new from a small gun store in or near Port Nechess, Texas. It gobbles up most all ammo, had only one incident when new- just one which could of been the ammo. Zero problems. Still have it, very accurate to at least 200 feet. My cost if I remember correctly was about $325.00
I saw one of the comments stating their gun was 2002 according to the chart info. I have one also with MY starting the serial number. If indeed this is a
typo, one would think these guns are priceless. But the chart could have a typo? Any experts?