I like mine, had to glue a 3/32” fiber optic bead to the front sight to center punch bullseye! Fun to shoot and carry, Browning makes a simple belt holster for it.
Kids buy toys.....Sorry. I grew up on 1911s and had a couple as a service pistol. I purchased the Black Label to carry and love it. It cycles perfectly and as I have gotten older, and have a touch of arthritis, the ease of use is awesome. As you stated they come in different configurations. The 3 dot sites are awesome. My trigger is a little heavy also, but has a crisp fire. I like it for carry. Also, the 45 ball will stop you in your tracks and is what the gun was designed to run. I have followed that rule with the 380 as well and have been rewarded with flawless operation. I carry it as a defensive weapon. I promise if you get hit by 3-380s at 12 feet center mass you will be stopped. It is no mouse gun. I think the reason the 380 has a bad rep is a lot of the guns that fire the round do not allow the round to develop full mass. Browning designed the 1911, 45, and 380. The 380 develops full mass with a 4.25 inch barrel which is what the standard model Black Label is. The short version is 3.75. Still respectable. The combination of the 4.25 inch barrel and a 90 grain FMJ is so smooth, recovery time between rounds is awesome. These rounds will give you 11 to 13 inches of penetration. Growing up with the 1911 I carry the Black Label whenever I can. It is what I know and in a bad situation I don't have to think. It is natural to me. I also have in my rotation a Model 85 in 38 with a 3 inch barrel. I is a nice revolver. I am getting ready to put a LPC Max in my carry guns. I have been running rounds through it and it will be so easy to conceal is very appealing. Snappy little package. Sorry so long.
I own the Pro model of this pistol G10 grips and very useable 3-dot sights 4.25 inch bbl No chrono data yet but I guess its clocking 100 fps over what one woul get from the 2.75 - 3.00 inch bbls of smaller 380s Which really enhances terminal ballistics
Very nice analysis. I just wish they made a non-polymer all steel frame version. I don't mind the extra weight. I just hate plastic guns. Also, you are correct about .380, it's a solid round with the right loading. Lucky Gunner has done some really nice testing of various calibers and Hornady's Critical Defense 90gr XTP has good penetration to 13 inches and expansion out of a Glock 42 barrel (3.25 inches). I would assume that with the longer barrel the Browning has, the ballistics would be even better.
I noticed that the first pistol you shot was actually the llama especial that you’ve done a video on. It would be cool to see a comparison of the two if you still have them
I haven't tried one of those yet, but I'm turned off by the plastic, mag safety, giant controls, and price. I have acquired a RI baby rock, and I love it! All steel (23oz), and 100% reliable for $300 lnib from a pawn shop. I did have to do a bit of work like a trigger job to under 4lbs, some slide catch tuning and some parts polishing. now it's beautiful, and my favorite edc. Try one if you haven't already, I think you'll be pleased.
Another excellent review of a gun in the used gun market. I assume they are no longer being made. And that is why I like your channel because I rarely buy new guns. Being a FN fan, that is one I’ll have keep an eye out for. Thanks again for another great video.
These are still in production, but I just noticed that the first gun I shoot in the video ISN"T the Browning... well shit. I shot a number of guns at once, and the first gun in the video is actually a Llama .380.
Fabrique Nationale (FN) does not produce this. I've had the 4.25 inch Gold Medallion from when they were available. It's accurate, but has Magazine issues with Failure to Feed. Fun gimmick gun, but not a wise EDC choice. Carry on...
Just-in-case: You can bypass the magazine disconnect in an emergency, or manually drop the hammer without the mag, simply by holding the magazine release. Unfortunately, the magazines themselves are cheaply made and will be the first failure point. Even new mags can allow the ammunition to dip and cause repeated FTF. I'd love to buy another one once they fix the issue; However, in nearly a decade, it has yet to be addressed but the prices keep going up... Some versions have seen the MSRP increase $350 within the last year and a half...
My wife likes 380. She is small. But not strong in the hands. A Ruger LCP MAX was hard if not impossible for her to rack the slide. But she LIKES this gun!
I just got some underwood 380 that goes 1200 fps and it works just fine in my "Mouse Gun". Once I learned more I realized 380 is just a short 9mm. Not even the shortest. If I had a 9x25 dillon...a 9x19 would be a girl caliber...so it's all relative and every caliber has its function. Personally I believe every bullet should deliver 1000 lbs per square inch to target...but that's just me. I grew up on dirty Harry movies.
I never picked one of these up and looked at it. I assumed it was basically the same thing as old Colt .380 Government. I have and have used quite a few Mustangs, sig p238/938, and 380 govt so I didn’t think it was anything new to me. Thanks for the learnin’ today.
That’s why I bought the Ruger security 380, and the Bersa plus, as well as Beretta 80X 380. That’s also why I didn’t carry the Browning 1911 - 380! My carry 380 is the Sig 238, not the 938. I will be using the Ruger, because I don’t like leaving an expensive pistol in my vehicle, because of Gun Free Zones. They are all great carry pistols! I’ve got larger caliber pistols, but they make it harder to keep my pants up!
Thank you. I keep saying I think 380 is a poor choice for mouse gun size pistols, because it is too snappy for meaty hands to control well in such guns. This makes malfunctions more likely than with 32acp or smaller chambered mouse guns. 380 is at its best in compact and larger pistols with good grip size and barrels long enough to give sufficient velocity for both expansion and penetration. My current gym shorts gun is a Kimber Micro 9 that I’ve massaged into reliability, but now I’m kinda jonesing for one of those. I really like the improved lockup and link.
I don't know who sells sights for these guns or which standard patterns the may or may not fit. The front sight is staked in like a GI 1911 I believe. Changing that requires some gunsmithing. I'll ask the owner of this pistol if he knows.
Can you get aftermarket sight sights? Edit: also! I subbed! You are very knowledgeable! I carry a glock42 daily, and i am looking into moving to the browning BL
In true Seattle fashion, who wouldn't like a rounded butt? Our knighted bard of mixing-a-lot (Sir!) taught us well! Have you ever checked out a Bursa Thunder 380?
@@tinkertalksguns7289 If I had the capital, I'd go into manufacturing them myself. Just purely 1903s. I don't need a large profit margin. The gun is too perfectly designed for the purpose it serves. Maybe someday.
@@tinkertalksguns7289 it’s a membership store kind of like Walmart or Kmart except they only have stuff you actually need. The browning 1911 380 has been a mainstay in their pistol case for years. I thought you lived here in the northwest so I assumed because that’s the only place I’ve ever actually seen one of these for sale and they always have them. Looks like the Washington stores are on the east side of the state. Anyway if you live in Oregon you’ll find this comment very funny because everyone that owns guns shops at Bimart and we have all seen this pistol there a hundred times. Thanks for all the cool videos man!
@@ACxREAL where are Wal-Mart or (now gone) k-mart membership stores? Costco and Sam's Club are membership stores, Wal-Mart or Kmart were/are general public.
@@tauaru I’m aware, I mean they are similar in the sense of what type of merchandise they sell. Sporting goods, household small appliances like coffee maker, snacks, clothing, and everyday items in standard size packages. It’s an employee owned store it is 5$ for a lifetime membership. You could buy a fishing reel, some beef jerky and a pair of blue jeans. Or a baby browning 1911 380 and it will probably be the best price you can find it for anywhere.
The poor reputation of the 380 is mainly because of Jeff Cooper who dismissed anything that wasn’t 45 acp. He had only slightly less derision of the 9mm.
I really like it but IMO $600-$700 is just too steep for this pistol. If it had an aluminum frame OK. If they would have priced it at $500 with a street price of $400 I think they would sell very well and it then would be a very good competitor to the S&W EZ and the Ruger Lite rack 380
I need to check when I get home, but I bought a Black Label version of one of these maybe 5 or 7 years ago and I am 99.9% sure the frame IS aluminum. Could be wrong.
I like mine, had to glue a 3/32” fiber optic bead to the front sight to center punch bullseye! Fun to shoot and carry, Browning makes a simple belt holster for it.
As a fan of the 1903 pocket hammerless, I can definitely have an interest in the 1911 380 too.
Thoughtful analysis and a reasonable argument for .380 ACP
Absolutely love mine. Love how I can put shots on target almost effortlessly.
Kids buy toys.....Sorry. I grew up on 1911s and had a couple as a service pistol. I purchased the Black Label to carry and love it. It cycles perfectly and as I have gotten older, and have a touch of arthritis, the ease of use is awesome.
As you stated they come in different configurations. The 3 dot sites are awesome. My trigger is a little heavy also, but has a crisp fire. I like it for carry.
Also, the 45 ball will stop you in your tracks and is what the gun was designed to run. I have followed that rule with the 380 as well and have been rewarded with flawless operation.
I carry it as a defensive weapon. I promise if you get hit by 3-380s at 12 feet center mass you will be stopped. It is no mouse gun.
I think the reason the 380 has a bad rep is a lot of the guns that fire the round do not allow the round to develop full mass.
Browning designed the 1911, 45, and 380. The 380 develops full mass with a 4.25 inch barrel which is what the standard model Black Label is. The short version is 3.75. Still respectable.
The combination of the 4.25 inch barrel and a 90 grain FMJ is so smooth, recovery time between rounds is awesome. These rounds will give you 11 to 13 inches of penetration.
Growing up with the 1911 I carry the Black Label whenever I can. It is what I know and in a bad situation I don't have to think. It is natural to me.
I also have in my rotation a Model 85 in 38 with a 3 inch barrel. I is a nice revolver. I am getting ready to put a LPC Max in my carry guns. I have been running rounds through it and it will be so easy to conceal is very appealing. Snappy little package.
Sorry so long.
It's a tiny Lil guy..price is staggering. Great voice for radio brother
I own the Pro model of this pistol G10 grips and very useable 3-dot sights 4.25 inch bbl No chrono data yet but I guess its clocking 100 fps over what one woul get from the 2.75 - 3.00 inch bbls of smaller 380s Which really enhances terminal ballistics
Very nice analysis. I just wish they made a non-polymer all steel frame version. I don't mind the extra weight. I just hate plastic guns. Also, you are correct about .380, it's a solid round with the right loading. Lucky Gunner has done some really nice testing of various calibers and Hornady's Critical Defense 90gr XTP has good penetration to 13 inches and expansion out of a Glock 42 barrel (3.25 inches). I would assume that with the longer barrel the Browning has, the ballistics would be even better.
Great pistol.
Wow! A fair and balanced review of a .38 caliber pistol.
Very good review. points were made other reviewers did not make, that tome were important.
Enjoyed the video. Thanks
I noticed that the first pistol you shot was actually the llama especial that you’ve done a video on. It would be cool to see a comparison of the two if you still have them
Yeah, I screwed up there. Oops! It would be fun to compare them, but since I own neither gun I can't.
That's a legal caliber in Mexico, that pistol is in my wish list 🙂
Lol, a legal caliber. I'm sure the Cartel appreciates the government working on their behalf.
I haven't tried one of those yet, but I'm turned off by the plastic, mag safety, giant controls, and price.
I have acquired a RI baby rock, and I love it! All steel (23oz), and 100% reliable for $300 lnib from a pawn shop. I did have to do a bit of work like a trigger job to under 4lbs, some slide catch tuning and some parts polishing. now it's beautiful, and my favorite edc.
Try one if you haven't already, I think you'll be pleased.
Don’t compare apples to Filipino trash.
Another excellent review of a gun in the used gun market. I assume they are no longer being made. And that is why I like your channel because I rarely buy new guns. Being a FN fan, that is one I’ll have keep an eye out for. Thanks again for another great video.
These are still in production, but I just noticed that the first gun I shoot in the video ISN"T the Browning... well shit. I shot a number of guns at once, and the first gun in the video is actually a Llama .380.
@@tinkertalksguns7289 Teaser for an upcoming video!
Fabrique Nationale (FN) does not produce this. I've had the 4.25 inch Gold Medallion from when they were available. It's accurate, but has Magazine issues with Failure to Feed. Fun gimmick gun, but not a wise EDC choice. Carry on...
Just-in-case: You can bypass the magazine disconnect in an emergency, or manually drop the hammer without the mag, simply by holding the magazine release.
Unfortunately, the magazines themselves are cheaply made and will be the first failure point. Even new mags can allow the ammunition to dip and cause repeated FTF. I'd love to buy another one once they fix the issue; However, in nearly a decade, it has yet to be addressed but the prices keep going up... Some versions have seen the MSRP increase $350 within the last year and a half...
if you push the Mag release with the memory bump depressed and pull the trigger the hammer will fall
My wife likes 380. She is small. But not strong in the hands. A Ruger LCP MAX was hard if not impossible for her to rack the slide. But she LIKES this gun!
I have one and also gave my wife 1 for valentine's day. I also have a Babby Rock.
Cool! Between the Browning and the Baby Rock which do you prefer?
I just got some underwood 380 that goes 1200 fps and it works just fine in my "Mouse Gun".
Once I learned more I realized 380 is just a short 9mm. Not even the shortest. If I had a 9x25 dillon...a 9x19 would be a girl caliber...so it's all relative and every caliber has its function.
Personally I believe every bullet should deliver 1000 lbs per square inch to target...but that's just me. I grew up on dirty Harry movies.
Yea... 🤔 I must have One...
I never picked one of these up and looked at it. I assumed it was basically the same thing as old Colt .380 Government. I have and have used quite a few Mustangs, sig p238/938, and 380 govt so I didn’t think it was anything new to me. Thanks for the learnin’ today.
Excellent video señor, I'm waiting for mine to arrive, saludos desde Denver 👁👅👁
380 is more than enough caliber. anyone talking down on it doesn't know its 100 year history
Thanks for the review.
I prefer the higher magazine capacity Browning BDA.
I would not object to a BDA or it's Beretta brethren!
That’s why I bought the Ruger security 380, and the Bersa plus, as well as Beretta 80X 380. That’s also why I didn’t carry the Browning 1911 - 380! My carry 380 is the Sig 238, not the 938. I will be using the Ruger, because I don’t like leaving an expensive pistol in my vehicle, because of Gun Free Zones. They are all great carry pistols! I’ve got larger caliber pistols, but they make it harder to keep my pants up!
Thank you. I keep saying I think 380 is a poor choice for mouse gun size pistols, because it is too snappy for meaty hands to control well in such guns. This makes malfunctions more likely than with 32acp or smaller chambered mouse guns. 380 is at its best in compact and larger pistols with good grip size and barrels long enough to give sufficient velocity for both expansion and penetration. My current gym shorts gun is a Kimber Micro 9 that I’ve massaged into reliability, but now I’m kinda jonesing for one of those. I really like the improved lockup and link.
Can you change the sites on the Browning? If so, who sells them?
I don't know who sells sights for these guns or which standard patterns the may or may not fit. The front sight is staked in like a GI 1911 I believe. Changing that requires some gunsmithing. I'll ask the owner of this pistol if he knows.
I realize I am probably in the minority, but I’m hoping one day Wilson or Nighthawk will do a high end version of this gun
Maybe not quite the only one... 😁
This my carry the 380
You should consider making an ASP 9mm clone or two. It would be a great video series.
Yeah, that would be pretty cool wouldn't it?
Sure would. Maybe we can work out a deal similar to your Latter Day Detonics deal if interested?
@@RogueTS1 Let me do some research. This would be a pretty technical project and I'd want to know what I am getting into.
Can you get aftermarket sight sights?
Edit: also! I subbed! You are very knowledgeable! I carry a glock42 daily, and i am looking into moving to the browning BL
I don't know; I didn't think to check. Sorry!
In true Seattle fashion, who wouldn't like a rounded butt? Our knighted bard of mixing-a-lot (Sir!) taught us well!
Have you ever checked out a Bursa Thunder 380?
I have seen and handled them, and they have a great rep but I have yet to fire one more than casually.
Why are 1903s not in production? Who's the genius behind that?
Bean-counters.
@@tinkertalksguns7289 If I had the capital, I'd go into manufacturing them myself. Just purely 1903s. I don't need a large profit margin. The gun is too perfectly designed for the purpose it serves. Maybe someday.
CC for smaller persons was my first thought.
Had to go out and get one at bass pro after seeing this review came back to let you know lol
Basically this is how you know Tinker shops at Bimart.
Not sure what that even means, but I don't shop at BiMart. Hell I don't even know what that is; we don't seem to have them here.
@@tinkertalksguns7289 it’s a membership store kind of like Walmart or Kmart except they only have stuff you actually need. The browning 1911 380 has been a mainstay in their pistol case for years. I thought you lived here in the northwest so I assumed because that’s the only place I’ve ever actually seen one of these for sale and they always have them. Looks like the Washington stores are on the east side of the state. Anyway if you live in Oregon you’ll find this comment very funny because everyone that owns guns shops at Bimart and we have all seen this pistol there a hundred times.
Thanks for all the cool videos man!
@@ACxREAL OK, that makes sense.
@@ACxREAL where are Wal-Mart or (now gone) k-mart membership stores? Costco and Sam's Club are membership stores, Wal-Mart or Kmart were/are general public.
@@tauaru I’m aware, I mean they are similar in the sense of what type of merchandise they sell. Sporting goods, household small appliances like coffee maker, snacks, clothing, and everyday items in standard size packages. It’s an employee owned store it is 5$ for a lifetime membership. You could buy a fishing reel, some beef jerky and a pair of blue jeans. Or a baby browning 1911 380 and it will probably be the best price you can find it for anywhere.
Amazing how the gun industry follows the auto industry; less metal, more plastic, higher prices. Cheap, cheap and cheap.
Do you have big hands or is the gun fairly small? At some points in the video it kinda looked like a toy lol
A bit of both; the gun isn't tiny but it's pretty svelte and I do have large hands.
What is the suggested $ ?
I think MSRP for this version is $750, but I am seeing them on Gunbroker for $700
The poor reputation of the 380 is mainly because of Jeff Cooper who dismissed anything that wasn’t 45 acp. He had only slightly less derision of the 9mm.
I really like it but IMO $600-$700 is just too steep for this pistol. If it had an aluminum frame OK. If they would have priced it at $500 with a street price of $400 I think they would sell very well and it then would be a very good competitor to the S&W EZ and the Ruger Lite rack 380
I need to check when I get home, but I bought a Black Label version of one of these maybe 5 or 7 years ago and I am 99.9% sure the frame IS aluminum. Could be wrong.
this is a great place for a polymer frame, low recoil, and I think Glock has proven slide inserts work. I like metal guns also, but I like this gun. 😊
Front sight is plastic and will come out
.380's bounce off my chest. OOOOOOOOrah
We should definitely do a video of that! 😁
Yes, would definitely pay to see that!!😂😂
I'm sorry to say you don't know this weapon as well as you think I have the very same 1 since July of 17