Browning Bda 380 Owners Manual 03218BFA/Buckmark 22 OM

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BDA 380
PISTOL OWNER’S MANUAL

THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING A
BROWNING BDA 380 PISTOL
The Browning BDA 380 is another in a long line of dependable,
high-quality Browning centerfire pistols you will be proud
to own. The BDA 380 autoloading pistol uses a dependable,
blowback action design with a removable magazine. John M.
Browning invented his first autoloading pistol in 1894.
BDA 380 pistols incorporate features that reflect the significant
improvements and original ideas he contributed during more
than 25 years of designing pistols. Since then, we have produced
a variety of models designed for sportsmen, competitive target
shooters, law enforcement and personal defense. In every sense,
the BDA 380 pistol is a true Browning, giving you the kind of
shooting enjoyment and dependability you’ve come to expect
from the world’s most respected gun company.
With a reasonable amount of care, your BDA 380 pistol should
give you many years of dependable, enjoyable service. Please
feel free to contact us immediately if you have any observations
regarding its performance and operation.

YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR FIREARMS SAFETY
As a gun owner, you accept a set of demanding responsibilities. How
seriously you take these responsibilities can be the difference between
life and death.
THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR CARELESS OR ABUSIVE HANDLING OF ANY
FIREARM. AT ALL TIMES HANDLE YOUR BDA 380 AND ANY OTHER
FIREARM WITH INTENSE RESPECT FOR ITS POWER AND POTENTIAL
DANGER. PLEASE READ AND UNDERSTAND THE CAUTIONS AND PROPER
HANDLING PROCEDURES OUTLINED IN THIS OWNER’S MANUAL BEFORE
USING YOUR NEW FIREARM.

1 ALWAYS KEEP THE MUZZLE OF YOUR BDA 380 POINTED IN A SAFE
DIRECTION. Never point any firearm at anything you do not intend to
shoot. Be extremely alert and aware of all persons and property
within the range of your ammunition.
2 NEVER RELY TOTALLY ON YOUR FIREARM’S MECHANICAL “SAFETY”
DEVICE. The word “safety” describes a gun’s blocking or disengaging
mechanism for the trigger, sear, hammer and/or firing pin. Although
mechanical devices place your BDA 380 pistol in a SAFER status, no
guarantee can be made that the gun will not fire even if the “safety” is
in the “on safe” position.
LIKE ANY MECHANICAL DEVICE, A “SAFETY” CAN SOMETIMES FAIL; IT
CAN BE JARRED OR INADVERTENTLY MANIPULATED INTO AN UNSAFE
CONDITION. Mechanical “safeties” merely aid safe gun handling and
are no excuse for pointing your gun’s muzzle in an unsafe direction.
While it is a good idea to test your gun’s mechanical “safeties”
periodically for proper function, NEVER TEST IT WHILE YOUR GUN IS
LOADED OR POINTED IN AN UNSAFE DIRECTION.

Safe gun handling does not stop with your gun’s mechanical “safety”
devices — it starts there. Always treat this pistol with the respect due
a loaded, ready-to-fire firearm.
3 DO NOT CARRY YOUR BDA 380 WITH A ROUND IN THE CHAMBER.
For good safety practice, it is recommended that a round not be
chambered until immediately before your pistol is to be fired.
2

4 THE RECOMMENDED CARRYING POSITION OF THE BDA 380 IS WITH
THE HAMMER IN THE DECOCKED POSITION. Carefully follow the
procedures for lowering the hammer from the cocked to the
decocked position explained on page 10 in this owner’s manual.
5 WHENEVER YOU HANDLE YOUR BDA 380, OR HAND IT TO SOMEONE,
MAKE SURE IT IS COMPLETELY UNLOADED. To fully unload your
BDA 380, you must first remove the magazine, open and lock the
slide rearward, and visually inspect the chamber to be certain it does
not contain a cartridge. It is vital that you remove the magazine from
your pistol so a cartridge is not automatically chambered when you
close the action. Always keep the chamber empty and the “safety” in
the “on safe” position unless shooting is imminent. See page 18 for
unloading procedures.
6 DO NOT TRANSPORT YOUR BDA 380 LOADED. Keep it unloaded,
whether stored in a holster, gun case or other container.
7 HUNTING FROM ELEVATED SURFACES SUCH AS TREE STANDS IS
DANGEROUS, and may increase the risk of handling a firearm.
The following rules should always be observed by you and those
you hunt with: Always make certain that the stand being used is
safe and stable. Always make certain that your firearm is unloaded
when it is being taken up and down from the stand. Always make
certain that your firearm is not dropped from the stand, or
dropped while it is being taken up or down from the stand.
Remember, a loaded firearm may discharge when dropped,
even with the “safety” in the “on safe” position.
8 BEWARE OF BARREL OBSTRUCTIONS. When preparing to shoot your
pistol, check for a barrel obstruction as follows: First, fully unload
the pistol by removing the magazine, locking the action open and
inspecting the chamber.
BE CERTAIN NO LIVE ROUND IS IN THE CHAMBER. Glance down the
barrel to be sure it is clear of any obstruction. It takes only one
small obstruction to dangerously increase pressures. Before the first
firing, clean the bore with a cleaning rod and patch, and wipe away
any anti-rust compounds in the chamber and around the action.
3

BE ALERT TO THE SIGNS OF AMMUNITION MALFUNCTION. If you detect
an off sound or light recoil when a cartridge is fired, do not load
another cartridge into the chamber. Fully unload by removing the
magazine and removing the cartridge from the chamber. With the
action open, glance down the barrel to make sure that an obstruction
does not remain in the barrel. If there is an obstruction, completely
clear the barrel before loading and firing again. Failure to follow these
instructions can cause extensive damage to your gun and possible
serious injury to yourself and others.

9 BE CERTAIN YOUR PISTOL IS UNLOADED BEFORE CLEANING. Because
so many gun accidents occur when a firearm is being cleaned,
special and extreme care should be taken to be sure your gun is
unloaded before disassembly, cleaning and reassembly. Keep
ammunition away from the cleaning location. Never test the
mechanical function of any firearm with live ammunition.
10 ALWAYS UNLOAD YOUR PISTOL WHEN NOT IN USE. Your
responsibilities do not end when your firearm is unattended. Store
your pistol and ammunition separately and well beyond the reach of
children. Take all safeguards to ensure your pistol does not become
available to untrained, inexperienced or unwelcome hands.

4

11 USE THE PROPER AMMUNITION. The barrel and action of this pistol
have been made with substantial safety margins over the pressures
developed by established American commercial loads. HOWEVER, WE
ASSUME NO LIABILITY FOR ACCIDENTS WHICH OCCUR THROUGH THE
USE OF CARTRIDGES OF NON-STANDARD DIMENSIONS OR THAT DEVELOP
PRESSURES IN EXCESS OF COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE AMMUNITION THAT
HAS BEEN LOADED IN ACCORDANCE WITH STANDARDS ESTABLISHED BY
THE SPORTING ARMS AND AMMUNITION MANUFACTURERS INSTITUTE
(SAAMI).
EXAMINE EVERY CARTRIDGE YOU PUT IN YOUR BDA 380 PISTOL.
The BDA 380 pistol is designed and chambered for .380 ACP
cartridges only. We cannot assume any responsibility for the use of
unsafe or improper arms and ammunition combinations. It is your
responsibility to read and heed all warnings in this owner’s manual and
on ammunition boxes.

12 DISCHARGING FIREARMS IN POORLY VENTILATED AREAS, CLEANING
FIREARMS OR HANDLING AMMUNITION MAY RESULT IN EXPOSURE
TO LEAD AND OTHER SUBSTANCES KNOWN TO CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS,
REPRODUCTIVE HARM AND OTHER SERIOUS PHYSICAL INJURY. HAVE
ADEQUATE VENTILATION AT ALL TIMES; WASH HANDS THOROUGHLY
AFTER EXPOSURE.
13 DO NOT SNAP THE FIRING PIN ON AN EMPTY CHAMBER — THE
CHAMBER MAY NOT BE EMPTY! Treat every gun with the respect
due a loaded gun, even if you are certain the gun is unloaded.
14 KEEP YOUR FINGER AWAY FROM THE TRIGGER WHILE UNLOADING AND
LOADING — UNTIL YOU ARE READY TO SHOOT.
15 BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET AND BACKSTOP. Take additional care
during low light periods. Know the range of your ammunition.
Never shoot at water or hard objects.
16 DROPPING YOUR BDA 380 WHEN LOADED CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENTAL
DISCHARGE EVEN WITH THE “SAFETY” ON. Be extremely careful while
hunting or during any shooting activity, to avoid dropping a
loaded firearm.
17 ALWAYS COMPLETELY UNLOAD YOUR PISTOL’S CHAMBER BEFORE
CROSSING A FENCE, CLIMBING A TREE, JUMPING A DITCH OR
NEGOTIATING OTHER OBSTACLES. Never place your BDA 380
on a car, or on any unstable object.
18 IF YOUR BDA 380 FAILS TO FIRE, KEEP THE MUZZLE POINTED
IN A SAFE DIRECTION. Hold this position for a minimum of 30
seconds. Carefully open the action and remove the cartridge.
If the primer is indented, the cartridge should be disposed of in a
way that cannot cause harm. If the primer is not indented, your
firearm should be examined by a qualified gunsmith and the cause
of the malfunction should be corrected before further use.
19 WEAR EYE AND EAR PROTECTION WHEN SHOOTING. Unprotected,
repeated exposure to gunfire can cause hearing damage. Wear
hearing protectors (shooting ear plugs or muffs) to guard against
5

such damage. Wear shooting glasses to protect your eyes from
flying particles. Always keep a safe distance between the muzzle
of your firearm and any persons nearby, as muzzle blast, debris
and ejecting shells could inflict serious injury. Also, wear eye
protection when disassembling and cleaning your pistol to prevent
the possibility of springs, spring-tensioned parts, solvents or other
agents from contacting your eyes.
20 BE DEFENSIVE AND ON GUARD AGAINST UNSAFE GUN HANDLING
AROUND YOU AND OTHERS. Don’t be timid when it comes to gun
safety. If you observe other shooters violating any of these safety
precautions, politely suggest safer handling practices.
21 SUPERVISE AND TEACH FIREARMS SAFETY TO ALL MEMBERS OF
YOUR FAMILY. This is especially important when children and
non-shooters are involved. Closely supervise newcomers to
the shooting sports. Encourage enrollment in hunting/shooting
safety courses.
22 NEVER DRINK ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES OR TAKE ANY TYPE OF DRUGS
BEFORE OR DURING SHOOTING. Your vision and judgment could be
dangerously impaired, making your gun handling unsafe to you or
to others.
23 PERIODIC MAINTENANCE — AVOID UNAUTHORIZED SERVICING.
Your BDA 380 is a mechanical device which will not last forever,
and as such, is subject to wear and requires periodic inspection,
adjustment and service. Like all Browning firearms, your BDA 380
should be serviced by a Browning Recommended Service Center or
by our service facility in Arnold, Missouri.
WE CANNOT ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR INJURIES SUFFERED
OR CAUSED BY UNAUTHORIZED SERVICING, ALTERATIONS OR
MODIFICATIONS OF OUR FIREARMS.

6

Read and heed all warnings in this owner’s manual, on ammunition
boxes and with all accessories that you install on your firearm. It is
your responsibility to secure the most up-to-date information on
the safe handling procedures for your Browning gun. We assume no
liability for incidents which occur when unsafe or improper gun
accessories or ammunition combinations are used.
Do not, under any circumstance, alter the trigger, “safety” or parts
of the firing mechanism of this or any other firearm. Failure to obey
this warning may result in injury or death to yourself or others.

BE CAREFUL!

7

FIGURE 1
Rear Sight
Hammer

Slide

Extractor

Muzzle

Rear

Front
Frame
Takedown Lever
Front Sight

Decocking “Safety”
Lever

Grip

Magazine

Serial Number
Takedown Lever Stop
Trigger
Slide Release/Stop Latch

BDA 380

Magazine Release

N O M E N C L AT U R E
In conventional gun terminology, the position and movement of
pistol parts are described as they occur with the pistol horizontal and
in normal firing position, i.e. the muzzle is forward or front; the pistol
grip is rearward or rear; the trigger is downward or underneath; the
sights are upward or on top. For general nomenclature refer to Figure 1.

SERIAL NUMBER
The serial number of your BDA 380 Pistol can be found stamped on
the left side of the frame, in front of the trigger guard (Figure 1).

INITIAL CLEANING
Before the first firing, clean the inside of the barrel, slide, and frame.
Use a clean rag and light gun oil such as Browning Oil. For general
8

cleaning procedures, see instructions under the section “Cleaning and
Lubrication” on page 25.

AMMUNITION
Your pistol must be used only with .380 ACP ammunition as shown by
the inscription on the exposed portion of the barrel (visible through
the ejection port when the slide is fully forward). The barrel and action
of this pistol have been made with substantial safety margins over the
pressures developed by established U.S. commercial loads. Nevertheless,
Browning can assume no responsibility for incidents which occur
through the use of cartridges of nonstandard dimensions or those
developing pressure in excess of SAAMI (Sporting Arms and
Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute) established standards.

MAGAZINE CAPACITY
Browning BDA 380 pistols have a magazine capacity of 13 rounds
plus one in the chamber, for a total capacity of 14 rounds. However,
some states limit the magazine capacity to 10 rounds plus one in the
chamber, for a total capacity of 11 rounds. All BDA 380 pistols sold in
these states will be shipped with reduced total magazine capacity in
compliance with state law. IMPORTANT: Current 13 round magazines
will have a “13” stamped under the lowest index hole on the back of
the magazine. 10 round magazines can be identified by the number
“10” stamped below the lowest hole. Make sure you have verified the
capacity of your magazine before loading it in your pistol.

G E N E R A L O P E R AT I O N
Your Browning BDA 380 is a blowback operated semiautomatic pistol.
The slide is forced rearward by the cartridge pressure and continues
rearward travel to accomplish extraction, ejection, and cocking. The
recoil spring then causes forward travel, feeding a loaded round from
the magazine and returning the slide and barrel to the firing position.
The slide of this pistol is designed to stay open after the last cartridge
has been fired and ejected.
9

O P E R AT I N G T H E “ S A F E T Y ” D E C O C K I N G L E V E R
The ambidextrous, thumb-operated “safety”/decocking lever is located
on both sides at the rear of the slide. It has twin finger pieces located on
each side of the slide so that it can be conveniently operated by a leftor right-handed shooter. Both finger pieces are serrated for positive
manipulation.
CAUTION: BECAUSE THE “SAFETY” IS ALSO THE DECOCKING LEVER, SPECIAL
ATTENTION MUST BE GIVEN TO THE POSITION OF THE LEVER WHEN CLOSING
THE SLIDE — FAILURE TO PLACE THE SAFETY IN THE “OFF SAFE” POSITION
PRIOR TO CLOSING THE SLIDE MAY RESULT IN A DAMAGED DECOCKING
SYSTEM. WHEN DECOCKING THE HAMMER, ALWAYS MAKE SURE YOUR PISTOL
IS POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION.

MANUAL “SAFETY” FUNCTION
“On Safe”— To place the pistol in the “on safe” position, press the
“safety”/decocking lever fully downward with your thumb (Figure 2A).
When the “safety”/decocking lever is pressed fully downward, the hammer will move to the decocked position (if it was in full cock position
when safety was pressed down).
“Off Safe”— To place the “safety” in the “off safe” or ready-to-fire position,
press the “safety”/decocking lever forward and up, exposing the red warning
dot. The red warning dot appears on both sides of the slide (Figure 2B).
With a round in the chamber and the magazine inserted, the pistol is
ready for firing with a pull on the trigger. NOTE: This pistol cannot be “on
safe” with the hammer in the full cock position. Because the “safety” is
also the decocking lever, depressing the “safety”/decocking lever will cause
the hammer to move to the decocked position (if the hammer was cocked
before you placed the pistol “on safe”). This does require firm pressure on
the “safety”/decocking lever. Do not press the “safety”/decocking lever
partially downward, leaving the hammer in the full cock position, and
assume the pistol is “on safe.” It is not. If the hammer does not move from
the full cock position to the decocked position, the “safety”/decocking lever
is not in the “on safe” position. The hammer cannot be cocked with the
“safety”/decocking lever in the “on safe” position.
10

FIGURE 2A

FIGURE 2B

“On Safe” position.

“Off Safe” or ready-to-fire position.

DECOCKING LEVER FUNCTION
The “safety”/decocking lever also functions as a decocking lever to provide
a safer method of lowering the hammer from full cock to the decocked
position without having to depress the trigger. With the muzzle pointed in
a safe direction and your finger away from the trigger, simply depress the
“safety”/decocking lever fully down with your thumb (Figure 3). The
hammer will lower to the decocked position.
CAUTION: THE HAMMER SHOULD ONLY BE LOWERED TO THE DECOCKED
POSITION USING THE COMBINATION “SAFETY”/DECOCKING LEVER. WHEN
DECOCKING THE HAMMER, ALWAYS MAKE SURE YOUR PISTOL IS POINTED
IN A SAFE DIRECTION.
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO MOVE THE
HAMMER TO THE DECOCKED POSITION
BY PULLING THE TRIGGER AND
LOWERING THE HAMMER WITH
YOUR THUMB AS WITH SOME
OTHER STYLES OF FIREARMS.

NOTE: Be sure to fully depress the
“safety”/decocking lever to lower
hammer from the full cock to the
decocked position. Keep your
finger away from the trigger. Be
sure the hammer moves to the
decocked position.

FIGURE 3

Depress the “safety”/decocking lever.

11

FIGURE 4
Dropped
Position

FIGURE 5
Decocked
Position

Full Cock
Position

Slide Release/Stop Latch

Depress the slide release/stop latch.

O P E R AT I O N O F T H E H A M M E R
The Browning BDA 380 has an exposed hammer with dropped,
decocked, and full cock positions.
DROPPED POSITION.
This is the momentary position of the hammer after the trigger is
pulled (Figure 4) when dry firing or if a round failed to fire in the
chamber. In the dropped position, the hammer is fully fallen and resting
against the inertia firing pin, but the firing pin is not in contact with
the cartridge primer. (The firing pin must be struck forcefully by the
hammer in order to achieve enough momentum to contact and
indent the primer, causing cartridge ignitions.)
DECOCKED POSITION.
The decocked hammer position is between the dropped and full cock
position (Figure 4). This is the position the hammer should be located
in at all times when carrying or storing your pistol. The decocked
position is provided as the primary, safest location of the hammer at
any time the slide is closed.
FULL COCK POSITION.
When at full cock, the hammer is all the way to the rear (Figure 4). In
the full cock position, with the “safety”/decocking lever in the “off safe”
position, and with a cartridge in the chamber, the pistol is ready to fire
by pulling the trigger.
12

S L I D E R E L E A S E / S T O P L AT C H
With an empty magazine inserted, the slide can be “locked” open
simply by grasping the slide serrations immediately forward of the
“safety”/decocking lever and drawing the slide fully rearward until the
slide release/stop latch automatically rotates upward into its appropriate
recess. (If a magazine is not inserted, the slide release/stop latch must
be manually pushed upward into its recess in the slide.) After the last
shot has been fired from the magazine the slide will “lock” rearward.
This position is an additional safety measure and allows easy inspection
of the barrel chamber. This is also the recommended attitude of the
pistol at all times prior to loading and while storing the pistol. To
close the slide, be certain the “safety”/decocking lever is in the “off safe”
position and your fingers are away from the ejection port and trigger.
With the muzzle of the pistol pointed in a safe direction, simply
depress the slide release/stop latch located on the left side of the frame
(Figure 5). NOTE: Failure to put the “safety”/decocking lever in the
“off safe” position while closing the slide may cause damage to the
decocking system. After closing the slide, be certain the
“safety”/decocking lever is moved to the “on safe” position, which will
also decock the hammer.

INSERTING CARTRIDGES INTO THE MAGAZINE
1

2

With the slide closed, the “safety”/decocking lever in the “on safe”
position, and the muzzle pointing in a safe direction, press the
magazine latch on the left side of the frame at the rear of the trigger
guard and remove the magazine. As a safety precaution, operate
the slide manually and visually inspect the chamber to eliminate
any possibility of a cartridge being in the chamber. Close the slide,
remembering the “safety”/decocking lever must be in the “off safe”
position to prevent damage to the decocking system.
It is possible to lock the slide open before inserting a loaded
magazine. However, we recommend that the slide be closed before
inserting a loaded magazine. If the slide is locked open when a
magazine is inserted, and the slide is then closed using the slide
lock, a cartridge will be fed into the chamber as the slide closes.
The pistol could then be fired with the pull of the trigger.

13

3

4

FIGURE 6
Insert the cartridges into
the magazine by pushing
them down and sliding them
rearward with your thumb
(Figure 6). Start the cartridge
into the magazine (bullet
forward) by pushing downward
on the front of the follower
with the base of the cartridge
and then pushing the cartridge
rearward under the lips until
Loading the magazine.
the cartridge is fully rearward.
Subsequent cartridges are loaded similarly, with the base of the new
cartridge being pushed down on the already inserted round until
the new cartridge can be slipped under the lips of the magazine.

REMEMBER: The recommended maximum carrying capacity of the
BDA 380 is 13 rounds with the chamber empty (10 rounds in limited
capacity magazines with the chamber empty). The number of cartridges
in the magazine can be visually verified following the instructions
under “Other Features” on page 22 in this owner’s manual.

LOADING THE MAGAZINE INTO THE PISTOL
Do not load a cartridge into the chamber until shooting is imminent.
Insert the loaded magazine into the magazine well at the base of the
grip, being certain that the magazine is pressed in completely until
retained by the magazine latch. The “safety”/decocking lever should
remain in the “on safe” position.

TO LOAD THE CHAMBER
To load the chamber, point the muzzle in a safe direction, keep your
finger away from the trigger and place the “safety”/decocking lever in the
“off safe” position and pull the slide completely back. Allow the slide to
move forward under spring pressure, feeding the first cartridge from the
magazine into the chamber. CAUTION: The pistol is now cocked and
14

can be fired by simply squeezing the trigger. Be sure the
“safety”/decocking lever is placed in the “on safe” position immediately
after feeding the first round (which will decock the hammer) unless
shooting is imminent.

S P E C I A L I N S T R U C T I O N S F O R L AW
ENFORCEMENT AND COMPETITIVE SHOOTERS
Several BDA 380 functions are for specialized purposes in law
enforcement and competitive shooting only. They are the loaded
chamber indicator and the procedure for loading a full magazine with
the slide locked rearward (below).

L O A D E D C H A M B E R I N D I C AT O R
CAUTION: Remember, under all conditions, always assume that the
chamber of your BDA 380 is loaded. But, to be of assistance, especially
in the case of a law enforcement officers, the BDA 380 has a special
loaded chamber indicator. The loaded chamber indicator is to be used
only to confirm or verify that a round is in the chamber. In any situation,
to use the loaded chamber indicator, (1) shooting should be imminent,
(2) you have already loaded the chamber, and (3) you are in a situation
where it is an advantage to confirm that the chamber is loaded. Never
use the loaded chamber indicator to determine whether the chamber
is loaded or not. When there is a round in the chamber, the forward
portion of the extractor will cam outward slightly, exposing a red
index mark. This index mark is FIGURE 7
located on the top, forward surface of the extractor. The
extractor is a slender bar, about
11⁄4" long, located on the right
side of the slide immediately
behind the ejection port (Figure
7). With practice, the protrusion
can be both seen and felt.
Remember, the loaded chamber
Protruding Extractor
indicator is only for confirming
that a round is in the chamber
The protruding extractor (with red index mark)
when shooting is imminent.
confirms that a round is present in the chamber.
15

CAUTION: WHENEVER USING THE LOADED CHAMBER INDICATOR TO
CONFIRM THAT YOUR PISTOL’S CHAMBER IS LOADED, ALWAYS FIRST
MAKE SURE THE BARREL IS POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION AND THAT
THE “SAFETY”/DECOCKING LEVER IS IN THE “ON SAFE” POSITION. DO
NOT USE THESE INDICATORS WITH LIVE AMMUNITION UNLESS AT AN
APPROPRIATE SHOOTING LOCATION AND WHEN ALL SAFETY RULES ARE
ADHERED TO.
CAUTION: DO NOT DEPEND ON THE RED COLOR ALONE TO INDICATE YOUR
GUN’S SAFETY STATUS, AS TIME, EXPOSURE TO THE ELEMENTS, AND THE
ABRASIVE ACTION OF CLEANING AGENTS CAN ERASE IT.
CAUTION: THE LOADED CHAMBER INDICATOR IS NEVER A REPLACEMENT FOR
CHECKING THE LOADED STATUS OF YOUR PISTOL BY OPENING THE ACTION
AND REMOVING ALL CARTRIDGES FROM THE CHAMBER AND MAGAZINE.

L O A D I N G W I T H T H E S L I D E L O C K E D R E A R WA R D

16

If you are shooting in competitive matches or for law enforcement
purposes, and shooting will be imminent after firing an entire magazine,
it is possible to load a fresh magazine while the slide is still locked
rearward, and then chamber a round when the slide is closed. The
slide of your BDA 380 locks rearward after the last round from the
magazine is fired. Under most conditions you should immediately
remove the empty magazine, close the slide and place the
“safety”/decocking lever in the “on safe” position, while a new magazine
is inserted. Under special law enforcement and competitive shooting
conditions, you can leave the slide open after the empty magazine
is removed. With the slide locked rearward you can insert the full
magazine and release the slide forward by pushing downward on the
slide stop/release lever with your thumb. The slide will close under
spring pressure and feed a cartridge from the magazine into the
chamber. Remember, the pistol can now be fired by simply squeezing
the trigger. If for some reason shooting is no longer imminent, you
must immediately push the “safety”/decocking lever downward, placing
the “safety” in the on position and at the same time, decocking the
hammer. From this point the pistol can then be fired by moving the
“safety”/decocking lever upward to the fire (“off safe”) position and

squeezing the trigger. If shooting is not imminent, the loaded round
should be removed from the chamber as explained under “Unloading”
on page 18.
Be sure the muzzle is pointed in a safe direction and your finger is away
from the trigger while you are decocking the hammer, performing any
loading or unloading procedures or confirming the loaded status of
your pistol. Remember: Always treat your pistol as if the chamber is
loaded and it is ready to fire.

FIRING
DOUBLE ACTION FIRING
With the pistol decocked, the first shot can be fired double action by
raising the “safety”/decocking lever to the “off safe” position and simply
squeezing the trigger. In order for the trigger to operate the hammer,
the magazine must be inserted in the pistol.
SINGLE ACTION FIRING
If you wish to fire the first round single action instead of double action,
simply raise the “safety”/decocking lever to the “off safe” position and
cock the hammer. Be sure the muzzle is pointed in a safe direction and
your finger is away from the trigger while you are cocking the hammer
with your thumb. The first shot is now ready to fire simply by pulling
the trigger, as long as the magazine is in the pistol. CAUTION: REMEMBER,
WHEN YOUR PISTOL IS AT FULL COCK THE TRIGGER PULL IS SIGNIFICANTLY
SHORTER AND LIGHTER THAN WHEN PULLING THE TRIGGER FROM THE
DECOCKED POSITION. ALWAYS TAKE SPECIAL CARE TO KNOW THE STATUS OF
YOUR PISTOL’S HAMMER.
FIRING SUCCESSIVE SHOTS
After the first shot has been fired by double action or single action
described above, the pistol will automatically eject the fired cartridge, cock
the hammer and feed a loaded round from the magazine into the chamber.
Thus the shooter may fire the pistol until the magazine is empty simply by
pulling the trigger for each shot. Immediately depress the “safety”/decocking
lever (with your finger removed from the trigger) if you do not wish to
17

FIGURE 8

The slide moves rearward about 3⁄4" past the
end of the frame.

fire or if shooting is no longer imminent. After the last shot is fired, the
slide lock on the left side causes the
slide to remain back. At this point,
we recommend that the magazine
be removed and then the slide
closed (by releasing the slide
release/stop latch), before a loaded
magazine is inserted in the pistol as
previously described in the
“Loading” section.

CAUTION: YOU WILL HAVE OBSERVED, BY PULLING THE SLIDE BACK TO
COCK THE PISTOL, THAT THE SLIDE MOVES REARWARD ABOUT 3⁄ 4 " PAST
THE REAR OF THE FRAME (FIGURE 8). IN SHOOTING, NEITHER HAND
SHOULD BE IN A POSITION WHERE IT COULD BE HIT BY THE SLIDE IN ITS
REARWARD MOVEMENT, NOR SHOULD UNORTHODOX SIGHTING METHODS
BE USED WHERE THE PISTOL IS HELD CLOSE TO THE EYE OR FACE.

UNLOADING
1

2

3

18

With the muzzle pointed in a safe direction and the “safety”/decocking
lever in the “on safe” position, depress the magazine release on the
left side of the frame and remove the magazine. CAUTION: KEEP
YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER WHILE REMOVING THE MAGAZINE,
AND THROUGHOUT THE UNLOADING PROCESS. GRIP THE SLIDE AND
DRAW IT SHARPLY REARWARD AND LOCK THE SLIDE TO THE REAR BY
RAISING THE SLIDE STOP. THIS WILL CLEAR ANY ROUND THAT MAY BE
IN THE CHAMBER AND EJECT THAT ROUND.
Visually inspect both the chamber and magazine channel to be
sure your pistol is unloaded.The safest way to store your pistol is
to leave the slide back and the magazine removed.
Strip any loaded cartridges from the magazine by pushing forward
on the rear of the top cartridge and sliding each cartridge out, one
at a time, as each moves up in the magazine. Also, be sure to fully

FIGURE 9A

FIGURE 9B

Slide
Release/Stop
Latch
Take Down Lever Stop

Move the slide rearward and push in slide
stop to lock it rearward.

Press and hold the take down
lever stop.

unload any spare magazines at the same time. The magazine and
cartridges should be stored separately from the pistol.

D I S A S S E M B LY
WEAR EYE PROTECTION AT ALL TIMES WHEN PERFORMING MAINTENANCE
ON YOUR PISTOL. It is important that you become adept at
disassembling (field stripping) your BDA 380 pistol. Disassembly
into major component groups is necessary for thoroughly cleaning
your pistol and assuring reliable operation.
FIRST, BE CERTAIN YOUR PISTOL IS COMPLETELY UNLOADED by removing
the magazine and inspecting the chamber as explained previously. Be
sure to use eye protection whenever disassembling and reassembling
your pistol due to the spring-tensioned parts.
1 Be sure the “safety”/decocking lever is in the “on safe” position.
2 Unload your BDA 380 by removing the magazine, as explained
under “Unloading” on page 18, and visually inspect the chamber
to ensure no rounds remain.
3 Lock the slide rearward by pulling the slide back and engaging the
slide stop/release latch into the disassembly recess on the slide
(Figure 9A).
4 Depress the takedown lever stop (Figure 9B). This is the small,
button-like part that extends out of the frame just forward of the
slide stop/release lever. The takedown lever stop passes through the
19

FIGURE 9C

FIGURE 10

Takedown Lever
Rotate takedown lever 90 degrees downward.

Lift out the barrel.

frame of the pistol from the left to the right side. The takedown
lever (on the right side) will not rotate unless the takedown lever
stop is pushed in (on the left side), releasing the lever to rotate.
With the “button” depressed, rotate the takedown lever on the
right side of the frame 90 degrees downward (Figure 9C).
5 Place the “safety”/decocking lever in the “off safe” position.
6 While holding the frame with one hand, and the slide with the
other hand, pull the slide rearward slightly to release the slide
release/stop latch, then guide the slide forward off the frame. The
slide will be under spring pressure for part of its travel. Carefully
push it the rest of the way off the frame.
7 Push the slide forward on the frame rails until the slide is
completely removed from the frame.
8 While holding the slide, press the head of the recoil spring guide
forward to release the head of the recoil spring guide from the
barrel. Remove the recoil spring and its guide.
9 To remove the barrel from the slide, lift up the barrel lug and slide
the barrel out rearward (Figure 10). Disassembly to this point is
sufficient for normal maintenance of your pistol (Figure 11).
No further disassembly is recommended as the pistol is now
stripped adequately for normal maintenance and cleaning.
WARNING: IF FURTHER DISASSEMBLY SHOULD EVER BECOME NECESSARY
IT SHOULD ONLY BE PERFORMED BY OUR SERVICE FACILITY IN ARNOLD,
MISSOURI, OR AN AUTHORIZED BROWNING SERVICE CENTER. NO OTHER
20

FIGURE 11

FIGURE 12
Slide

Barrel
Lug

Barrel
Recoil Spring Guide

Recoil Spring

Barrel Lug

Barrel Lug Recess

Head of Recoil Spring Guide
Magazine
Frame
Disassembly to this point is sufficient for
normal maintenance of your pistol.

When assembling, be sure the head of the
recoil spring guide is inserted in the concave
barrel lug recess.

PERSON SHOULD ATTEMPT TO PERFORM FURTHER DISASSEMBLY/REASSEMBLY
PROCEDURES. INCORRECT REASSEMBLY COULD RENDER THE BDA 380
INOPERATIVE OR UNSAFE. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THIS INSTRUCTION CAN
RESULT IN DAMAGE TO YOUR GUN AND POSSIBLE SERIOUS INJURY OR
DEATH TO YOURSELF AND OTHERS.
You are now ready to clean your BDA 380 as explained under
“Cleaning and Lubrication” on page 25.

R E A S S E M B LY
1
2

3

4

Replace the barrel into the slide.
Replace the recoil spring and barrel into the slide. The head of the
recoil spring guide is positioned rearward. Compress the recoil
spring by pushing on the head of the guide until the head of the
guide can be inserted in the shallow, concave recess of the barrel
lug (Figure 12).
Replace the slide on the frame and hold it fully rearward. Lock the
slide rearward by moving the slide stop/release latch upward into
the notch in the slide.
Depress the takedown lever stop and rotate the takedown lever
rearward and upward 90 degrees. Be sure the barrel is in its most
rearward position. NOTE: If the takedown lever has been removed
for any reason, be sure to replace it prior to closing the slide.
Failure to do so will cause the recoil spring and guide to eject out
the front of the pistol.

21

5
6
7

Release the slide by depressing the slide stop/release latch.
Place the “safety”/decocking lever in the “on safe” position. This will
also decock the hammer.
Replace the magazine, or leave it out if you are storing your pistol
or performing other maintenance.

MAGAZINE MAINTENANCE
The BDA 380 magazine is unique to the BDA 380 and should not be
used in any other pistol. Neither should any other magazine be used in
your BDA 380. Its specialized, advanced design makes it highly reliable
and makes maintenance and cleaning extremely easy (refer to
“Cleaning and Lubrication” on page 25 in this owner’s manual for
details).
Disassembly takes just a few seconds and should be a normal part of
your pistol’s maintenance. Component parts are designed for ease of
disassembly and reassembly (Figure 13). This gives you extra confidence
when conducting maintenance in the field.

S P E C I A L N O M E N C L AT U R E
The top of the magazine is the portion where the follower is exposed
when unloaded. The bottom is the end with the buttplate. The front
is the rounded, curved side of the magazine body. The rear is the flat
surface with the cartridge status view holes.

O T H E R F E AT U R E S
On standard BDA 380 magazines, three view holes are provided in
the rear of the magazine to allow you to assess the number of rounds
loaded in the magazine. These are indexed with the numbers 4, 8, and
13. If the base of a cartridge shows in the 13 hole, your magazine is fully
loaded. The top (number 4) hole simply offers an estimate of the
remaining cartridges.
On BDA 380 limited capacity magazines, there are only two numbers to
allow you to assess the number of rounds loaded in the magazine. These
22

FIGURE 13

FIGURE 14
Magazine Spring

Magazine Body

Buttplate

Disassembled Magazine.

Follower

Indexed view holes are marked with the numbers
5 and 10. (10 round magazine shown.)

are indexed with the numbers 5 and 10 (Figure 14). If the base of a
cartridge shows in the 10 hole, your magazine is fully loaded. The top
(number 5) hole simply offers an estimate of the remaining cartridges.
The extended lip on the floor plate allows easy manipulation and
removal of the magazine under all conditions.

M A G A Z I N E D I S A S S E M B LY
WEAR EYE PROTECTION AT ALL TIMES WHEN PERFORMING MAINTENANCE
ON YOUR PISTOL.

1

2

3

4

Release the buttplate from the magazine by pressing on the release
“button” through the hole in the bottom of the buttplate. The
button is simply a protrusion on the buttplate retainer that engages
in the buttplate under pressure from the magazine spring. You can
use a thin screw driver or other suitable object to disengage it.
With the “button” held depressed, slide the buttplate off of the
rails toward the front of the magazine. CAUTION: THE SPRING IS
UNDER HEAVY TENSION AND WILL TEND TO SPRING OUT.
Carefully remove the magazine spring. The buttplate retainer
will usually stay connected to the spring. Note its position. Be prepared to retain the spring, as it is compressed and may spring out
unless controlled.
Allow the spring assembly to release its tension, then remove the
23

5

6

spring from the magazine
body.
Remove the follower from
the magazine body. Note
its position.
Perform any cleaning and
maintenance as outlined in the
section “Cleaning and
Lubrication” on page 25.

MAGAZINE
R E A S S E M B LY
1

2

3

4

5

6
24

FIGURE 15

Windage adjustments on fixed sight models.

Position the follower on the spring with the notch in the top of the
follower upward. The follower will fit into the top coil of the spring
at about a 45 degree angle. The notched end of the follower will be
toward the top.
Insert the spring assembly (with the follower attached) into the
magazine body. Make sure that the notched (or upper) part of the
follower is facing toward the front of the magazine. Leave the
spring hanging out, uncompressed at this time.
Make sure the buttplate retainer is attached to the magazine spring.
Insert the end of the spring through the keeper on the buttplate
retainer: round edge to the front, release “button” downward.
Push the spring and retainer the rest of the way into the magazine
body. Be very careful. The spring is under tension and will tend to
spring out.
Hold the retainer down, inside the magazine with one hand while
you slide the buttplate onto the rails — starting the buttplate at
the front of the magazine body and sliding it rearward — until the
buttplate retainer snaps into position. The shape of the buttplate
corresponds to the shape of the buttplate retainer and the overall
shape of the bottom of the magazine body — rounded edges all to
the front, flat edges all to the rear.
The magazine is now ready for use.

SIGHT ADJUSTMENT
The BDA 380 is equipped with a fixed front sight and a windage
adjustable rear sight. Before adjusting the sights, BE CERTAIN YOUR
PISTOL IS UNLOADED.
The windage adjustment (horizontal correction) is preset at the factory.
However, should it ever be required, the rear sight may be moved in
its dovetail slot in the slide. This is accomplished by lightly tapping the
base of the rear sight in the same direction you want the bullet to
move; i.e., if you want the point of impact to move to the left, tap the
rear sight to the left; if you want to move the point of impact to the
right, tap the rear sight to the right.
A small wooden dowel or comparable nonmetallic object should be
used to bear against the sight base during tapping to avoid marring
the finish (Figure 15). Correct adjustment is a process of trial and
error using the method described above.

C L E A N I N G A N D L U B R I C AT I O N
FIRST, BE CERTAIN YOUR PISTOL IS COMPLETELY UNLOADED. REMOVE
THE MAGAZINE AND VERIFY THAT THE CHAMBER DOES NOT CONTAIN
A CARTRIDGE. KEEP ALL AMMUNITION AWAY FROM THE CLEANING SITE.
NEVER TEST THE MECHANICAL FUNCTION OF YOUR PISTOL WITH LIVE
AMMUNITION. WEAR EYE PROTECTION AT ALL TIMES WHEN CLEANING
AND PERFORMING MAINTENANCE ON YOUR PISTOL.

Different cartridge loadings, weather and shooting conditions all
contribute to the frequently required in cleaning your pistol. A good
rule to follow is to clean your pistol after every use. If extensive shooting will be performed, it is wise to clean your pistol after each 500
rounds. Excessively dirty rounds may require more frequent cleaning.
Excessive grit and dirt can affect the function of even the finest
firearm. Cleaning cannot be overemphasized.
1 Disassemble the pistol as previously described on page 19 in the
section titled “Disassembly.” Clean the bore using a pistol cleaning
rod and patch made for .380 caliber pistols, working back and
25

2

3
4
5
6

7

8

26

forth until a patch comes through clean. Be careful not to impact
or mar the crown of the muzzle as it can affect accuracy. Cleaning
from the breech end can reduce this danger.
Depending on the amount of use, the barrel may need to be
cleaned with a good quality nitro solvent. Ordinarily, a light
lubricating oil like Browning Oil will suffice for this purpose.
The slide assembly may be cleaned with solvent or oil and then
wiped dry with a clean cloth.
Use a small brush to remove dirt or other foreign matter from the
other parts of the action.
Totally wipe all parts clean.
Lightly lubricate all moving parts, sparingly, with oil. Pay special
attention to the slide rails and the bearing surfaces of all levers and
moving parts. A good rule to follow is to oil all major components
and internal parts, then wipe away any excess. A light film on
moving parts is sufficient. IMPORTANT: Fine oils tend to
evaporate. If your BDA 380 has been stored for any length of time,
completely relubricate before shooting.
Periodically wash the magazine in a good gun cleaning solvent to
keep the magazine spring and follower functioning well.
Disassemble before cleaning, as explained previously. Bullet
lubricants, oil and dirt can make these magazine components
sluggish. Do not heavily oil the internal parts of the magazine,
as the oil can serve to collect grit and foreign matter. A fine film
is sufficient.
It is appropriate to wipe the external parts of the pistol with a
slightly oiled cloth after handling and to put a drop of oil on the
friction points from time to time. Frequently inspect your pistol
and magazine to determine a need for cleaning.

DO NOT TAKE YOUR GUN’S ACTION APART BEYOND THE EXTENT
EXPLAINED IN THIS OWNER’S MANUAL.
This is a specialized, finely fitted mechanism, and you may mar it for
life by an attempt to disassemble the inner mechanism assemblies. Do
not disassemble the trigger mechanism or any other parts more than
described. If further disassembly is required, take your gun to a
Browning Recommended Service Center or a competent gunsmith.

27

NOTES

28

SERVICE OR REPAIR
If your firearm should require service or repairs, we suggest you
first contact a local recommended Browning Firearms Service
Center. Contact your Browning sporting goods dealer or call our
Service Department for the address of the Service Center nearest
you. Otherwise, you may send your firearm directly to our own
Service Department. For technical questions about your firearm
or service, contact:
Browning Service Department
One Browning Place
Arnold, MO 63010-9406
Phone: 1-800-322-4626
Canadian Customers call or write:
Browning Canada Sports Ltd./Ltee,
5583 Chemin St-François
St-Laurent, Quebec H4S 1W6
Phone: (514) 333-7261
When returning your firearm for servicing, you must
do the following:
1 Be sure it is completely unloaded.
2 Package it securely in a cardboard container.
3 Enclose a letter with your firearm that clearly describes the
trouble experienced, the ammunition used and the repairs
desired. Also include your name and a phone number where
you can be reached.
4 If convenient, send a copy of the letter to us separately.
5 Never return ammunition with your firearm. It is against
postal and most commerce regulations.
If you have any questions about this owner’s manual or
about any other Browning products, call or write our
Consumer Information Department:
Browning Consumer Information
One Browning Place
Morgan, UT 84050
Phone: (801) 876-2711

BROWNING.COM

BROWNING US: Morgan, Utah 84050-9326
BROWNING CANADA: Browning Canada Sports Ltd/Ltee, St-Laurent, Quebec, H4S 1W6
BROWNING INTL: Parc Industriel des Hauts-Sarts, B-4040 Herstal, Belgium
NEU05011.5/04426



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