Browning BDM - first impressions

[B2D]

I found this at a local dealer on consignment. I've known about these for a long time now but this is the first one I saw in person. I'd heard that they were very slim and comfortable and fit well in the hand.

I handled it for about 15 minutes and decided I'd like to give it a go. Came with 2 mags and the OEM box.

I put about 50 rds through it as soon as I picked it up off hold. Its shooting about 2" low at 10 yards but other than that it's solid. No malfunctions on one box of ball ammo. I'll play with the sights and see if I can center it up. Plus i haven't taken it apart to clean it yet. Apparently the previous owner was more of a collector and didn't shoot it much.

Overall, excellent ergonomics and feel in the hand, not too heavy or too light.

Interestingly enough, the gun has to be on fire to lock the slide back, and you can use the safety to drop the slide if it's open, which closes the action and puts the gun decocked and on safe.

The magazines also have a small tab in them to change the pistol to DA only mode.

Overall it's like a Hi-Power and a Sig 226 had a baby. I dig it overall. Time will tell how well it works as an occasional shooter.

[dezcars]

Nice find!
how much did you paid for it!
They are very hard to come by and no cheap either!

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[B2D]

Nice find!
how much did you paid for it!
They are very hard to come by and no cheap either!

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

Mid-600's plus tax and fees. Not prohibitively priced.

One of the guys working at the gun range was bummed because he wanted it but I got to it first. I let him shoot a few mags worth when I picked it up 9for which he was grateful) and he said "If you don't like it or get bored with it, let me know!"

[dezcars]

The magazines for that pistol are hard to find and very expensive, they are usually $50 and up!

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[B2D]

Nice, that's a fair price taking in consideration that they are hard to find in California, the magazines for that pistol are hard to find and very expensive, they are usually $50 and up!

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So I've heard.

I've contacted Browning to see if I can get a manual for it. I've already located a source for parts.

[Jimi Jah]

I bought one new 20+ years ago. Nice 9mm but I prefer my SA 1911 target. Maybe I'll sell the BDM if they are worth so much here. Any offers?

[-hanko]

So I've heard.

I've contacted Browning to see if I can get a manual for it. I've already located a source for parts.

Steve's Gun Pages has a manual you can download.

I bought one new 20+ years ago. Nice 9mm but I prefer my SA 1911 target. Maybe I'll sell the BDM if they are worth so much here. Any offers?

I was in TX when the Browning Dual Mode (BDM) first came out. It never caught on and iirc was dead in 2-3 years. I'd be interested if I were a Browning pistol collector, but since I'm not I'd really prefer another High Power.

[dezcars]

I bought one new 20+ years ago. Nice 9mm but I prefer my SA 1911 target. Maybe I'll sell the BDM if they are worth so much here. Any offers?

What type of BDM do you have?
Pics and how many magazines!

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[pythonfan]

I just found one up here in a gun shop as well. I've been looking for one for a couple years.
Gun feels solid and very comfortable. Man I wish that safety was reversed. Being a hi power fan I intuitively kept flipping the safety on when I was trying to dry fire it.

[B2D]

I bought one new 20+ years ago. Nice 9mm but I prefer my SA 1911 target. Maybe I'll sell the BDM if they are worth so much here. Any offers?

Steve's Gun Pages has a manual you can download.

I was in TX when the Browning Dual Mode (BDM) first came out. It never caught on and iirc was dead in 2-3 years. I'd be interested if I were a Browning pistol collector, but since I'm not I'd really prefer another High Power.

My uncle has a very old HiPower, WW2 era. I've shot it once and it groups pretty well for a 70+ year old weapon. It's very cool and I wouldn't hesitate to own one, but I like this better for now. The HP is likely much easier to get parts and sights for.

I just found one up here in a gun shop as well. I've been looking for one for a couple years.
Gun feels solid and very comfortable. Man I wish that safety was reversed. Being a hi power fan I intuitively kept flipping the safety on when I was trying to dry fire it.

Being a big 1911 fan, I kept swiping the safety and decocking/safing it before firing on the first few magazines. It's like a beretta safety in the way but it's on the frame and not the slide. I prefer frame-mounted anyways. I'll get used to it.

[hambam105]

BPMs are non-standard, lower than 1st Drawer pistols.

[pythonfan]

What?

[-hanko]

I'd say they're probably not in the first drawer you'd open when you really need a weapon

[B2D]

I'd say they're probably not in the first drawer you'd open when you really need a weapon

On the whole, I'd agree. My XD currently retains that distinction.

But I didn't buy it for that reason. It caught my attention because I'd never seen one in person before. I picked it up and loved the way it felt in my hand, and after some thought, decided to try it out.

I have an affinity for 'weird' stuff sometimes. These guns do seem to be polarizing, though. Based on what I've researched people either love them or hate them. The few people I've talked to in shops about it seem to either like it as a unique offering, or have never heard of it.

[Jimi Jah]

What type of BDM do you have?
Pics and how many magazines!

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