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Browning 1911 Black Label 380... recent reviews

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11K views 5 replies 6 participants last post by  Srgunner  
#1 ·
Hey all,
New to the Forum but have owned and carried a 1911 for 25 years +...........
After searching for threads, I didn't see any recent reviews or thoughts on this particular 380. I kind of took a liking to the 3.62 Inch Barrel version...
Have they changed since Browning released them.... Improvements...Problems........ thoughts on value and is it worth buying????

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Thanks
 
#2 ·
I've got one and like it. I also bought a .22 slide and slide stop for it to make it a convertible. I usually shoot it as a .22. The .380 slide shoots about 15" low at 100 feet. The .22 slide is spot on at the same distance.

As an aside,, the .22 can also be converted to a .380, but it takes more effort because the .22 frame requires a couple of modifications to accept the .380 slide.
 
#3 ·
Welcome. I don’t own one but have shot one at the range. This might help you if you have not already read:
 
#4 ·
I have an 1911-A1-22 - "4-1/4" barrel" and it's all aluminum - not polymer.
(grip screws still thread into the frame tho.
I'd love to find a compact version of that.

The Black Label version is a polymer matrix frame and 6061T6 slide.
22 and 380 both.
Be very careful with the grip screws as there is no bushing - just threaded into the frame.
The Compact version (3.6" barrel) sounds interesting.
That would conceal nicely.

Don't expect to be able to find many parts for it.
There aren't any except Browning, and they don't sell parts.

There is/was a full length stainless steel guide rod for them.
(Aguila SSS "Super Sub Sonic" 60 grain gave it an 85% scaled muzzle flip (no really!)
but were chewing up the plastic guide rod. Hence the swap)

The front blade was available at Numrich(?)
And some grips.
That's about it.

I took a safe-one-side file to the rear sight and widened it up.
That helps considerably.

They are cute little buggers.
And shoot quite well.
 
#6 ·
I've got one. Very accurate. Best shooting 380 I've ever handled. A little pricey but I figured I needed one with JMB's name on it. I shot it a lot the first summer I had it. Then cleaned and oiled and put in the safe. Get it out a couple of times a year. A keeper.