I just bought an 84 barrel and some 84 magazines to turn it into a .380. All of the parts are identical between the 81 and 84 except the barrel and magazine. (Be aware of different models like the 81/84-B-BB-F-FS) Now I can use either caliber.
I've looked a few times on Gunbroker, there's a seller that sells guns "minus the frame" for cheap. I believe these are police impounds on the way to scrap, the list the parts starting off pretty low (and the listing is basically complete, minus the frame).
I believe the seller is
"Gunbusters".
I've chased a couple of Browning BDA's for that very reason, but the price went too steep for me. The last one I bid on, was actually the exact correct match as far as model- the telltale sign is the recoil spring guide rod. Any BDA or 84 would provide a barrel swap, but for a true parts kit you need the correct guide rod too. The slide and grips would be a throwaway, but the rest should fit. And you can use the 81's slide.
Watching the last BDA kit go, I'm certain the other bidder was aware of the exact same thing. It was older (thus correct to the 81), and the slide was pretty rough; but it went for more than a previous BDA kit that would only have provided just the barrel (I think it would have matched a BB for the rest). Went over $100.
I'd have pushed and got it, but decided I really don't want a .380 THAT bad. I don't have another .380, instead I have 9x18 Makarov in a few pistols, and .32 acp in others.
I've tried to limit ammo as best I can, so I've avoided .380, just as I avoid .40 (I go with 9x19 in that category). Seems like whenever I add a caliber, I have to stock up at least 1-2 cases of ammo in reserve, and then add a couple more pistols to make it more useful. I've already got a collection that rivals or surpasses a lot of LGS
, despite "not being a gun nut"
. I don't want to add another batch.