New Browning 1911/380
- Thread starter EIGHTYDUECE
- Start date
Who is freaking out?
I just think an officers or CCO 1911 in .45 or 9mm isn't much larger (if not smaller than this in most dimensions) and far more flexible than the narrow band that .380 is preferable, or effective in.
In the end, the market will decide. But in most cases, a market is clearly identifiable for a new product. In this case, I don't see it unless brown in is working on the assumption that women prefer .380 for some reason.
I could see something along the lines of the old colt government 380, 380 plus, mustang II, etc having a clear market as an expansion of a market that Sig, Colt, and now Kimber all compete in for mustang clones.
I just think an officers or CCO 1911 in .45 or 9mm isn't much larger (if not smaller than this in most dimensions) and far more flexible than the narrow band that .380 is preferable, or effective in.
In the end, the market will decide. But in most cases, a market is clearly identifiable for a new product. In this case, I don't see it unless brown in is working on the assumption that women prefer .380 for some reason.
I could see something along the lines of the old colt government 380, 380 plus, mustang II, etc having a clear market as an expansion of a market that Sig, Colt, and now Kimber all compete in for mustang clones.
Cheapshooter
New member
Interesting idea, but not for me. If I carry something bigger than my Elsie Pea it is to have something with more power than a 380.
I just see it as the natural evolution of the .22, the market is with those who enjoy the 1911-22 and the concept of a 1911 scaled down to fit the smaller caliber. I'm not too excited about the polymer frame though, but if it sells well enough hopefully they will offer several versions like they did with the .22.
Samuel2011
New member
I don't know! And don't seem to agree with those people that are perfectly fine with plinking with a tiny .22 (1911-22), but then have a hard time with a smallish .380 and start recommending a .45 or 9 mm cause "they are not much bigger."
I guess a lot of you haven't handled a 1903-1908 Colt.
This seems to be a lighter, bit longer and exposed hammer version of one in my book. Now it they only made it in .32 ACP commanders length.
If it goes bang I probably want one.
Now let's just hope I can get one in the people's Republic.
I guess a lot of you haven't handled a 1903-1908 Colt.
This seems to be a lighter, bit longer and exposed hammer version of one in my book. Now it they only made it in .32 ACP commanders length.
If it goes bang I probably want one.
Now let's just hope I can get one in the people's Republic.
lee n. field
New member
Interesting.
Though, playing off the Browning name -- I don't think Browning ever made a 1911 prior to this. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.
I hope it's not a rebranded Philipino gun or Umarex.
And no grip safety (I read that some of their .380 1911-ish guns did, some did not).
Oh, heck yeah!
I see it as a good choice for someone who doesn't like the bark and bite of the tiny lightweight .380s, kind of like the Ruger LC380. I liked the .22 version, but passed on it because of the hard to see sights and the high price. White dot sights would have been a big help for us old guys. It looks like a nice gun, but there are a lot of other good choices at that price point. Having said that, I'm still trying to get my hands on my brother's Colt .380 Govt. Model, but he won't give it up.
Aguila Blanca
Staff
Yes, they do. See post #12.Pilot said:
Aguila Blanca
Staff
Browning's 1911-22 is similarly over-priced. Considering that I was able to assemble a fully functional (albeit not scaled-down) .22 caliber 1911 for about $300 or $350, Browning's price is ridiculous.Clark said:
This new .380 is built on the same scaled-down frame and slide as the .22, so it is not made by Imbel, Umarex, or any of the Philippines manufacturers. (Although why anyone would have a problem with a Filipino 1911 is beyond my ken.)
Ok, ok,the wake for Browning's new/killed by a forum .380 will be held in an hour! Seriously many new products are reviewed ,before their release, and rejected by persons who will never even contemplate buying one. I would hope the firearms buying segment in this great country will give this little pistol a fair shake when it is released. I also think it is great the manufacturers are still offering new firearms at a time the market is saturated with available merchandise.
Double Naught Spy
New member
I got to shoot the little Glock 42 (smaller framed) .380 and generally liked it for its size and recoil, but I am not a personal fan of Glocks (though I know they are fine pistols, just not fine for me). I am intrigued by the little Browning and I am hoped that it will be well suited as an instructional pistol as well as a sometimes-carry alternative to my other 1911s.
Strafer Gott
New member
My single best hope is for Springfield to take notice and start importing the Imbel.
carguychris
New member
I was just having a little satirical fun with the gun industry's tendency to resurrect an old idea and label it as an innovation.Ibmikey said:
True. I had forgotten all about the Llama.Ibmikey said:
A 4-1/4" barrel is, in fact, Commander length. Unless of course you mean scaled-down Commander (LCDR?) length.Samuel2011 said:
Unfortunately, I don't think there's much of a market for just about anything in .32 anymore, save pocket guns.
As an aside, the 4-1/4" length makes me curious if Browning intends to sell this critter in Canada. Handguns with barrels under 105mm (4.14") are considered "Prohibited" weapons and are unlawful for commercial sale there. This is the reason why most new-ish Ruger and Smith service pistols have 4.2" or 4-1/4" rather than 4" barrels.
I wouldn't get your hopes up. Read Aguila's second post; the Imbel is blowback rather than locked-breech, so it likely has felt recoil about on par with a 9mm Commander. IOW it's the 1911-platform equivalent of a Glock 25, which offers less power and costs more to shoot than the equally sized G19, and thus similarly lacks market potential in the United States.Strafer Gott said:
As Aguila implies, it's always possible that someone could import a small batch of Imbels for dedicated enthusiasts, but it's otherwise unlikely to make it here.
Strafer Gott
New member
The locked breech is the selling point. All metal is probably not going to happen...
When I was at Boeing commercial air in the 1970s, we designed a new plane, the 767. The pitch from marketing was a plot of current planes for sale the y axis being number of passengers and the y axis the range in miles. They showed a hole and said the 767 will fill it.
I was never sure that was the end all way to look at the market. But what did I know?
In handguns, there are all kinds of them for sale. A plot of power in the y axis and weight in the x axis may not be the end all way to look at it.
Ruger followed up their 9 ounce LCP with their 18 ounce LC380 for women afraid of 380 recoil.
But judging a 380 for it's weight is the end all for me. Right now I have 11 ounces of Kel-Tec, laser, pocket clip, and hot ammo in my shirt pocket. I can't feel it it even if I jump up and down.
Gun Slide Guy
New member
maybe it'll fill a need, but I dunno. I don't "get" it personally