Pre GCA68 Browning 380: anyone remember it?

[Rusty S]

Tomorrow I am supposed to get my new gun, but anticipation is killing me.

It's a 1955 Browning 380, and at the time they were stopped from import by the GCA68 I was 18. I have never handled one to the best of my recolection. In fact the only ones I recall having actually seen were in the three gun cased set 9/380/22. No touchee with those. The 10/71 came along when I was 21 and have handled them but it wasn't my cup of tea.

Does anybody remember having experience with one?

PS: how do I get a concealment holster for it? If going custom leather, I'll have a spare to send for fitting.
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John Moses designed it, I trust it, and that settles it.

[This message has been edited by Rusty S (edited July 06, 2000).]

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello, sir. I've owned a couple of the blued Browning .380s you mention. They were very neat little guns and good pointers...which is good since they have practically no sights! Mine fed anything you put in them. They do have butt-release magazines, but I did not view this as terrible on this piece. One thing that did bother me was that because these are striker-fired, there is NO half-cock safety catch. Should for any reason the sear disengage from the striker, it will fire. Therefore, carrying one with a round chambered is theoretically risky. Best.

 

[Rusty S]

Exactly the kind of info I wanted. Now would love to hear more and more of the same high quality information. Thank you much Mr. Camp.

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John Moses designed it, I trust it, and that settles it.

 

[jimmy]

IMHO the Browning 10/55 is one of the best-made and best-looking pistols ever produced. Truly a classic and a part of the shame of GCA68, although I suspect that the traditional craftsmanship required of the Browning would have put it out of production sooner or later anyway.

Mine was made in '67. I don't carry it--I personally find my Glock 26 quite a bit easier to shoot, although to speak of the Browning and the Glock in the same paragraph is like discussing Beauty versus the Beast . But for pure pride of ownership the Browning is great to have around.

BTW, finding an extra mag for the 10/55 might be a bit of a problem. At least, Browning Arms Company sold off its remaining stock of them many years ago.