Tell me about the Browning BDM
- Thread starter Shmackey
- Start date
BADSBSNF81
New member
The Browning Double Action Hi-Power was offered in the 1987 catalog and then pulled when testing showed it couldn't meet U.S. drop test specifications. Fast forward to 92 when it hit dealer shelves in numbers. Frame and slide are investment castings. You can choose one of two modes for trigger operation. DA/SA or DA only. The BDM is slimmer than a Berreta, Tarus Compact, Glock and the P-38. Strong enough for +p and +p+. Built both overseas (early) and in the U.S.
weldonjr2001
New member
Excuse me but the BDM was not represented as a double action Hi-power, nor did it even closely resemble the Hi-power. Its claim to fame was the mode changing mechanism for double action only or conventional double-single action. It had a beautifully slim grip and felt great in the hand. I think the weird safety-decocker- setup was the biggest rap on the gun for law enforcement I can't remember exactly what it was about it but it was different than anything else in the world. It also had one other strange design flaw. I liked everything about the pistol except mine would not throw the last spent casing anywhere but straight back at me or leave it laying in the open slide. I found that the ejector was part of the slide lock. So when the slide came back after firing the last round and the follower in the mag raised the slide lock, it was tilting the ejector to a new angle as the slide lock raised to catch the slide. I could have probably played around and got it working but that coupled with the strange safety were 2 strikes too many. I must not have been the only guy who thought this as they didn't stay around for too long. I was real disappointed in the pistol as I have a fondness for Browning products. But it sure felt good in the hand.
I have one I picked up cheap.
Kind of big but not as bulky as a Beretta. It`s the only gun I own with a decocker and it`s fine. Very good pointer and shoots great. No problems with the last round. It has to be carried with the hammer down but the decocker is a safety that can be left in the off position for a quick double action first shot. The rest can be fired either single or double depending on what position the switch is in. I wonder if this could be a weak spot in the gun but I don`t have the thousands of rounds through it for it to break. It also has a feature to tell when there`s around in the chamber.
This isn`t the double action Browning as they were announced in 1985 but never manufactured. I think there`s a new DA HP coming out but I haven`t seen one.
15 round mags are hard to find but 10 rounders are common. I`m always looking for mags.
The gun is too big for just 10 rounds.
They`re not as nice as BHP`s looks wise but I like it as a carry gun. There`s a Practical model with a silver chrome frame which was only made in 97-98 and a Silver Chrome model which is very rare.
Too bad it wasn`t made in .40 S&W as I think that`s why it didn`t become popular with the LE crowd.
Kind of big but not as bulky as a Beretta. It`s the only gun I own with a decocker and it`s fine. Very good pointer and shoots great. No problems with the last round. It has to be carried with the hammer down but the decocker is a safety that can be left in the off position for a quick double action first shot. The rest can be fired either single or double depending on what position the switch is in. I wonder if this could be a weak spot in the gun but I don`t have the thousands of rounds through it for it to break. It also has a feature to tell when there`s around in the chamber.
This isn`t the double action Browning as they were announced in 1985 but never manufactured. I think there`s a new DA HP coming out but I haven`t seen one.
15 round mags are hard to find but 10 rounders are common. I`m always looking for mags.
The gun is too big for just 10 rounds. They`re not as nice as BHP`s looks wise but I like it as a carry gun. There`s a Practical model with a silver chrome frame which was only made in 97-98 and a Silver Chrome model which is very rare.
Too bad it wasn`t made in .40 S&W as I think that`s why it didn`t become popular with the LE crowd.
hksigwalther
New member
Browning Double Mode
weldonjr2001 explained it very well. The only reason I never got one was due to the goofy up-side-down safety (i.e., flip up the frame mounted safety to fire).
weldonjr2001 explained it very well. The only reason I never got one was due to the goofy up-side-down safety (i.e., flip up the frame mounted safety to fire).
I fired one once and was impressed with it's ergonomics. Very slim grip on the all steel frame (great for small hands), but isn't too heavy. The safety decocker works the same way as a Beretta 92FS or Ruger P89, but is mounted on the frame to decock more like a Sig. The safety is not liked by people used to 1911 and BHP because if you ride the safety the gun won't fire- but if you think of it as a 92FS safety in a better spot it makes sense. I believe the DA/SA to Revolver mode can be switched with the mag base plate. The action locks up on the ejection port, SIG style, rather than internal locking lugs. Some have found the finish to be cheap looking, I hadn't noticed a problem.
For lack of better, I put it in my top ten list in the General Forum. I would buy one if the price was right, but I have too much now.
The other DA Browning was the BPM, similar to their candidate in the M9 pistol trials. Less innovative.
Depending on the type of mags, I think these guns are worth $350 or so since most sold new in that neighborhood after being discontinued.
For lack of better, I put it in my top ten list in the General Forum. I would buy one if the price was right, but I have too much now.
The other DA Browning was the BPM, similar to their candidate in the M9 pistol trials. Less innovative.
Depending on the type of mags, I think these guns are worth $350 or so since most sold new in that neighborhood after being discontinued.
rugerfreak
New member
I have 2--bought after they were discontinued for roughly $299 a piece. One is a regular double-mode BDM the other is a BPM-D decocker only.
The BPM-D is somewhat scarce as I think only 700 to 800 were made---I use it as my main carry gun right now. Despite its rarity--I bought for a shooter---so I use it as a shooter. The finish on this one is very nice---it has been 100% reliable with anything I put in it and its very accurate. The decocker system is also more functional than the regular BDM system.
The regular BDM I have is a different story. The finish is nice except for the thick black enamel on the trigger. I have only put 50 to 100 rounds through this gun---function has been flawless--but I have only put less than 100 rnds though--so not a good indication of reliability yet. It's "combat" accurate--but doesn't even come close to my BPM. Its decocker/safety system takes a little getting used to----you have to think more with this pistol than any other I've ever owned or shot. The lever on this gun works as the safety--slide release and as a decocker---you always have to keep in mind what you're doing. The Revolver Mode is different and hard to shoot----so mine is left in Pistol mode now.
New 10 round magazines can be purchased at CDNN for $14.99 a piece-----I still need to get a couple more, so I will have an even 10 then----5 per gun-----hey its discountinued--better stock up now.
The only glitch is in the magazines----after you use them a bit they won't hold the slide open----other than that--function is flawless--no misfeeds and all 10 rounds get chambered. I found that Wolfe gunsprings makes magazine spings for the BDM---so when they really get bad---I'll purchase a 10-pack or 2 and replace them all-----they also make the main spring for these pistols--although I haven't had any problems with them---I might get a couple of those too.
The guns are all steel---very thin----and feel very good in the hand--a little on the heavy side (32 oz empty)-----the slide is so thin, it seems like its half as thick as a Glock--Ruger etc.
The BPM-D is somewhat scarce as I think only 700 to 800 were made---I use it as my main carry gun right now. Despite its rarity--I bought for a shooter---so I use it as a shooter. The finish on this one is very nice---it has been 100% reliable with anything I put in it and its very accurate. The decocker system is also more functional than the regular BDM system.
The regular BDM I have is a different story. The finish is nice except for the thick black enamel on the trigger. I have only put 50 to 100 rounds through this gun---function has been flawless--but I have only put less than 100 rnds though--so not a good indication of reliability yet. It's "combat" accurate--but doesn't even come close to my BPM. Its decocker/safety system takes a little getting used to----you have to think more with this pistol than any other I've ever owned or shot. The lever on this gun works as the safety--slide release and as a decocker---you always have to keep in mind what you're doing. The Revolver Mode is different and hard to shoot----so mine is left in Pistol mode now.
New 10 round magazines can be purchased at CDNN for $14.99 a piece-----I still need to get a couple more, so I will have an even 10 then----5 per gun-----hey its discountinued--better stock up now.
The only glitch is in the magazines----after you use them a bit they won't hold the slide open----other than that--function is flawless--no misfeeds and all 10 rounds get chambered. I found that Wolfe gunsprings makes magazine spings for the BDM---so when they really get bad---I'll purchase a 10-pack or 2 and replace them all-----they also make the main spring for these pistols--although I haven't had any problems with them---I might get a couple of those too.
The guns are all steel---very thin----and feel very good in the hand--a little on the heavy side (32 oz empty)-----the slide is so thin, it seems like its half as thick as a Glock--Ruger etc.
robert a kittrell
Inactive
It truely is a fine gun but I agree it is much too big for only 10 rounds. Why didnt the marketing experts make it to fit the 10 zillion hi power 13 rd mags already out there. The gun is $ 300+/- in my neck of the woods.
BADSBSNF81
New member
Excuse me, forgot to put quotes around Double Action in my post.