Browning Black Label 1911-380 Pistol Review


 Item Number

051904492

 UPC

023614044451

Caliber

380

Barrel Length

4 1/4"

Overall Length

7 1/2"

Weight

18 oz

Magazine Capacity

8

Sight Radius

5 3/8"

Barrel Finish

Matte

Receiver Finish

Matte

Front Sight

Combat

Rear Sight

Combat

Barrel Material

Steel

Checkering

Molded

Receiver Material

Black Composite

Trigger Finish

Matte Black

Trigger Guard Finish

Matte Black

Magazine Type

Single Stack

Trigger Material

Alloy

Trigger Guard Material

Composite

Case

ABS

MSRP

$669.99


The new, highly hyped Browning Black Label 1911-380 attempts to build upon the popularity of the 1911-22, specifically, and the 1911 look and feel, generally. It is comfortable to shoot and generally reliable, with one failure to hold-open the last round fired from the clip-fed magazine in my testing. The slide is under light spring tension, and is easy to rack.


However, at its current MSRP of $669.99, it is hard to accept the cheap plastic sights, and it is supplied with only one single stack magazine. The trigger is barely adequate, with plenty of grit and false starts and stops to disappoint many. Accessory grips, not included, are available at $62 or $78 retail, which strikes me a bit salty. Extra magazines are priced at an exorbitant $56 MSRP. The 1911-380 also, unfortunately, comes with a magazine disconnect which serves no purpose except to frustrate.


While certainly accurate enough for intimate self-defense work, it wasn't as accurate as a .380 Baikal IJ-70 Makarov that I shot along side of it. All in all, I have to categorize the Browning 1911-380 as a forgettable, overpriced .380 that has both a lamentable trigger and and lacks a high-quality set of sights. While not a disaster, it is no one's version of a bargain. It certainly isn't mine.

 

Copyright 2015 by Randy Wakeman. All Rights Reserved.

  

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