Browning BDA 380

The FN 140DA was a semi-automatic weapon manufactured by Beretta of Italy on behalf of FN Herstal of Belgium. The pistol was sold as the Browning BDA 380 in the United States and Canada.

Overview
The production of this pistol design started in 1976. The new model replaced the FN 1922/Browning 125 in the company's line-up. The pistol is a derivative of the Beretta Model 81 and 84, distinguished by an enclosed slide, a different safety system, and a different hammer.

It was available in .32 ACP and .380 ACP calibers, with the .32 ACP version intended for only European markets.

The .380 version was marketed as the Browning BDA 380 by Browning Arms Company for North American markets. The Browning model is distinguished by its markings, with the right side of the slide being stamped with "Fabrique National Herstal" and the FN logo followed by "Made in Italy" and PB (for Pietro Beretta), and the left side of the slide bearing the marking "Browning Arms Co. Morgan, Utah & Montreal, P.Q."

The production of the FN 140DA pistol was discontinued in 1987, while the Browning version was discontinued in 1997.

Design
The FN 140DA/Browning BDA 380 is a semi-automatic, blowback-operated firearm with a DA/SA (double action/single action) trigger mechanism.

The frame is aluminum, but the slide is steel. The FN 140DA had plastic grips with the FN logo, whereas the Browning BDA 380 had wood grips.

The pistol is fed with double-stacked magazines of 13 (.380 ACP) or 12 (.32 ACP) cartridges, placed in the grip. The magazine release button is located behind the trigger guard.

Some copies were made with a nickel-plated finish.

Despite their mechanical similarities, slides and frames are not interchangeable between the FN 140DA/Browning BDA 380 and their Beretta counterparts.

Users

 * 🇧🇪 Belgium: Belgian Judicial Police (for female officers) circa 1980.