Browning 1911 380 Gun Review
by Nam
Browning 1911 380 Specifications
Gun Manufacturer: Browning
Model: 1911 380
Caliber: 380
Ammunition Capacity: 4 in
Price: Approx. $599 + taxes
Browning 1911 380 Usage and Features
Primary Use
Concealed Carry
Are You Right or Left Handed?
Left
What features does this gun have that appealed to you?
It’s lighter weight, fits my hand, but the main reason I purchased this particular gun was because I can easily work the slide.
Tell us about shooting this gun.
Unfortunately, after firing 2-3 times, the next bullet hangs. The gun is cleaned before using each time and we’ve tried bullets from other manufacturers with the same results. We’ve always had exceptional Browning firearms, but I’m disappointed with my 380. Any suggestions that we can try?
How does it fit your hand, how do you like the sights, how difficult is it to rack the slide, how would you describe the trigger pull, and how would you describe the recoil?
Everything is just the way I want it, except for the bullet hanging as related above.
How reliable is it?
Not reliable as stated above. This is my preferred gun…if only, see above.
Any problems with any type of ammunition?
We have tried bullets from other manufacturers, problem with hanging persists.
Does the gun have any specific ammunition requirements? If so, please explain:
Not any that we’re aware of.
What do you dislike about shooting this gun, if anything?
I like everything about this gun…except as listed above
Was it easy to take down and clean?
Yes
Would you recommend this gun?
Yes
For someone considering this gun, what would you tell them?
Maybe I got the only one with a problem as Browning makes excellent firearms.
Anything else you would like to share about the gun?
Perfect except for that one thing, and unfortunately, it’s important.
I have this gun and had the same problem, I even sent it back to Browning, but they said they couldn’t find a problem (I sure could, lol!). Anyway, one night I was reading comments on a Browning owners’ forum and someone said some had magazines with somewhat deeper wells…and recommended specific, slightly longer rounds. I can only remember the two I purchased, Seller & Bellot and PPU. I found these cheapest at Natchez. These two rounds completely cured my problem, and this gun is now a huge favorite!!! I sure hope Nam sees this in the comments! This gun is light and super-accurate, a real pleasure to shoot!!
My wife (60), can run a box of 50 target rounds without any failures to feed, with her Browning 1911 / 380. On her second box she will start to tire and start having the same FTF issues you mentioned above.
We have concluded she is not managing the muzzle flip as well after extended shooting, and has the gun pointing significantly upward immediately after the shot, in a poor position to feed / reload. As soon as she flattens the gun out after shots, the FTF’s disappear.
With the muzzle pointed up, it’s as if the round is falling back towards her and getting lodged in the slide with the round pointing straight up.
We had the same issue. It seems to be an ammo manufacturing problem. See the forum website below. We changed and very few feed problems now.