M14 Forum

cmshoot · April 2nd, 2012, 08:45 PM

I've always wanted one, finally picked one up.

Mine is the "Practical" version with the parkerized slide and hard-chromed frame.

For those of y'all that aren't familiar with them, it's an interesting handgun. It is by far the slimmest 15rd double-stack 9mm I've ever handled. Despite the fact that the frame is steel, it is so slim that to me it almost feels like it's aluminum.

They were designed right before the AWB with the intent of gaining Fed LE contracts. The .40 Short & Weak came along about that time and killed the 9mm for Federal service. Before Browning could build a stockpile of high-capacity magazines, the AWB was enacted. The vast majority of the BDM's that hit the civilian market were furnished with 10rd magazines. They did not sell well and production ceased before the end of the AWB, so 15rd mags are scarce.

On the left side of the slide is a control that looks like a flush-mounted screw head. Around it, marked on the slide, are a "P" and an "R", situated at 9 and 6 o'clock respectively. When this is turned to the "P" mode, which stands for "Pistol", the BDM operates as a traditional DA/SA semi-auto. When turned to the "R" mode ("Revolver"), the BDM functions as a DAO. For this reason, the BDM stands for Browning Dual Model.

The grip panel is one piece that slide into the frame (yes, into.......it's recessed into the frame, part of the reason for the slimness of the grip) from the rear and is retained by a single screw at the rear, ala the Makarov pistol.

All the BDM's came with a checkered front strap and the rear of the slide has checkered panels as well.

The trigger isn't bad in DA or SA. Not the best, but not bad. The reset is similar to a Sig without the SRT kit in it.

I've shot 'em a lot over the years and like 'em. There are a few things I don't like. While large and sturdy, the rear sight is polymer. I don't use the safety, but if you are so included, in my mind it operates backwards, i.e., down for Safe and up for Fire. You would think that a pistol made by Browning could get that function right!

The slide release is about the size of the standard model on a Glock. The large safety lever, which is ambidextrous, also doubles as a slide release as well. The only problem is, if you use it to release the slide, you place the weapon on Safe at the same time.

The factory guide rod is polymer. I have already ordered a stainless steel one from Stever Bedair for $25 shipped.

Mine came with a 10rd magazine, but I've located 1 factory 15rd magazine so far. A few more and I'll be set. Gotta get a holster made.........

Range report to follow.

Semper Fi!

Bolt2bounce · April 2nd, 2012, 10:04 PM

I have one...a parked version ..not the two tone like yours.. it looks nice.. I have (3) 15rd mags and (3) 10rd mags for mine.. I agree the safety decocker sucks in the design. but I also agree it's a slim package.. and a good shooter.. I like the gun too bad they were put out of business by the AWB.. along with calico carbines.. just bad timing for hi cap mags.. but I like the 40 S$W also.. B2B

donmor53 · April 3rd, 2012, 06:16 AM

I've had a parkerized version NIB with three high cap mags (plus about half a dozen or more 10 rounders) put away for many years. Since I shot several BDMs extensively before the market for them dried up...I thought I'd put a new one up for the future.

For me...these are one of the finest feeling high-cap 9mm pistols ever made. I like the feel even better that my trusty HiPower and the old faithfull Beretta 92.

cmshoot · April 12th, 2012, 12:13 PM

Put approximately 100rd through her so far, shoots great. I've now acquired 4 factory 15rd mags, but would like several more. Still on the hunt.........;-)

M1A's r BEST · April 12th, 2012, 03:57 PM

I bought mine about 3 years ago.

Good trigger, very predictable/consistent in double action mode.

It's not as accurate as my 1911 though.

I bought several 15 round (aftermarket) magazines from Numrich Arms. Everyone of them works great. I bought a couple from another dealer tha did not work as well.

CDNN is still selling the 10 shot magazines for them.

I'll keep mine but my new XDM 5.25 will replace it as a my fun range 9mm gun. I decided to carry the BDM with the hammer down (down is half cock really, when you put it on safe the hammer drops to half cock) and the safety "off". In order to fire it you still have to pull the trigger hard enough to cock it.

It also has another safety. You have to pull the trigger to have the back of the firing pin line up with the hammer correctly. Otherwise the rear of the firing pin stays below the part of the hammer than can strike the firing pin (see the notched hammer?).

They are very neat, very different and its a shame they've stopped making them.

Storm · April 24th, 2012, 03:24 PM

I bought one when they first came out and put it away. I think mine is all SS color. The slimness is what drew me to it. It has been so long, I don't remember if I even shot it or not.
I seem to remember that there was one drawback, hmm, I think mine has a suckee trigger.
It is buried deep. I will have to dig it out when time permits.

alFALfa · April 29th, 2012, 07:27 PM

I bought an excellent used one recently and it has become one of my favorite range pistols. I was lucky and he included 5 factory hi-caps with it.

I'll echo the common gripe about the operation of the safety. I think it would be 100 times better if you could convert the safey to operate like a decocker on on a Sig. Anyone know if that can or has been done?

huntinghawk · April 30th, 2012, 03:29 AM

Years ago when I decided to go with just one model pistol instead of mutiple manufacturers & models, I checked out the BDM. I thought it would be a step above the HP being DA. But as mentioned, I didn't care for the safety.

cmshoot · May 13th, 2012, 06:22 PM

Still liking my BDM. 500rds through her so far without a hitch, and I've acquired a total of 5 factory Browning 15rd mags.

Ordered a leather holster from PWL and a local guy is making a kydex rig for me.

lamont Royal · October 20th, 2012, 02:08 PM

I just traded a tuarus 24/7 that i could never learn to love for a BDM. I need to get another 15 round clip ( it only came with one ) and i am having trouble finding a holster. Do any of you have any suggestions as to were I might should look?

cmshoot · November 4th, 2012, 11:07 AM

I know several local guys (Atlanta) that can make a kydex holster for ya.

M1A's r BEST · November 4th, 2012, 12:54 PM

Got mine out of the hidey hole yesterday and took it apart, lubed it, wiped it down, loaded it up and put it back in the hidey hole.

The darn thing feels so small in mine hand, so light, and yet its just uncomfortable to shoot for very long. If the grip was just a tad bit longer, front to back, it would fit my hand a little better.

If I put just the tip of my finger on the trigger the darn trigger "bites" my finger (pinches between the trigger and trigger guard), If it put more of my finger across the front of the trigger the tip of my trigger finger contacts the tip of my thumb before the trigger moves all the way back to release the hammer.

It has a lot of neat features but its going to just stay back up gun for me.