New to the group. Not much info in Browning forums so I thought I'd try here.

I've got a 1977 Browning BDA .45, if it isn't NIB its really low round count. I was told it was NIB when I bought it but I don't know it to be true. I've never shot it.

Point of my post is I'm looking for advice on the future of this pistol in my safe. Is it ever going to be a gun I'll be happy I never shot and enjoyed?

I really don't like having a safe queen but when I found it I thought this might turn out to be a collector gun someday.

Am I crazy to think that? Should I just shoot it and enjoy it?

You say NIB but do you actually have the box and papers etc.? If so it might be worth keeping as a safe queen. If not... I say shoot it.

Of the three chamberings of the BDA, the .45 ACP is by far the most common version, around 9000 produced. You should shoot it and enjoy it. You're going to die some day.

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How many OEM BDA European heal release magazines were included in the deal?

The OEM BDA magazines do not have slots on the front of the magazines (1.5 inch from the top) for use with the American button magazine release.

P220 magazines that have a flat metal base will work in the BDA. The P220 magazine that have a thick plastic base will not work with the BDA's heal magazine release.

OEM magazines are difficult to find, I have 5 blued OEM mags and 4 early blued P220 American Release mags that work in the BDA because they were made before Sig changed the base pad to a thick magazine base.

My one and only safe queen is a .45 BDA in the original Browning box with all its paperwork that has a low round count. I will not call it NIB because I can see bluing wear (smileys) starting to form on the barrel.

Perhaps the least commonly understood safety feature employed by P220s manufactured in or after 1994 (serial numbers above G219166), as well as all P225, P226, P228, P229, and P239 models is the Hammer Reset Spring.

The Hammer Reset Spring is a small spring attached to rear of the Hammer and concealed by the plastic Hammer Stop. The spring pulls the Hammer away from the Firing Pin.

On a post 1994 P220 pistol ~ If the Hammer is lowered incorrectly by “thumbing it down” like is done on a 1911 instead of using the Decocker Lever, the Hammer Reset Spring will pull the Hammer away from the Firing Pin back into the Safety Intercept Notch. Older P220s, including the BDA do not have a Hammer Reset Spring. This is an important difference in the safe handling of older P220 pistols.

To demonstrate the function of the Hammer Reset Spring on your BDA, with the pistol unloaded, pull the Trigger back until it locks into the single action position. Use your thumb to hold the Hammer then pull the Trigger and slowly lower the Hammer all the way down onto the Firing Pin. This is the normal firing operation of your BDA.

Start over with an unloaded pistol and pull the Trigger back until it locks into the single action position. Using the Decocker, lower the Hammer then try to push the Hammer onto the Firing Pin. The Safety Intercept Notch will not allow you to push the Hammer onto the Firing Pin because you used the Decocker to lower the Hammer.

Start over again with an unloaded pistol and pull the Trigger back until it locks into the single action position. Use your thumb to hold the Hammer then pull the Trigger and slowly lower the Hammer to the double action resting position and release the Trigger. Use your thumb to push the Hammer onto the Firing Pin. You just recreated what caused San Fernando Police Officer Jesse Paderez’s P220 to discharge when his holstered P220 fell to the asphalt ~ landing on the Hammer ~ resulting in Officer Paderez’s death.
www.CATOnews.org/we-remember-and-honor-our-fallen-heroes/officer-jesse-paderez/

I can always identify Sig users that grew up firing 1911 pistols because they will thumb down the Hammer. On a modern Sig pistol, the Hammer Reset Spring (when operating correctly) will pull the Hammer back into the Safety Intercept Notch. Older P220s, including the BDA do not have a Hammer Reset Spring and you must use the Decocker Lever or you’re putting your pistol in a dangerous condition for negligent discharge.

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This message has been edited. Last edited by: sleepla8er,

Welcome to the forum!

Something can be said for being in as new condition.

If it isn't absolutely mint, I would at least send a few boxes through it and then decide.

quote:

Originally posted by sleepla8er:
OEM magazines are difficult to find,
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Many sellers try to get $99. and more for the early 9mm. magazines, there is a Canadian seller that has them available for $49.00 new.

Fifty bucks for new old stock, no longer manufactured P220 magazines seems about right, but a hundred bucks or more? That kind of stuff makes my blood boil.

To my everlasting embarrassment the ad for the reasonable priced 9mm magazines has disappeared from a well known online board. They HAD been selling there for over ten years