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.

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