User manual BROWNING PISTOL DBA 380

BDA 380 PISTOL OWNER'S MANUAL THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING A BROWNING BDA 380 PISTOL The Browning BDA 380 is another in a long line of dependable, high-quality Browning centerfire pistols you will be proud to own. The BDA 380 autoloading pistol uses a dependable, blowback action design with a removable magazine. John M. Browning invented his first autoloading pistol in 1894. BDA 380 pistols incorporate features that reflect the significant improvements and original ideas he contributed during more than 25 years of designing pistols. Since then, we have produced a variety of models designed for sportsmen, competitive target shooters, law enforcement and personal defense. In every sense, the BDA 380 pistol is a true Browning, giving you the kind of shooting enjoyment and dependability you've come to expect from the world's most respected gun company. With a reasonable amount of care, your BDA 380 pistol should give you many years of dependable, enjoyable service. Please feel free to contact us immediately if you have any observations regarding its performance and operation. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR FIREARMS SAFETY As a gun owner, you accept a set of demanding responsibilities. How seriously you take these responsibilities can be the difference between life and death. THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR CARELESS OR ABUSIVE HANDLING OF ANY FIREARM. AT ALL TIMES HANDLE YOUR BDA 380 AND ANY OTHER FIREARM WITH INTENSE RESPECT FOR ITS POWER AND POTENTIAL DANGER. PLEASE READ AND UNDERSTAND THE CAUTIONS AND PROPER HANDLING PROCEDURES OUTLINED IN THIS OWNER'S MANUAL BEFORE USING YOUR NEW FIREARM. 1 ALWAYS KEEP THE MUZZLE OF YOUR BDA 380 POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION. Never point any firearm at anything you do not intend to shoot. Be extremely alert and aware of all persons and property within the range of your ammunition. 2 NEVER RELY TOTALLY ON YOUR FIREARM'S MECHANICAL "SAFETY" DEVICE. The word "safety" describes a gun's blocking or disengaging mechanism for the trigger, sear, hammer and/or firing pin. Although mechanical devices place your BDA 380 pistol in a SAFER status, no guarantee can be made that the gun will not fire even if the "safety" is in the "on safe" position. LIKE ANY MECHANICAL DEVICE, A "SAFETY" CAN SOMETIMES FAIL; IT CAN BE JARRED OR INADVERTENTLY MANIPULATED INTO AN UNSAFE CONDITION. Mechanical "safeties" merely aid safe gun handling and are no excuse for pointing your gun's muzzle in an unsafe direction. While it is a good idea to test your gun's mechanical "safeties" periodically for proper function, NEVER TEST IT WHILE YOUR GUN IS LOADED OR POINTED IN AN UNSAFE DIRECTION. Safe gun handling does not stop with your gun's mechanical "safety" devices -- it starts there. Always treat this pistol with the respect due a loaded, ready-to-fire firearm. 3 DO NOT CARRY YOUR BDA 380 WITH A ROUND IN THE CHAMBER. For good safety practice, it is recommended that a round not be chambered until immediately before your pistol is to be fired. 2 4 THE RECOMMENDED CARRYING POSITION OF THE BDA 380 IS WITH THE HAMMER IN THE DECOCKED POSITION. Carefully follow the procedures for lowering the hammer from the cocked to the decocked position explained on page 10 in this owner's manual. 5 WHENEVER YOU HANDLE YOUR BDA 380, OR HAND IT TO SOMEONE, MAKE SURE IT IS COMPLETELY UNLOADED. To fully unload your BDA 380, you must first remove the magazine, open and lock the slide rearward, and visually inspect the chamber to be certain it does not contain a cartridge. It is vital that you remove the magazine from your pistol so a cartridge is not automatically chambered when you close the action. Always keep the chamber empty and the "safety" in the "on safe" position unless shooting is imminent. See page 18 for unloading procedures. 6 DO NOT TRANSPORT YOUR BDA 380 LOADED. Keep it unloaded, whether stored in a holster, gun case or other container. 7 HUNTING FROM ELEVATED SURFACES SUCH AS TREE STANDS IS DANGEROUS, and may increase the risk of handling a firearm. The following rules should always be observed by you and those you hunt with: Always make certain that the stand being used is safe and stable. Always make certain that your firearm is unloaded when it is being taken up and down from the stand. Always make certain that your firearm is not dropped from the stand, or dropped while it is being taken up or down from the stand. Remember, a loaded firearm may discharge when dropped, even with the "safety" in the "on safe" position. 8 BEWARE OF BARREL OBSTRUCTIONS. When preparing to shoot your pistol, check for a barrel obstruction as follows: First, fully unload the pistol by removing the magazine, locking the action open and inspecting the chamber. BE CERTAIN NO LIVE ROUND IS IN THE CHAMBER. Glance down the barrel to be sure it is clear of any obstruction. It takes only one small obstruction to dangerously increase pressures. Before the first firing, clean the bore with a cleaning rod and patch, and wipe away any anti-rust compounds in the chamber and around the action. 3 BE ALERT TO THE SIGNS OF AMMUNITION MALFUNCTION. If you detect an off sound or light recoil when a cartridge is fired, do not load another cartridge into the chamber. Fully unload by removing the magazine and removing the cartridge from the chamber. With the action open, glance down the barrel to make sure that an obstruction does not remain in the barrel. If there is an obstruction, completely clear the barrel before loading and firing again. Failure to follow these instructions can cause extensive damage to your gun and possible serious injury to yourself and others. 9 BE CERTAIN YOUR PISTOL IS UNLOADED BEFORE CLEANING. Because so many gun accidents occur when a firearm is being cleaned, special and extreme care should be taken to be sure your gun is unloaded before disassembly, cleaning and reassembly. Keep ammunition away from the cleaning location. Never test the mechanical function of any firearm with live ammunition. 10 ALWAYS UNLOAD YOUR PISTOL WHEN NOT IN USE. Your responsibilities do not end when your firearm is unattended. Store your pistol and ammunition separately and well beyond the reach of children. Take all safeguards to ensure your pistol does not become available to untrained, inexperienced or unwelcome hands. 11 USE THE PROPER AMMUNITION. The barrel and action of this pistol have been made with substantial safety margins over the pressures developed by established American commercial loads. HOWEVER, WE ASSUME NO LIABILITY FOR ACCIDENTS WHICH OCCUR THROUGH THE USE OF CARTRIDGES OF NON-STANDARD DIMENSIONS OR THAT DEVELOP PRESSURES IN EXCESS OF COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE AMMUNITION THAT HAS BEEN LOADED IN ACCORDANCE WITH STANDARDS ESTABLISHED BY THE SPORTING ARMS AND AMMUNITION MANUFACTURERS INSTITUTE (SAAMI). EXAMINE EVERY CARTRIDGE YOU PUT IN YOUR BDA 380 PISTOL. The BDA 380 pistol is designed and chambered for .380 ACP cartridges only. We cannot assume any responsibility for the use of unsafe or improper arms and ammunition combinations. It is your responsibility to read and heed all warnings in this owner's manual and on ammunition boxes. 4 12 DISCHARGING FIREARMS IN POORLY VENTILATED AREAS, CLEANING FIREARMS OR HANDLING AMMUNITION MAY RESULT IN EXPOSURE TO LEAD AND OTHER SUBSTANCES KNOWN TO CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS, REPRODUCTIVE HARM AND OTHER SERIOUS PHYSICAL INJURY. HAVE ADEQUATE VENTILATION AT ALL TIMES; WASH HANDS THOROUGHLY AFTER EXPOSURE. 13 DO NOT SNAP THE FIRING PIN ON AN EMPTY CHAMBER -- THE CHAMBER MAY NOT BE EMPTY! Treat every gun with the respect due a loaded gun, even if you are certain the gun is unloaded. 14 KEEP YOUR FINGER AWAY FROM THE TRIGGER WHILE UNLOADING AND LOADING -- UNTIL YOU ARE READY TO SHOOT. 15 BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET AND BACKSTOP. Take additional care during low light periods. Know the range of your ammunition. Never shoot at water or hard objects. 16 DROPPING YOUR BDA 380 WHEN LOADED CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE EVEN WITH THE "SAFETY" ON. Be extremely careful while hunting or during any shooting activity, to avoid dropping a loaded firearm. 17 ALWAYS COMPLETELY UNLOAD YOUR PISTOL'S CHAMBER BEFORE CROSSING A FENCE, CLIMBING A TREE, JUMPING A DITCH OR NEGOTIATING OTHER OBSTACLES. Never place your BDA 380 on a car, or on any unstable object. 18 IF YOUR BDA 380 FAILS TO FIRE, KEEP THE MUZZLE POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION. Hold this position for a minimum of 30 seconds. Carefully open the action and remove the cartridge. If the primer is indented, the cartridge should be disposed of in a way that cannot cause harm. If the primer is not indented, your firearm should be examined by a qualified gunsmith and the cause of the malfunction should be corrected before further use. 19 WEAR EYE AND EAR PROTECTION WHEN SHOOTING. Unprotected, repeated exposure to gunfire can cause hearing damage. Wear hearing protectors (shooting ear plugs or muffs) to guard against 5 such damage. Wear shooting glasses to protect your eyes from flying particles. Always keep a safe distance between the muzzle of your firearm and any persons nearby, as muzzle blast, debris and ejecting shells could inflict serious injury. Also, wear eye protection when disassembling and cleaning your pistol to prevent the possibility of springs, spring-tensioned parts, solvents or other agents from contacting your eyes. 20 BE DEFENSIVE AND ON GUARD AGAINST UNSAFE GUN HANDLING AROUND YOU AND OTHERS. Don't be timid when it comes to gun safety. If you observe other shooters violating any of these safety precautions, politely suggest safer handling practices. 21 SUPERVISE AND TEACH FIREARMS SAFETY TO ALL MEMBERS OF YOUR FAMILY. This is especially important when children and non-shooters are involved. Closely supervise newcomers to the shooting sports. Encourage enrollment in hunting/shooting safety courses. 22 NEVER DRINK ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES OR TAKE ANY TYPE OF DRUGS BEFORE OR DURING SHOOTING. Your vision and judgment could be dangerously impaired, making your gun handling unsafe to you or to others. 23 PERIODIC MAINTENANCE -- AVOID UNAUTHORIZED SERVICING. Your BDA 380 is a mechanical device which will not last forever, and as such, is subject to wear and requires periodic inspection, adjustment and service. Like all Browning firearms, your BDA 380 should be serviced by a Browning Recommended Service Center or by our service facility in Arnold, Missouri. WE CANNOT ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR INJURIES SUFFERED OR CAUSED BY UNAUTHORIZED SERVICING, ALTERATIONS OR MODIFICATIONS OF OUR FIREARMS. 6 Read and heed all warnings in this owner's manual, on ammunition boxes and with all accessories that you install on your firearm. It is your responsibility to secure the most up-to-date information on the safe handling procedures for your Browning gun. We assume no liability for incidents which occur when unsafe or improper gun accessories or ammunition combinations are used. Do not, under any circumstance, alter the trigger, "safety" or parts of the firing mechanism of this or any other firearm. Failure to obey this warning may result in injury or death to yourself or others. BE CAREFUL! 7 FIGURE 1 Rear Sight Hammer Extractor Slide Muzzle Rear Frame Takedown Lever Front Sight Grip Serial Number Takedown Lever Stop Trigger Front Decocking "Safety" Lever Magazine Slide Release/Stop Latch BDA 380 Magazine Release N O M E N C L AT U R E In conventional gun terminology, the position and movement of pistol parts are described as they occur with the pistol horizontal and in normal firing position, i.e. the muzzle is forward or front; the pistol grip is rearward or rear; the trigger is downward or underneath; the sights are upward or on top. For general nomenclature refer to Figure 1. SERIAL NUMBER The serial number of your BDA 380 Pistol can be found stamped on the left side of the frame, in front of the trigger guard (Figure 1). INITIAL CLEANING Before the first firing, clean the inside of the barrel, slide, and frame. Use a clean rag and light gun oil such as Browning Oil. For general 8 cleaning procedures, see instructions under the section "Cleaning and Lubrication" on page 25. AMMUNITION Your pistol must be used only with .380 ACP ammunition as shown by the inscription on the exposed portion of the barrel (visible through the ejection port when the slide is fully forward). The barrel and action of this pistol have been made with substantial safety margins over the pressures developed by established U.S. commercial loads. Nevertheless, Browning can assume no responsibility for incidents which occur through the use of cartridges of nonstandard dimensions or those developing pressure in excess of SAAMI (Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute) established standards. MAGAZINE CAPACITY Browning BDA 380 pistols have a magazine capacity of 13 rounds plus one in the chamber, for a total capacity of 14 rounds. However, some states limit the magazine capacity to 10 rounds plus one in the chamber, for a total capacity of 11 rounds. All BDA 380 pistols sold in these states will be shipped with reduced total magazine capacity in compliance with state law. IMPORTANT: Current 13 round magazines will have a "13" stamped under the lowest index hole on the back of the magazine. 10 round magazines can be identified by the number "10" stamped below the lowest hole. Make sure you have verified the capacity of your magazine before loading it in your pistol. G E N E R A L O P E R AT I O N Your Browning BDA 380 is a blowback operated semiautomatic pistol. The slide is forced rearward by the cartridge pressure and continues rearward travel to accomplish extraction, ejection, and cocking. The recoil spring then causes forward travel, feeding a loaded round from the magazine and returning the slide and barrel to the firing position. The slide of this pistol is designed to stay open after the last cartridge has been fired and ejected. 9 O P E R AT I N G T H E " S A F E T Y " D E C O C K I N G L E V E R The ambidextrous, thumb-operated "safety"/decocking lever is located on both sides at the rear of the slide. It has twin finger pieces located on each side of the slide so that it can be conveniently operated by a leftor right-handed shooter. Both finger pieces are serrated for positive manipulation. CAUTION: BECAUSE THE "SAFETY" IS ALSO THE DECOCKING LEVER, SPECIAL ATTENTION MUST BE GIVEN TO THE POSITION OF THE LEVER WHEN CLOSING THE SLIDE -- FAILURE TO PLACE THE SAFETY IN THE "OFF SAFE" POSITION PRIOR TO CLOSING THE SLIDE MAY RESULT IN A DAMAGED DECOCKING SYSTEM. WHEN DECOCKING THE HAMMER, ALWAYS MAKE SURE YOUR PISTOL IS POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION. MANUAL "SAFETY" FUNCTION "On Safe"-- To place the pistol in the "on safe" position, press the "safety"/decocking lever fully downward with your thumb (Figure 2A). When the "safety"/decocking lever is pressed fully downward, the hammer will move to the decocked position (if it was in full cock position when safety was pressed down). "Off Safe"-- To place the "safety" in the "off safe" or ready-to-fire position, press the "safety"/decocking lever forward and up, exposing the red warning dot. The red warning dot appears on both sides of the slide (Figure 2B). With a round in the chamber and the magazine inserted, the pistol is ready for firing with a pull on the trigger. NOTE: This pistol cannot be "on safe" with the hammer in the full cock position. Because the "safety" is also the decocking lever, depressing the "safety"/decocking lever will cause the hammer to move to the decocked position (if the hammer was cocked before you placed the pistol "on safe"). This does require firm pressure on the "safety"/decocking lever. Do not press the "safety"/decocking lever partially downward, leaving the hammer in the full cock position, and assume the pistol is "on safe." It is not. If the hammer does not move from the full cock position to the decocked position, the "safety"/decocking lever is not in the "on safe" position. The hammer cannot be cocked with the "safety"/decocking lever in the "on safe" position. 10 FIGURE 2A FIGURE 2B "On Safe" position. "Off Safe" or ready-to-fire position. DECOCKING LEVER FUNCTION The "safety"/decocking lever also functions as a decocking lever to provide a safer method of lowering the hammer from full cock to the decocked position without having to depress the trigger. With the muzzle pointed in a safe direction and your finger away from the trigger, simply depress the "safety"/decocking lever fully down with your thumb (Figure 3). The hammer will lower to the decocked position. CAUTION: THE HAMMER SHOULD ONLY BE LOWERED TO THE DECOCKED POSITION USING THE COMBINATION "SAFETY"/DECOCKING LEVER. WHEN DECOCKING THE HAMMER, ALWAYS MAKE SURE YOUR PISTOL IS POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO MOVE THE HAMMER TO THE DECOCKED POSITION BY PULLING THE TRIGGER AND LOWERING THE HAMMER WITH YOUR THUMB AS WITH SOME OTHER STYLES OF FIREARMS. FIGURE 3 NOTE: Be sure to fully depress the "safety"/decocking lever to lower hammer from the full cock to the decocked position. Keep your finger away from the trigger. Be sure the hammer moves to the decocked position. Depress the "safety"/decocking lever. 11 FIGURE 4 Dropped Position Decocked Position Full Cock Position FIGURE 5 Slide Release/Stop Latch Depress the slide release/stop latch. O P E R AT I O N O F T H E H A M M E R The Browning BDA 380 has an exposed hammer with dropped, decocked, and full cock positions. DROPPED POSITION. This is the momentary position of the hammer after the trigger is pulled (Figure 4) when dry firing or if a round failed to fire in the chamber. In the dropped position, the hammer is fully fallen and resting against the inertia firing pin, but the firing pin is not in contact with the cartridge primer. (The firing pin must be struck forcefully by the hammer in order to achieve enough momentum to contact and indent the primer, causing cartridge ignitions.) DECOCKED POSITION. The decocked hammer position is between the dropped and full cock position (Figure 4). This is the position the hammer should be located in at all times when carrying or storing your pistol. The decocked position is provided as the primary, safest location of the hammer at any time the slide is closed. FULL COCK POSITION. When at full cock, the hammer is all the way to the rear (Figure 4). In the full cock position, with the "safety"/decocking lever in the "off safe" position, and with a cartridge in the chamber, the pistol is ready to fire by pulling the trigger. 12 S L I D E R E L E A S E / S T O P L AT C H With an empty magazine inserted, the slide can be "locked" open simply by grasping the slide serrations immediately forward of the "safety"/decocking lever and drawing the slide fully rearward until the slide release/stop latch automatically rotates upward into its appropriate recess. (If a magazine is not inserted, the slide release/stop latch must be manually pushed upward into its recess in the slide.) After the last shot has been fired from the magazine the slide will "lock" rearward. This position is an additional safety measure and allows easy inspection of the barrel chamber. This is also the recommended attitude of the pistol at all times prior to loading and while storing the pistol. To close the slide, be certain the "safety"/decocking lever is in the "off safe" position and your fingers are away from the ejection port and trigger. With the muzzle of the pistol pointed in a safe direction, simply depress the slide release/stop latch located on the left side of the frame (Figure 5). NOTE: Failure to put the "safety"/decocking lever in the "off safe" position while closing the slide may cause damage to the decocking system. After closing the slide, be certain the "safety"/decocking lever is moved to the "on safe" position, which will also decock the hammer. INSERTING CARTRIDGES INTO THE MAGAZINE 1 With the slide closed, the "safety"/decocking lever in the "on safe" position, and the muzzle pointing in a safe direction, press the magazine latch on the left side of the frame at the rear of the trigger guard and remove the magazine. As a safety precaution, operate the slide manually and visually inspect the chamber to eliminate any possibility of a cartridge being in the chamber. Close the slide, remembering the "safety"/decocking lever must be in the "off safe" position to prevent damage to the decocking system. It is possible to lock the slide open before inserting a loaded magazine. However, we recommend that the slide be closed before inserting a loaded magazine. If the slide is locked open when a magazine is inserted, and the slide is then closed using the slide lock, a cartridge will be fed into the chamber as the slide closes. The pistol could then be fired with the pull of the trigger. 2 13 3 4 FIGURE 6 Insert the cartridges into the magazine by pushing them down and sliding them rearward with your thumb (Figure 6). Start the cartridge into the magazine (bullet forward) by pushing downward on the front of the follower with the base of the cartridge and then pushing the cartridge rearward under the lips until Loading the magazine. the cartridge is fully rearward. Subsequent cartridges are loaded similarly, with the base of the new cartridge being pushed down on the already inserted round until the new cartridge can be slipped under the lips of the magazine. REMEMBER: The recommended maximum carrying capacity of the BDA 380 is 13 rounds with the chamber empty (10 rounds in limited capacity magazines with the chamber empty). The number of cartridges in the magazine can be visually verified following the instructions under "Other Features" on page 22 in this owner's manual. LOADING THE MAGAZINE INTO THE PISTOL Do not load a cartridge into the chamber until shooting is imminent. Insert the loaded magazine into the magazine well at the base of the grip, being certain that the magazine is pressed in completely until retained by the magazine latch. The "safety"/decocking lever should remain in the "on safe" position. TO LOAD THE CHAMBER To load the chamber, point the muzzle in a safe direction, keep your finger away from the trigger and place the "safety"/decocking lever in the "off safe" position and pull the slide completely back. Allow the slide to move forward under spring pressure, feeding the first cartridge from the magazine into the chamber. CAUTION: The pistol is now cocked and 14 can be fired by simply squeezing the trigger. Be sure the "safety"/decocking lever is placed in the "on safe" position immediately after feeding the first round (which will decock the hammer) unless shooting is imminent. S P E C I A L I N S T R U C T I O N S F O R L AW ENFORCEMENT AND COMPETITIVE SHOOTERS Several BDA 380 functions are for specialized purposes in law enforcement and competitive shooting only. They are the loaded chamber indicator and the procedure for loading a full magazine with the slide locked rearward (below). L O A D E D C H A M B E R I N D I C AT O R CAUTION: Remember, under all conditions, always assume that the chamber of your BDA 380 is loaded. But, to be of assistance, especially in the case of a law enforcement officers, the BDA 380 has a special loaded chamber indicator. The loaded chamber indicator is to be used only to confirm or verify that a round is in the chamber. In any situation, to use the loaded chamber indicator, (1) shooting should be imminent, (2) you have already loaded the chamber, and (3) you are in a situation where it is an advantage to confirm that the chamber is loaded. Never use the loaded chamber indicator to determine whether the chamber is loaded or not. When there is a round in the chamber, the forward portion of the extractor will cam outward slightly, exposing a red index mark. This index mark is FIGURE 7 located on the top, forward surface of the extractor. The extractor is a slender bar, about 11/4" long, located on the right side of the slide immediately behind the ejection port (Figure 7). With practice, the protrusion can be both seen and felt. Remember, the loaded chamber Protruding Extractor indicator is only for confirming that a round is in the chamber The protruding extractor (with red index mark) when shooting is imminent. confirms that a round is present in the chamber. 15 CAUTION: WHENEVER USING THE LOADED CHAMBER INDICATOR TO CONFIRM THAT YOUR PISTOL'S CHAMBER IS LOADED, ALWAYS FIRST MAKE SURE THE BARREL IS POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION AND THAT THE "SAFETY"/DECOCKING LEVER IS IN THE "ON SAFE" POSITION. DO NOT USE THESE INDICATORS WITH LIVE AMMUNITION UNLESS AT AN APPROPRIATE SHOOTING LOCATION AND WHEN ALL SAFETY RULES ARE ADHERED TO. CAUTION: DO NOT DEPEND ON THE RED COLOR ALONE TO INDICATE YOUR GUN'S SAFETY STATUS, AS TIME, EXPOSURE TO THE ELEMENTS, AND THE ABRASIVE ACTION OF CLEANING AGENTS CAN ERASE IT. CAUTION: THE LOADED CHAMBER INDICATOR IS NEVER A REPLACEMENT FOR CHECKING THE LOADED STATUS OF YOUR PISTOL BY OPENING THE ACTION AND REMOVING ALL CARTRIDGES FROM THE CHAMBER AND MAGAZINE. L O A D I N G W I T H T H E S L I D E L O C K E D R E A R WA R D If you are shooting in competitive matches or for law enforcement purposes, and shooting will be imminent after firing an entire magazine, it is possible to load a fresh magazine while the slide is still locked rearward, and then chamber a round when the slide is closed. The slide of your BDA 380 locks rearward after the last round from the magazine is fired. Under most conditions you should immediately remove the empty magazine, close the slide and place the "safety"/decocking lever in the "on safe" position, while a new magazine is inserted. Under special law enforcement and competitive shooting conditions, you can leave the slide open after the empty magazine is removed. With the slide locked rearward you can insert the full magazine and release the slide forward by pushing downward on the slide stop/release lever with your thumb. The slide will close under spring pressure and feed a cartridge from the magazine into the chamber. Remember, the pistol can now be fired by simply squeezing the trigger. If for some reason shooting is no longer imminent, you must immediately push the "safety"/decocking lever downward, placing the "safety" in the on position and at the same time, decocking the hammer. From this point the pistol can then be fired by moving the "safety"/decocking lever upward to the fire ("off safe") position and 16 squeezing the trigger. If shooting is not imminent, the loaded round should be removed from the chamber as explained under "Unloading" on page 18. Be sure the muzzle is pointed in a safe direction and your finger is away from the trigger while you are decocking the hammer, performing any loading or unloading procedures or confirming the loaded status of your pistol. Remember: Always treat your pistol as if the chamber is loaded and it is ready to fire. FIRING DOUBLE ACTION FIRING With the pistol decocked, the first shot can be fired double action by raising the "safety"/decocking lever to the "off safe" position and simply squeezing the trigger. In order for the trigger to operate the hammer, the magazine must be inserted in the pistol. SINGLE ACTION FIRING If you wish to fire the first round single action instead of double action, simply raise the "safety"/decocking lever to the "off safe" position and cock the hammer. Be sure the muzzle is pointed in a safe direction and your finger is away from the trigger while you are cocking the hammer with your thumb. The first shot is now ready to fire simply by pulling the trigger, as long as the magazine is in the pistol. CAUTION: REMEMBER, WHEN YOUR PISTOL IS AT FULL COCK THE TRIGGER PULL IS SIGNIFICANTLY SHORTER AND LIGHTER THAN WHEN PULLING THE TRIGGER FROM THE DECOCKED POSITION. ALWAYS TAKE SPECIAL CARE TO KNOW THE STATUS OF YOUR PISTOL'S HAMMER. FIRING SUCCESSIVE SHOTS After the first shot has been fired by double action or single action described above, the pistol will automatically eject the fired cartridge, cock the hammer and feed a loaded round from the magazine into the chamber. Thus the shooter may fire the pistol until the magazine is empty simply by pulling the trigger for each shot. Immediately depress the "safety"/decocking lever (with your finger removed from the trigger) if you do not wish to 17 FIGURE 8 The slide moves rearward about 3/4" past the end of the frame. fire or if shooting is no longer imminent. After the last shot is fired, the slide lock on the left side causes the slide to remain back. At this point, we recommend that the magazine be removed and then the slide closed (by releasing the slide release/stop latch), before a loaded magazine is inserted in the pistol as previously described in the "Loading" section. CAUTION: YOU WILL HAVE OBSERVED, BY PULLING THE SLIDE BACK TO COCK THE PISTOL, THAT THE SLIDE MOVES REARWARD ABOUT 3/4" PAST THE REAR OF THE FRAME (FIGURE 8). IN SHOOTING, NEITHER HAND SHOULD BE IN A POSITION WHERE IT COULD BE HIT BY THE SLIDE IN ITS REARWARD MOVEMENT, NOR SHOULD UNORTHODOX SIGHTING METHODS BE USED WHERE THE PISTOL IS HELD CLOSE TO THE EYE OR FACE. UNLOADING 1 With the muzzle pointed in a safe direction and the "safety"/decocking lever in the "on safe" position, depress the magazine release on the left side of the frame and remove the magazine. CAUTION: KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER WHILE REMOVING THE MAGAZINE, AND THROUGHOUT THE UNLOADING PROCESS. GRIP THE SLIDE AND DRAW IT SHARPLY REARWARD AND LOCK THE SLIDE TO THE REAR BY RAISING THE SLIDE STOP. THIS WILL CLEAR ANY ROUND THAT MAY BE IN THE CHAMBER AND EJECT THAT ROUND. Visually inspect both the chamber and magazine channel to be sure your pistol is unloaded.The safest way to store your pistol is to leave the slide back and the magazine removed. Strip any loaded cartridges from the magazine by pushing forward on the rear of the top cartridge and sliding each cartridge out, one at a time, as each moves up in the magazine. Also, be sure to fully 2 3 18 FIGURE 9A FIGURE 9B Slide Release/Stop Latch Take Down Lever Stop Move the slide rearward and push in slide stop to lock it rearward. Press and hold the take down lever stop. unload any spare magazines at the same time. The magazine and cartridges should be stored separately from the pistol. D I S A S S E M B LY WEAR EYE PROTECTION AT ALL TIMES WHEN PERFORMING MAINTENANCE ON YOUR PISTOL. It is important that you become adept at disassembling (field stripping) your BDA 380 pistol. Disassembly into major component groups is necessary for thoroughly cleaning your pistol and assuring reliable operation. FIRST, BE CERTAIN YOUR PISTOL IS COMPLETELY UNLOADED by removing the magazine and inspecting the chamber as explained previously. Be sure to use eye protection whenever disassembling and reassembling your pistol due to the spring-tensioned parts. 1 Be sure the "safety"/decocking lever is in the "on safe" position. 2 Unload your BDA 380 by removing the magazine, as explained under "Unloading" on page 18, and visually inspect the chamber to ensure no rounds remain. 3 Lock the slide rearward by pulling the slide back and engaging the slide stop/release latch into the disassembly recess on the slide (Figure 9A). 4 Depress the takedown lever stop (Figure 9B). This is the small, button-like part that extends out of the frame just forward of the slide stop/release lever. The takedown lever stop passes through the 19