Browning BDA9/BDAO
Notes: These
pistols were at first sold only in the US, and not marketed in Europe until many
years after they were introduced in the US in 1978.
The operation is a clever modification of John Browning’s action used on
the M1911 and High Power, using the High-Power unlocking procedure and combining
it with a short-recoil system and using machined in rails and locking lugs. The
BDA has an ambidextrous safety/uncocking lever.
There are
several variants of the BDA9 built: the BDA9S with a 4.5-inch barrel, the BDA9M
with a 3.75-inch barrel, the BDA9C, also with a 3.75” barrel but with a smaller
grip and single-stack magazine, and the BDAO, a double-action-only version of
the BDA9S. (The BDAO was not
introduced until 1995.) There is
also a rare weapon, the BDAOc, which is a compact version of the BDAO that was
produced in very small numbers for less than a year.
The DA140 is a
predecessor of the BDA that was only moderately successful, even in the US (it’s
target market). It is similar to
the BDA9S, but is chambered in .380 ACP, and has a smaller ejection port. The
DA140 has a light aluminum frame instead of a steel frame. It was meant to
replace the M1910, though it is quite a bit larger than that weapon.
The BDA380 is a
smaller version of the Hi-Power. It was designed primarily for police and
civilian use. Most of these weapons
were made in .380 ACP caliber, but some were also built in .32 ACP, intended
primarily for females.
The BDA is
closely related to the SiG-Sauer P220, made with partnership with SiG, to the
extent that some US import versions were marked “SiG-Sauer P220.”
Twilight 2000
Notes: The BDAO is a very rare weapon.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
BDA9S |
9mm Parabellum |
0.87 kg |
9, 14 |
$243 |
BDA38S |
.38 Super |
0.87 kg |
9, 14 |
$338 |
BDA45S |
.45 ACP |
0.95 kg |
7 |
$399 |
BDA9M |
9mm Parabellum |
0.85 kg |
14 |
$235 |
BDA9C |
9mm Parabellum |
0.54 kg |
7 |
$214 |
BDAO |
9mm Parabellum |
0.88 kg |
14 |
$244 |
BDAOc |
9mm Parabellum |
0.86 kg |
14 |
$235 |
DA140 |
.380 ACP |
0.74 kg |
14 |
$228 |
BDA380 |
.380 ACP |
0.65 kg |
12 |
$117 |
BDA380 |
.32 ACP |
0.56 kg |
13 |
$97 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
BDA9S |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
1 |
3 |
Nil |
11 |
BDA38S |
SA |
2 |
1-Nil |
1 |
3 |
Nil |
9 |
BDA45S |
SA |
2 |
Nil |
1 |
3 |
Nil |
13 |
BDA9M |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
1 |
3 |
Nil |
9 |
BDA9C |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
1 |
4 |
Nil |
9 |
BDAO |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
1 |
3 |
Nil |
11 |
BDAOc |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
1 |
3 |
Nil |
9 |
DA140 |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
1 |
3 |
Nil |
11 |
BDA380 (.380) |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
1 |
3 |
Nil |
9 |
BDA380 (.32) |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
1 |
4 |
Nil |
9 |
Browning BDM
Notes: The BDM
was the culmination of a long series of attempts by FN to supplement (and
possibly one day, replace) the HP35 series of pistols with a more modern series
of pistols. The BDM was actually
conceived, designed, and is built by FN-USA in their Utah facility, and was
introduced in 1991. The HP35 is a
very hard act to follow, but the BDM is slowly gaining popularity.
The BDM was completely a product of the Browning side of the FN-Herstal
house; it was designed and developed in their US facilities and had no input
from the rest of FN. This is because the Browning people at the time felt like
every FN pistol was becoming too exotic or just another HP35 iteration – and
they wanted something fresh. They canvassed shooters, military, police officers,
and competition shooters, for their ideas of a good pistol. Though the BDM was
introduced in 1991, it was rapidly taken back off the market; one of the BDM’s
first customers was the US Secret Service, and they quickly discovered that when
using the +P+ ammunition customarily used by their agents, parts wore out and
broke in short order. FN withdrew
the BDM to beef up the parts; it took almost a year before the BDM was once
again ready (and it cost FN the Secret Service order), but it resulted in a far
stronger pistol.
The BDM features
an interesting fire mechanism: a rotating lever on the left side of the slide
allows the shooter to choose between traditional double-action operation or
double-action-only operation (hence BDM, or “Browning Double-Mode).
The shooter can also manually thumb-cock it, giving him a single-action
shot. (Of course, the BDM resets to DA or DAO mode.) This ability to be
thumb-cocked also gives the shooter to try a cartridge that did not go off
again. The BDM changes from DA to DAO mode by turning a screw on the left side
of the slide with a screwdriver built into the floorplate of the magazine. The
BDM is a very streamlined design despite the high magazine capacity, and is
built primarily of strong, yet lightweight steel alloy that also makes the BDM
light in weight despite its structural strength.
The grip is of one-piece polymer with excellent checkering patterns on
the sides, frontstrap, and backstrap, ensuring a secure grip; this idea was
taken from the Russian Makarov. The
BDM uses a 4.73-inch barrel, with fixed 3-dot-type sights similar to the Novak
combat sights used by Smith & Wesson for some of its pistols, and the rear sight
has protective ears. The rear sight
is adjustable. The magazine well is beveled to aid in reloading, and the
magazine release is partially shielded by a raised thumbrest to help prevent
accidental magazine releases.
Though it is unusual for a modern pistol, the BDM has a lanyard loop at the
bottom of the grip near the bottom.
Parts are stamped out of investment casting, an idea pioneered by Ruger.
The BDM is noted for
its slim profile, which is smaller than almost all pistols of its class, and
fits small-to-medium hands. The standard finish is matte black, a version with a
chrome-finished frame and slide was also introduced in 1997.
About the same time, a version called the BDM Practical was added to the
line; this version is for the most part the same as the standard BDM, but has
Pachmayr Signature rubber ergonomic grips and an adjustable rear sight.
A little later, two more versions were also added: the BDMD, which adds a
decocker, and the BDMDAO, which uses only DAO (double-action-only) operation and
therefore does not have the selection lever.
For game purposes, all of these are identical to the standard BDM.
Twilight 2000
Notes: Only the standard BDM exists as a factory-built weapon in the Twilight
2000 timeline.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
BDM |
9mm Parabellum |
0.88 kg |
15 |
$245 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
BDM |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
1 |
3 |
Nil |
12 |
Browning Black Label Medallion
Notes: A Black
Label Medallion may be thought of as a BDA380 brought up to date – both are
based on the 1911 (the Medallion more so), though the Medallion is more compact
despite the M1911 styling, especially in the grip, which accommodates only a
single-stack magazine.. It is noted
in Handguns magazine that the Black Label Medallion is a 1911 in .380,
not a shrunken 1911, but one designed for .380. The two-toned finish is
striking, with a black frame and barrel and stainless slide, with black-striped
grips at the rear, black-lined serial number and markings, and black hammer,
trigger and sights. (The trigger is
also skeletonized., and made of alloy) The grip plates are of handsome rosewood,
checkered, with a Browning stylized gold emblem in the missile. The grips and
mainspring housing are flat, with a bump for positive engagement for the grip
safety.
The Medallion
Pro comes in several versions. The
Pro Compact is a commander-sized weapon with a 4.25-inch barrel.
Underneath the finish is a slide of stainless steel, and underneath the
black barrel is stainless steel. The frame is of composite material. Variants of
the Pro Compact include having G10 grips, Laminate grips, with dovetailed front
and rear sights and able to mount even scope rings, 3-dot night sights,
adjustable rear sight, mounting holes for Weaver or Picatinny Rails, above the
slide and below the dust cover, and different finishes,
The Medallion
comes with an all-matte-black finish, but features similar to a stock Medallion
Pro. The barrel, however, is 3.675 inches. The grips are black checkered rubber.
A Special Pro
Subcompact has a slightly shorter barrel at 3.33 inches, and one only slightly
longer at 3.58 inches. It has the same base finish of the Medallion Pro.
All Medallions
have the same options as the Medallion Pro. IRL, the Medallion is much less
expensive than the Medallion Pro, regardless of barrel length of the Medallion
Pro.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Medallion |
.380 ADP |
0.48 kg |
8 |
$219 |
Medallion w/Rail |
.380 ADP |
0.49 kg |
8 |
$222 |
Medallion Pro (4.25” Barrel) |
.380 ADP |
0.51 kg |
8 |
$225 |
Medallion Pro (4.25” Barrel) w/Rail |
.380 ADP |
0.52 kg |
8 |
$227 |
Medallion Pro (3.33” Barrel) |
.380 ADP |
0.46 kg |
8 |
$215 |
Medallion Pro (3.33” Barrel) w/Rail |
.380 ADP |
0.47 kg |
8 |
$217 |
Medallion Pro (3.58” Barrel) |
.380 ADP |
0.47 kg |
8 |
$218 |
Medallion Pro (3.58” Barrel) w/Rail |
.380 ADP |
0.48 kg |
8 |
$221 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Medallion |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
1 |
5 |
Nil |
9 |
Medallion Pro (4.25” Barrel) |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
1 |
5 |
Nil |
11 |
Medallion Pro (3.33” Barrel) |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
1 |
5 |
Nil |
8 |
Medallion Pro (3.58” Barrel) |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
1 |
5 |
Nil |
9 |
Browning Buck Mark
Notes: These are
high-quality sporting pistols for plinking, target shooting, and the hunting of
small animals (varmints). They are
sturdily-built and designed for outdoor use.
Despite this, the Buck Mark was originally introduced in 1985 as an
economy version of the Challenger III (see below), and the original Buck Mark
Standard had plastic grips and a square-section bull barrel for ease of
manufacture. The Standard is the base weapon; it come in a variety of barrel
lengths, but the standard length of 5.5” is shown below.
The Standard’s rear sight is adjustable, but this requires the use of a
rather tiny-headed Allen wrench. The Varmint is has no iron sights, a scope rail
(a telescopic sight is included in the cost of the weapon), a wooden forend
which may be removed as desired, and a bull 9.875-inch barrel.
The Bullseye was introduced in 1996; it has an adjustable trigger and an
adjustable rear sight, and a 7.25-inch barrel interchangeable with other Buck
Mark barrels. The Buck Mark Micro
Standard is the smallest and lightest member of the Buck Mark series, with a
4-inch barrel. The Buck Mark Target has a barrel similar to the Silhouette, but
has a serrated sighting rib atop the barrel and improved adjustable sights, and
both the front and rear sights are adjustable.
Several models
of the Buck Mark are identical to other Buck Marks for game purposes.
The Target is a Standard with improved adjustable sights, a sighting rib,
and a few minor cosmetic changes. The Buck Mark Plus is a luxury Buck Mark
Standard; it has hardwood grips. The Buck Mark Camper is sort of a no-frills
version of the Standard for the most part, but has a more weatherproof finish
(either matte blue or nickel-plated), adjustable 3-dot sights, and molded
composite grips. The Gold is similar, but has a full sighting rib and a
gold-plated frame. The Buck Mark Gold Target is identical to the Buck Mark Gold
for game purposes, but the rear sight is a micrometer sight and the front sight
is hooded. The Buck Mark Standard
Nickel is also similar, but has a nickel-plated frame. The Buck Mark Nickel
Target is the same as the Target, but has a nickel-plated frame. The Buck Mark
Blue Target is similar to the Target, and has an adjustable sight, a sectional
sighting rib, a micrometer rear sight, and a hooded front sight (and of course,
a blued finish, with walnut grips). The Buck Mark Field is almost identical to
the Buck Mark Blue Target, but the rear sight is a normal adjustable one and the
front sight is not hooded, and it is deep blued. The Micro Standard Plus is a
Micro Standard with shaped wood grips.
The Buck Mark
Silhouette has high-profile adjustable rear and front sights, a wooden forestock
and 9.875-inch bull barrel. The
Silhouette Unlimited is essentially the same, except for its huge 14-inch bull
barrel; it’s virtually a stockless carbine.
Twilight/Merc
2000 Notes: These weapons could sometimes be found in military and government
use modified with silencers (especially the Standard and Micro Standard), but
this was a rare modification.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Buck Mark Bullseye |
.22 Long Rifle |
1 kg |
10 |
$152 |
Buck Mark Gold |
.22 Long Rifle |
1.03 kg |
10 |
$135 |
Buck Mark Micro Standard |
.22 Long Rifle |
0.91 kg |
10 |
$120 |
Buck Mark Standard |
.22 Long Rifle |
1.02 kg |
10 |
$136 |
Buck Mark Silhouette |
.22 Long Rifle |
1.5 kg |
10 |
$182 |
Buck Mark Target |
.22 Long Rifle |
1.03 kg |
10 |
$120 |
Buck Mark Unlimited Silhouette |
.22 Long Rifle |
1.81 kg |
10 |
$224 |
Buck Mark Varmint |
.22 Long Rifle |
1.36 kg |
10 |
$354 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Buck Mark Bullseye |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
1 |
2 |
Nil |
14 |
Buck Mark Gold |
SA |
-1 |
Nil |
1 |
2 |
Nil |
10 |
Buck Mark Micro Standard |
SA |
-1 |
Nil |
1 |
2 |
Nil |
7 |
Buck Mark Standard |
SA |
-1 |
Nil |
1 |
2 |
Nil |
10 |
Buck Mark Silhouette |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
2 |
1 |
Nil |
18 |
Buck Mark Target |
SA |
-1 |
Nil |
1 |
2 |
Nil |
10 |
Buck Mark Unlimited Silhouette |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
2 |
1 |
Nil |
25 |
Buck Mark Varmint |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
2 |
2 |
Nil |
18 |
Browning Hi-Power HP35
Notes: First
produced in 1935, the Hi-Power (also known, particularly in Europe, as the GP35
– Grande Puissance, which is French
for High Power) became not only one of the most common pistols ever made, but
one of the most imitated. John
Browning was quite a rich man due to his numerous patents on earlier weapon
designs and concepts, but he was never interested in manufacturing his own
weapons, preferring to sell or license the patents to other companies (which was
more lucrative than actually building the weapons in any factory he might have
to set up). He found a willing
partner in FN of Belgium, and also sold some of the workings of the HP35 to
others. The HP35 had a slow start,
but by World War 2 it was already one of the most popular military, police, and
civilian pistols available.
Licensed and unlicensed production is still taking place all over the world, and
has been since World War 2 when Belgian FN facilities were taken over by the
Nazis and primary production of FN weapons moved to the Inglis factory in Canada
for the duration of the war. The
HP35 has become one of the longest-production firearms in history.
In the 1950s,
until the 1960s, HP35’s were produced with an aluminum alloy frame.
These were at first aimed at the commercial market, but did not prove
successful in that market. However,
the Osterrichsche Landes Gendarmerie (Austrian State Police) adopted the
aluminum alloy frame version as their standard service pistol in the 1960s,
which they used until replaced by the Glock 17 in the early 1980s.
The operation was so
innovative that most of the pistols designed after it had the same operation of
a derivative of it. The HP35’s double-stack high-capacity magazine was
especially innovative for its time.
Despite the high-capacity magazine, the HP35 has a slim, comfortable grip (some
say the best-designed factory grip in the world).
The standard barrel length is 4.7 inches.
The trigger mechanism, however, is a bit complex, not only hindering the
work of armorers and gunsmiths but also giving the HP35 a bit of a stiff trigger
pull. Until the mid-1990s, HP35s
had sights that were quite small and difficult to line up, and this problem
persists on many foreign-built versions (licensed and unlicensed).
Luckily, the HP35 is one of those pistols that possess good natural
pointing qualities – no doubt John Browning’s influence.
When the magazine release is pushed, the magazine does not simply fall
out; it pops out a bit and the shooter must remove it from the weapon.
This can be a two-edged sword – magazines are not easily lost, but it
often presents a problem in military use.
Virtually all HP35s are chambered for 9mm Parabellum, the HP35 was also
made in a 7.65mm Parabellum version (primarily for sale to civilians in
countries where the use of “military” cartridges is forbidden to civilians).
A variant called the HP35/40 was introduced in 1994, chambered for .40
Smith & Wesson, with an adjustable rear sight and a barrel extended to 5 inches
to allow the cartridge to function better.
Over the years, several companies have also made kits to convert the HP35
to fire other cartridges, with .22 Long Rifle and .41 Action Express being the
most common of these. (“Generic” figures for these conversions are presented
below.)
The Competition
model is the same weapon, but with 6-inch barrel as opposed to a 4.7-inch barrel
of the standard HP35; it also has adjustable sights and usually a better finish.
The Mark 2 is a version produced using more modern methods and materials;
it has anatomical grip plates, better sights, and an antiglare finish.
(The Chinese make a version of the Mark 2, known as the Type 88SP.)
The Mark 3 is a Mark 2 built stronger and with even newer production
methods; the rear sight may be removed and replaced with an adjustable sight.
The Hi-Power Practical is a new version of the Mark 3 introduced in 1993;
it has Pachmayr Signature rubber grips, and has a light nickel alloy frame and
steel slide. It is also slightly
smaller than the standard Hi-Power Mark 3.
The 75th Anniversary Model is somewhat smaller with a barrel
of 4.625 inches, and has polished black nitride finish with gold-inlaid
engraving.
One more version
of the Hi-Power bears mentioning: the John Inglis version.
By World War 2, several friendly countries (though the countries may be
occupied, there were in many cases “free forces” that consisted of cadres and
small numbers of troops of the occupied nations in England or Canada) faced the
fact that the source of the most advanced pistol of the time, the HP35, was in
occupied Belgium. A Canadian
gunmaker (mostly of shotguns and rimfire rifles) named John Inglis announced
that he could take on a decent amount of HP35 manufacturing.
These “Canadian Hi-Powers” were used to equip Canada, Britain (to an
extent; Britain was also building it’s own copies of foreign weapons) and the
Greeks, as well as the SAS and OSS.
There are some minor weight and barrel-length differences (4.65 inches), but
were otherwise almost total Hi-Power copies, and use the same firing line on the
chart as an HP35.
Another version
that bears mentioning was introduced in 2013, and was a product of Browning/FN
and Crimson Trace. A pre-zeroed
LaserGrip was added to the top of the grip plate (which was also modified).
This, though pre-zeroed, could still be adjusted by a shooter, or taken
back to factory settings. For game
purposes, it is equivalent to a High Power Mk 3, except for the cost of the
laser (in game terms).
Powder River
Precision in the US has produced a custom version of the Hi-Power, based on the
Mark 3 version. Their Hi-Power is
finished in matte black, except for the screws, hex nuts, and controls, which
are gloss blued. The pistol is
completely dehorned, including the sights and hammer.
The front sight has been replaced with a dovetailed serrated face, while
the rear sight is a Heinie Lo-Mount sight.
The front of the pistol is as flat-faced as possible for those who
practice sight-cocking. The barrel
has been replaced with a hand-fitted Bar-Sto barrel, which is the same 4.7
inches long. The trigger is a
widened C&S components, with a pull weight of just over 5.5 pounds. (It still
has the touch of creepiness inherent to all Hi-Powers; creepiness cannot totally
be removed from the Hi-Power due to the design, but PRP removes it as much as
possible.) The gripframe is
stippled for a surer grip. A loop
hammer and an extended beavertail has been added to cure the hammer bite
associated with Hi-Powers.
At the end of
the year 2017, Browning once again stopped producing the Hi-Power in most of its
iterations, though the Mark 2, Mark 3, Practical, and the 75th
Anniversary Model remain in production (limited production, in the case of the
Anniversary Model). Of course, the
Crimson Trace and Puwder River versions, being built or modified by different
companies, remained in their limited production. Despite the stoppage of
production, there are enough Hi=Powers in circulation that finding one on the
open market should present little problem, though RL prices will probably
increase.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
HP35 |
9mm Parabellum |
0.91 kg |
13 |
$245 |
HP35 (Aluminum Frame) |
9mm Parabellum |
0.65 kg |
13 |
$246 |
HP35 Competition |
9mm Parabellum |
0.99 kg |
13 |
$258 |
Hi-Power Mark 2 |
9mm Parabellum |
0.88 kg |
13 |
$245 |
Hi-Power Mark 3 |
9mm Parabellum |
0.93 kg |
13 |
$245 |
Hi-Power Practical |
9mm Parabellum |
0.95 kg |
13 |
$248 |
HP35/40 |
.40 Smith & Wesson |
1.06 kg |
10 |
$321 |
HP35 Rimfire Conversion |
.22 Long Rifle |
0.91 kg |
10 |
$126 |
HP35 .41 AE Conversion |
.41 Action Express |
1.09 kg |
10 |
$335 |
HP35 75th Anniversary Model |
9mm Parabellum |
0.91 kg |
13 |
$244 |
Browning/John Inglis M1935 |
9mm Parabellum |
0.92 kg |
13 |
$245 |
Browning/Crimson Trace High Power |
9mm Parabellum |
0.94 kg |
13 |
$645 |
Powder River Precision HP35 Mk 3 |
9mm Parabellum |
0.94 kg |
13 |
$247 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
HP35/75th Anniversary Model |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
1 |
3 |
Nil |
11 |
HP25 (Aluminum Alloy) |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
1 |
4 |
Nil |
11 |
HP35 Competition |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
1 |
3 |
Nil |
15 |
Hi-Power Mark 2 |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
1 |
3 |
Nil |
11 |
Hi-Power Mark 3 |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
1 |
3 |
Nil |
11 |
Hi-Power Practical |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
1 |
3 |
Nil |
11 |
HP35/40 |
SA |
2 |
1-Nil |
1 |
3 |
Nil |
16 |
Rimfire Conversion |
SA |
-1 |
Nil |
1 |
2 |
Nil |
8 |
.41 AE Conversion |
SA |
3 |
1-Nil |
1 |
3 |
Nil |
15 |
Powder River Precision HP35 Mk 3 |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
1 |
3 |
Nil |
12 |
Browning/FN HP-DA
Notes: Though
its HP35 ancestry is obvious, FN is quite loath to emphasize any connection
between the HP35 and HP-DA, without offering any sort of explanation for this.
Nonetheless, most experts acknowledge that the HP-DA is an improved,
double-action variant of the Hi-Power, with a somewhat greater magazine
capacity. The trigger guard is
larger for use with gloves, and the trigger guard is also squared with a finger
rest. The grips are wraParound
plastic moldings instead of simple grip plates.
The trigger is slightly forward of the trigger of the HP35, necessitated
by the double-action operation. The
length of draw and the pull are said to be a bit more than necessary.
The finish is designed to stop corrosion and not for looks.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
HP-DA |
9mm Parabellum |
0.88 kg |
10, 14, 15 |
$245 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
HP-DA |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
1 |
3 |
Nil |
12 |
Browning International
Notes: This
match pistol was introduced in 1980.
It was manufactured in Morgan, Utah and Montreal, Canada and not in
Belgium. It has an anatomical
walnut grip with an adjustable hand rest, multiple safeties, a gold-plated
trigger, and an adjustable rear sight.
A similar model, the Browning M150, is almost identical, but does not
have the adjustable hand rest. The
International was removed from production in 1985, replaced by the Buck Mark
series.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
International |
.22 Long Rifle |
1.33 kg |
10 |
|
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
International |
SA |
-1 |
Nil |
1 |
1 |
Nil |
11 |
Browning M1900
Notes:
This was the first Browning automatic pistol to be made by FN, and
started a long relationship between John Browning and Fabrique Nationale.
It is a pure recoil weapon, built to keep the number of parts required to
a minimum. Though the M1900 was
produced in huge numbers, it was never officially adopted by any country’s
military forces, though unofficially, it was used by Russia, Belgium, and the
Netherlands. In addition to the
ones made by FN, vast amounts were built and sold by China without a license.
Despite it’s large scale use, the M1900 was thought of by many as a
somewhat fragile pistol, primarily to its long barrel, slide, and dust cover,
which stick out a long ways in front of the pistol.
In the “Pistol
Competition of the Century” which eventually produced the M1911, several
companies designed variants of their pistols to fire .45 ACP.
Browning’s modified M1900 entry in .45 ACP (the M1905) was carefully made
and strengthened – and the US Army broke it
just as fast as most of the other contestants’ pistols.
(It really was too fragile for such a powerful cartridge.) The single
remaining Browning M1905 is now in FN’s pattern room.
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
|
M1900 |
.32 ACP |
0.62 kg |
7 |
$125 |
M1905 |
.45 ACP |
1.45 kg |
7 |
$231 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
M1900 |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
1 |
4 |
Nil |
9 |
M1905 |
SA |
2 |
Nil |
1 |
2 |
Nil |
1m- |
Browning M1903
Notes:
This weapon is unusual because it uses blowback operation, which is
usually not a good sort of operation with the calibers used for the M1903.
(John Browning made it work, though.)
The M1903 used a 5-inch barrel, longer than most automatic pistols of the
day. Finish was typically blued
with molded plastic grip plates, and the sights are rather small, so small as to
be almost unusable without considerable practice.
FN also produced an optional kit that included an extended 10-round
magazine with an adapter for the attachment of a shoulder stock; these
accessories are extremely rare today.
The .32 ACP version is likewise quite rare, as few were made in the first
place.
The Spanish
handgun manufacturers at Eibar may possibly have made more copies of the M1903
than FN made real M1903s. These
copies ranged from superb to terrible in quality, and in addition, myriad
variants of the M1903 were also made by the Spanish, typically without licenses,
especially the copy known as the Ruby.
Actual M1903 production lasted from 1907-1928.
The M1903 is an accurate and tough weapon that was widely adopted
throughout Europe, and large amounts are still in use to this day.
The M1903 is widely regarded as the weapon responsible for making the
word “Browning” virtually synonymous with “automatic pistol.”
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
M1903 |
.32 ACP |
0.91 kg |
7 |
$193 |
M1903 |
9mm Browning Long |
1 kg |
7 |
$258 |
Stock Kit |
N/A |
0.76 kg |
10 |
$21 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
M1903 (.32) |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
1 |
3 |
Nil |
12 |
With Stock |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
3 |
2 |
Nil |
15 |
M1903 (9mm) |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
1 |
3 |
Nil |
14 |
With Stock |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
3 |
2 |
Nil |
18 |
Browning M1906
Notes: This is a
tiny single-action pocket pistol first designed for civilian self-defense.
It is a small weapon that, oddly enough, was not produced with serial
numbers kept either stamped on the weapon or in company records.
More than a million of these pistols were produced.
In 1931, a simpler version of this weapon was produced as the Browning
Baby; this version had no grip safety, and about half a million were made.
The Browning Baby was used as a more sophisticated counterpart to the US
Liberator pistol during World War 2, dropped by parachute behind enemy lines in
France. The Baby Browning design
was changed somewhat after World War 2; more modern materials. Including light
alloy, and manufacturing methods made the pistol some 11 millimeters shorter and
140 grams lighter. Unfortunately,
the design was copied by a myriad of weapons makers, becoming one of those
infamous “Saturday Night Specials” that punks and criminals are so fond of.
The M1906 and the Baby have a very strong recoil spring and hard trigger
pull, usually making a two-handed grip necessary.
In 2007, the
American firm of PSA, after overcoming numerous legal and political hurdles,
began producing the Browning Baby again.
This is a reproduction of the pre-World War 2 Browning Baby, and all are
made from billet stock.
Aluminum-frame and steel-frame versions are made; game-wise, they are identical
to the pre- and post-World War 2 versions.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
M1906 |
.25 ACP |
0.35 kg |
6 |
$82 |
Browning Baby |
.25 ACP |
0.35 kg |
6 |
$82 |
Browning Baby (Post-WW2) |
.25 ACP |
0.21 kg |
6 |
$82 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
M1906 |
SA |
-1 |
Nil |
0 |
4 |
Nil |
3 |
Browning Baby |
SA |
-1 |
Nil |
0 |
4 |
Nil |
3 |
Browning Baby (Post WW2) |
SA |
-1 |
Nil |
0 |
7 |
Nil |
3 |
Browning M1910
Notes: This
turn-of-the-20th-century pistol is still in use by some former
Belgian colonies in Africa. The
M1910 is sort of a modification of the M1903 and even earlier M1900 model;
chamberings are different, the recoil spring is around the barrel instead of
being around the guide rod below the barrel, and the barrel is only 3.5 inches
long. The M1910 pioneered
developments in design later used in other Browning pistols and the Colt M1911;
safety systems are similar to those of the original M1906 models.
Manufacture continued until 1954 (except for interruptions during World
Was 1 and 2, and with assembly and sale from parts stores until the late 1960s),
and was still carried by military and police officers in some African nations
well into the 1990s; most M1910s are, however, collector’s items.
The M1910/22 (or
simply the M10/22) was originally produced at the request of the Kingdom of
Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes (changed to Yugoslavia in 1929) in 1922.
The Serbs were interested in a full-sized version of the M1910 with a
larger magazine (though early production M1910/22s still used the 7-round
magazines). The barrel of the
M1910/22 is a bit over 4.7 inches long, and the grip a little longer.
Oddly, the Serbs wanted the M1910/22 to be able to mount a bayonet, and
FN obliged. The M1910/22 was also
built for the Dutch – without the silly bayonet fittings.
When FN was captured after the Nazis invaded Belgium in 1940, they forced
FN to continue producing M1910/22s for Nazi use (called the P626(b) in .32 ACP
and P641(b) in .380 ACP), and these were issued to Wehrmacht and some Nazi
paramilitary and Home Guard formations.
These “Nazi” M1910/22s were built to relatively low standards that just
got worse as the war continued.
After World War 2, production M1910/22 parts continued at their former quality
until 1959, though complete pistols were assembled and sold as late as the
1970s.
In the early
1970s, FN produced a modernized version of the M1910/22, named the M125.
This version was internally very similar to the M1910/22 (though built
with more uPto-date manufacturing methods and tolerances); externally, the M125
used a squared one-piece slide instead of the rounded two-piece slide of the
M1910/22. The barrel length was a
bit shorter at 4.5 inches, and the sights were the same as used on HP35
High-Power Sport Model – totally adjustable.
The M125 was produced only in .32 ACP, but used a larger magazine than
the M1910/22. Other additions
included a grip safety and a magazine safety. Grip plates were typically of
black polymer (with walnut being an option) and several finishes were available.
The M125 was built and sold at a low rate until the early 1980s.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
M1910 |
.32 ACP |
0.58 kg |
7 |
$178 |
M1910 |
.380 ACP |
0.58 kg |
7 |
$216 |
M1910/22 |
.32 ACP |
0.73 kg |
8 |
$190 |
M1910/22 |
.380 ACP |
0.73 kg |
8 |
$229 |
M125 |
.32 ACP |
0.74 kg |
9 |
$188 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
M1910 (.32 ACP) |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
1 |
4 |
Nil |
8 |
M1910 (.380 ACP) |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
1 |
4 |
Nil |
9 |
M1910/22 (.32 ACP) |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
1 |
3 |
Nil |
11 |
M1910/22 (.380 ACP) |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
1 |
4 |
Nil |
12 |
M125 |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
1 |
3 |
Nil |
10 |
Browning Nomad/de Tire
Notes: This
pistol, known as the Nomad in the US and the de Tire in Europe, was introduced
in 1962 as a light plinking and recreational pistol.
There were two versions, a standard-length model with a 6.75-inch barrel
and a compact version with a shorter 4.5-inch barrel.
They have light alloy frames.
Production stopped in 1975.
About the same
time, the Medalist was introduced, this was a target pistol version with a grip
designed for a high hold on the weapon.
The barrel length is 6.75-inch inches, and almost the entire medium-heavy
barrel is exposed. Above the barrel is a ventilated sighting rib, and the
Medalist also has an adjustable V-notch rear sight and a blade front.
Left-handed grips are also available, and the standard Medalist’s grips
have a brass deflector to protect left-handed shooters (and to an extent,
right-handed shooters, as they too have brass deflectors).
The brass deflectors throw the spent shell up and over the head of the
shooter, so that shooters in a firing line are not pelted with ejected brass.
The Medalist has no magazine safety, and the magazine release is at the
heel of the grip, as was common among European pistols of the time.
Medalists have steel frames and slides. The barrel has dovetails to
attach up three weights, though the weight of the pistol made this mostly
unnecessary. The lack of a magazine safety allows individual rounds to be loaded
into the breech and be fired; by pressing gently against the manual safety, the
Medalist may be dry-fired. A normal
press against the manual safety safes the weapon completely.
Finish was normally deep blue with a gold-plated trigger. Four other
versions of the Medalist were produced, with greater degrees of fancy woods,
engraving, and inlays, and finishes, and are otherwise the same as the Medalist
for game purposes.
The
International Medalist was similar to the Medalist, but was redesigned to fit in
the International Shooting Union (ISU) rules.
Though there were many minor differences, such as removal of the barrel
weight system, the primary difference was a reduction in barrel length to 5.875
inches. Later versions had a grip
platform to stabilize the firing hand.
The International Medalist is still being manufactured for Europe, though
not have been exported to the US since 1980.
The
Challenger/Concours is the luxury version of the Nomad and de Tire; again, this
version is known as the Challenger in the US and the Concours in Europe.
This version has a gold-plated trigger, a fine walnut anatomical grip,
and an adjustable rear sight. It
also has a dry firing system, to prevent the damage to the firing pin that dry
firing normally can do to a rimfire weapon. The Challenger, and Concours, are
identical to the Nomad and de Tire for game purposes. Again, the
Challenger/Concours came in two barrel lengths, 4.5 inches and 6.75 inches.
Both the Nomad and Challenger were manufactured from 1962-1974.
A limited
edition Challenger, the Challenger Renaissance, was produced for a short time in
the mid-1960s. It differed from the
standard Challenger in having a satin nickel appearance to the barrel, hammer,
frame, and trigger guard. Another
limited edition, the Gold Line Challenger, is largely blued but with gold-plated
lines around the outside edges of the weapon.
The Challenger
II was the successor to the Challenger; it is largely the same as the Challenger
except for the manufacturing methods.
It was introduced in 1976, built until 1982 in FN’s Salt Lake City
facility, and was largely unknown in Europe.
It is mostly identical to the Nomad for game purposes, but is produced
only in a 6.75-inch-barrel version, and has an alloy frame.
Finish is blued, with grips being of phenol-treated hardwood. The
Challenger II has a light alloy frame. There were no special or deluxe versions
made.
The replacement
for the Challenger II, the Challenger III, is virtually the same as the
Challenger II, with the exception of the use of a 5.5-inch bull barrel or
6.75-inch tapered barrel for greater accuracy.
The 6.75” barrel version is called the Challenger III Sporter.
The Challenger III has a light alloy frame. It also has some changes in
form that mark it as the predecessor of the Buck Mark series, which replaced the
Challenger III in 1986.
The Browning
Collector’s Association Edition Challenger is a special edition of the
Challenger III, using the 5.5-inch bull barrel and otherwise differentiated by
decoration and scrollwork. It is difficult to find nowdays, and can fetch a
(real-world) high price. It is otherwise the same as the Challenger III for game
purposes.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Nomad |
.22 Long Rifle |
0.82 kg |
10 |
$148 |
Nomad Compact |
.22 Long Rifle |
0.74 kg |
10 |
$125 |
Medalist |
.22 Long Rifle |
1.3 kg |
10 |
$148 |
International Medalist |
.22 Long Rifle |
1.26 kg |
10 |
$139 |
Challenger II |
.22 Long Rifle |
0.82 kg |
10 |
$147 |
Challenger III |
.22 Long Rifle |
0.79 kg |
10 |
$136 |
Challenger III Sporter |
.22 Long Rifle |
0.83 kg |
10 |
$148 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Nomad |
SA |
-1 |
Nil |
1 |
2 |
Nil |
13 |
Nomad Compact |
SA |
-1 |
Nil |
1 |
2 |
Nil |
8 |
Medalist |
SA |
-1 |
Nil |
1 |
2 |
Nil |
13 |
International Medalist |
SA |
-1 |
Nil |
1 |
2 |
Nil |
11 |
Challenger II |
SA |
-1 |
Nil |
1 |
2 |
Nil |
13 |
Challenger III |
SA |
-1 |
Nil |
1 |
2 |
Nil |
10 |
Challenger III Sporter |
SA |
-1 |
Nil |
1 |
2 |
Nil |
13 |
Browning Pro-9/40
Notes: This is a
polymer-frame pistol similar to the Glock.
The slide is squared similar to the SiG, however.
The controls are ambidextrous.
Stripping is safer than most pistols; most pistols require that the
trigger be pulled before takedown, which can be disastrous if the firer does not
clear the pistol first. The Pro-9
and 40 may be stripped without pulling the trigger.
The Pro-9 and 40 also have a chamber loaded indicator.
Twilight 2000
Notes: This weapon does not exist.
Weapon |
Ammunition |
Weight |
Magazines |
Price |
Pro-9 |
9mm Parabellum |
0.68 kg |
10, 16 |
$238 |
Pro-40 |
.40 Smith & Wesson |
0.84 kg |
10 |
$312 |
Weapon |
ROF |
Damage |
Pen |
Bulk |
SS |
Burst |
Range |
Pro-9 |
SA |
1 |
Nil |
1 |
3 |
Nil |
10 |
Pro-40 |
SA |
2 |
Nil |
1 |
3 |
Nil |
10 |