Browning 1911-380 .380 Auto
Model: 051904492
Browning 1911-380 .380 Auto
Model: 051904492
Full Specifications
About This Firearm
The Browning 1911-380 is an 85%-scale replica of John Browning's original 1911 design, chambered in .380 Auto. At 7.5" overall and 4.25" barrel, it is the longest-barreled .380 handgun on this page. Nobody buys this gun for deep concealment. They buy it because it is a genuine 1911 platform with a thumb safety, grip safety, and single-action trigger, just with less recoil and noise than a .45 ACP or 9mm version.
The 18 oz aluminum frame absorbs .380 recoil almost entirely, and the 4.25" barrel squeezes more velocity from .380 loads than any pocket gun can. The 6.6 lb single-action trigger sits behind both an extended ambidextrous thumb safety and a beavertail grip safety. Browning ships one 8-round magazine. The 0.85" width makes this the thinnest .380 in the compact class, narrower even than most subcompact pocket guns.
Best For
Strengths & Limitations
- The 4.25" barrel is the longest on any .380 handgun in this category. More barrel length means higher muzzle velocity from .380 loads, which are already marginal for self-defense from short barrels. Every fraction of velocity matters with this cartridge.
- At 0.85" wide, the 1911-380 is the thinnest .380 in the compact class. It is narrower than the Walther CCP M2 (1.18"), the S&W Shield EZ (1.05"), and even most subcompact pocket .380s.
- The 7.5" overall length and 4.7" height make this the largest .380 on the page. It occupies the same holster real estate as a compact 9mm but fires a weaker cartridge.
- Ships with one magazine. Every other compact .380 (Shield EZ, CCP M2, Beretta 80X, Ruger Security-380) includes two. A single 8-round magazine is the minimum viable loadout.
Category Rankings
How the Browning 1911-380 .380 Auto ranks among compact .380 Auto handguns.
Compatible Ammunition
Find the best prices on compatible .380 Auto ammunition.
Shop .380 Auto Ammo →Ballistics Calculator
Calculate trajectory, drop, and energy for .380 Auto ammunition.
.380 Auto Ballistics →Where to Buy
No prices available at this time.
Alternatives to Consider
Similar compact .380 Auto handguns ranked by similarity.
| NAME | BEST PRICE |
|---|---|
|
Smith & Wesson M&P Shield EZ .380 Auto
Smith & Wesson
|
— |
|
Walther CCP M2 .380 Auto
Walther
|
— |
|
Ruger Security-380 .380 Auto
Ruger
|
— |
|
Beretta 80X Cheetah .380 Auto
Beretta
|
— |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Browning 1911-380 the same size as a full-size 1911?
No. The 1911-380 is an 85% scale model of the original 1911. At 7.5" overall length, it is about 1" shorter than a Government-model .45 ACP 1911 (typically 8.5"). The grip is correspondingly smaller, which means full-size 1911 holsters, grips, and magazines will not fit. Browning-specific accessories are required.
What holsters fit the Browning 1911-380?
The 1911-380's 85% scale means standard 1911 holsters are too large. Several manufacturers make dedicated 1911-380 holsters, including DeSantis, Galco, and Alien Gear. The 0.85" width and shorter grip frame require a holster specifically patterned for this gun. OWB pancake holsters and IWB leather rigs are the most common options available.
Does the Browning 1911-380 have a firing pin block safety?
No. The 1911-380 uses a traditional Series 70-style action without a firing pin block. Safety mechanisms are limited to the extended ambidextrous thumb safety and beavertail grip safety. Both must be disengaged to fire. This is standard for 1911-pattern pistols and is not a design flaw, but owners accustomed to striker-fired pistols with passive firing pin safeties should be aware of the difference.