The Browning 1911-380 Black Label is a scaled-down 1911 chambered in .380 ACP with a Polar Blue Cerakote slide finish and black stippled laminate grips. At 16 oz it is significantly lighter than a full-size steel 1911. 
 

Key Specifications 

• Brand: Browning 
• Model: 1911-380 Black Label 
• Caliber: .380 ACP 
• Barrel Length: 3.625 inches 
• Capacity: 8+1 rounds 
• Weight: 16 oz (1.0 lbs) 
• Action Type: Semi-Auto 
• Sights: Steel 3-Dot Fixed Sights 
• Grip Material: Black Stippled Laminate 
• Finish: Stainless Steel with Polar Blue Cerakote 
• Overall Length: 6.88 inches 
• Safety Features: Extended Ambidextrous Manual Thumb Safety, Beavertail Grip Safety 
   

Detailed Features 

The Polar Blue Cerakote slide is corrosion-resistant and visually distinctive. The 3.625-inch barrel keeps overall length compact for carry. Steel 3-dot fixed sights are a practical choice for the format. Extended ambidextrous thumb safety accommodates both right and left-handed shooters. The beavertail grip safety is a standard 1911 feature retained on the scaled-down design. Black stippled laminate grips with the Buckmark logo maintain the 1911 aesthetic while providing grip texture. 
 

Usage Scenarios 

The .380 ACP chambering and 16 oz weight make this viable for all-day concealed carry. Buyers who want the 1911 manual of arms and aesthetics in a lighter, smaller package but do not need full 9mm or .45 ACP power will find it useful. It also works as a collector piece given the distinctive Polar Blue finish.

Discussions about the Browning 1911-380 Black Label in Polar Blue cover a consistent set of themes.

The lightweight construction at 16 oz is widely praised for carry comfort. Owners note it is substantially lighter than a steel 1911 and carries comfortably throughout the day.

The Polar Blue finish is a frequent topic. Most comments are positive -- it is visually striking and stands out from conventional finishes. Some owners bought it partly as a display piece.

The 1911 platform heritage generates its own conversation. Buyers who already shoot 1911s appreciate the familiar manual of arms scaled to .380 ACP. The thumb safety and grip safety are familiar controls for experienced 1911 users.

The .380 ACP caliber is occasionally debated relative to 9mm. Buyers who chose .380 for recoil management or existing ammunition preference are satisfied; those who prioritize stopping power sometimes wish for a 9mm variant.

Capacity at 8+1 is noted as adequate but not generous compared to some competing .380 pistols. Most 1911-style pistols accept the 8-round single-stack limitation as a platform characteristic.

Reliability gets broadly positive marks, though some owners note the .380 ACP chambering can be sensitive to ammunition choice, particularly with hollowpoints. A break-in period is mentioned by several owners.

Browning's craftsmanship is praised relative to the price point. Owners feel the fit and finish are above average compared to similarly-priced competitors.