[Tecolote]

I've been thinking about a BHP for a long time. I had a used one but the trigger was so terrible I returned to the shop for a refund. The ergos and balance were like nothing else I've tried. I'm wondering if getting a NIB BHP would be a step backwards? Should I stick with newer designs?

[BHPshooter]

A step backwards from what?

I guess I am lucky, my BHP has a great trigger. The trigger pull on the FEG isn't much worse.

Yeah, recent ones have heavy triggers from the box -- it's their version of lawyerproofing. I'd much prefer that to ugly warnings on the gun or internal locking mechanisms.

On top of that, a trigger job isn't very expensive and a lot of people do them.

Wes

[P95Carry]

I'm with Wes here - defend the BHP to the hilt.!

Sure - if a modern offering - then a trigger job probably worth it but - I'd go with an earlier model. Not a Mk III fan anyways if honest. My BHP practical is a great piece even if not 100% perfect - love it. I too have a FEG and find that too a great pleasure to use .... keeping it tho a tad spared from mega round thru'put - just to avoid hammering it to excess.

I am lucky too - I have only medium aggressive sweat - unlike Wes who admits to having nightmare sweat!! I just keep a wipe with a CLP cloth to help avoid the dreaded corrosions!

BHP's are JMB's greatest ever - IMO.

[natedog]

Remember that the Hi-Powers are made by FN, and most of them go to police/military contracts, who usually require a heavier trigger than what most American shooter prefer.

[stans]

I wouldn't say the BHP is a step backwards. If you want a high capacity dedicated single action 9mm or 40 S&W, then the BHP is for you unless you like the Para Ord high cap 1911. Yeah, you can get something like an STI high cap, but the price tag can climb quickly.

[Steelharp]

My '69 BHP is a step into perfection (sorry, Gaston) when I get it out. Nothing I have shoots better for me. It is not my daily carry, though (thank you, Gaston, for that). I did have the trigger cleaned up, with the mag safety removed. It made a tremendous difference in the feel. I also changed out the small thumb safety for a C&S one. I can actually feel it, and it is a satisfying click when I move it off. All in all, the balance, grip angle, and just overall feel is the best of anything I own.

[RGO]

Remove magazine disconnector (I hate to call it a safety).

Shoot 500 rounds.

There's all the trigger job I've found is necessary.

[B36]

Both of my BHPs have good triggers, the 9 has a 5lb crisp and the 40 has a 6lb crisp trigger. Both have disconnector in place.

Both guns do very well if I do my part ;) .

Both guns are carried at times, so disconnector is my personal decision.

[Marshall]

BHP A Step Backwards?

I think not! ;)

[quantico]

I hate to buck the trend... but I consider the BHP a step backwards in several areas...

The 9mm is not as good a round as the 45 acp in my opinion. The .40 models are what they are... but 45 will be my choice thanks..

The magazine disconnector is just a terrible thing in my opinion. I have been fortunate that I have not been in any armed confrontations... I just think that turning a loaded gun into a club for a second while reloading is not a good idea. The main advantage of an auto-loading pistol is the ability to top off rounds quickly without getting out of the fight. The disconnector is a bad idea and a step in the wrong direction.

[Marshall]

I have been fortunate that I have not been in any armed confrontations... I just think that turning a loaded gun into a club for a second while reloading is not a good idea.

Surely you're not making this statement while carring a 1911 are you? I would be more concerned about them being turned into a club when you compare general reliability. Besides, a 9mm Hi Power with 14-16 rounds will be shooting while your changing mags on a std 1911. :)

[quantico]

quote " Surely you're not making this statement while carring a 1911 are you? I would be more concerned about them being turned into a club when you compare general reliability. Besides, a 9mm Hi Power with 14-16 rounds will be shooting while your changing mags on a std 1911. "

I feel well armed with a 1911 thank you.... have felt warm and fuzzy with one for 25 years so far... Here in the people republic of wisconsin we have to limit our armed conflict to home ... as we only allow drug dealers and felons to carry guns on the street. Even a high power may need a new magazine at some point... with the 1911 you can shoot at least one shot while making the change... with a high power that has not been " fixed " you must transition to harsh lanquage for a bit....

[Marshall]

Really, you can't carry in Wisconsin? What a bummer, I feel for you quantico!

I was just making a point in return. All guns have there drawbacks and upsides. I find it somewhat comforting knowing that with 2 extra mags I have 46 rounds at hand and can fire 16 rounds before being confronted with the downside you propose.

If all I was concerned with was defense at home though, my shotgun would be my go to gun. What .45 do you shoot most?

Thanks
Marshall

[Shmackey]

You just can't beat HP ergonomics. I've shot Zak's custom HP and it was very, very nice.

If there were a lightweight, compact HP model, I'd carry one. Well, first it would be sitting at Ted Yost's shop getting some custom touches.

[9mmepiphany]

if you like the ergos of the P35 but want it in a more modern platform. you might want to take a look at the CZ75 family. just disregard the DA function and carry it in condition 1

[Boats]

I second that. If you have big hands, the BHP is a web biter and the CZ is a big step forward.

[10-Ring]

I have 2, a 92 Centurion & an inox 92fs. Both Italian made & both have been nothing but fun to shoot and apleasure to own.

[Steelharp]

^^^^^

I never heard of a Beretta Hi Power before... :D

[Northslope Nimrod]

I've shot several 9mm's. It is very hard to find a better gun than the BHP. There have been several threads questioning these old designs. Well, the only gun that may be better...IMHO is a customized 1911. (I think their triggers can be made better than the BHP's). Actually, its hard to think of many good "steel" guns that aren't designed after the BHP or 1911.
Yes, my newer BHP had a terrible trigger. Remove mag safety....polish....shoot 500 rounds and your good to go.

[quantico]

The feel of the high power in your hand is nice... I just don't like the feel of 9mm... I still think Browning was a genious ... and that the 1911 was his best work...

[Coltdriver]

When it gets to triggers I would say that a tuned 1911 is as good as it gets.

I would say a heavy double action trigger like a kel tec or a sigma is as bad as it gets.

That being said, I think that as long as the trigger does not interfere with your ability to accurately shoot the gun then it is a good trigger.

The obsession with a glass rod break class of trigger is a pursuit of what, a good feeling at the range??

I think that a perfect target class trigger is not desireable on a service weapon or a carry weapon. If you have ever fired one of these in a quick fire drill you too may have experienced firing just a bit before you intended. Toss in some adrenaline and the overly tuned trigger can be a liability to a person who does not train with one on a regular basis.

If you want a target gun then a BHP will probably not be the absolute best platform for getting a no creep crisp let off. The trigger can be perfected for a lot of money and effort and a changing of the geometry of the trigger link mechanism but that is a lot of trouble to go to for a trigger :)

But for natural pointability and reliability the BHP is hard to beat.

I was able to eliminate the grittiness of my Mk III by just moly coating the trigger parts. It still creeps but it does not stack and the let off is pretty crisp. I left the mag safety in it because it is a feature I like, along with the firing pin block that the Mark III's have.

The BHP is a long way from a step backwards :D

[9mmepiphany]

northslope nimrod - H&K P9S, P7 series, Beretta 92/96, Beretta Couger series, Walther P38, P88, P5...