[rcellis]

I keep reminding myself that I've cleaned out the handgun budget this quarter/year/until an uncle dies, but I'm actually and platonically interested in the Browning High Power - in particular, I've only seen what appear to be full-sized models - is there 'officer'/'commander' sized BHPs?

Also, what exactly is the meat-and-potatoes difference between a 1911 and a BHP?

Actually, I've never seen one in person - only on the internet.

Clint

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. FN (the actual maker of FN and "Browning Hi Powers") does not manufacture a compact version of the pistol. FM does offer the "Detective", which has a shorter slide. Reports on them working fine or seeming to wear excessively both can be found.

The guts of the 1911 and Hi Power are entirely different, but major differences would be that the 1911 has a removable bbl bushing while the Hi Power doesn't. It has a grip safety where the Hi Power does not. The Hi Power has a magazine disconnect ("safety") where the 1911 does not. The Hi Power trigger pivots. The 1911 pushes straight rearward w/o pivoting and has a faster reset.

The Hi Power barrel does not use the swinging link found on the 1911 barrels.

Best.

[saspic]

More basically, the 1911 was oringinally a single stack .45. Now sometimes found in .40 or 9mm calibers.
High Power was a double stack 9mm. Now available in .40 S&W.

[Azrael256]

When you actually get one in your hands, I think you'll be surprised at just how small it is. In 1911 terms, it's a very slim commander-sized pistol. It has good lines and a nice feel in the hands. The spiffy Pachmayr grips (available from the factory, no less!) make it feel even better. You'll also find it to be a well-built, accurate shooter. Some people are uncomfortable carrying it cocked and locked with only one thumb safety tying it down, but I have experienced absolutely no problems. There is a decocking safety available as an aftermarket add-on if you disagree.

If you're looking for something a bit more concealable than a government model 1911, it's a good choice. If you want something in 9mm that holds a bunch of ammo, it's a good choice. If you want something in a satin nickel finish with high adjustable sights, it's a good choice. If you're looking for a 9mm with a weird looking tangent sight, it's a good choice.

In short, it's a fine pistol and everybody I know who owns one yammers on at length about what a fabulous piece of machinery it is.

[rcellis]

Does it come in .40?

[Lou629]

I saw what was supposedly a .40 version of it in my local gunshop just recently. While it appeared to be absolutely identical to my 16-year-old 9mm version, i did not have time to examine the thing closely, just a quick look thru the glass as i was moving past. It would be worth a more serious look once i go back there.

[Azrael256]

It does come in .40, no doubt about it. All three off-the-shelf models are available in both 9mm and .40S&W.

[Brian D.]

rcellis, your timing is good! There happens to be a thread running in this section of the forum right now, all about the BHP .40S&W. Lots of praise being heaped on this variant of the gun in fact, go take a looksee.

[yhtomit]

I have a Browning BPM-D, my first-ever handgun purchase (in 1999). 9mm pistol, 10-round capacity, decocker.

Some people say this lacks the beautiful lines of the classic HP, but a) I find them quite similar in fact and b) I prefer that of the BPM-D, and that's not just cognitice dissonance talkin' :)

I shoot none of my guns as often as I'd like (time / money / venue), but when I've fired this one, it's always been accurate and reliable. I don't recall any failures to feed, fire, or eject, but it's a small sample :)

timothy