[erazor55]

Just wondering if anyone has ever re-assembled their Hi-Power after a field strip with the magazine already installed (before inserting the slide lock)? This is how one showed up for me. What a pain...

[jonnyc]

I don't think the mag in or out would make a difference. First guess is that the recoil spring guide is in upside down.

[sub-moa]

Actually, reassembly with the empty magazine in place can make the P35 appear to be locked-up, even with the recoil spring guide correctly installed.

All you've got to do is lock the slide back fully with the safety, as when disassembling, then depress the magazine release and dump the magazine, make sure the slide lock/release is fully seated and release the slide with the safety...Done :D

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

Just pulled mine out of the holster, emptied the mag and took the slide off with the mag in place. Couldn't put the slide back on with the recoil spring upside down then after putting it back in correctly I couldn't put the slide stop back in with the mag in place. Just remove the magazine.

Oh yeah and don't let the slide fly home without a round or a dummy round getting chambered. Doing so without something can damage the gun.

[erazor55]

I've been to the Browning website and downloaded their manual. The picture of the magazine shows where likely the cause for the problem I found. The follower on my magazine is a flat piece of steel with an opening (if you look at it from the side) that, if, in my case, the mag was inserted, then the slide stop forced in, the part of the slide stop that is forced up when empty would end up under the follower. It apparently wasn't an easy insertion as it got under the follower and was wedged in place. The magazine shown in the manual appears to have an almost solid molded follower. With mine, I can see through the mag when empty and the follower all the way to the top.

I've got some mags on order, hopefully their follower is of a more solid design, that won't allow this sort of thing to occur.

Thanks for your feedback.

[jonnyc]

I'm not even sure how this happened. One of the major rules about gun handling/dismantling/cleaning/repair is to remove the mag and clear the weapon first. The type of mag follower is irrelevant.

[erazor55]

jonnyc - Unfortunately this is how the pistol showed up after purchase. I would never disassemble without removing the mag, nor re-assemble after installing a mag.

[sub-moa]

Have a second look at post #3 to resolve your original issue, it really is that simple.

WADR, regardless of others failed attempts to replicate your issue, obviously it did occur with your pistol. Before posting this, I replicated your issue with every one of the half dozen different P35 pistols I randomly pulled from the safe, a '55, a '66 "T", a '69C, a '74C Custom, an '87 Mk II and an '04 Mk III Practical. I used original magazines with cast aluminum and 3 different types of plastic followers. All but the '74C Custom have the magazine disconnect in place. All combinations allowed the slide stop/release to seat but interfere with the follower such that the slide would not move fully forward and the pistol appeared to be locked-up, that's just the way P35s are. New magazines won't resolve the issue, removing the magazine as Step 1 of Disassembly and not reinserting it until Step 6 of Reassembly will.

BTW, again WADR, closing the slide without a dummy or live round in the magazine won't damage the P35. That advice originated with gunsmiths doing light trigger jobs on 1911 pattern pistols. They feared the hammer/sear engagement surfaces would be battered and the trigger job wouldn't last. The FN factory manual under "Reassembly" Step 5 "Release the Slide-" specifically calls for one to "Lower the thumb safety and allow the slide to move forward under spring tension." Not a word about easing the slide forward with or without dummy or live rounds.

Enjoy your new toy erazor :D

[erazor55]

Thanks sub-moa, I hope to get it out soon and see how it shoots.

I'll take a picture tonight and post. But as a description, instead of what I saw on the Browning website, what appears as a molded follower that totally covers the spring, it has more of a rectangular 'U' (upside down) metal follower that allows an opening underneath it. I have to believe that someone had inserted the magazine, then the slide stop. With what I have, the part of the slide stop that is supposed to be pushed up and hold the slide open when empty magazine, was inserted under the follower and bound tightly. I didn't use too much force, but I couldn't remove the slide stop from the pistol until I took off the mag base plate and removed the spring and (...cringe...) pried the follower out of the well.

I can't tell if any damage occurred to the slide stop or not, it didn't appear to. Suggestions on whether to replace or not?

[larryh1108]

Didn't they use different designs of the followers to accomodate more rounds? How many rounds fit into the "suspect" magazine?

[erazor55]

Using that great little mag loader from Cheaperthandirt, I was able to put 13 in without any problems.

[larryh1108]

I don't know if you tried to put in 15 but here's a link that shows the 2 different followers and a good write up as well.

http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=169799

[erazor55]

Thanks larry. Blocked at work, I'll check once I get home.

[erazor55]

larry - my follower doesn't look anything like those from the link you suggested I look at.

This picture should show how the slide stop could easily get stuck under the follower and cause me the grief it did.

[larryh1108]

That follower doesn't look like any BHP mag follower I've seen. That is not saying it's not made for the BHP. Some other mags "kinda" work in the BHP. I believe the Beretta or Taurus 92 series fits. Is there any other markings on the mag? Can you include a picture of the base? Thanks, Larry

[erazor55]

It's unmarked.

I was pretty upset on receipt of this pistol, but that's another issue. I've only started buying used/surplus pistols and rifles over the last 6 months. I suppose there's gonna be a surprise once in a while when buying over the internet sight unseen. Except for worrying if this was going to be a lemon because of the first impression, I hope with new mags it'll be OK.

I have to say, the the Hi Power has a great 'feel' to it. The first (and only) time I shot one (eleven years ago) I put a hole in the bulls eye with my friends Belgian model.

I'm hoping this one will provide similar capability. I'll be at a gun show this weekend. I'll see if I can identify a similar mag.

[sub-moa]

:scrutiny: That is not a factory, or first tier aftermarket, P35 magazine follower...

A description and/or photo of your P35 (internal or external extrator, ring or spur hammer, slide bushing shape and serial number (XXX the last 3 numbers if you wish) and you might just be able to confirm or deny accuracy of the seller description :evil:...

Just a thought ;)...

[erazor55]

FM HI-POWER over INDUSTRIA ARGENTINA on the slide, along with C.A.I. electro pencil. S/N 334XXX

[larryh1108]

That is the FM model. Did they make their own magazines? Did they have that follower? I do not know the answers myself.

[jonnyc]

That's a common Argy follower, seen on some Argy milsurp mags and all KRD aftermarket mags. I have 4 or 5 like that, never had an issue with them.

[Shear_stress]

all KRD aftermarket mags

I had exactly the same problem with two KRD magazines that came with an HP I picked up. If an empty mag was slammed home the sheet metal follower would over ride the slide stop. The magazine would then be stuck in place.

Fixing the problem was just a matter of tapping out the slide stop, but it made me cautious about using those magazines.

[larryh1108]

SOunds like good news, erazor. If you're keeping the gun, get MecGar mags and if you're selling it then those are OEM mags and don't spend extra on mags.

[erazor55]

That's a good sign that I'm not the only one to have these mags. I was too cautious when trying to push the slide stop out I suppose. I was using a hammer and a wood dowel to try and not mar anything up. I guess it's time to get some brass punches.

Hopefully it will shoot as well as most posts I've read state it should. I plan on keeping if so.

I do have some mags on order, should be in any day.

Thanks to all.