Keep BHP or sell to buy 1911?

[Northslope Nimrod]

Dilema! I want a 1911 but don't have the extra $. I carry a CZ Rami but want a shooting gun that I will only carry occassionally. Right now, my BHP fits that niche. Pretend that the caliber doesn't matter. Should I sell my BHP (excel cond) and use the $ to buy a Springfield 1911? I understand that Browning designed the BHP as an IMPROVEMENT on the 1911 design....so which is better? Have there now been improvements to most 1911's so that they are now superior to the BHP? What are those improvements? I do prefer the trigger on 1911's. If I buy a Mil-Spec, am I downgrading from the BHP? My BHP right now sells for $649 new. A Mil-Spec is $429 new in Stainless.
Question 2: Do Stainless guns show less wear? (holster rubs)

 

[P95Carry]

2nd question first - re wear. IMO stainless will suffer little noticeable holster wear. The main prob with non-stainless is rubbing off of finish whether blued, park'd or whatever.

I am not a 1911 afficionado but, I have both a Sistema and P12-45 ... and a BHP Practical. I realize the ever present cash dilemma aspect but - it'd be a shame to part with a good BHP - I'd keep it at all costs! Leaving aside cal' considerations, I really feel myself that the Browning is all a 1911 is - but the 1911 guys will probably disagree.

Tricky call - I think tho you'd miss the BHP like crazy.

 

[jed]

To trade BHP for 1911

I would not make that trade.

Springfield quality is spotty and you will have to get used to a 1911 style. 45 acp is more expensive to shoot.

If the BHP is causing you no grief keep it.

I have had one out of one Springfield 1911 Loaded. It was a good model, but needed a few minor tweaks.

I have a custom built 1911 that looks good but doesn't shoot good.

I have 3 Colt 1911s. So, I will say 1911s can be good choices if you keep your expectation level realistic.

Either way, good luck. The hunt is at least half the fun of something new. 1911 guns are very addicting and urges to modify them are hard to overcome.

 

[R.H. Lee]

Been there with that dilemma. I've got a BHP Practical that I bought used and NEVER shoot. It has high adjustable sights that I just don't like, and it occasionally FTF, especially with S&B ammo. (may have hard primers). Ultimately decided to keep the Browning in cold storage until I have the $$ to send it off (probably to Wildalaska, he's a Browning custom shop) for some good low mount sights and a complete spring change.

Bottom line, keep the BHP, even if you're currently not using it.

 

[PaleRyder]

I actually did trade a BHP for a Springfield 1911.
Quite frankly, although I really loved the BHP, I'm glad I traded. I like the .45 caliber better, and the single stack grip fits my hands better than even the BHP.

Sometimes I do get a little twinge over trading the BHP. It was a Capitan.
Still, I prefer the .45 to the 9mm.

 

[Black Majik]

For a Springfield? No

For a Colt? Yes.

 

[wardog]

Don't sell the BHP, you'll regret it. Wait, save, then get your 1911.

 

[Marshall]

Trade BHP for Springer 1911 low end?

Blasphemy, let's never hear of this consideration again!

 

[mbott]

Keep the BHP or Jacob Marley will visit you on Christmas Eve.

--
Mike

 

[ranburr]

The nice thing about the 1911 is that you can buy the base model and build it to your spec' over time. Thus you get a great gun, exactly how you want it, without shelling out a $1,000.00+ up front. I buy guns to shoot for fun and defense. Thus, I would sell the Browning. If you buy guns for collectors value, then keep the Browning. Personally I do not like HI-Powers and I love 1911s. I prefer the caliber and the almost modular design, not to mention the parts availability.

ranburr

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

Quick BHP History Lesson:

To be fair, Browning didn't design the BHP as an improvement on the 1911. He designed the BHP to meet the requirements of a French military contract and had to work around the existing design patents used on the Colt. Some of the "improvements" are there because he had no choice and some are there because the French requested them.

Also, Saive (who would later design the FAL) modified the initial design after Browning's death to make use of several 1911 features that had become available after the patent expired.

As for your proposed swap, a BHP for a quality 1911 is a good trade. A BHP for a low-end Springfield doesn't strike me as a good deal.

 

[PaleRyder]

I have had no malfunctions ever in any Springfield I've tried. I have had failures in Colts.

 

[chevrofreak]

Keep the BHP. Nothing wrong at all with 9mm.

on 1911's

 

[bubbygator]

My BHP has never had a failure. I would never trade it for a 1911. But I do have 2 1911's that I'm working on to get them to be reliable.

Depends upon what you use your gun for - if it's for SD,

"Don't do it, Pinnochio!"

.... but if it's for range/plinking, have at it... it's your money/sport - have a good time.

Shoot safe.

 

[photo_guy]

Keep you BHP

I just love the 1911. There is something about them that just stikes a cord with me. My delima is 'how many is too many'.

That said, I would not suggest that you sell or trade your BHP to get a 1911. I might go along with it if you said that you really longed to have one for many years, etc. Or, perhaps, if you said you really think .45 is needed for your use and 9mm won't cut it.

The BHP is a fine firearm. Save your money with a goal of getting a 1911 some day down the road. In the mean time do some research and decide which 1911 you really want - that is half the fun.

My 2 cents.

 

[HSMITH]

I would hock that HP in a flash to get a decent quality 1911.

 

[cliffjr]

I've thought about that also but every time I handle mine I can't seem to let go of it. Decided to save money and look for a Norinco to build on.

 

[Lennyjoe]

Keep the BHP and save up to buy a 1911. Thats what I did.

 

[P95Carry]

I would hock that HP in a flash to get a decent quality 1911.

H - shame on ya!!!

 

[psyopspec]

At least save a bit, then sell it and use the money on a higher quality 1911. For a mil-spec, that's a suspect trade. Go better than that, and you'll probably be glad you waited.

 

[Zip06]

A hard choice. Even harder trying to understand why you would want to trade off a classic of very high quality for a Brazilain made mediocre quality 1911 pattern gun. If you shop around you can probably get a half dozen Hi-Points for the High Power.

 

[Ala Dan]

First, let me state that I would keep the BHP at all cost!

Now, the rest of my comments refer to Springer 1911's vs. Para Ordnances
1911 SSP (Super Sport Pistol). Both weapons are excellent firearms in their
own right. Experience has shown that the Springer Loaded requires more
tweaking than does the Para SSP.

With that said, I wouldn't go beyond the Springer WW-II G.I. model mil
spec ($389) as an introductory 1911. But if you can afford a little mo'
money, take a long look at the new Para 1911 SSP ($599).

All said and done, don't trade the BHP~ that is a decision I'm afraid
you will regret.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[natedog]

Keep the BHP, save up, buy the 1911. They're both excellent pistols in their own right, and you'll sorely miss the BHP. Never sell something you like!

 

[Nathanael_Greene]

I have an Argentine FM Hi-Power clone, and I wouldn't trade it for a 1911, let alone give up a Browning.

The Hi-Power fits my hand better than any semi-auto I've ever touched.

 

[rauchman]

I had a BHP MkIII. I had very high expectations of it. I took out the mag disconnect, but the trigger remained one of the worst I've ever shot. Also, I got repeatedly nipped by the hammer. I swapped it for a 99 Spinger Loaded. Best move I've done regarding firearms. I would like to have a BHP, but it would require a very large expenditure of money to get it to where I would want it. I have no regrets at trading it off. I personally would not trade it for a low end 1911 though. At least go for a Loaded, S&W 1911, etc.