So FN came out with a new Browning High Power with a slight larger frame, better trigger, easier takedown, ditched the magazine safety and some other nice stuff. Do you think this is finally the successor to the 1911 that we wanted the original High Power to be or just a blasphemy against John Mose Browning’s legacy?
New FN High Power - Finally a successor to the 1911 or Blasphemy to John Brownings name?
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dogtown tom
Member
Its not a "new" High Power because until this abomination there wasn't a High Power.
It's not a new Hi Power either.
FN has been chasing the commercial and military handgun market for decades and continues to fail. Every. Single. Time.
It does nothing to John Browning's legacy because he didn't design the Hi Power, Dieudonné Saive did.
It's not a new Hi Power either.
FN has been chasing the commercial and military handgun market for decades and continues to fail. Every. Single. Time.
It does nothing to John Browning's legacy because he didn't design the Hi Power, Dieudonné Saive did.
Jim Watson
Member
I think it is a completely new product trying to capitalize on the reputation of the P35 GP.
It is likely mechanically improved but it does not have the panache of the GP and I do not think it will sell well.
It is a heavy SAO - I think too heavy for duty or carry - whose only organized application I can think of is competition in 3 gun or USPSA Limited Minor;
But I think people will pay more for the well established 2011 guns.
It is likely mechanically improved but it does not have the panache of the GP and I do not think it will sell well.
It is a heavy SAO - I think too heavy for duty or carry - whose only organized application I can think of is competition in 3 gun or USPSA Limited Minor;
But I think people will pay more for the well established 2011 guns.
Riomouse911
Member
John Browning did the initial design, but died in 1926. Saive, an FN employee, finished the Browning design for FN.
https://www.browning.com/products/firearms/pistols/hi-power.html
Stay safe.
Mizar
Member
I simply "love" Ian: "The originals had flat mainspring"... Love that guy!
In a very small portion of the world (excluding the US that is), that pistol was/is known as "High Power", not "Hi Power".
Jim Watson
Member
All of that is just advertising, I think intentionally deceptive.
In name only. There is nothing of the FN GP35 in this new gun beyond a resmblance. FN essentially jacked the venerable BHP up and slid this completely new design under the brand and put it on the floor. Is it a good gun? The reviews think so (even the several ones done at THR). Is it a "Browning High Power" beyond the name? Nope.
Is there any point in comparing it to the venerable pistol of the past? About as much as comparing any new product with an old brand to the original the name is hijacked from for marketing purposes.
OTOH, the Springfield SA35 is a fair comparison to the original P35. The Springfield, and the Turkish "Hi Powers" like the Girsan MC P35 and the Tisas Regent BR9, apply many of the custom Hi Power mods to make an improved version of the original FN HP. At lest they didn't apply the name to a gun with little but a passing resemblance to the BHP.
Is the new FN a good gun? Appears to be. Am I buying it? Probably not.
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Mizar
Member
The lockwork looks pretty much the same to me, barrel lower locking lugs also... Although not a real Hi Power by any means, one can clearly tell where this gun comes from. Just look at it as the new Python - a new design for sure, but heavily borrowing from it's famous predecessor.
DustyGmt
Member
As well as the FAL and Baby Browning, correct?
Its not really a 1935 but it does look to perform and be a nice steel full sized pistol. The retail price is pretty rediculous IMO for something new trying to gain market share. Its basically at a Colt 1911 price point. Going to be a tough big seller on the commercial market especially being from FN. FN has had a lot of good pistols that never really break through so I suspect this will be similar. I dont see aftermarket custom makers tooling up until these become common... and without aftermarket customization being easy I dont see them getting common. So its kind of a kunundrum.
It does look nice though. If the QC is like Ians sample people could do much worse. 40S&W and 357sig versions would be nice as would an all stainless model. There is some potential in the pistol IMO. They should have probably brought it out in the $700-$750 range to get a following going and gain some market share.Calling it the High Power was a bad move as its just going to piss off the Purists. Power 17, "Q" Power, Steel 17 etc.... All kinds of names they could give that pistol. Dont make it a Hi-power and keep it its own thing. Its kind of a Hi-power/ Sig-CZ99/ 1911 hybrid.... which is not a bad thing.
It does look nice though. If the QC is like Ians sample people could do much worse. 40S&W and 357sig versions would be nice as would an all stainless model. There is some potential in the pistol IMO. They should have probably brought it out in the $700-$750 range to get a following going and gain some market share.Calling it the High Power was a bad move as its just going to piss off the Purists. Power 17, "Q" Power, Steel 17 etc.... All kinds of names they could give that pistol. Dont make it a Hi-power and keep it its own thing. Its kind of a Hi-power/ Sig-CZ99/ 1911 hybrid.... which is not a bad thing.
That debate is an old one, but I wouldn't over-state Saive's role as badly as it has been under stated.
JMB and Saive made a great partnership in design of the real FN P35. JMB laid the foundation and Saive finished the project.
General Geoff
Member
Having actually handled and tested the trigger on the new FN pistol, it is much, much larger and heavier than an original P35 or clone.
It is so large and heavy, in fact, that it compares more closely to a CZ Shadow 2. And it comes up a little short against the CZ, at least in my hand.
It is so large and heavy, in fact, that it compares more closely to a CZ Shadow 2. And it comes up a little short against the CZ, at least in my hand.
NIGHTLORD40K
Member
I think its interesting, but Im more likely to put that money towards either a "New" Python or "New" P210- because I dont have either of the originals.
Im pretty happy with my old HiPower.
Im pretty happy with my old HiPower.
dogtown tom
Member
JMB's Grand Puissance was an albatross and grotesque. The Saive designed Hi Power bares scant resemblance. JMB died seven years before the Hi Power was completed. Kinda difficult to contribute to the pistol when you're dead. Sure, some of JMB previous work is incorporated, but Saive made the gun.
SwampWolf
Member
It might be a nice gun but because the pistol is sufficiently different enough from the original design, I think it was a mistake to call it "the new FN High Power".
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General Geoff
Member
90+ years beyond the grave, and the legend is STILL contributing to every new pistol design with a tilting barrel action.
They might not be HIS pistols but they sure are direct descendents
NIGHTLORD40K
Member
SIG took (and still takes) flak for reusing the P210 moniker for their new gun. Honestly, I kinda agree it should have been called "P212" or somesuch. I dont think it would take anything away from the gun if it's a good design in its own right.
Maybe FN should have called this the GP22......
My .2 cents on the game. FN is testing the waters for a new model not precisely a 9mm on steel frame (my guess .45 ACP or may be other). The great market of plastic (sorry polymer frames) is saturated and will be for a while. However, steel frames with all the accessories needed to be the best (lol) at high prices will sound a must have for many. There is where FN always aim.
For example: the rebirth of P210 for SIG few years ago, with a different trigger group and chunky target grip???.
I saw Ian's vid and went to my books thinking if it was a prior model resurging from darkness.
Definitely, needs more drafting board (my humble n uneducated opinion) seems bulky and unesthetic comparing FN tradition in firearms.
For example: the rebirth of P210 for SIG few years ago, with a different trigger group and chunky target grip???.
I saw Ian's vid and went to my books thinking if it was a prior model resurging from darkness.
Definitely, needs more drafting board (my humble n uneducated opinion) seems bulky and unesthetic comparing FN tradition in firearms.
earlthegoat2
Member
Ahh, the JMB cultists are circling.
JMB was to firearms what Thomas Edison was to electricity and the various other things he is credited for. Who patents first, wins. Not necessarily, who designs first.
JMB was to firearms what Thomas Edison was to electricity and the various other things he is credited for. Who patents first, wins. Not necessarily, who designs first.
General Geoff
Member
So, who actually designed the now-ubiquitous tilting barrel action, if it wasn't Browning?
CajunBass
Member
It's just another gun to me. Who designed what almost 100 years ago doesn't matter. I doubt JMB cares either at this point.
Kevin Keith
Member
Right? He’s either playing a harp or doing the hot foot. Either way, probably not too concerned with the goings on on Planet Earth.
bannockburn
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NIGHTLORD40K
Me too; that is I'm also very happy with my "vintage" Browning Hi-Power!
Me too; that is I'm also very happy with my "vintage" Browning Hi-Power!
lysanderxiii
Member
Only who came up with 3-phase AC power that we all use today? (Hint: it wasn't Edison.)
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