Hi Power VS 1911
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I started off with a 1911 as my first pistol and still love it.
6 months ago I bought a MKIII hi power, I haven't shot my 1911 since. the ergonomics are far better with the hi power. for me the gun just fits, its like it aims itself.
the Hi Power did require some upgrades to improve the trigger, after I upgraded the hammer, sear, hammer spring and removed the mag safety its still not as light as my stock 1911 but I still prefer the HP.
the HP could be made to be in the 3# range with different transfer bar and professionally stoned sear but that would require sending the gun to a smith and cost afew hundred dollars
all in all ether gun is great. I dont think there is any pistol out that can compete with a 1911's trigger but the BHP ergonomics and sear beauty of the gun is like no other.
6 months ago I bought a MKIII hi power, I haven't shot my 1911 since. the ergonomics are far better with the hi power. for me the gun just fits, its like it aims itself.
the Hi Power did require some upgrades to improve the trigger, after I upgraded the hammer, sear, hammer spring and removed the mag safety its still not as light as my stock 1911 but I still prefer the HP.
the HP could be made to be in the 3# range with different transfer bar and professionally stoned sear but that would require sending the gun to a smith and cost afew hundred dollars
all in all ether gun is great. I dont think there is any pistol out that can compete with a 1911's trigger but the BHP ergonomics and sear beauty of the gun is like no other.
Both platforms are pretty close when it comes to operation, and while they do feel different in the hand they both feel good in my hands.
The Hi Power is a little more compact, has a higher capacity, and 9mm is about as cheap as it gets. The 1911 typically has a better trigger, massive aftermarket support, and many more choices when it comes to NIB guns. Both are great guns, you just have to decide which path your want to take.
The Hi Power is a little more compact, has a higher capacity, and 9mm is about as cheap as it gets. The 1911 typically has a better trigger, massive aftermarket support, and many more choices when it comes to NIB guns. Both are great guns, you just have to decide which path your want to take.
txgunsuscg
Member
I agree with the above posts, although I think you should get both.
HP: really needs some work on the trigger, the biggest thing being removing the magazine safety. Other than that, feels and points great, higher capacity, cheaper to shoot. More expensive new though. For what you pay for a stock new Hi-Power, you can get a 1911 with some of the more standard upgrades already on it. You also can't ride the trigger waiting for the sear to reset on the HP like I tend to. You cannot feel the sear reset in the trigger like you can with other guns.
1911: depending on who you ask, more stopping power, and it feels good to me. Stock models can be had new in the $500 to $600 range*, about $100 to $200 less than a new HP (although a bunch of new ones are on Gunbroker right now). Lower capacity, slimmer grip (although the HP is a little shorter on the barrel side). I hate the grip safety, I think its a little redundant on the new Series 80 guns. Tons of aftermarket parts for the 1911, mags, grips, and sights being the biggest or usually the first upgraded.
Just my opinions. If you like the CZ, the HP will feel very familiar to you. Like I said above, I have both, and love to shoot both.
*I will never buy another Filipino gun again, so I ruled them out in the price range. I started with the stock Remington price.
HP: really needs some work on the trigger, the biggest thing being removing the magazine safety. Other than that, feels and points great, higher capacity, cheaper to shoot. More expensive new though. For what you pay for a stock new Hi-Power, you can get a 1911 with some of the more standard upgrades already on it. You also can't ride the trigger waiting for the sear to reset on the HP like I tend to. You cannot feel the sear reset in the trigger like you can with other guns.
1911: depending on who you ask, more stopping power, and it feels good to me. Stock models can be had new in the $500 to $600 range*, about $100 to $200 less than a new HP (although a bunch of new ones are on Gunbroker right now). Lower capacity, slimmer grip (although the HP is a little shorter on the barrel side). I hate the grip safety, I think its a little redundant on the new Series 80 guns. Tons of aftermarket parts for the 1911, mags, grips, and sights being the biggest or usually the first upgraded.
Just my opinions. If you like the CZ, the HP will feel very familiar to you. Like I said above, I have both, and love to shoot both.
*I will never buy another Filipino gun again, so I ruled them out in the price range. I started with the stock Remington price.
txgunsuscg
Member
I strongly disagree with the statement about the 1911. I have 6+ of them, and beside the Filipino gun which continues to fail me, all of them ran straight out of the box. Also, Browning no longer advertises a .40S&W Hi-Power, so you'll have to go used on that one.
MrDig
Member
I have both, a copy of the Hi-Power can be had and they are great guns. FEG PJK 9HP is an excellent gun.
A real Hi-Power can be had for a little less used and well it's a Hi-Power.
I have never had the problems all you people speak of with a 1911 pattern Pistol I don't get it. every one I have owned including the one I own now operate with out problems and continue to do so.
My personal preference is for the Hi-Power, it is easier to acquire the Target, and reacquires the target more quickly. It handles better for me and it is just all around easier for me to shoot.
The only gun I like shooting more than my Hi-Power is a Model 10 and that is for the same reasons, comfortable, quick to bear on target and easily reacquires the Target.
If you cant get both the .45 and the HP go to a range that rents guns and try both out.
If you are close to Minneapolis PM me we'll go shoot mine.
A real Hi-Power can be had for a little less used and well it's a Hi-Power.
I have never had the problems all you people speak of with a 1911 pattern Pistol I don't get it. every one I have owned including the one I own now operate with out problems and continue to do so.
My personal preference is for the Hi-Power, it is easier to acquire the Target, and reacquires the target more quickly. It handles better for me and it is just all around easier for me to shoot.
The only gun I like shooting more than my Hi-Power is a Model 10 and that is for the same reasons, comfortable, quick to bear on target and easily reacquires the Target.
If you cant get both the .45 and the HP go to a range that rents guns and try both out.
If you are close to Minneapolis PM me we'll go shoot mine.
Gordon
Member
The Hi Power to replace the CZ but the 1911 to change your luck. On the other side is todays lucky number!
You need to go shoot one to find out what fits you best.
Quoheleth
Member
Replace your CZ with the 75SA.
Q
Q
You got good advice, let me add, the are about the same weight, although you can get a lightweight 1911, with aluminum or alloy slide , and a stainless frame. Two totally different rounds, one is large and slower, the other smaller by around 15% and faster.It really depends on what you like best and which you shoot best, Sam and tuner forgot more than most will ever know, along with a couple gents you already spoke to, As a shooter, for some 53 years of my 64, I can say the 1911 is by far my favorite pistol, the trigger and action on a well put together gun are incredible, and a joy to shoot. A bad one will make your teeth fall out.
Read a lot, all you can befor making a decision, and watch what the guys in here suggest. Also the 1911 is a far cry from the 15 round hi cap 9mm crowd, I read the FBI stats on killings with every caliber, you get about 30% more 9mm rounds for a reason.In general a less than lethal shot will take 3-5 rounds of 9mm and a 45 2-3, so it's up to you and your shooting abilitys to decide which you prefer, that dosen't mean that 1 round from either won't dispatch you.
This was just an averging out of police shootings I saw a few months ago.There is evidence supporting any claim that someone makes so take it for what it's worth, very little. Shoot them both you should know pretty much straight away which is for you, HSO gave you good advice.But it's your gun.
Get a good one and keep it forever, it won't lose money if it's a brand like a colt or springfield. Your impression will be dictaed by what you shoot so rent a top of the line gun to see which one you prefer. The Hi-power is a classic also, highlly thought of, heavy about a kilo, as is the 45, unless you go lightweight as I mentioned, I like steel guns in 1911's. Good luck and let us know if you have questions. We are here to help you.
Read a lot, all you can befor making a decision, and watch what the guys in here suggest. Also the 1911 is a far cry from the 15 round hi cap 9mm crowd, I read the FBI stats on killings with every caliber, you get about 30% more 9mm rounds for a reason.In general a less than lethal shot will take 3-5 rounds of 9mm and a 45 2-3, so it's up to you and your shooting abilitys to decide which you prefer, that dosen't mean that 1 round from either won't dispatch you.
This was just an averging out of police shootings I saw a few months ago.There is evidence supporting any claim that someone makes so take it for what it's worth, very little. Shoot them both you should know pretty much straight away which is for you, HSO gave you good advice.But it's your gun.
Get a good one and keep it forever, it won't lose money if it's a brand like a colt or springfield. Your impression will be dictaed by what you shoot so rent a top of the line gun to see which one you prefer. The Hi-power is a classic also, highlly thought of, heavy about a kilo, as is the 45, unless you go lightweight as I mentioned, I like steel guns in 1911's. Good luck and let us know if you have questions. We are here to help you.
Lothar
Member
I own both a Browning Hi-Power and a Kimber 1911, and have to say that the BHP is my favorite handgun--not just between those two choices, but among all handguns.
If you liked the ergonomics of your CZ 75, you'll likely like the BHP's even more. It's got much better ergonomics than a 1911, in my personal opinion, and is widely regarded by many as having the best ergos of any handgun ever made. That's not to say that the ergos of a 1911 are bad--not at all.
As has been mentioned, a BHP has a less-than-ideal trigger out of the box, but can be made very nice with not much work. It will never be as good as a 1911 trigger though, even with a professional trigger job. There's only so much that can be done with the BHP's linkages as they're designed.
The takedown and reassembly on a 1911 is very primitive for an autoloader, and much more difficult than on a BHP. I don't mean that as a criticism of the 1911, as it was very well-designed for its time (and still is, in all the ways that are really important). It doesn't take many takedowns on a 1911 to get used to it though. The most annoying part of the reassembly of a 1911 is having to get the swinging link lined up just right before you can get the slide stop reinserted. The second-most annoying part is having to stuff the recoil spring down the muzzle end of the pistol and hold it in place long enough to get the barrel bushing back in position. Again, this is easy enough to accomplish once you get used to it, but the BHP is a huge improvement in that regard, and is much faster.
The comments about 1911's being potentially finicky and needing work to become reliable is accurate, in my experience. I haven't had to do so much work on any other handgun I've owned, before I've been comfortable using it as a defensive weapon, and while it works perfectly with some ammo, it won't chamber other brands at all, at least with certain mags. Some magazine brands work fine with it, others don't work at all. My BHP has worked nearly flawlessly right out of the box, with every ammo I've tried, and with different mag brands. When I say "nearly," I mean that out of about 2,500 rounds that I've put through my BHP now, I've had 4 malfunctions, and at least 2 of those may have been my fault. That's a 0.16% malfunction rate, which is good enough for me to trust my life on.
For firepower, my 1911 is a 10mm, which blows the BHP's 9mm out of the water. My 1911 only holds 8 rounds in the mag though, compared with 15 in my aftermarket Mec-Gar BHP mag. Considering that even trained police officers can miss their targets on more shots than they connect with in a stressful situation, the average civilian would be a lot more inclined to miss. So more rounds in the mag are arguably better than a few rounds of larger-caliber ammo. Many people here will vehemently disagree with that, and I won't argue with them--it's just something that everybody needs to decide for themselves.
If I had to give up every handgun that I own except one, I'd keep the BHP.
If you liked the ergonomics of your CZ 75, you'll likely like the BHP's even more. It's got much better ergonomics than a 1911, in my personal opinion, and is widely regarded by many as having the best ergos of any handgun ever made. That's not to say that the ergos of a 1911 are bad--not at all.
As has been mentioned, a BHP has a less-than-ideal trigger out of the box, but can be made very nice with not much work. It will never be as good as a 1911 trigger though, even with a professional trigger job. There's only so much that can be done with the BHP's linkages as they're designed.
The takedown and reassembly on a 1911 is very primitive for an autoloader, and much more difficult than on a BHP. I don't mean that as a criticism of the 1911, as it was very well-designed for its time (and still is, in all the ways that are really important). It doesn't take many takedowns on a 1911 to get used to it though. The most annoying part of the reassembly of a 1911 is having to get the swinging link lined up just right before you can get the slide stop reinserted. The second-most annoying part is having to stuff the recoil spring down the muzzle end of the pistol and hold it in place long enough to get the barrel bushing back in position. Again, this is easy enough to accomplish once you get used to it, but the BHP is a huge improvement in that regard, and is much faster.
The comments about 1911's being potentially finicky and needing work to become reliable is accurate, in my experience. I haven't had to do so much work on any other handgun I've owned, before I've been comfortable using it as a defensive weapon, and while it works perfectly with some ammo, it won't chamber other brands at all, at least with certain mags. Some magazine brands work fine with it, others don't work at all. My BHP has worked nearly flawlessly right out of the box, with every ammo I've tried, and with different mag brands. When I say "nearly," I mean that out of about 2,500 rounds that I've put through my BHP now, I've had 4 malfunctions, and at least 2 of those may have been my fault. That's a 0.16% malfunction rate, which is good enough for me to trust my life on.
For firepower, my 1911 is a 10mm, which blows the BHP's 9mm out of the water. My 1911 only holds 8 rounds in the mag though, compared with 15 in my aftermarket Mec-Gar BHP mag. Considering that even trained police officers can miss their targets on more shots than they connect with in a stressful situation, the average civilian would be a lot more inclined to miss. So more rounds in the mag are arguably better than a few rounds of larger-caliber ammo. Many people here will vehemently disagree with that, and I won't argue with them--it's just something that everybody needs to decide for themselves.
If I had to give up every handgun that I own except one, I'd keep the BHP.
Furncliff
Member
If you have big hands...1911. 9mm or .45acp
Otherwise try the HP on for size (but if you have big hands you may have trouble getting all your fingers on the grip).
Otherwise try the HP on for size (but if you have big hands you may have trouble getting all your fingers on the grip).
Certaindeaf
member
Andrew Wyatt
Member
I'd go Hi power. in 9mm.
cheaper ammo, and easier to shoot.
cheaper ammo, and easier to shoot.
MrDig
Member
That would be the same for me, I like my Model 10 4in, it is a tough call but the Hi-Power is still the winner by a hair.
kcshooter
Member
Yeah, and AK's are innaccurate, shotguns don't need aimed, and glocks blow up.
Sheesh. Internet myths need to stop getting repeated.
I've got half a dozen 1911's and you can't stop any of em.
But the Hi Power is a great gun too.
You can't go wrong either way.
If you like the ergonomics better on the HP, get the HP.
Two different calibers and two different pistols... but two of the BEST!
So when in doubt, GET BOTH... there will be no regrets!!
BTW: Strongly agree with MrDig... FEG makes (made) an outstanding Hi-Power at about half the price.
And a couple of FEGs...
So when in doubt, GET BOTH... there will be no regrets!!
BTW: Strongly agree with MrDig... FEG makes (made) an outstanding Hi-Power at about half the price.
And a couple of FEGs...
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