British Army Replacing their 40 yeard old Hi-Powers with...

I've shot a lot of UK HPs and they were pretty much to a pistol - wrung out. Almost all of the mags were very unenthusiastic as well.

So, them going away and being replaced by a newer platform, I get.

I'd be happy to see a bunch of surplus Brownings on the market.

Would make more sense for them to issue new HPs. Same manual of arms as what they already have.

because their pistol is lighter, carries more bullets and is more accurate than the U.S.-made Browning.

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Uh?

More accurate? Since when? Maybe more accurate than a 40 year old, worn out gun, but not more accurate than a brand new one.
That article looks like a Block fanboy post.

I sure hope they remember to keep the trigger finger away from the trigger unless they mean it, and when getting ready to clean or take down the pistol they remove the magazine before clearing the chamber.

Their old P-35 Brownings had a manual safety and a magazine disconector - they may miss both.

As a side note: The special detail that protects the Royal Family has been carrying Glock 17's for some time.

Old Fuff said:

I sure hope they remember to keep the trigger finger away from the trigger unless they mean it, and when getting ready to clean or take down the pistol they remove the magazine before clearing the chamber.

Their old P-35 Brownings had a manual safety and a magazine disconector - they may miss both.

As a side note: The special detail that protects the Royal Family has been carrying Glock 17's for some time.

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The English made fine choice replacing old expensive to make design with new proven less expensive one. As military sidearm the G17 is superior to HP in EVERY way.

PS. I'm sure Glock made arrangements to have old HPs destroyed that way there will be fewer guns to compete with their product on lucrative US market.

The English made fine choice replacing old expensive to make design with new proven less expensive one. As military sidearm the G17 is superior to HP in EVERY way.

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In any large organization (such as an army or other military services) training and experience can be a wide vairable. The Glock is an excellent pistol, but it lacks a manual safety and magazine disconector. In this country Glock pistols are widely issued to law enforcement agencies and departments, and over time it has earned an unenviable reputation for negligent discharges. Of course this is not the gun's fault, but it is an issue to consider in the context of a military service pistol.

The Browning Hi Power is accurate, reliable, and capable of 16 (15 + 1) capacity with flush fit mags like Mec Gar or 17 or more capacity with mags that have a bumper base. They are also very durable, and battle proven in many conflicts around the world. The only downside, as mentioned by others is cost. The propensity for Glocks to have ND's in the hands of large organizations with varying quality of people and training would make me choose something other than a Glock.

It is unlikely this administration would allow these BHPs to be imported at least due to high-capacity "assualt clips" they employ. After all, these are "weapons of war" designed for the battlefield.

A G17 is superior to a HP in every way???? I own both and I would say it ain't so. The P35 has been around a long time and proven itself. Old JMB had a hand in it so it has to be good. Glocks don't have the history yet.

As I questioned in post #5, since when has the Hi Power been made in the USA?

The BHP requires a significantly longer logistics trail to support. There are many more parts, and armorer training takes longer. Glock armorer school was 8 hours (they may be up to 10 or 12 these days, not sure). The logistics trail for Glock parts, is ridiculously small. Basically if Pvt. Smith isn't messing with things he shouldn't there are about 5 parts that need to be stocked due to wear. Also while the BHP is argueably more accurate then a G17, the G17 is by no means inaccurate for combat purposes.

The Glock's reputation for AD/ND's in LE is not undeserved, however the incidence of AD's/ND's is dramatically lower these days. Probably about the same as any other pistol out there these days. The big issue at the time was that there was not just a ton of semi-auto pistols in LE prior to the Glock, S&W had some market, as did Colt, but by and large most departments still used revolvers. Officers used to revolvers, weren't used to having to check the chamber of a pistol, before calling it clear. This led to the often seen non-matching piece of tile/vinyl in squad rooms and cleaning rooms around the country. These days most police officers have only minimal experience with revolvers instead (had a cadet, not understand that a revolver didn't take magazines for instance), and how to properly clear one is much more common knowledge.

The British military shouldn't see any more issue's with transitioning to the G17 then the US Army did going to the Beretta from the 1911. Are they going to put rounds into clearing barrels and arms rooms floors for a bit? Sure, but I don't see if being a major issue.

-Jenrick

A G17 is superior to a HP in every way???? I own both and I would say it ain't so. The P35 has been around a long time and proven itself. Old JMB had a hand in it so it has to be good. Glocks don't have the history yet.

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Glocks have been around for 30 years and are plenty proven by miltary and police forces all around the world. If you want nostalgia that may be one thing, but as far as a reliable weapons platform Glock is well beyond proven.

As to the old guns - you can bet they'll be destroyed. Not at Glock's bidding, but at the UK's. That is pretty much the most anti-gun government on the planet. They view our firearms situation in the US as a disease that we need their help fixing. There's no way they'll let those weapons go anywhere but the shredder.

9mmepiphany said:

I found it interesting that they are only buying ~25,000 pieces...also that they will be carrying them in Blackhawk Serpa tactical holsters

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THAT does actually worry me, but I see a lot of cops using Serpas around here. Granted if you're safe and trained with them they're fine (and I have at least one Serpa in my holster drawer), but they're not good for novices, and by definition of their firearms laws for civvies ALL their new soldiers are handgun novices when they first join.

wow6599 said:

As I questioned in post #5, since when has the Hi Power been made in the USA?

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I recall seeing one consigned at LGS along with two "Baby Brownings". The polish and bluing was excellent slides marked Made in USA plus Charlottesville Va address on boxes. I would think 70s vintage. Where parts were crafted could not be determined but I do not recall seeing any proof marks on slides or frames.

These days most police officers have only minimal experience with revolvers instead (had a cadet, not understand that a revolver didn't take magazines for instance), and how to properly clear one is much more common knowledge.

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There was an incident not to long ago at Philadelphia International Airport where a flight attended forgot she had a loaded, snubby revolver in her purse. It was detected upon the security screening where she was detained and her loaded pistol taken by TSA and given to a Philly police officer stationed at the airport. In an attempt to unload the revolver the police officer pulled the trigger of the revolver , had an ND, and put a bullet into a nearby wall. Being used to Glocks, she did not have the training, or did not pay attention in training to know that how to handle a loaded revolver. The officer was put on "administrative duties" temporarily but I am sure is back on the job, protecting us from harm.

The Hi Power is a good pistol, matter of fact, I just bought another one.
The G17 is a more modern handgun that is just as good if not even better than the Hi Power.
It is fact proven to be a more reliable handgun under combat conditions.
Brits made a good choice but I do hope they have clearing barrels strategically placed, rest assured, there will initially be a large percentage of accidents with the gun.

Just wondering outloud; I wonder which gun, HP or Glock, has been produced in the in the largest number? Despite the longevity of the HP, the Glock, (due to huge numbers), may have more Man Years of use. Just wondering.

mgmorden said:

Glocks have been around for 30 years and are plenty proven by miltary and police forces all around the world. If you want nostalgia that may be one thing, but as far as a reliable weapons platform Glock is well beyond proven.

As to the old guns - you can bet they'll be destroyed. Not at Glock's bidding, but at the UK's. That is pretty much the most anti-gun government on the planet. They view our firearms situation in the US as a disease that we need their help fixing. There's no way they'll let those weapons go anywhere but the shredder.




THAT does actually worry me, but I see a lot of cops using Serpas around here. Granted if you're safe and trained with them they're fine (and I have at least one Serpa in my holster drawer), but they're not good for novices, and by definition of their firearms laws for civvies ALL their new soldiers are handgun novices when they first join.

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This. There's no way they're coming here. The UK wants to control every firearm in the world and as such you can bet your last dollar that there's no way we'll see these things imported.

Had to LOL about this fine piece of journalism.

British soldiers are ditching the traditional Browning pistol for the more sophisticated and deadly Glock 17 – as used by our police.

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http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/british-army-buys-glock-17-1528571

tarosean said:

Had to LOL about this fine piece of journalism.



http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/british-army-buys-glock-17-1528571

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Keep in mind that your average British reporter is just as or even MORE ignorant about guns than our own homegrown reporters.

If the new Glocks get used as often as the british tooth brush, they'll last the UK many lifetimes.