Hello, my name is Mike and I have used The High Road in the past as an information resource but this is my first posting. I’ve tried to be as detailed as possible.
I recently purchased a used Browning Hi-Power from a co-worker, it had been a bit neglected quite dirty, a little surface rust, and a worn spring, but it functioned at the range when I replaced the main spring. I’ve been looking for a refinishing project and thought this would make a good candidate. I got it home field stripped it and thoroughly cleaned and oiled it.
On my next range trip I got through about a box of rounds with no problems and was very happy with the accuracy of the gun. I then had a slam fire, released the slide stop to chamber a round and the gun went off. I thought negligent discharge my fault I must have had my finger on the trigger luckily I was pointing downrange at the time. Unloaded the gun, stepped back, wiped my sweaty hands off, reloaded the magazine, released the slide to chamber a round (very careful about my finger and muzzle direction), boom, slam fire. Unloaded the gun and took it home.
My first thought was a stuck firing pin but after I pulled the pin out cleaned it, the slide and replaced the spring I tested the gun again and I have the same issue. What I have found is that every few times when the slide is released using the slide stop or sling shotting the slide by hand the hammer doesn’t stay cocked and follows the slide forward. I have not gotten this result if I cock the gun by hand and more slowly guide the slide to chamber a round, and the gun does not seem to double fire, yet. Needless to say but this gun is not safe and won't be heading to the range without some more new parts and is currently on the shelf in “bag-o-gun” status
After taking the gun completely apart the trigger pieces, sear lever, and hammer appear to be in good shape, the trigger lever is a bit worn but the sear itself seams the likely culprit. Looking at the frame of the gun, with muzzle pointing away, there is a tab on the right side of the sear that the sear lever contacts and pushes down against to release the hammer, this surface is quite worn. And the surface the safety contacts is a bit worn as well, though this appears to be from filing maybe when the gun was assembled. These are the only parts of the gun that has all the finish worn off and appears that some metal has worn down as well, I’m guessing from the slide traveling over it and maybe fitting. Since having this issue I have read about the safety “click test” and this gun doesn’t pass, the sear falls slightly. I’ve also read that the original sear itself is a cast part and more prone to wear than the aftermarket hardened sears and is a common upgrade item. What I plan to do is purchase a new aftermarket hammer and sear for the gun, maybe a trigger lever too, but before plunking down $100 plus bucks I wanted to check with some folks who have more experience with this firearm or hear if anyone has had a similar experience with the browning hi-power.
Please see the pictures below if I can get them to work
Thank you in advance for your time and advice.
-Mike
sear showing worn surface that the sear lever contacts
sear showing worn surface that the safety contacts as well as the worn surface that holds hammer cocked
trigger lever
hammer
I recently purchased a used Browning Hi-Power from a co-worker, it had been a bit neglected quite dirty, a little surface rust, and a worn spring, but it functioned at the range when I replaced the main spring. I’ve been looking for a refinishing project and thought this would make a good candidate. I got it home field stripped it and thoroughly cleaned and oiled it.
On my next range trip I got through about a box of rounds with no problems and was very happy with the accuracy of the gun. I then had a slam fire, released the slide stop to chamber a round and the gun went off. I thought negligent discharge my fault I must have had my finger on the trigger luckily I was pointing downrange at the time. Unloaded the gun, stepped back, wiped my sweaty hands off, reloaded the magazine, released the slide to chamber a round (very careful about my finger and muzzle direction), boom, slam fire. Unloaded the gun and took it home.
My first thought was a stuck firing pin but after I pulled the pin out cleaned it, the slide and replaced the spring I tested the gun again and I have the same issue. What I have found is that every few times when the slide is released using the slide stop or sling shotting the slide by hand the hammer doesn’t stay cocked and follows the slide forward. I have not gotten this result if I cock the gun by hand and more slowly guide the slide to chamber a round, and the gun does not seem to double fire, yet. Needless to say but this gun is not safe and won't be heading to the range without some more new parts and is currently on the shelf in “bag-o-gun” status
After taking the gun completely apart the trigger pieces, sear lever, and hammer appear to be in good shape, the trigger lever is a bit worn but the sear itself seams the likely culprit. Looking at the frame of the gun, with muzzle pointing away, there is a tab on the right side of the sear that the sear lever contacts and pushes down against to release the hammer, this surface is quite worn. And the surface the safety contacts is a bit worn as well, though this appears to be from filing maybe when the gun was assembled. These are the only parts of the gun that has all the finish worn off and appears that some metal has worn down as well, I’m guessing from the slide traveling over it and maybe fitting. Since having this issue I have read about the safety “click test” and this gun doesn’t pass, the sear falls slightly. I’ve also read that the original sear itself is a cast part and more prone to wear than the aftermarket hardened sears and is a common upgrade item. What I plan to do is purchase a new aftermarket hammer and sear for the gun, maybe a trigger lever too, but before plunking down $100 plus bucks I wanted to check with some folks who have more experience with this firearm or hear if anyone has had a similar experience with the browning hi-power.
Please see the pictures below if I can get them to work
Thank you in advance for your time and advice.
-Mike
sear showing worn surface that the sear lever contacts
sear showing worn surface that the safety contacts as well as the worn surface that holds hammer cocked
trigger lever
hammer