.40 Hi-Power

[andrewdl007]

I've always been wary of 9mm pistols just because of the sometimes suggested lack of stopping power in the caliber (I blame the fellow who taught me to shoot who thought 9mm was garbage). I do however think the Browning Hi-Power is one of my favorite pistols ever made in looks, fits, aimability, etc.

I was therefore excited, years ago, to hear that they were making a .40 S&W version of the HP. Of course the gun has now been discontinued and I never got one. Does anyone out there have experience with the HP40? What do you think?

I'm not trying to start a debate on the qualities on 9mm as a round.

 

[JTQ]

I'm not trying to start a debate on the qualities on 9mm as a round.

Isn't that too late?

I've always been weary of 9mm pistols just because of the sometimes suggested lack of stopping power in the caliber (I blame the fellow who tough me to shoot who thought 9mm was garbage).

Kidding aside, while I've not owned one, most of the HP owners I've seen comment on forums typically say the HP is one of the best .40 S&W guns around.

Mr. Hi-Power, the late Stephen A. Camp, on the other hand, never seemed to care for the .40 S&W.

Hi-Power's and Handguns http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com

 

[jeff-10]

My 40 S&W I owned. It was also the least reliable I have ever owned. Probably going to pick up one in 9mm one day.

 

[ATLDave]

I am under the impression that they suffered longevity/durability issues. But that's just hearsay.

 

[MIL-DOT]

Though I'm not always a purist on these issues, to me, a BHP in a caliber other than 9mm would just be 'wrong', just like there's something about a 1911 in 9mm is just plain wrong.

 

[browningguy]

I've got a pair of them in .40 and they are very reliable. Browning actually switched manufacturing processes to ensure the frame was strong enough to handle the .40.

 

[sub-moa]

The BHP is an especially fine .40S&W pistol, there are no longevity or reliability issues, and SC bore no animosity toward the BHP40...in fact quite the opposite: "In my opinion, the 40-caliber Hi Power is truly an exceptionally easy handgun to shoot well in this caliber.

I had forgotten what a pleasure it is to shoot the .40 S&W cartridge from the all-steel Hi Power. Its 35-oz. weight and ergonomics really dampen the “sharp” recoil frequently associated with this caliber. Though I have pretty well cast my lot with 9mm Hi Powers and 45-caliber 1911-pattern pistols, were I to once again decide to own a forty, the Hi Power would be my first choice."

SC just was not overly enamored with the .40S&W round itself. He was satisfied with the BHP9 and 191145...

 

[rodinal220]

I have one and it has been 100%. Its not as svelte as the 9mm version and the slide a bit harder to pull back(heavier recoil spring),but I like it.It is my favourite 40.

FN had to beef up the HP and they actually went to investment casting the frames as they found it held up better to 40S&W than the forged frames.

Yes,they are discontinued currently but can be found on the used market.

From the late Stephen A. Camp's excellent BHP web page:

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/HiPowers9mmvs40.htm

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/Shooting the Forty Caliber Hi Power.htm

 

[tarosean]

Its the only 40SW that I have kept... You dont experience any of the snappiness that plastic fantastic owners oft complain about with 40's...

 

[solvability]

I had one and did not like it - sold it and went to a Glock22 for whatever reason the recoil seemed less sharp. As defensive pistols go the HP is an old design and some of the more recent designs are more reliable and durable.

The HP like the 1911 is a lovely pistol and a joy to own.

 

[steveno]

I have had both the 9 mm & 40 high powers. with the extra weight added to help with the 40 I didn't think it balanced quite as well. I never had any problems with the 40 but that heavier recoil spring made taking the gun apart to clean was a challenge. I never could get interested in the 40 S & W as a cartridge either

 

[Copper75]

I LOVE mine! It carries and shoots well. Probably only fired a couple thousand rounds through it, but it is one that I'll never get rid of.

 

[jrod]

Had one when they first came out. Always liked BHPs. At the time it was the most accurate .40 I tried. I sold it because it didn't balance the same as the 9mm due to the heavier Slide. I just didn't like the way it felt in the hand compared to the 9mm.

 

[Pilot]

I have a 9MM factory Silver Chrome MK III BHP, and my buddy bought the same gun in .40 at the same time. With modern 9MM JHP ammo, I don't see the need, but anyway, he really likes the .40, an it has been flawless, and accurate for him as has my 9MM.

 

[rondog]

I've never had the good fortune to own, shoot, or even handle a genuine Browning Hi-Power, but I recently found and bought a Kareen Hi-Power clone, made in Israel. It's a pretty impressive pistol, and I'm very happy with it.

Anybody know anything about them? Near as I can tell it's a faithful copy of the HP and very well made. Have it in my jacket pocket right now actually, in an old LE holster for HP's.

But I never knew they made HP's in .40S&W!

 

[Lucky Derby]

While I prefer 9mm to .40, when they made the .40HP, they did it right. They didn't simply drill a bigger hole down the barrel and call it good. They went from a forged to a cast frame for extra strength. (for simplicity they started using this on the 9mm as well) They added an extra locking lug and they beefed up the slide. The .40HP is a fine weapon. They can still be had for a somewhat reasonable price too.

 

[sub-moa]

I've never had the good fortune to own, shoot, or even handle a genuine Browning Hi-Power, but I recently found and bought a Kareen Hi-Power clone, made in Israel. It's a pretty impressive pistol, and I'm very happy with it.

Anybody know anything about them? Near as I can tell it's a faithful copy of the HP and very well made. Have it in my jacket pocket right now actually, in an old LE holster for HP's.

But I never knew they made HP's in .40S&W!

FN built the BHP.40 from '93 through '07. They were sold here through FN owned Browning Arms, FNH and FNMI.

The Israeli Kareen...BHP pattern, was assembled from FEG of Hungary...now defunct, parts. FEG sold their...factory designation P9, true BHP clone (there were other "similarly styled" pistols) under their FEG banner as well as under names such as "Luger", "Parabellum", "Mauser" and even as completely illegitimate counterfeits under the FN banner . They were also sold though importers...mostly Kassnar/KBI, and mostly marked PJK9HP...a designation wholly of Kassnar's making. FEG also finally adopted the PJK9HP for pistols NOT imported by Kassnar/KBI. I'm only speaking here of the true BHP clone versions manufactured by FEG...it takes too long to explain the other outwardly and somewhat outwardly appearing variations . Oh, the American Charles Daly BHP pistols were assembled at 2 different US plants...from FEG P9...and PM9 parts.

Interestingly, just before closing their doors for good, FEG built their second variation P9M...outwardly BHP appearing but S&W style lock-up, in .40 for the Lithuanian National Police .....

 

[Billy Shears]

I've got one and I love the thing. It's been completely reliable with all ammo I've fed into it, and it shoots quite accurately as well. I've been gradually moving away from the .40S&W, selling most of my guns in that caliber, but this is one I will keep. One of these days I may get a 9mm barrel for it too, so I can swap back and forth. One of the issues with the Hi Power is it's an old design, and isn't overbuilt for the cartridge like many modern pistols, designed after +P ammo came along. Consequently, it doesn't stand up well to a diet of +P ammo. In fact, I believe Bill Laughridge of Cylinder & Slide cautions against even running a few mags of +P through them, stating they will start to show signs of excessive wear on the locking lugs with even as little as a few dozen rounds. However, 9mm +P ammo will be no problem through one of the guns that's been beefed up to handle the more potent .40 S&W round. So if you want a Hi Power that will handle +P ammo and not suffer long-term durability issues, this is the way to get one.

 

[Pilot]

The MK III BHP is designed for 9MM +p.

 

[palmetto99]

I had a BHP in .40S&W back in the mid 1990's when they came out. As I remember, it was accurate, it ran well and I actually liked the size. But, for several reasons, it went away in a trade. One reason being that the .40S&W was a pretty new cartridge at that time and it was not as prevalent as it would become.