Anyone feel the BHP safety isn't that positive?

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Morty76

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I've got a base model BHP that I enjoy very much and have put over a 1000 rounds through it without a problem. With the cooler weather here I'd like to start carrying it, but I don't feel that the safety is all that positive and worry that the safety will get disengaged. Does anyone else feel this way? Has anyone done anything to adjust it?

My 1911's safety is very positive. The BHP's safety has a soft click feel to it, but the 1911 has a nice solid feel to it.
 
I feel the same way about the feel. One of the worst aspects of the gun (toss up between primitive sights on earlier models and magazine safety for very worst). I often wish for the 'click' feeling of my 1911. The soft mushy feel does nothing for me.
However, I have no concerns about it going off safe. I used one for my carry gun, the others being a 1911 for winter and a smaller gun when needed. The feeling is mushy, but it doesn't travel any easier than the 1911 safety.
 
I've actually had my BHP go off safe while carrying it. I'm considering having the factory safety replaced.
 
I've found that mine has come off safe more than once when drawing from a IWB holster. Seems that the angle of the safety encourages it to change position if the leather it making contact as it is pulled from the holster.

I intend to have a 'smith address this when I take it in for a trigger job.
 
Yes, my Springfield 1911A1 has a very positive safety. I have no problem carrying it cocked and locked. My BHP's safety is not nearly as positive and I will not carry it cocked and locked. I carry it with the hammer down if I carry it all which is seldom. Its my most accurate 9MM though.
 
I understand that the Cylinder and Slide aftermarket safety will correct this problem. I haven't tried it myself. I agree that the safety feels "mushy" on my FN Highpower. I'm just glad it isn't the little, itty-bitty, mil-spec safety on my older Highpower though. I can understand why guys would prefer to carry with an empty chamber over trying to disengage that safety quickly.
 
My first post - glad to be part of this forum.

I put the Cylinder & Slide extended safety on my Hi-Power and it is definitely more "secure" feeling than the little stock safety (mine had a mil-spec tiny safety).
I'll say (as a tinkerer, definitely not a gunsmith) that it's not hard to install but it takes a long time because I did about one file stroke, reassemble, check, disassemble, one file stroke, etc, etc.
I followed the included instructions - which are very clear - and after about 2 hours, ended up with a great safety.
So, might give this a try on your Hi-Power.
 
The "safety" lever on the newer BHPs is almost redundant. Yes, it blocks the sear and is very necessary, but that ingenious way they modified the sear lever to block the firing pin is really neat.
The safety I hate (but reinstalled for liability reasons) is the :barf: mag safety.
 
Installed a C&S safety on my Israeli Mk. III. As mentioned, it gives you a much better purchase but the click is a softer one than the 1911. Nature of the beast. I prefer the "hard click" common to the 1911 but can live with it. Probably as much a training issue as anything.
 
The HP safety is more mushy than the 1911 safety by design.

I've come to really appreciate the SFS system on my HP, as it gives a nice, positive click to the safety in addition to having a hammer that's bite-proof. There's never a doubt whether the safety is on or off.
 
I've noticed this too on my 40S&W BHP but as I don't carry it or use it for anything important I don't really worry about it.
 
Another thing to consider - holster selection. I do not worry much about the BHP safety because A) the holster I wear covers it and prevents clothing from moving it, and b) it has a leather retention strap that covers the firing pin (between firing pin and hammer).
 
Fletchette said:
Another thing to consider - holster selection. I do not worry much about the BHP safety because A) the holster I wear covers it and prevents clothing from moving it, and b) it has a leather retention strap that covers the firing pin (between firing pin and hammer).
Click to expand...

What brand and model holster do you use? Is it a model specific holster, or is it 1911/BHP/Large frame auto?

I'm currently using a Dillon, no retention strap and it does not cover the safety. I like the fit of it because it is model specific... but some leather up the side to cover the safety would be nice.
 
DaMaj said:
Ditto on the C&S safety. Good tension when properly fitted
Click to expand...

I'm looking at the C&S catalog, is this the part?

CS035 - C&S Browning Hi Power Extended Safety - Blue

I'd like to get rid of the factory ambi safety and just have the safety lever on the left side.

Does anyone know how the factory safety differs from the C&S safety in design? If you hold them side by side can you see a difference?
 
Fletchette has a good point. I carried a Browning HP for a duty gun for several years. I used a pancake holster with a thumb break strap that covered the firing pin. I have to admitt though I never had the gun come off of safe, even during a knockdown drag out, some so sever that adjustable sights were broken and grips ruined. It is also MY best shooting 9mm.
 
I carry my Hi Powers cocked and locked... never had a problem with the safety wiping off.

I have found that the safety on a BHP can be a little more mushy, but they can also be pretty darn positive. My FN is quite positive, my Browning a little less so, but I still have never had a problem.

Funny how people worry about carrying a BHP and having the safety come off, but people will carry a Glock without a sweat. :rolleyes:

Wes
 
Morty76 said:
What brand and model holster do you use? Is it a model specific holster, or is it 1911/BHP/Large frame auto?

I'm currently using a Dillon, no retention strap and it does not cover the safety. I like the fit of it because it is model specific... but some leather up the side to cover the safety would be nice.
Click to expand...

I use a shoulder rig, Safariland. However there are many holsters (IWB, pancake, etc.) with this type of retention strap.
 
Thefumegator said:
Funny how people worry about carrying a BHP and having the safety come off, but people will carry a Glock without a sweat. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

I couldn't agree more.

I carried a Glock 23 for about a month and could never get comfortable with it. The Glock safety system just feels to me like an accident waiting to happen. :(
 
I agree wholeheartedly about Glocks. I don't like any handgun other than revolvers without safeties.
And, I've only had the safety on one of my BHPs come out of safety while carrying once.
 
My Mark III SFS just arrived today. The SFS safety is VERY positive, not mushy like the one on my other HP. It disengages with a reassuring "snick."
 
The safety on my old Belgian HP is extremely positive. It has never come off of safety while carrying. My Standard has come off one time. I have not carried the .40 cal Practical yet, so no data there.
 
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