BHP versus 9mm 1911?

[Lvl21nerd]

which do you prefer?

please, nobody comment just to say something like "forget 9mm, shoot a .45"

so its a 9mm Browning designed shootout

 

[millertyme]

I'd take the BHP any day of the week.

 

[BacSi67]

Bought a Springfield 1911 9MM about a year ago. Have an old Hi-Power. Love them both, and both are accurate.
However the sights on the 1911 are much easier to pick up quickly compared to the Hi-Power.
1911 9MM wins.

 

[Runningman]

The only 1911 9mm I ever owned in 9mm was not very reliable compared to most modern 9mms. Personally I think the 38 Super is a better fit in the 1911 because it cartridge length is mostly the same as the 45 auto. New BHP are over priced for what you get IMO.

 

[hank327]

In 9x19 mm (Luger), I think the Hi-Power is better as it was designed with that cartridge in mind. In the 1911, the 9 mm is somewhat on the short side for the design. I really like the 38 Super in the 1911 and think it is a much better fit for that pistol. Admitting this may be heresy, but I actually like my 5 inch 38 Super better than my 45.

 

[MattTheHat]

I've owned both. I much prefer shooting 9mm from a full sized 1911 than the BHP. Most of that has to do with the fact that I'm used to the platform in several other calibers.

The trigger on the 1911 is lighter, smoother and has MUCH less take-up than the BHP. If the BHP has a magazine disconnect, that adds even more weight to the trigger pull.

-Matt

 

[jaysouth]

I have an STI Trojan in 9mm. I also have a BHP full house custom from ARS.

The Trojan outshoots the BHP any day of the week despite the thousand dollars worth of custom work on the Browning.

No comparison on the availablity of aftermarket goodies.

 

[tekarra]

Both are fine pistols, but I prefer the Hi Power as it just suits me better than the 1911.

 

[earlthegoat2]

I really wish someone would design a Hi Power with a 1911 style trigger and no mag safety.

Other than that I can live with what the BHP has and has not compared to the 1911 so I say BHP. Styling is nicer with the Browning as well. Most would say this is not the case but since I like my 1911s looking like Milspecs and my HPs also looking plain and stock the HP gets the vote on styling. I have found the manual safety to be way easier to use than any 1911 safety and have had no instances of it coming off by itself.

After having a few 1911s I can say I am sold on the HP. For everyones information the GP35 had only a little JMB design left in it after Saive got done with it. Saive took some of the 1911 features and incorporated them after the patent expired. The HPs primary innovation, the double column magazine, was all Saive.

 

[Gordon]

I am not sure! After the last 45 years with the 1911 .45 fighting pistol , over the last 5 years I have been moving to first Beretta 92, then Glock 26 and finally landing on the good ol BHP. Either I feel I can hit better and the 9mm is enough- or I am getting old!
Well I will tell you this: My MK2 Military Belgian Browning is every bit as reliable as a 1911a1 and just that much lighter, smaller and sleeker in slide to be a better CCW gun for me. With modern Hollow points like Ranger Bonded 127 +p ammo I feel well armed for an everyday fighting pistol. If I suspect ahead of time I was gonna have any of those "special" days again, then I would go with a 1911/ P-14 Para ordinance .45 , just saying!

 

[Wags]

I prefer my Hi-Powers over any other carry pistol I own. But this little Colt Combat Commander in 9mm blessed at Novaks a few years ago is growing on me.

 

[Kingofthehill]

I have a 9mm STI Trojan 1911 and a BHP 9mm.

I'll take the STI any day of the week over the BHP.. Not saying the BHP isn't a fantastic firearm, I just like the feel, style, shape of the 1911's

JOe

 

[Quack]

1911

 

[robctwo]

I bought a BHP years ago. Had a trigger job. Changed out the sights. Put in a Bar-Sto barrel.

Then I bought a Les Baer PII 9mm. Put on a fiber optic front sight. Shot 10,000 rounds or so through it. Shot it at steel challenge this morning. Had a few of the other shooters drooling.



The BHP doesn't get out much any more.

 

[gbw]

Another vote for HP. Designed around the 9mm, it fits my hand better than any other large auto. Also I have never seen one malfunction in several thousand rounds and several different pistols.

I'm a huge 1911 fan and own some, but they were designed around the .45. 9mm in them seems sort of inefficient somehow.

But no bad choice here.

 

[WC145]

I've never shot a HP but I have several 1911's including a new S&W SW1911 9mm Pro Series that I am very happy with. It is accurate, reliable, and fast shooting, in fact it's so good I have no interest in any other 9mm's.

 

[rellascout]

To be fair and accurate Browning did not finish the design of the High Power. Dieudonné Saive is the one who finished the design and brought it to market in the form we have it today.

I prefer the BHP. Fits my hand better than the 1911 in 9mm. I owned a SW Pro 9mm for a month or so but it just did not do it for me. If I want to shoot 1911 I shoot 45 where its slimness and its design make 45 very shootable for me.

The BHP in 9mm on the other hand simply works for me. It is my go to gun. I own several variations from a pre T bone stock gun to a full custom job from Wild West Guns.

In the end it is more a matter of preference based on completely subjective criteria like the size of your hand. My preference does not translate to anyone else IMHO.

 

[gc70]

Fits my hand better than the 1911 in 9mm.

In the end it is more a matter of preference based on completely subjective criteria like the size of your hand.

Absolutely correct. The BHP is a sweet pistol design, but a 1911 fits my hand better.

 

[Canuck-IL]

In the end it is more a matter of preference based on completely subjective criteria like the size of your hand.

I think that's true but, I've never handled a BHP that had the kind of sweet trigger that is pretty easy to achieve with a 1911.
/Bryan

 

[Snowdog]

I have both but prefer the 1911 due to the trigger. Yes, both are SA, but both my 1911s have a nice, light and crisp trigger whereas my HP has a heavy and gritty trigger thanks in part to the magazine safety. Though you specified not to focus on caliber, I must say that plays a large part in my decision.

I do like both just fine, but enjoy my 1911s more.

 

[distra]

I'd have to say I like them both, but the BHP for a combat pistol and 1911 for target/pin shoots. Gotta' have both! I really prefer my 38 super 1911 to either, oh sorry didn't mean to introduce caliber into the response.

 

[briang2ad]

The HiPower was designed FOR the 9mm. The 1911 for the 45 ACP.

The Hipower is smaller, lighter, and has twice the capacity. It fits the hand well. It conceals better than a 1911 (Full Size - as good as a commander). It is combat accurate. It IS a better 9mm pistol for combat.

Is it a better range gun, to tweek, accurize, etc. etc.? No.

It is a better 9mm for its intended purpose.

 

[vmr357]

whereas my HP has a heavy and gritty trigger

It doesn't have to be that way. I have two Hi Powers and both have a very clean, crisp trigger. However, it does take a little work for that to happen and whoever is doing the work needs to know what he is doings. Mine have the mag disconnect removed, but that shouldn't be necessary if you want to keep it in.

The thumb safety seems to be a little more positive on the 1911s I've tried. On my HPs the older one is sort of stiff, the newer one moves quite freely.

I like the swinging trigger of the HP because I've shot a lot of revolvers. I've had a few unexpected hammer drops when I've looked at some light-triggered 1911s. It was a good thing the gun wasn't loaded. I like a crisp trigger, but I don't want it to break until I'm deliberately pulling it.

Vern

 

[Hammerhead6814]

BHP hands down. Easier to break down, more accurate for the money, magazines stretching from 13 to 17 rounds, people are ashamed of themselves when you out-shoot them and their new production Tupperware.

 

[BullfrogKen]

I like them both, but nothing really compares to the 1911 trigger. Every other design tries to find a way to get as good as the 1911 (consider the "safe-action" and other new polymer pistol designs), but there's nothing quite as good. And certainly nothing better.


Aftermarket parts selection for a 1911 is better, too. No auto-pistol can be made to fit a shooter's hand, complete with his preference for sighting systems or all other manner of personal preferences, moreso than an 1911.