Browning Hi-Power enthusiasts opinion of the .40 model?

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peacebutready

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I was just reading a thread on Browning Hi-Powers. Most are 9mm. What do enthusiasts of the Hi-Power think of the one chambered in .40 cal?

Something good about the .40 model is it holds 10 rounds, which is good for states that don't allow more than 10-round mags. I don't think Browning currently makes the Hi-Power in .40 though.
 
When they first came out I bought one.
Got it home, looked it over, found (even in my prime) that the recoil spring was too stiff for me to realistically deal with in malfunction drills & other manipulations.
Returned it unfired the next day.

I could run it, but not as well as a few hundred other pistols. :)
Denis
 
I currently have six P-35's. They are all 9 mm's. All of them see regular rotation as carry and range guns.
The .40 S&W in the BHP never "did it" for me.
 
I'm the odd one out... I love my 40 BHP, I've gotten rid of all my 40's and kept that lone survivor.
 
Nothing wrong with the BHP in .40. As mentioned, the recoil spring is rather stiff and 20 lbs. However it's a .40 so you have to expect that, I think. The only reason I don't have one in that caliber is that I already own several 9mms that I reload for. I simply had no desire to take on another cartridge at the reloading bench at this time.
 
I owned two of them, and they're both great pistols. Like some of the above comments, the 20lb recoil springs are a bear when you have to manually operate the slide. They're a bit different in size than the 9mm version, but they were great shooters. The size of the HP does lessen the snap of the .40's recoil.

I finally decided to lessen the number of calibers in my "arsenal", so the HP .40's went. I've now expended my 2k cache of ammo through a S&W 40 Shield. It may go next.
 
The BHP just seems very svelte and refined to me - and the 9mm matches with that better than .40S&W.

Don't get me wrong - I have guns with both and truth be told the gun I keep on my nightstand is in .40S&W, but I wouldn't want a Hi Power chambered in it.
 
I've dealt with a number of other .40s, none have had (including the Smith M&P I carry now) anywhere near as stiff a recoil spring as that Browning did.
It's the pistol, not the caliber. :)
Denis
 
Well it's the pistol AND the caliber. The manufacturers have determined that these guns need the springs at the weight they are because of the specific ammunition requirements. We may disagree with their assessment, but nonetheless, there it is.
 
My comment was in regards to "It's a .40 so you have to expect that."
No, you don't. :)
Denis
 
Let me clarify for you. When it's a BHP in .40, yes you DO have to expect that. The way the frame is made, along with the design of the locking lugs, and the size of the internal parts, a heavier recoil spring has been determined by the manufacturer to be necessary. Authorities like Stephen Camp tend to have agreed.
 
Which is why I said it's the gun, not the caliber.
Done.
Denis
 
Look, I'm not going to go round and round in a pissing match with you. I'm going to say this. The 9mm version has a much lighter recoil spring. So no, it's not the gun. It's what the gun can handle coupled with what the round dishes out. If you can't understand this, then I can't help you. Cheers.
 
Post #6 has a link to Mr. Camp's website It's a very good place for useful information on the HP.

tipoc
 
I bought one soon after they were released. FN did it right IMHO in waiting to release their .40 until they increased the slide weight, changed to three locking lugs, etc. But I admit I did always dread reinstalling that recoil spring. Mine was totally reliable with any factory ammo I used, and my reloads. What I discovered though was that it was not as accurate as my SIG P229 in .40 S&W, or my 9MM Hi Powers. I do recall reading in one of the shooting magazines that Richard Heinie was considering including a Bar-Sto barrel, I think it was, in his builds due to accuracy issues with the factory .40 Hi Power barrel. Anyway, I think the .40 Hi Power is a durable, reliable, quality pistol. I do prefer the 9MM versions though, no longer own the .40 Hi Power, and never bought another....ymmv
 
Here in Texas a gas station owner near what is called "Country Tavern" (one of the BEST BBQ places ever!) was robbed. He drew his HP in .40 S&W and shot the would-be robber who charged him. Just needed one shot.

I've owned the .40 version and it was a good gun. I only wish someone had made a barrel in .357 Sig. See that would have been a screamer!

And If I still owned a .40 version I'd just load it down, say a 180 at 900 fps. Easy on the gun and easy on me.

And yep folks, even though I'm still a Glock man, I do have a HP in 9mm!

Deaf
 
I only have one MK III BHP, and it is in 9MM, but a good friend has the same pistol in .40, and actually prefers it over the 9MM. I like the 9MM better, as it seems to balance better, but there is nothing wrong with the .40. His is a great shooter, and has been ultra reliable.
 
I've got two in .40 and like them just fine. They do seem to have a slightly different "feel" than my 9 mm's, but still a great pistol.
 
I'll be the lone naysayer. I owned one years ago and it was a disaster. Bought new at a sporting good chain when it was going out of business. Loved the feel of it however it could never feed a complete magazine. The recoil spring, as others mentioned, was really something special. Recoiled more than my Glock 23 or my S&W 4006, by a lot. Very jumpy in the hand. No one liked shooting it and no one could get it to feed a full magazine.

But then I am one always amused by people, on the forums or in RL who insist every gun they buy is 100% reliable. I've bought dozes of guns over the years, many auto loaders and I guess I've been unlucky with my share of lemons.
 
I view it as the same situation as with 1911's, they can be made in other calibers but why?
 
Hyperbole aside, if you prefer the .40, the BHP .40 is an excellent pistol. If you prefer the BHP, the BHP .40 is an excellent pistol :D:cool:. That's not to say, those fully confident in the 9mmP cartridge won't prefer the original 9mmP BHP, it is…after all, the original. The practical differences are of little concern though, and if one can handle the 9mmP BHP efficiently, there's no reason the .40 BHP should present a problem...
 
I've had a couple and still have one. I agree with what sub-moa said.

The main differences other than recoil feel is that the .40 has a thicker slide which changes the balance point slightly (mostly noticeable with and empty mag), and the recoil spring is quite stout which can present a problem for some people when it comes to racking the slide, clearing malfunctions, etc.

If I only had one, it would be a 9mm due to great capacity, a little more slim and light, etc, but I also think the BHP in .40 is a great pistol.
 
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