Browning Hi Power Slide

[hellishot]

I got a new Browning Hi Power, its a beautiful gun and shoots great. However, racking the slide is ridicules, almost to a point of struggle. Its so stiff!

Is this normal for a new BHP?

 

[JTQ]

Cock the hammer first. It will be easier to rack the slide with the hammer cocked. You'll eventually get used to it.

 

[oneounceload]

Use the "push-pull" method holding it close to your chest

 

[JTQ]

Use the "push-pull" method holding it close to your chest

If you're not familiar with this, here is an excellent description from The Cornered Cat.

http://www.corneredcat.com/article/running-the-gun/rack-the-slide/

 

[hellishot]

It seems like its not an unusual problem of having difficulty of racking the slide w/the hammer uncocked (as stated in another thread).

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=114319

I am able to rack other guns with ease. I guess I have to cock the hammer first before racking the slide like JTQ mentioned.

 

[JTQ]

I guess I have to cock the hammer first before racking the slide like JTQ mentioned.

Only until you get used to your new Hi-Power. It's always easier to rack the slide with the hammer already cocked, but once you are comfortable with your Hi-Power, you'll be able to easily do it without the hammer cocked.

 

[hellishot]

Thanks for the responses.

 

[hellishot]

Only until you get used to your new Hi-Power. It's always easier to rack the slide with the hammer already cocked, but once you are comfortable with your Hi-Power, you'll be able to easily do it without the hammer cocked.

Is it a matter of me getting comfortable or will the mechanisms of the BHP smooth over time where it becomes easier to rack the slide?

 

[JTQ]

I think you will just get comfortable with the amount of effort it requires.

It's like lifting weights. The first time you do a particular weight it may seem difficult. After you lift that amount a few times it gets easier. You're not necessarily stronger (though you probably are), but you become aware and accustomed to the amount of effort it takes. That will become your standard level of effort. When you switch to a striker fired gun with no hammer and light springs it will seem oddly easy to rack.

 

[Walt Sherrill]

BHPs can be a challenge...

As noted above, part of the solution is technique, and you can cock the hammer first. Wolff also has some slightly lighter springs -- and for most uses, the lighter recoil springs will work. (Wolff also offered a variable rate spring, that made it easier for the shooter to start the slide moving and then got stiffer as it moved to the rear -- that might be a solution, too, if still available.)

(Wolff Springs)

 

[Gary A]

Modern Hi Powers come with a factory standard 32 lb mainspring. Not much chance for light strikes but it does make chambering the first round more interesting.

 

[Pilot]

Modern Hi Powers come with a factory standard 32 lb mainspring. Not much chance for light strikes but it does make chambering the first round more interesting.

I do cock the hammer first on my MK III BHP before racking the slide, but I bought a 28lb hammer spring, so that may help. I hear ignition is still reliable with that weight spring.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

IIRC, the pre-1991 Hi-Powers had a 26lb hammer spring. The switch to the 32lb hammer springs came after some third-world government client had some particularly challenging primers. I can say that one thing I've never had a problem with in BHPs is light strikes. If that primer is at all functional, the 32lb hammer spring will get 'er done. For that matter, I haven't had issues with the 26lb hammer spring either - it still smashed a bag of 50 gun show special reloads that my Glock 26 was having trouble with.