Browning Hi-Power

Status
Not open for further replies.
S

Sniper66

Member
Joined
Jan 22, 2012
Messages
3,476
Location
NE Kansas
I am looking for a good used Browning Hi-Power 9mm, one with the single stack magazine (I don't like the 14 round mags). I would be interested in hearing from owners about the pros and cons of this pistol. I like the look and feel of them, but could be persuaded to buy something else if there are too many issues with the Browning Hi-Power. I have quite limited pistol experience. I bought 2 pistols in the last few months, a Browning Buckmark .22, and a GSG 1911 also in .22. And I am having fun shooting them, but am eager to get a larger caliber, so am looking at the Hi-Power. I will appreciate any info you can provide.

Tom
 
I'll get lynched on here, but I've had two and both were horrible. Failures to feed and eject, crap trigger, etc... Feels Great in the hand though. Both modern Browning's.
 
Eggzactly.

The Hi-Power was the first successful military pistol with a higher capacity 13-round double-stack magazine.

That's what the Hi in Hi-Power stands for.

rc
 
Last edited:
There are no single stack Hi Powers. The "Hi Power" (Grande Puissance) specifically refers to the double stack mag and increased round count over single stacks of the period. The factory mags are 13 rounds and the aftermarket Mec Gars can be had in 15 rounds. Even with the double stack mag, the grip is about the same as a single stack 1911.

In my experience, Hi Powers are uniformly reliable and accurate. The ergonomics are the best of any pistol ever made.
 
I agree with most of the above posts. I have never heard of a single stack Hi-Power, I would bet money there is no such thing. As far as the qualities of a Hi-Power, there is nothing any better. I have two, one in .40S&W and one in 9mm.....I've carried both on duty and would stake my life on either.

The Hi-Power was John Browning's improvement of the 1911. Keep shootin'
 
Thanlks for the tip about no single stack mags. But, it seems some Hi-Powers fit my hand better than others. Am I dreaming or are some a slimmer design than others...maybe just different grips?
 
I'll get lynched on here, but I've had two and both were horrible. Failures to feed and eject, crap trigger, etc... Feels Great in the hand though. Both modern Browning's.
Click to expand...

In my experience it's extremely rare to get a Hi-Power with these problems. Each I have owned over the years has run flawlessly with a wide variety of 9mm ammo (I've not owned a 40). The stock triggers are sometimes rough but can be worked on successfully.

To repeat what others have said, there are no single stack P-35s they have always been double stacks. They were the first successful double stack.

tipoc
 
I bought two in the early 80's FN's Beautiful. Not very accurate, trigger was not very good.

Stephen Camp had an excellent website on the HiPowers.
The fix is get rid of the magazine disconnect, IIRC, and that improves the trigger. Browning did NOT design the mag disconnect. Added later by committee.

The HiPower is a rather expensive place to start if you want a really accurate pistol. Parts aren't cheap, either.

I'd be looking at a REAL 1911, in 9MM, if you want a single stack. They are out there, and parts prices should be more varied, and cheaper. However, they are not cheap, either.
 
The Browning HP was a favorite of a lot of our guys in the early years in VN.
Mainly because of that magazine capacity.
I'd love to have one again, but they are high dollar items.
 
There are lots of reasons not to like the BHP. It does not always have a great trigger right out of the box. Hammer bite although rare does happen.

Most of the time they are well made. This does not mean there are not lemons out there but the majority I have seen were manufactured well, fit and finished well.

For me they fit my hands well. They point naturally and are one of my go to guns. YMMV.

The triggers are easily improved. All you need to do is replace the heavy hammer/mainspring and remove the mag disconnect. Many believe that the mag disconnect is the issue but in my experience it is more about the overly heavy hammer/mainspring.

wwg-bhp3.jpg
 
I'm a complete Hi-Power snob. Never met an FN variant I didn't like. The thin grip feel you're noticing may be simply...thin grips. I have a set of checkered, thin-line micarta panels on mine that make ALL the difference.
 
I'd be looking at a REAL 1911, in 9MM, if you want a single stack. They are out there, and parts prices should be more varied, and cheaper. However, they are not cheap, either.
Click to expand...
I second this motion. Prosser nailed it (as did others) but offering the 1911 format in 9mm might be the answer.

Rock Island has them relatively inexpensive. Cast not forged (as is the HP frame). There are other makers of the 1911 in 9mm but they'll cost you some. (try to find an early Colt Commander in 9mm... :eek:)
 
But, it seems some Hi-Powers fit my hand better than others. Am I dreaming or are some a slimmer design than others...maybe just different grips?
Click to expand...

Yes, it's the grips. The traditional factory grip is quite thick. Some people like it, and others prefer the thin grips offered by Spegel or others.

I like the thing grips.

Reborn.jpg
 
HP frames have been cast for quite some time. If it has striations on the grip butt, it's cast.
Click to expand...

That is not always true. It is good rule of thumb but there are transitional models which are cast but do not have the striations.
 
It is good rule of thumb but there are transitional models which are cast but do not have the striations.
Click to expand...

Are you sure? I know there are early Mark III's that still have the forged frame, but I didn't know there were Mark III's with a cast, unstriated frame.
 
Are you sure? I know there are early Mark III's that still have the forged frame, but I didn't know there were Mark III's with a cast, unstriated frame.
Click to expand...

I might be wrong. You are 100% that there are forged MKIIIs.

I remember reading about early cast guns that did not have the serrations. I will have to see if I can dig that one up.
 
id actually prefer the cast frames, iv read many times they are stronger then the original forged frames.


i just bought a HP early this month and my only complaint is the ridiculous trigger pull weight, its very crisp tho. im planning on getting a C&S hammer set to reduce the pull weight 4.5-5lbs i just need to do more research, iv read sometimes its a drop in and other times its not.
 
id actually prefer the cast frames, iv read many times they are stronger then the original forged frames.


i just bought a HP early this month and my only complaint is the ridiculous trigger pull weight, its very crisp tho. im planning on getting a C&S hammer set to reduce the pull weight 4.5-5lbs i just need to do more research, iv read sometimes its a drop in and other times its not.
Click to expand...

Before you spend the cash on the C&S parts try the reduced hammer/main spring from Wolf. Cost about $15 and as long as you can detail strip the gun and follow directions you can replace it.

Might just save you some cash. I do like C&S parts but they are not always necessary.
 
What Rellascout said...

I have replaced hammer and sears with C&S parts, as well as replaced the hammer spring. The C&S hammer/sear will give you a slightly crisper pull, but to reduce trigger weight you have to get the Wolff 26 or 28 pound hammer spring. And of course, removing the mag disconnect will reduce some trigger weight as well.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

T
  • Locked
Browning Hi-power thoughts?
2 3
Replies
59
Views
4K
rbernie
rbernie
S
  • Locked
Browning Hi Power?
Replies
9
Views
771
Rubikees
R
B
  • Locked
browning hi-power for newbie?
2 3
Replies
54
Views
3K
rellascout
R
T
  • Locked
1911 vs. Browning Hi Power
Replies
18
Views
2K
Oyeboten
O
Dazen
  • Locked
Browning Hi-power
Replies
24
Views
1K
bannockburn
bannockburn
Back
Top