Browning High Power Magazine

[planetmobius]

Just picked up a never fired 1975 vintage Browning High Power. My first High Power. I noticed that when I press the magazine release, the magazine pops out about 1/4 inch but remains in the magazine well. There is a little resistance when I pull it out and does not seem to simply be stiff from being NOS. Is this normal and what can I do about it?

 

[W.E.G.]

Normal.

Goes away only if you remove the magazine disconnect.

This thing is pushing against the magazine at all times.



Like this.



Leaves marks on the mags like this.



If you don't like it, you can get out the toolz.



Be careful not to scratch.

 

[sirgilligan]

My factory BHP mags have a spring, sometimes called the mouse trap mags. I do not know what year they started providing those, mine is relatively new.

 

[planetmobius]

Thanks. At least I know now that its not a defect.

 

[jake_yer_booty]

Great work, W.E.G.!

BTW, planetmobius: once you do this, you have also completed the first major segment of a HP trigger job. The movement of the trigger gets much smoother when you delete this silly feature.

 

[omcf]

Stephen Camp, for many years a well-respected regular member here, has a website that addresses the magazine disconnect as well as many other issues for a new BHP owner:

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/HiPowerComments.html

 

[Dentite]

W.E.G.: Dang! You got it out but it looks like your BHP picked up some scars in the process.

Here's the technique I've used when removing the mag disconnect from my two BHPs. Support frame, tape off frame, tap with punch and hammer. Tap harder. HARDER.

Okay, take it over to the press.





After re-installing the trigger:

 

[johnmcl]

Dentite,

You positively give me a heart attack seeing a 12 ton press applied against a BHP.

 

[ku4hx]

If you don't have a manual, you can get one here. It'll tell you all about your "new" gun.

http://www.stevespages.com/page7b.htm

And there are BHP resources all over the web.

 

[W.E.G.]

W.E.G.: Dang! You got it out but it looks like your BHP picked up some scars in the process.

I figured it needed an "American mark" since it already had a French mark.

 

[Certaindeaf]

It's pretty easy to familiarize yourself with your gun, whatever it is.
To see what's going on with that Hi-Power, take off the slide and insert the magazine. Note what happens when you pull the trigger (don't worry, the hammer won't fall) with and without the magazine. look down the hole