Browning HiPower - newbie questions

[Jack Straw from Wichita]

So I went to the local pistol range last week and rented a Browning HiPower in 9mm. I liked it; even with the mag disconnect and stock trigger, it shot very nicely. Good balance, decent (adjustable) sights, all around great pistol. This got me thinking about buying one, but not knowing a lot about HiPowers, I have a few questions:

1) Other than sights and finish, what are the differences between the Standard, the Practical, and the Mark III?

2) I read that the 9mm HiPower is a 2-lug design whereas the .40S&W version is 3-lug. Is the 2-lug 9mm strong enough to handle +P loads? How about +P+ such as Winchester Ranger?

3) How picky are HiPowers when it comes to hollowpoint ammo? Is the Mark III any better than the Standard or Practical in this regard?

4) One thing I didn't care for on the rental gun is the grips: they're nicely checkered wood, but a bit too fat for my hands. Any recommendations on thinner replacement grips?

5) Any adjustable sights available for the Mark III? Browning's website lists them as fixed-sights only, but perhaps aftermarket sights are available?

Thanks in advance.

-Jack

 

[ugaarguy]

1) Other than sights and finish, what are the differences between the Standard, the Practical, and the Mark III?

Finish, grips, and maybe sights on the practical

2) I read that the 9mm HiPower is a 2-lug design whereas the .40S&W version is 3-lug. Is the 2-lug 9mm strong enough to handle +P loads? How about +P+ such as Winchester Ranger?

I would say yes, and double tap ammo has used the BHP to test their rather hot +P+ ammo, so that says quite a bit.

3) How picky are HiPowers when it comes to hollowpoint ammo? Is the Mark III any better than the Standard or Practical in this regard?

Any Hi-Power made after the mid 60s, if I remember correctly, has the improved feed ramp so hollow points are no problem; someone can get you the exact year of the switch.

4) One thing I didn't care for on the rental gun is the grips: they're nicely checkered wood, but a bit too fat for my hands. Any recommendations on thinner replacement grips?

Plain old Hogue monogrip has worked for me, but it's not pretty. Spegel makes some nice slimmer wood grips amongst MANY other grip makers who offer versions for the BHP.

5) Any adjustable sights available for the Mark III? Browning's website lists them as fixed-sights only, but perhaps aftermarket sights are available?

Almost all of the major sight manufacturers offer several options for BHPs.

Welcome to THR and enjoy.

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. Rather than repost or copy and paste here, please drop by www.hipowersandhandguns.com and look around under "Browning Hi Power" and "FAQ." Most of your questions are answered there, I think.

Best.

PS: The straight feed ramp which replaced the older "humped" one that sometimes gave fits with JHP's came along in the early '80's. The straight ramp normally allows the Hi Power to gobble up about any JHP w/o issue.

 

[browningguy]

What Mr. Camp said, his web sight is full of information. Also for grips you might try http://www.esmeralda.cc/browninggrips.htm . I've got a set of the 1/2 checkered on one of my BHP's and just ordered a set for the Practical.

 

[Jack Straw from Wichita]

Thanks

Thanks to everyone who replied, especially the link to hipowersandhandguns.com. I got the info I needed.

-Jack

 

[Cliff47]

Just don't forget some of the clones, like the FM Hi-Power from Argentina (my personal budget favorite, found one at a gunstore for $200 not long ago), the Arcus from Bulgaria, the Inglis from Canada, and the FEG (aka Charles Daly) from Hungary. There are also Kareen from Israel, and the L1A from India.

Your most-common found FN Hi-Power is the Mark III, in a polycoat finish with fixed sights. The Standard is a gorgeous (salivate, slobber, drool) blued finish with either fixed or tangent sights. My personal Practical is a polycoat slide on a matte nickle frame with fixed tritium sights.

+1 on the Spegel grips. Close behind are the half-checkered Hogue grips in the exotic hardwoods.

 

[HorseSoldier]

What Mr. Camp said, his web sight is full of information. Also for grips you might try http://www.esmeralda.cc/browninggrips.htm . I've got a set of the 1/2 checkered on one of my BHP's and just ordered a set for the Practical.

+1. I have a set of 1/2 checkered Esmeralda grips on my HP Standard. Very very nice grips.