Browning HiPower

[SgtRich]

After having lusted for one since back in the '70s, I am thinking of buying a current production Browning HiPower. Anything I should know about them or watch out for when looking at them?

Also, I am looking for a comparison of the HiPower to a CZ75.

Thanks for any guidance!

 

[HorseSoldier]

Stephen A Camp (one of the moderators here on THR) has an excellent website mostly devoted to High Powers (and the non-HP content is excellent as well) -- Hi Powers and Handguns. Should definitely get you pointed in the right direction (including the discussion of CZ75s and HP-35s).

My recommendation for new production, if you are primarily looking for a shooter, would be to go with a Mark III, either Browning rollmarked or a NIB FN rollmarked pistol if you can find one (same thing, only rollmark is different).

 

[SgtRich]

Thanks, HorseSoldier! Lots of good info there.

 

[Silvanus]

I don't know if I have a "current production" HP, but mine had a magazine safety. I don't like the concept of that safety and removing it improves the trigger pull, so that's what I did. Apart from that, you can't go wrong with a HP







edited to add: here's the instruction I used to remove the "magazine safety"!

http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=133740

 

[Starter52]

+1 for a Mk III. I've had one for 15 years. An outstanding gun.

The CZ 75 is a great gun too. Tough to choose between the two.

 

[Coronach]

Silvanus-

Nice gun, and an even better photograph.

mike

 

[Silvanus]

Thank you Only the plastic grips are bothering me, I'm getting some new ones soon.

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. I own and use both. Here is a comparison if interested:

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/Browning and CZ.htm

Best.

 

[pittspilot]

I have an FN which I just love.

I have tried the CZ, but find that I cannot wipe the safety off without significant effort and hand shifting, which is a deal breaker for me. pity, because I think the 75 is a great gun.

 

[GunTech]

I have a Mark III SFS. Shoots well, and 'fits' like few other guns. I bought it mainly because I needed a 9mm pistol since i have thousands of rounds of 9mm, and picked up the SFS because it was cheap and I've always liked the P-35. Took a while to get used to the weird safety.

 

[jaholder1971]

I own a standard BHP with adjustable sights and it's my primary CCW. The all black sights are difficult to see in the dark but i'm resolving that soon.

Get plenty of good quality clips! There's a lot of garbage out there.

 

[SgtRich]

Silvanus: Beautiful Hi Power! Thanks for the info (and the link) on the magazine safety.

Stephen A. Camp: Thank you VERY much for the link to the article. It was very helpful in my research.

All others: Thank you for your input. It is very much appreciated. I knew that I would get good info here!

 

[nwilliams]

Thank you Only the plastic grips are bothering me, I'm getting some new ones soon.

You should look at Esmeralda grips as a replacement for those plastic ones...
http://www.esmeralda.cc/

You might need to contact her to find out when she'll have them back in stock, I had to wait a few weeks before I order from her, but the wait was worth it.

Here's my Hi-Power with a set of her grips on it.

 

[MontanaBighorn]

see also http://HiPowerTalk.com for a pretty good group of hi-power enthusiasts.

 

[SgtRich]

Thanks for the link to the BHP Forum, MontanaBighorn! Interesting stuff there!

 

[WOODROW]

I have one of the FN S.A.S models. For $350 it is the best!! It shoots GREAT and I have had no problems with it. I use Mec Gar 13 rnd mags and they fit and function perfect. The only change I made was the plastic grips for Pachmeyer rubber wrap a rounds.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

Some pretty guns in this thread.

WRT to grips, they're ugly, but the Pachymars on my BHP Practical are very comfortable.

Like Sylvanus, I used the instructions to which he linked to remove the magazine disconnector in my BHP. It made a HUGE improvement in the trigger pull. It removed most of the creep and lightened a couple of pounds (still suitable for a defensive pistol, however).