Customizing a Browning HP

[txgunsuscg]

So, how hard is it to do some light custom work on a HP? Mostly just swapping out parts. I would love to pick up one of the used ones on the market and do some light work, but want to make sure it is something I am capable of. Thanks for your help!

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

Depends on what kind of work you are doing. I have a FM90 Hi Power which I'm in the process of selling to a friend. I bought an extended safety from Cylinder and Slide and it had to be fitted to the gun. I took a simple cheap file and filed it down and then had to cut the little spring that pushes the plunger so it would fit. I would say I did a less than professional job considering the tools I used but I fit it to the gun and it works great.

 

[velocette]

TXgun;
The BHP is a fairly simple pistol. You can exchange the hammer & sear for ones from custom builders like Cylinder & Slide. You can remove the magazine disconnect fairly easily. You can change the trigger itself to a Cylinder & slide trigger that is wider and has no provision for the mag disconnect. Changing grips is easy.
Drop in high quality barrels from Bar-Sto are both easy and of excellent quality. Replacement safetys are questionable unless you truly understand how they work and fit.
Replacement sights are not difficult. (left to right, left to right, left to right)
All the above assumes you have good mechanical skills, good patience, good eyesight & some basic gunsmithing tools such as punches, files & stones. A workbench where you can contain flying parts is a good idea too.

Have fun and remember to save all the old parts and do NOT modify the frame or slide.

Here's my MkIII in .40 S&W with all the above except changing the safety.

 

[KodiakBeer]

The 40 minute video here: http://www.celticarmory.com/media.html (Introducing the Hi Power) will walk you through breaking down and re-assembling a Hi Power into its component parts.

It's easy. There are a couple of little tricks that you need to know, but the video will show you in great detail. The first couple of times I tore down a Hi Power I just sat in front of this video and watched a step, paused it, repeated the step on my own Hi Power, then re-started the video and moved to the next step.

 

[txgunsuscg]

Thanks for the info guys, you've already covered most of what I wanted to do: the C&S trigger, sear, and hammer, and possible a safety, depending on how safe I feel about it...

 

[jonnyc]

If the above changes are for a carry or defense gun, you might want the help or supervision of someone who really knows what they're doing.