How is the Browning Hi Power MKIII?

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SuperCubPilot

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I can't seem to find much current information on the Hi Powers being churned out now.

I'm considering getting one for self defense and concealed carry.

How reliable are they? Do they require tuning to get running reliably like 1911's? I want to be able to clean it and take it shooting with 100% reliability, and it must feed hollow point ammunition reliably.

I also require to be able to shoot modest amounts of +p+ ammo out of it, as that is my carry ammo.

Money isn't an object, and the other consideration is the CZ75b cause I want an all steel 9mm.
 
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I tend to think of the CZ75 as a parallel model.
Not better.
Not worse.

Not sure about the +P+.
 
Money isn't an object, and I'm not convinced that the CZ75b is a better gun.
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Interesting as I consider the CZ a better alternative for reliability...I think the 42 years of development in manufacturing, of the basic designs, might have something to do with it. The CZ is certainly a stronger design.

If money really weren't an object, take a look at the Sphinx Alpha,which I consider the ultimate evolution of the Italian clones of the CZ line
 
Both the CZ-75B and the Browning HP, as full-size, all-metal pistolas, have a long history of quality, reliability and accuracy.
Both have been around a long time and both have been 'battle' tested!
Regarding price, there's about a $300+ difference in the two. For the quality/price/value equation, CZ would be the clear winner.
I had your dilema many years ago and solved it by eventually getting both (CZ was first).
For me, both feel great in my hand (BHP alittle 'sleeker')... and both are dead-accurate shoots and a pleasure to take to the range.
As the saying goes... If you get the chance, hold both and shoot both and see which works best for YOU!
Hate to say 'Flip a Coin' but you really won't go wrong with either of these 'classic' pistolas!

166805ff-bb62-4cca-9816-effe7bc8a784_zps0d543414.jpg
 
I love my HP MKIII (2011 or 12 I think), its been reliable, accurate and fun to shoot. Can't say enough good about it.

That said, the CZ 75 is probably a better value for your money since you're getting almost the same gun but paying a bit more for the BHP. IMO.

EDIT: Never run +P+ in my BHP but I've run a lot of hollow points through it and haven't had a single issue. Pretty sure I ran some +P's (Speer Gold dot 124 gr JHP) when I first got it and it ate them just fine. In 9mm my preference is 147 grain, so I mostly run that.
 
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To run +P or +P+ in a BHP, it is a good idea to switch to a stiffer recoil spring and/or run a buffer. May be the same for the CZ but I have significantly less experience with them.

BTW, does +P+ carry a SAAMI pressure spec?
 
I personally prefer BHP's SAO trigger instead of DA/SA of the CZ. both are thin, ergonomic and have well proven pasts.. Cannot go wrong.
 
image-1.jpg.html
Here's what the other side looks like.

image-1.jpg.html


Both are great pistols. I kind of like shooting the hi power more.
 
Here's what the other side looks like.

image-1.jpg.html

Both are great pistols. I kind of like shooting the hi power more.
 
How reliable are they?
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With quality mags (OEM or Mecgar), they are amazingly reliable right out of the box. I have over 31,000 rounds through my MkIII, most of it was CCI Blazer. It will eat pretty much anything you feed it; but I started seeing some parts break around 15,000 rounds so preventive maintenance is a must. But they are highly reliable - several times I broke parts and didn't realize it until later when I was coeaning it because it an even with broken parts.

Do they require tuning to get running reliably like 1911's?
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No; but the factory trigger is usually much heavier than it needs to be. You can step back the factory 32lb hammer spring and giant trigger return spring without losing any reliability.

I want to be able to clean it and take it shooting with 100% reliability, and it must feed hollow point ammunition reliably.
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Not a problem. Again, with good mags, mine has never failed to feed JHP.

I also require to be able to shoot modest amounts of +p+ ammo out of it, as that is my carry ammo.
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The MkIII cast frames will definitely handle a limited diet of +P+ as I've shot it through mine. Maybe 200? or so +P+ and a little over 900 +P. i did upgrade the recoil spring to a Wolff 18.5lb spring (factory is 17lb).

Money isn't an object, and the other consideration is the CZ75b cause I want an all steel 9mm.
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You can definitely get spendy on a Hi-Power if you want to. Here is my initial custom Hi-Power and a "ten + years later" review:
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7205
 
You don't have to spend a fortune on a High Power. Cole Distributors usually has pages of Israeli trade ins on Gunbroker. They have been refinished and are priced around $450. I have bought several and have not been disappointed. You have to study the pictures carefully to be sure you are getting a Mk III, he has a few of them and many earlier models. I have kept a Mk III for my own use because of the dovetail sights but don't have anything against the Mk II's either. Any steel frame beats plastic, IMHO.
 
BTW, does +P+ carry a SAAMI pressure spec?
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Well, kind of. 9mm +P+ simply means the average pressure is greater than maximum +P pressure of 38,500 PSI. How much greater is up the the manufacturer and could be a little or a lot.

+P+ ammo loaded for law enforcement doesn't seem to cause any serious damage to the full size service handguns carried by LEO's but they typically use it as duty ammo with limited use and practice with a lower powered ammo. Ammo loaded for blow black military SMG's that is well over SAAMI +P standards used by some foreign countries, notably Israel, has been know to severely damage handguns with a relatively few rounds fired.

I don't load or shoot +P+ ammo in any of my older design handguns like the Hi-Power or P38/P1 relegating those to standard pressure only. I do load +P+ Federals and Winchesters in my Glock 19 and Beretta 92 for defense use and have shot enough of them to ensure they work. If I owned a 9mm Sig 228, CZ75, HK or similar police/military type issue I'd be comfortable using limited amounts LEO surplus +P+ ammo in those but would avoid using it in sub compacts and other lessor brands of handguns.

None of the firearm manufacturers will warranty their handguns from damage using +P+ and some limit them to standard pressure only so use it at your own risk as any damage will be yours to pay for.
 
Mine is from the early 90's. It hasn't been shot much but I have never had any problems at all. Even with some less than top quality magazines.
 
It took me 62 years to figure out which is the best. Thanks to todays plethora of knowledge the MK3 hands down.
 
Hi My Name is Mark

and I am a BHP addict.......
If you want to shoot a lot in my book the BHP is a great choice.
If you want to carry it it is still a great choice for an all metal gun. It is thin and ergonomic.
If you want to collect guns, I would consider the BHP a must but new production might not be what you want.
I love to shoot them, they are accurate and I am more accurate with them than a 1911.
I own one MkIII and a FEG PJK 9 HP
So yeah I'm a fan boy but I have experience with them too.
I must admit I have no experience with the CZ 75 and have never shot one.
 
I Have both, shoot both love both. I would pick up any of them in the need.
The 75b models include a firing pin safety. Browning High Power have a better triger when mag safety is removed. On the other hand, CZ's usually got better after few hundreds rounds.

Since, money sounds no issue for you. Sphinx's made in Swizterland are very well made clones. Not familiar with their compatibility to CZ originals.
I whish I can have the option to buy a clone BHP with that quality.
Please, visit the latest Stephen A. Camp's website for more precise info, (was moderator and on others forum.)

Henry,
FL
 
Have the CZ 75 compact and a Hi power. The CZ double action sucks quite frankly. The CZ sits in Kydex hidden away just in case. Reliability is the same, the hi power has the better trigger and shoots better for me.

The hi power goes everywhere with me. Mine is a '91 Mk III with a forged frame. +P is no problem, but it will accelerate wear like in any gun. The Hi Power is just a finer class of weapons. It's like driving an Audi vs driving a Volkswagon.
 
All my MKIIIs have been reliable,even my one in .40 S&W. The CZ75 is good gun but to my hands its a no go,just doesn't fit me well. The BHP feels like a used bar of soap and with a bit of tuning the trigger can be lightened a bit and smoothed out.
It is slim for a full sized gun and still a viable pistol today.Check out the below site for some BHP primer.

http://hipowersandhandguns.com/
 
Just bought a new Hi Power recently . $959 for fixed sight model . Barrel lock up is very tight , nice finish as well. Trigger however was 9 1/2 lbs. No creep just heavy . Removed mag disconnect 8 lbs. Changed hammer spring 6 3/4 lbs. . Straightened the leaf spring that pushes on the sear 5 lbs. . I changed the hammer and sear with Cylinder and Slide components and had to stone the sear some, but only because I don't like the spur hammer . Changed the sights to Novaks new model night sights ( requires small amount of milling on the slide for the rear sight , but comes with very good instructions with dimensions ) . The Novak sights are top quality and the pictures do not do them justice . Hi Powers and Handguns is an excellent website . Mr. Camps book on Hi Powers is excellent as is the laminated disassembly / assembly guide . The Hi Power to me feels really good in my hand . I hope this was helpful .
 
Pilot ,
Cylinder and Slide target spring set CS0025B. Doesn't list the poundage . Sorry . Everything I bought from them was top quality . Customer service was excellent as well .
 
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