Is 40S&W hard on Hi-Powers?

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gulogulo1970

gulogulo1970

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I've always kind of wanted a Hi-Power but I don't really need anther 9mm. I've seen some 40S&W Hi-Powers on CDNN for around $300 and at that price they are pretty attractive.

My question is, that gun was designed with the 9mm round in mind, do they hold up, are they beefed up and/or just have stronger springs?

I would hate to buy one and have it beat it's self to death.
 
Hello. Before the introduction of the .40, Hi Powers had forged frames but it turns out that at 2500 rounds or less, the rails would warp or crack. FN went to the cast frame which apparently solve the "soft steel" problem. (Not being a metallurgist I couldn't explain why but this is what I got out of FN a few years ago.) The slide on the .40 is slightly thicker and heavier to slow it down a bit from what it would be with the more petite 9mm slide and the .40 version uses a 20-lb recoil spring. The forty also has a barrel with 3 locking lugs rather than the usual two as on the 9mm barrels.

I have only owned 1 forty-caliber Hi Power and own none now as I simply prefer the 9mm Hi Power and the .45 1911 pattern pistol, but ran perhaps 5000 rounds through the Browning Mk III .40 that I owned. The pistol never showed any signs of excessive wear nor did I suffer any breakage of small parts.

From what I've read on the Internet, and heard from folks who use the .40 Hi Power, the guns seem to hold up fine.

Were I to buy another forty, it would be a Hi Power.

Best.
 
Hello. You're welcome. All guns can be laws unto themselves with regard to what they shoot accurately, but I found that my .40 went from acceptable or mediocre accuracy to very good accuracy with a handload cranking out a 180 gr. CFP @ just under 1000 ft/sec as well as with Winchester 155-gr. STHP's and
Remington Golden Sabers in the 165-gr.

Best.
 
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