Is the Browning Hi-Power still relevant?

[1911Tuner]

Relevant? Of course. A 13+1 round capacity in a serious caliber...single-action trigger...slim and easy to carry. Why wouldn't it be?

The HP may have a smaller following than the 1911, and it may not be as high in demand in certain circles, but it's a sound design...and it's positively elegant.

 

[hhb]

I own a lnib 1966 mfg BHP and a Colt Govt Model .45. The Holy grail. Bought later ones to fire, keep the good ones in the safe.

 

[Silvanus]

I don't know about the US, but they are still rather popular around here. I know I love my Belgium made High-Power. I wouldn't trade it for any other handgun. There's nothing any modern 9mm can really do better IMO.

 

[Billy Shears]

Of course it's still relevant. I work as a detective, and I carry a Glock 17 on duty. Off duty, I carry a .40S&W FN Hi-Power SFS, and I'd carry it on duty if I were allowed to. The reason I carry the SFS is that my department categorically won't approve any single action auto for off duty carry (if they would I'd carry my Les Baer off duty). FN officially considers the SFS to be a double action mechanism, even though technically it's actually nothing of the sort. The trigger is the same short, crisp, though rather heavy (it's a Hi-Power, after all) trigger Hi-Powers are famous for. Mine breaks at about 7 pounds. It doesn't feel that heavy though, thanks to the short pull and crisp break.

I love the Hi-Power, and carry it in preference to other, less expensive, higher capacity pistols out there because it's completely reliable with my chosen ammo (or any other I've fed it for that matter), points very naturally, thanks to the grip that remains probably the best designed on any service pistol ever, and I simply shoot it better than most other guns (my Les Baer excepted). It points so naturally and shoots so well that it almost seems to aim itself, so I like it well enough to carry it in preference to the Glock, which is, admittedly, an outstanding pistol. Despite being a little heavier, it carries far more comfortably, especially in an inside the waistband holster, thanks to the slim design and rounded slide contours. It's just a bonus that the Hi-Power also has aesthetics that modern pistols, with their polymer frames and blocky slides, simply can't match. It's more expensive than a lot of other guns out there, and it doesn't have the following the 1911 has, but it's still a superb gun, guaranteed to give excellent service to anyone willing to pay for one.

 

[1911Tuner]

There's nothing any modern 9mm can really do better IMO.

I'll second that...

 

[Sistema1927]

The one that saved my life (twice) was certainly relevant. I sometimes wonder if the post-graduate degree that I sold it for was worth the price.

 

[Janos Dracwlya]

Let me count the ways:

1. A full size gun that can be carried concealed as easily as my Sig P-225.
2. The only all-steel double stack gun I own that my wife can shoot comfortably.
3. Mine has an excellent trigger pull. It was good before I took out the magazine disconnect, but it is almost glass-rod nice since then.
4. 13 shots, 15 with MecGar magazines (need to get some of those), and nobody pans the Beretta M-92 because it doesn't hold as many as a Glock 17...
5. One of the most accurate handguns I own, exceeded only by the Star Model B and, maybe, the Sig P-226 I used to own.
6. I don't own a 1911 and I have no plans to do so, though I do own a Star Model B.
7. It's proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.

That's enough for me.

 

[Dick1911]

The one that saved my life (twice) was certainly relevant.

Sistema1927,
Inquiring minds want to know - are you willing to share the details?

 

[Sistema1927]

I think that I have in other threads, but here is one of the situations in a nutshell:

I was paying for gasoline in a northern New Mexico town many, many years ago (before CCW, but I think that the statute of limitations has run out) when the clerks eyes got as big as saucers. Turning around I saw three menacing guys standing there, one with a bowie knife that looked about a foot long. I drew the Hi-Power out of a shoulder holster under my down vest, slipped off the safety, and held it COM on the knife holder. As I backed out of the store the three of them matched me step for step. I continued to hold the weapon on him until I was in my truck and driving off. If he had closed the distance, made any type of aggressive move, etc. I would have shot him. As it was, my finger was on the trigger the whole time (the "trigger, trigger" drills weren't in vogue then, and the "4 Rules" weren't in wide circulation).

 

[Coronach]

Perfectly relevant. It's a hicap 9mm with an oustanding trigger and wonderful ergonomics. I would carry mine on duty if I was allowed to do so.

Mike

 

[velocette]

My .40 S&W HP is stone cold reliable, It has never choked in any manner no matter what ammo I feed it, from my reloaded SWCs to hollow points and anything in between. With Personal defense HP ammo it prints nice small groups right at point of aim. It is comfortable in my hand and has a nice 4 1/2 lb trigger pull.
Is it relevant? Yer darn right it is!

Roger

 

[Storm]

I'm curious as to what the Hi-Power doesn't have that anyone could reasonably want.

 

[tipoc]

Yep that question hasn't been answered yet...

Yet, today, it's typically looked upon as the proverbial red-headed stepchild.--

By who exactly? Why does the op hold this opinion?

An interesting historical relic which fails to generate any of the passion associated with the 1911.--

Few guns do generate the passion the 1911 does. But that alone doesn't tell you anything. It only tells you that the 1911 is one of the few guns that folks compare all others to.

A handgun few want unless it comes out of some cheap sweatshop in the Philippines (CD) or Hungary (FEG). Which leads to my question --

Decidely untrue and simply a false statement.

So the only knock on the P35 seems to be that is made of steel, is sa and is a full size service gun. That is what it is and that attracts many. No one has said that it does it's job poorly and no one has said that it is inferior mechanically to other designs. The mag disconnect can be removed. The trigger can be slicked up.

So what's the gripe?

tipoc

 

[Trebor]

The current "state of the art" for defensive pistols is plastic guns with striker fired mechanisms.

You have to understand though, some of the real advantages of that system are for the manufacturer. Plastic guns are simply cheaper to make, thus the profit margin is higher.
Sure, there are some user advantages, mainly ease of care, but the big gains are at the manufacturer's side.

So, the Highpower isn't "state of the art" in that way. That doesn't mean it isn't relevant though.

It is a still a reliable, accurate weapon with great ergonomics and a good mag capacity for it's size.

The Highpower continues to serve in many militaries and police forces around the world. It's probably one of the most common handguns you'll encounter outside the U.S., if not THE most common.

So, what's not relevant about that?

 

[RNB65]

So what's the gripe?

No gripe. But you rarely see the name Hi-Power mentioned on THR unless FEG or Charles Daly are preceeding it and I rarely see a Hi-Power at the range. In fact, I can't remember the last time I saw a BHP at the range. Just trying to figure out why.

Perhaps it needs a light rail to make it tacticool?

 

[Trebor]

 

[rcmodel]

4. 13 shots, 15 with MecGar magazines (need to get some of those), and nobody pans the Beretta M-92 because it doesn't hold as many as a Glock 17...

AH! But those old-school 13 round mags will still be good to go, if left fully loaded for a hundred years!

Can't say the same about the over-capacity 15 & 17 rounders that stack the spring in a wad in the bottom of the magazine when you force the last two rounds in.

rcmodel

 

[tipoc]

You have to understand though, some of the real advantages of that system are for the manufacturer.

Also for law enforcement budgets.

The da/sa, and dao pistols also address limited training budgets for the military and LEOS and liability issues for law enforcement.

What the cops and the military uses has a big impact on what shooters in the U.S. think is "cool".

If we were only to go by what we read here on THR we might have a slightly skewed view of what is relevant.

tipoc

 

[Comanche180]

Still relevant and elegant; I only wish I had one.
It matters not to me what the military and LEOs use.

 

[1911Tuner]

What the cops and the military uses has a big impact on what shooters in the U.S. think is "cool". If we were only to go by what we read here on THR we might have a slightly skewed view of what is relevant.

So true...sadly.

We think we "need" hi-cap pseudo military rifle, lest we are outgunned.
Law Enforcement falls into that mindset as well...so they opt for the same, often at great expense for very little advantage.

The could probably do as well with 16-inch "Trapper" length lever-action rifles in pistol calibers...reserving the .30-30 rifles for special problems, and...by practicing marksmanship diligenty and with determination...maybe even do a little better than with the others.

At a cost per rifle ratio of about 2.5-or 3:1 they could issue more rifles per department for the same money, and use the savings to buy more ammunition.

PR would be much improved by the use of "Cowboy" guns instead of something that looks like it should be used in assaulting a beachead...and they'd become better marksmen because they'd understand that they have to hold steady and squeeze the rounds off.

There are a few of us coots and codgers who feel that the venerable old levergun is one of the best-kept secrets of the 20th century. Power aplenty. Accurate enough to do what needs to be done out to a distance where it shouldn't be attempted by an urban police agency, except by a specialized rifleman with a scoped bolt gun. The ability to top off the magazine without taking the gun out of battery. It encourages care and fire discipline, and prevents the surrounding real estate from being hosed down with wild or indiscriminate fire...and it doesn't frighten the Soccer Moms nearly as badly as the dreaded Black Rifles do.

Win-Win.



I like the High-Power very much. Things like that never become invalid.

 

[falnovice]

I love my Hi Powers....great guns. Slim and sexy with great ergos!
Asking if the Hi-Power is relevant strikes me as funny. One of the most, if not the most common auto pistol in the world. Still issued by over 50 nations, including a good number of our allies. I am willing to bet the design has seen service in every conflict since WWII.

Let me ask you, is the Glock pistol (adopted by what....five countries?) still relevant?

 

[Cliff47]

I'v only got two complaints about the Hi-Power, both easily corrected. The first is the itty bitty manual safety that has (thankfully) been replaced with a much larger unit that allows better leverage. The second is the factory 2X4 grips. I have replaced my original walnut grips with a pair by Craig Spegel in cocobolo, and now it feels like it's an extension of my hand.

Relevant? It's what I'm familiar with, and can place the round accurately.

Outdated? Perhaps, but it's still a classic design that works every time.

 

[sm]

In what way aren't they "relevant"?

BullfrogKen's post number 9 shared why, and I will reiterate and add my take.

Note: I am speaking of the 9mm, as it was designed.

-The gun is a proven combat weapon, and is still in use all over the world, and still proving.

-The gun fits a wide spectrum of hands.

-The felt recoil to payload is managaeblae for a wide spectrum of hands, which attributes to quick, effective hits.

-Single Action - proven, and it too attributes to quick effective hits.

-Slim, and easy to carry, thus it does get carried

-It does not get much discussion, as :

(a) some folks are mature enough to find what works and see no need to re-invent the wheel.
(b) folks have been there , and done that with a BHP, and these types never have paid attention to the immature whom speak of things they no nothing about.
(c) Many today in society are into GroupThink, instead of being Free Thinkers whom do their own Investigation and Verification on anything.

GroupThink has its Gurus whom need Groupies - and Groupies looking for a Guru.

 

[1911Tuner]

sm's quotes: a-b-c

Y'know, Steve. Sometimes I think your head's screwed on straighter'n some people think...

 

[jkingrph]

Revelaant, yes. I have one BHP, an early 80's model with adjustable sights, accuraized by Cylinder and Slide with Barsto barrel, cnc machined hammer and sear, C&S wide trigger that eliminates magazine safety.

I have 1911's in standard combat, Gold cup, and mineature configuratinon ie Kimber ultra carry, Para P-10 and am waiting for a Para Ordanace PDA LDA for carry. The small Kimber,& Para's are better sized for concealed carry, and my Gold Cups and Kimber custom Eclipse II are slightly better on targets, but the high power is the best feeling, most pleasant shooting of the bunch, and accuracy is kicking hard on the heels of the full target 1911's