I've found heaven in a BHP

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natedog

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Went to the range today, rented a Sig-Sauer P220 and shot 100 rounds. It seemed like a quality gun, good grip, good sights, etc. I did not shoot it well. I don't think the DA/SA is for me. Combine two different trigger pulls + first time out with gun + my poor shooting skills= bad groups. I was shooting 5-6" at 10 yards :eek: . Towards the end, I started to actually shoot groups, but I still had fliers from me either jerking the trigger or not expecting the change in pulls. I also noticed that I couldn't hit the magazine release or slide release with my right thumb without changing my grip. I think I'd rather stick with SA or DAO

After shooting the Sig, I went to the pistol counter and asked if they had any NRM Government Models. The salesman said they didn't have any in yet due to Colt making very few because they're tied up by the M-4 Carbine contract. Then I spotted it...that distictive slide profile. I asked to see it and the salesman happily obliged.

Upon picking it up, I simply said WOW. This is how a pistol should feel. Even though it was double stack it was much easier for me to get a better grip on it. The controls were better placed and felt better than on any other gun I've felt or shot. In ergonomics, it beat out the 1911 by a small margin. My only complaints were the magazine disconnect, but I've heard that it's pretty easy to remove. Also, while the trigger was nice and consistent, it had a small amount of "grittiness". I've heard that removal of the magazine disconnect and firing the gun takes out the grit.

Overall, I was more than impressed. Now, I just need to find someone I know who owns one so I can shoot it, as the local range doesn't rent them out. Better get working on that Eagle project...
 
My BHP purchase followed a very similar experience at the rental range. When I picked it up I knew no other gun felt this good in my hand, and when I shot it I knew I had to have one.

It took a few months and lots of searching, but I found a used 1993 Mk-III that I could afford (sold a SIG 239 to buy it). New cocobolo grips and a High Noon holster have made this a regular companion.

I have recently pondered trading it for a SIG 228, but after shooting again this morning and knowing how easily the slender slide rides on my hip, I would be crazy to ever get rid of this handgun.
 
Yeah.

When I was out looking for my first handgun, I pretty much fiddled with everything in every display case I could find. I liked the 1911s okay, but they were all waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay expensive. I actively disliked everything else I handled. Finally, I found a very very very lightly used Browning Hi-Power mk III. I knew next to nothing about the gun, save that the Brits used them extensively. Being a bit of an Anglophile, I decided to give it a look. I picked it up and...wow. Sold.

As I've told anyone who asked, I did it right the first time. ;) My duty gun (S&W 4506) is a sad step down from the BHP. JMB knew a thing or two about ergonomics.

Mike
 
BHP fan here, too.

bhpsc.jpg
 
Ive had my bhp practical for a little over a month and am loving it. Hi capacity, decent sa trigger, awesome ergonomics and just looks great! Im saving up to send it off to get the trigger done and new sights and safety put on it.
 
After much research (thank you Stephen Camp), I purchased a brand new Browning 9mm (bright blue) last December. I added a set of Spegel grips from Don Williams and just recently sent the slide to Novak's for installation of a set of their Low Mount sights (plain black).

I love this pistol! I have put about 1,600 rounds through so far. It is a joy to shoot, extremely accurate and absolutely reliable. The trigger has become smoother, but is still quite heavy, yet when shooting it doesn't feel as heavy as it is.

I still love my 1911s and am quite fond of my Glock 26, but nothing feels as good in the hand as the BHP, specially with the Spegels. I haven't yet undertaken any work on the internals, but I am contemplating ordering the Cylinder & Slide camfered and relieved round hammer, sear and trigger. I may also install a slightly lighter mainspring and heavier recoil spring.

I strongly recommend that every BHP fan order Stephen Camp's book and disassembly guide to thoroughly understand the inner workings of these beautiful pistols.

Ron
 
Hello, and thank you. You are most welcome. I suspect there will be yet another Hi Power in your future. The "illness" is just like that....

Best.
 
I've still managed to avoid bying a BHP thus far but I consider the BHPs and the CZ75s to be absolute tops as far as actual pure ergonomics go... I love the 1911 and have a lot of faith in the 45ACP cartridge, but in my opinion, the BHP and CZ have it beaten when it comes to pure shooting comfort.
 
I doubt there are any serious attempts at chambering a BHP for .45.
You lose capacity and gain weight. While the BHP's are comfy, the all-steel construction makes them heavy. Ditto for the CZ's which are arguably more comfortable than a BHP. I prefer my CZ75 to a BHP in the ergonomics dept.

I fired my bosses new Practical (9mm) the other day and was really impressed. High quality and a pretty good trigger pull. I think a BHP will go on my long list.
 
It's very satisfying to see others' experiences that mirror my own.

A few years ago, I was totally convinced that a Beretta 92FS in Stainless was *the* gun for me. I was also mildly interested in 1911s, and their more obscure cousin, the BHP.

I was at a gun store one day, 2 or 3 years ago this summer, and I was pleased to see that they had everything I was curious about. They had the Beretta I wanted, as well as 1911s, a BHP MkIII, and a CZ-75. Fiddled with them all, but the BHP left me smitten. Having only seen one in pictures, I assumed that it was the size of a 1911, but was pleasantly surprised to see how compact it was for a fullsize.

Last year I went back to that same store and got that Browning that had left me... haunted, really. I just couldn't get over it.

Natedog, you're pretty young. Start saving now. I know how hard it is, but eventually you'll be able to buy that pistol, and you'll be glad you did.

What are you doing for your Eagle project? Trust me, get it done. I slipped in right under the wire getting mine done before my 18th birthday. Get it done before you get wrapped up in cars, girls, guns, etc. The stress you'll save will be enormous.

Wes
 
If anyone has an interest in lasers, I can report that the Crimson Trace lasergrip works nice with BHP. It's a tiny bit smaller than a Pachmayr Signature grip. My BHP is my bedside gun.
 
Natedog, Ill add some more advice to getting that eagle project done early. My best friend had his done by 14 and cruised through his high school years. I started my project at 15, and the actual project at 16, and didnt finish until I was almost 17. during that period I was doing school, crosscountry and track, and work. I was a extremely busy and stressed out individual during that period. Definitly get it done now so you can enjoy guns, girls and life more later.
 
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