just held my first Hi-Power...

[Chris17404]

As you may know, the BHP is one of the three handgun models I am considering for my first handgun. I went to a local "big box" store and found they had three different models of the BHP in 9mm: the Standard, Mark III, and an all stain-chrome model.

Since polished blue is my favorite, of course I asked to see the Standard model. The blued finish was gorgeous, and the slide seemed to be silky smooth and solid. It just said quality. Unfortunately, the store has a policy to keep trigger locks on all guns so I could not test the trigger pull nor even the LOP. I was disappointed about that. I'll have to find another store in the area that doesn't have that policy. Anyway, I very much disliked the checkered wood grips of this model. They were rough and did not fit my hand well at all. As for the magazine release, each time I pressed it, the magazine freely droipped completely out of the pistol. I was surprised about this since I've always heard the magazine safety prevented this. Would this be considered a good thing or a bad thing? The sights, IMO, were not very good. They were just black without any white dots. I found it hard to line them up.

Then I picked up the Mark III model. I went there expecting not to like the matte finish, but I really did like it. I liked it's finish much better than, say, a Beretta 92FS. The slide on the Mark II was looser than the Standard model, but still felt solid. The grips on this model fit my hand MUCH better. In fact, it almost felt like this model had a longer length grip (i.e. extended past the bottom of my hand) than the Standard model. I doubt this was the case, but it speaks well for how the grips fit me better. The I liked the sights a lot better too. They were three white dots. Again, I couldn't test the trigger.

Lastly, I tried the satin-chrome model. It felt about the same as the Mark III, but had different molded grips on it that felt pretty good too. The slide had what appeared to be a bit of tarnish on it. Not sure what it was.

Overall, the Mark III fit me best, but I REALLY loved the finish and seemingly better quality of the Standard model. Right now, I'd have to say I'm leaning toward the Standard model, and will simply replace the grips and sights.

One other thing... the date code in the serial numbers of both the Standard and Mark III was MW, which is 2000 I believe. That kinda scared me a bit. Should I be weary about purchasing a gun that's been sitting and being handled for 6 years without any maintenance attention given to it? It didn't sit well with me.

Well, that's me first first-hand impression of the BHP. I'm looking forward to hopefully try one at a range sometime if I can find a place that has one to rent. I am taking the NRA first steps pistol training course Monday night at a local range. They have a pretty-good selection of guns to rent that I can use. No BHPs, but I was thinking something to it would be a 1911. I was also considering a Sig 226.

Thanks for listening... and if you have any comments, please fire away.

Chris

P.S. I know most of you recommended the S&W 686P as my first handgun. Rest assured that one is definitely still in the running. I'm just "playing the field" a bit before I decide!

 

[Ohen Cepel]

The BHP fits my hand better than anything else! If it's the same for you you can't go wrong.

Sig 226 is a close second for me.

Yes, I would also suggest a revolver for a first handgun. However, the one you feel the most comfortable with is hard to beat and 9mm is easy on the pocket.

 

[pedaldude]

I don't think I'd ever buy a pistol or rifle that I couldn't try the trigger on, even if I'd handled, dry and live fired many of the exact same model gun I'd have to pull the trigger on the gun I'm buying, not one like it, I'd gladly take my business down the street even if it means paying $20 bucks more. Half price maybe I'd think of it

there are many copies and near copies of the hi-power, I tried out an FM once and even though the finish was awfull it seemed a decent pistol for the price, also the BDM and CZ75 are pretty close and you won't find too many comlpaints on either.

good luck! I just got my first pistol last week and it wasn't what I had expected but I'm pretty happy with it since I've taken it to the range.

check out this excellent website, it's got a lot of good information:

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/index.html

 

[Nathanael_Greene]

"Should I be weary about purchasing a gun that's been sitting and being handled for 6 years without any maintenance attention given to it? It didn't sit well with me."

I wouldn't worry about it too much, as long as the pistol isn't rusted or has any obvious problems. After all, people routinely buy surplus weapons that have spent literally decades being more or less neglected, and they'll be good for another hundred years.

The Hi-Power is, after all, a combat weapon, and is rugged and reliable.

 

[Soybomb]

A magazine safety or magazine disconnect simply means that if the magazine isn't in the gun, the gun shouldn't fire when you pull the trigger but has nothing to do with the magazine being released from the gun.

 

[wrangler5]

The first Hi Power I ever handled (a well used Browning) had Hogue grips on it - the ones with the finger lumps on the front strap. It fit like a glove, and now lives in the bedside table. Liked it so much I bought a second one, a new FN from CDNN with the SFS hammer/safety system. It's my IDPA gun, and also wears the Hogue grips.

Be advised that a new Hi Power MAY have a perfectly dreadful, crunchy trigger pull right out of the box. The magazine disconnector pad has to slide along the front face of the magazine as you pull the trigger, and until those two surfaces smooth each other out it is not what you would call an elegant trigger pull. I solved the problem on my new Hi Power by simply removing the disconnector, and that gun now has one of the nicest trigger pulls of any handgun I've ever owned.

Both of my Hi Powers are tack driving guns. I can down-load rounds to well below commercial load levels if I want to get low recoil, and I can shoot +p stuff if I want more power. Not as wide a range of velocities as can be shot through a 357 revolver, but I don't feel a particular urge to shoot target level wadcutters. And for any kind of personal defense work I will be MUCH better served with 14 rounds of manageable 9mm Gold Dot hollow points than with 6 rounds of ANY 357 magnum round I've ever let off. Magnums are a hoot to shoot for a little while, but getting off more than one accurately aimed shot quickly takes a LOT of practice with full power loads, and that is NOT a lot of fun, in my limited experience.

I've been shooting handguns for 50 years. Bought my first one in about 1970 and have owned MANY over the years, including four 357 revolvers from Smith and Ruger. As a gun to shoot a lot, and enjoy doing so, I don't think any centerfire handgun I've ever experienced can top a Hi Power.

 

[Croyance]

Brownells has better grips.
I don't care much for Hogues, but then I like the strawberry in Neoplitan ice cream too.
I once bought a HiPower that had been sitting around about eight years. Oil was even dried. Cleaned it up, oiled it up, and it shot fine. As long as there is no rust, time isn't going to do much.

 

[Handgun Midas]

I bought some cheapie BHP grips off of eBay, just to see if I could improve the feel of a BHP that is not mine. The left side has a thumb rest.

Now, I love everything about my 1911, and I have some nice checkered grips on it, with Pierce rubber grooves on the front.
But, every time I pick up that High Power I'm amazed by how good it feels in the hand. There's something really special about the grip of a BHP.

 

[10-Ring]

The BHP is not only addicting, but they are fun to shoot too! I've not had mine long, but it's just so much fun to shoot...recommend them highly!

 

[Chris17404]

FYI... I just checked the Browning website and found that the date code of "MY" is actually 2004, not 2000. That makes me feel better. In case you're curious, here's the entire table for all Hi-Powers:

http://www.browning.com/services/dategun/detail.asp?id=35

Chris

 

[Dave Markowitz]

A magazine safety or magazine disconnect simply means that if the magazine isn't in the gun, the gun shouldn't fire when you pull the trigger but has nothing to do with the magazine being released from the gun.

Not true in the case of the BHP.

The magazine disconnect in the BHP has a part that presses against the front wall of the magazine. This provides enough friction on the magazine to prevent it from dropping free when the mag catch is pressed. The exception to this is when using AWB-era Browning factory 10 rounders. They have a mousetrap-like spring in the base which pulls them free of the gun when the magazine catch is depressed. Rather clever on their part.

The BHP in the OP may have had one of the Browning 10 rounders, or the mag disconnect was removed.

 

[Soybomb]

Not true in the case of the BHP.

The magazine disconnect in the BHP has a part that presses against the front wall of the magazine. This provides enough friction on the magazine to prevent it from dropping free when the mag catch is pressed. The exception to this is when using AWB-era Browning factory 10 rounders. They have a mousetrap-like spring in the base which pulls them free of the gun when the magazine catch is depressed. Rather clever on their part.

The BHP in the OP may have had one of the Browning 10 rounders, or the mag disconnect was removed.

Hmmm had no idea, thanks for the correction then!

 

[Chris17404]

Mr. Markowitz,

The BHP I was looking at DID only have a 10-round magazine in it. Does this mean that the magazine safety "no-drop issue" only applies to 13-round mags?

Chris

 

[wrangler5]

I believe I have read that current 13 rounders also have the mousetrap spring. Older ones do not - I have 5 or 6 of the 13 rounders and none of them have the spring, but all of my 10 rounders do.

 

[freebird]

I love my BHP. As far a 9mm it is my favorite!

 

[gopguy]

Love and adore the FN HP 35

I shoot better with a Browning HP35 than I do with some of my match grade .45acps....I love them. Got to warn you though, buying a HP is addictive.....they are like eating potato chips...you can't stop at one.

 

[Tsonda]

FYI... I just checked the Browning website and found that the date code of "MY" is actually 2004, not 2000. That makes me feel better. In case you're curious, here's the entire table for all Hi-Powers:

http://www.browning.com/services/dat...tail.asp?id=35

Chris
Today 02:01 AM

Thanks for the link, I was able to confirm the year of mfg. for my BHP.

Regards,

James

 

[Handgun Midas]

The magazine disconnect in the BHP has a part that presses against the front wall of the magazine. This provides enough friction on the magazine to prevent it from dropping free when the mag catch is pressed.

Yeah, you have to kind of give the BHP a little shake at just the right time to get the mag to drop free, or else you don't look cool.

However, this only works if the slide is in battery. If the slide is locked back, then the mag doesn't move at at when the release is depressed. Silly design if you ask me, as it makes for slower reloads.

At least this is the case with the BHP that I've been playing with, which is from '66 according to that table.

 

[carebear]

I put the Slimline grips from Brownell's on mine, fits like a glove.

 

[Texfire]

Originally Posted by Dave Markowitz
The magazine disconnect in the BHP has a part that presses against the front wall of the magazine. This provides enough friction on the magazine to prevent it from dropping free when the mag catch is pressed.

Yeah, you have to kind of give the BHP a little shake at just the right time to get the mag to drop free, or else you don't look cool.

However, this only works if the slide is in battery. If the slide is locked back, then the mag doesn't move at at when the release is depressed. Silly design if you ask me, as it makes for slower reloads.

At least this is the case with the BHP that I've been playing with, which is from '66 according to that table.

Just confirmed this with my FN Mk 3 and FM Detective. Out of 8 magazines, not counting the 10-round mousetrap mag, 3 dropped free from my FN with the slide locked back. Two of those were standard 13-rounders, one a 15-round magazine.

On the FM, which has had the disconnect removed and sear and hammer replaced, all the mags dropped free when the slide was locked back.

Tex