Limp wristing with a BHP .40S&W?

[TheOtherOne]

I just recently got a Browning Hi-Power in .40 S&W and I've had problems with it jamming on me. It's fairly often, like maybe once every second or third magazine. Now, I'm almost positive it's a "me" problem but am wondering if these guns are less forgiving of limp wristing or something?

I have a Glock 27 (.40 S&W also) and it has never jammed on me. In fact the only other handgun I've ever had this problem with was when I rented a Desert Eagle .50.

I got to thinking that maybe it was the BHP because a friend had the same problem with it (He isn't exactly a skilled handgun shooter either though). But when I shoot from the bench I've never had a jam.

 

[WonderNine]

Is this a new purchase? If not perhaps the previous owner put an extra power recoil spring in. The factory standard is 20lbs. You might want to try out an 18.5lb from Wolff gunsprings. In fact I should have one coming that I probably won't use that I'd sell you for $10 shipped. What brand and power of ammo are you shooting? The .40S&W is not the most ideally shaped for reliable feeding, but it should not be jamming. What kind of gun lubricant do you use? I recommend BreakFree CLP on the rails and guiderod every 500 rounds or whever you clean it.

 

[TheOtherOne]

Yes, it's a new gun. So the spring should be factory. It does seem a little hard to pull back the slide though... unless I cock the hammer first. Maybe it just hasn't had time to break in yet. I'll think about that 18.5lbs spring though.

I've been using Winchester 180 grain ammo. I clean it everytime after shooting with CLP.

 

[grenadier]

Just out of curiousity, I would suggest that you try some full power, defensive loads, through your BHP. It could just be that you need a bit more "oomph" to reliably cycle the slide. If you don't have any, then 165 grain Speer Lawman is loaded to some warm to hot levels, and should do nicely.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

Yes, sounds like there isn't enough oomph to cycle the slide. Try it with some different ammo first - that will allow us to narrow down the problem some more.

Also note whether the malfunction is occuring with a single magazine or multiple mags.

 

[mr. e]

I've had 2 BHPs in 40 cal. and have had a jamming problem when using Mec-Gar mags rather than the Browning factory mags (yes, I know these are probably made by Mec-Gar too!). Anyway, when using the lower cost mags, the bullet had a tendency to nose down during feed and catch on the bottom of the feed ramp. I don't have the same problem now that I only use the factory mags. I also don't have any problem with Mec-Gar mags in my 9mm BHP.

The strength of the recoil spring on both of the HPs made them difficult to rack the slide. I solve the problem by first cocking the hammer then racking the slide. They have a very heavy spring right from the factory.

 

[Penman]

A friend once had a 9mm HP that would malfunction with a "soft" grip. A firm grip and stance took care of the problem.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

Anyway, when using the lower cost mags, the bullet had a tendency to nose down during feed and catch on the bottom of the feed ramp. I don't have the same problem now that I only use the factory mags.

Yes, MecGar does make both mags but for some reason, their aftermarket .40 mags don't have a small skirt around the follower to prevent tilting like the factory mags do. This would probably explain your problem.

 

[taoshooter]

Agree with WonderNine - have a Para .40 that when new had same problem - switched springs from the 20 lb. that it came with to 18 (Wolff) and problem gone.

 

[Mannlicher]

My BHP .40 has not experienced jams. I use both MecGar and Browning mags. Yes, MecGar does make them for FN. I carry and shoot,only 180 grain HydroShock. My Browning is one of the most accurate, and reliable handguns I have owned in over 50 years of shooting.

 

[HankB]

I put an 18.5 lb Wolff spring in my 9mm BHP. The package indicated it was standard weight for .40, extra power for 9mm.

My 9mm BHP has no tendency to jam even with a limp-wristed, very loose, two-finger hold.

But when I shoot from the bench I've never had a jam.

Hmmm . . . when you shoot from a bench, are you resting the gun butt on the bench? This would push a slightly loose magazine up higher into the gun. If that's the case, maybe the magazine catch isn't quite right.