More reliable--1911 or Browning Hi Power
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Factors that would make one more reliable than the other would have more to do with quality control, metallurgy and individual fitting than design. They were both designed by the same person. They are both great designs that in my opinion have not been surpassed since the time of their introduction.
RichSenecal
Member
I own a couple of 1911s and one Browning High Power. They are all 100% reliable if you feed them good ammo and don't limp wrist it when firing.
When my Colt MK IV Series 70 was young it used to experience a failure to feed now and again, but that went away after the first 200 rounds or so. I cannot remember a time when the High Power let me down.
Do yourself a favor and get at least one of each.
When my Colt MK IV Series 70 was young it used to experience a failure to feed now and again, but that went away after the first 200 rounds or so. I cannot remember a time when the High Power let me down.
Do yourself a favor and get at least one of each.
ugaarguy
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A Browning Hi Power vs. which brand of 1911? This is the problem with current 1911s: Everyone is making them, and to varying quality standards.
An actual Browning vs. a randomly selected 1911 which could be any model from any manufacturer - I'll take the hammer pinch, wear gloves, and take the BHP. Make the 1911 a Kimber Warrior, Colt 70 Series Repro, 5" Dan Wesson, or 5" Springfield Armory - I'll take the 1911 hands down.
Thanks for the info. The replies have sort of what I expected. I have a couple of 1911s and they all have experienced at least one failure in the first 500 rounds. This is to be expected, but I'm wondering how many BHPs owners can say the same thing?
skeeter_08
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[QUOTEDo yourself a favor and get at least one of each.][/QUOTE]
I own 2 1911s and a BHP and agree 100% with the above comment
I own 2 1911s and a BHP and agree 100% with the above comment
351 WINCHESTER
Member
The only problem I ever had with a bhp was years ago with new jsp ammo. The gun was designed for ball ammo. I used to shoot my hp and my tuned 1911 a lot. Both were relaible.
Now if you're talking new guns I would have to vote for the bhp as I have had issues with colt 1911's out of the box. I had a colt commander that would choke on ball ammo???
Now if you're talking new guns I would have to vote for the bhp as I have had issues with colt 1911's out of the box. I had a colt commander that would choke on ball ammo???
kdstrick
Member
Both systems are the genius of J.M. Browning but, are highly dependent on quality magazine's. If you have cheap mags, you will get 'jams'...
DHart
Member
THe BHP has the edge in reliability. I have a ton of 1911's and several BHPs in .40 and 9. I can't make the BHPs hiccup no matter what I do. 1911's can hiccup once in a while, of course depending on the maker etc. I think the mags and the extractor tension variability on the 1911 make it a little more prone to malf. If I had to take a brand new 1911 or a new BHP out of the box without any testing, I would expect the BHP more likely to run without a hitch. That said, I like 1911's a lot more. In BHPs, I prefer .40 caliber by far... the 9mm BHP just doesn't excite me. In 9mm a Glock 19 just makes more sense to me. BHP's also need trigger jobs badly... by someone who really knows BHPs, like Don Williams in AZ. He has done trigger jobs on all of my BHPs and with that, the BHP can have a respectable trigger even if still not quite that of a nice 1911 trigger.
kdstrick
Member
Hey DHart, good post. You make a lot of good points. In your post, you mention
It made me think. If the BHP had as many makers as the 1911, it may be inconsistent as well due to manufacturer quality control. I'm glad it hasn't gone there. I like them just the way they are.
It made me think. If the BHP had as many makers as the 1911, it may be inconsistent as well due to manufacturer quality control. I'm glad it hasn't gone there. I like them just the way they are.
Snowdog
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Speaking of manufactures, I had issues with a HP made by CD a year or so ago. They made it right (on the second go-round), but it initially experienced multiple failures to eject.
My RIA 1911 that I paid about as much for has been flawless from the box. The Kimber I paid 3 times more for has issues with most SWCs (as many 1911s do, though not my RIA). I suspect it boils down to the specific specimen on hand.
My RIA 1911 that I paid about as much for has been flawless from the box. The Kimber I paid 3 times more for has issues with most SWCs (as many 1911s do, though not my RIA). I suspect it boils down to the specific specimen on hand.
DFW1911
Member
I have several of each and have had no problems with either model, so based on my experience, I'd say they are equally reliable.
To illustrate, I've carried both as CCW: I trust them that much.
They are also two firearms that every collector needs in his / her collection!
To illustrate, I've carried both as CCW: I trust them that much.
They are also two firearms that every collector needs in his / her collection
!
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I am a little surprised by the responses so far, as they seem to contradict my experience for the most part. But then again, after reading this forum for awhile, I do believe my 1911 luck is just plain bad, (e.g. I bought 6 NIB Colts between 1973 to date, none of which ran Out of the Box).
Over the last four decades I’ve owned 13 HP’s. Nine Browning roll marks, three FN roll marks and one FEG. I currently still have eight of these including one .40 BHP. During this period I cannot remember a single failure of any kind with any of these 13.
My 1911 experience over the same four decades is a little different and summarized below. Of course for the most part this comparison is unfair to the 1911 as it is now just a generic term, used by multiple manufactures, who build gun at various price points. But, this is also true of all XYZ gun vs. 1911 discussions.
1911 Performance History: (See NOTES below)
9MM Colt Commander (6)
45 ACP Colt LW Commander (5)
45 ACP Colt/Gov. Md.(original S70) (5)
45 ACP Colt/ Commander (1991 ORM) (4)
45 ACP Clot/Defender (4)
45 ACP Colt/LW Commander XSE (4)
45 ACP Norinco/1911A1 (Blue) (1)
45 ACP Norinco/1911A1 (Hard Chrome) (1)
45 ACP Norinco/1911A1 (park) (1)
45 ACP Norinco/1911A1 (park) (1)
45 ACP Norinco/1911A1 (park) (1)
45 ACP Kimber/Clasic (3)
45 ACP Kimber/Royal Cary (2)
45 ACP Kimber/Custom Royal (4)
45 ACP Para-Ordnance/P12-45 (1)*
45 ACP Brown KC (1)
45 ACP Brown SF (1)
45 ACP Brown SF (1)
45 ACP Brown/Class A Ltd Commander (1)
45 ACP SA/TRP (3)
45 ACP SA/PRO (1)
45 ACP SA/Trophy Match (3)
45 ACP STI/Trojan (3)
45 ACP Dan Wesson CBOB (2)
45 ACP Taurus / PT 1911 (1)
45 ACP Valtro (1)
45 ACP S&W 1911PD (1)
Honorable mention “1911ish” guns (Like other external extractor “1911 want-to-be’s”)
45 ACP Star/PD #1 (1)*
45 ACP Star/PD #2 (1)*
45 ACP Star/PS (1)*
9MM Star/BM (1)*
NOTES:
(1) 100% out of the box with all mags & ammo
(2) 100% with slight break-in, &/or mag change
(3) Reliable after break-in with specific ammo & mags
(4) Reliable after part(s) change &/or minor gunsmithing
(5) Reliable after major gunsmithing
(6) Never worked even after multiple returns to manufacture and gunsmiths
(*) Only OEM mags used
JAC
Over the last four decades I’ve owned 13 HP’s. Nine Browning roll marks, three FN roll marks and one FEG. I currently still have eight of these including one .40 BHP. During this period I cannot remember a single failure of any kind with any of these 13.
My 1911 experience over the same four decades is a little different and summarized below. Of course for the most part this comparison is unfair to the 1911 as it is now just a generic term, used by multiple manufactures, who build gun at various price points. But, this is also true of all XYZ gun vs. 1911 discussions.
1911 Performance History: (See NOTES below)
9MM Colt Commander (6)
45 ACP Colt LW Commander (5)
45 ACP Colt/Gov. Md.(original S70) (5)
45 ACP Colt/ Commander (1991 ORM) (4)
45 ACP Clot/Defender (4)
45 ACP Colt/LW Commander XSE (4)
45 ACP Norinco/1911A1 (Blue) (1)
45 ACP Norinco/1911A1 (Hard Chrome) (1)
45 ACP Norinco/1911A1 (park) (1)
45 ACP Norinco/1911A1 (park) (1)
45 ACP Norinco/1911A1 (park) (1)
45 ACP Kimber/Clasic (3)
45 ACP Kimber/Royal Cary (2)
45 ACP Kimber/Custom Royal (4)
45 ACP Para-Ordnance/P12-45 (1)*
45 ACP Brown KC (1)
45 ACP Brown SF (1)
45 ACP Brown SF (1)
45 ACP Brown/Class A Ltd Commander (1)
45 ACP SA/TRP (3)
45 ACP SA/PRO (1)
45 ACP SA/Trophy Match (3)
45 ACP STI/Trojan (3)
45 ACP Dan Wesson CBOB (2)
45 ACP Taurus / PT 1911 (1)
45 ACP Valtro (1)
45 ACP S&W 1911PD (1)
Honorable mention “1911ish” guns (Like other external extractor “1911 want-to-be’s”)
45 ACP Star/PD #1 (1)*
45 ACP Star/PD #2 (1)*
45 ACP Star/PS (1)*
9MM Star/BM (1)*
NOTES:
(1) 100% out of the box with all mags & ammo
(2) 100% with slight break-in, &/or mag change
(3) Reliable after break-in with specific ammo & mags
(4) Reliable after part(s) change &/or minor gunsmithing
(5) Reliable after major gunsmithing
(6) Never worked even after multiple returns to manufacture and gunsmiths
(*) Only OEM mags used
JAC
Quentin
Member
Well I'd have to call it a tie. I have a '76 Colt Series 70 and Star PD bought new and a HP bought used. They're all extremely reliable.
BHPshooter
Member
Rangegod, my experience has been exactly like yours -- My BHPs have been drastically more reliable than most of my 1911s, although I did have one 1911 that was nearly as reliable as my BHPs.
I love both designs, but I have eminently more faith in the BHP. There are probably only 2 guns I think i'd gamble on, straight from the box -- a Hi Power and Glock 17/19.
Wes
I love both designs, but I have eminently more faith in the BHP. There are probably only 2 guns I think i'd gamble on, straight from the box -- a Hi Power and Glock 17/19.
Wes
DHart
Member
From my experience, these are my sentiments exactly!
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