My first gun... A Browning Hi-Power
- Thread starter Gunsmoker
- Start date
- Status
Cliff47
Member
First, congratulations on selecting the Hi-Power, a classic design by John Browning and one of the most prolific firearms used/issued in the world. I have a small collection of FN Hi-Powers, and FM variants, the Arcus, Inglis and more recently the L1A from Indian Arms Board.
As far as how much lubrication on the internal surfaces, what I do is after using brake cleaner to blast out the big chunks, I go over the internal surfaces with a shaving brush that has been lightly (very lightly, like one drop of Castrol gun oil, but pick your own) oiled. The rails get one drop each before the slide gets fitted back on the frame. Too much lube on the internals will actually form a 'lapping compound' made up of the oil and gunpowder residue.
You might also consider a quality holster (I like the models from Kramer in horsehide), the range I visit gets a bit antsy if someone takes a firearm to the shooting booth that is not in a holster or zipper case. Before I forget, a pack of 'dummy rounds' will allow you to practice your trigger pull in the comfort of your living room (burnishing the trigger/sear/hammer surfaces in the process). Consider it a cheap mans trigger job. Extra magazines are both plentiful and inexpensive.
I have removed the factory grips and replaced them with a set of thin cocobolo grips from Spegel. The sights are pretty rudimentary, and a set of tritium illuminated sights will help when things get dim (in addition to being able to find the pistol). The recoil spring on my personal Hi-Power has been replaced by a unit from EFKFireDragon.com. It's like a small internal shock absorber to help manage the recoil (you can't get away from recoil, but you can manage it), drops right in, and requires no machining. Something to consider.
As far as how much lubrication on the internal surfaces, what I do is after using brake cleaner to blast out the big chunks, I go over the internal surfaces with a shaving brush that has been lightly (very lightly, like one drop of Castrol gun oil, but pick your own) oiled. The rails get one drop each before the slide gets fitted back on the frame. Too much lube on the internals will actually form a 'lapping compound' made up of the oil and gunpowder residue.
You might also consider a quality holster (I like the models from Kramer in horsehide), the range I visit gets a bit antsy if someone takes a firearm to the shooting booth that is not in a holster or zipper case. Before I forget, a pack of 'dummy rounds' will allow you to practice your trigger pull in the comfort of your living room (burnishing the trigger/sear/hammer surfaces in the process). Consider it a cheap mans trigger job. Extra magazines are both plentiful and inexpensive.
I have removed the factory grips and replaced them with a set of thin cocobolo grips from Spegel. The sights are pretty rudimentary, and a set of tritium illuminated sights will help when things get dim (in addition to being able to find the pistol). The recoil spring on my personal Hi-Power has been replaced by a unit from EFKFireDragon.com. It's like a small internal shock absorber to help manage the recoil (you can't get away from recoil, but you can manage it), drops right in, and requires no machining. Something to consider.
Chupacabra
Member
Excellent first handgun choice. 
As for lubrication, I usually put a light coat on the barrel, a drop on each rail, and a tiny bit on the trigger group. You don't need to use a lot. After re-assembly, I wipe the gun down with a silicon cloth.
As for lubrication, I usually put a light coat on the barrel, a drop on each rail, and a tiny bit on the trigger group. You don't need to use a lot. After re-assembly, I wipe the gun down with a silicon cloth.
Jack19
Member
Your first handgun choice could have been MUCH worse than a Hi-Power. You did very well. Learn how to use it safely, like any weapon, and it will be the best handgun you ever own.
It was the first handgun handed to me and told to go get the bad guys. By my uncle no less. He trusted my life to it at a very young age.
I trusted my life to it until I transfered to the Glock 19 in the early/mid 90s. Frankly, I'm not sure making the change was better from either a capacity or reliability standpoint. Neither has ever failed me. I've owned several 9mm and .40 HPs.
The Hi-Power sitting in front of me, as I type, and I carry for CCW, is an Inglis. It was made in August of 1944, is deadly reliable and very accurate. Your Browning will serve you well for the rest of your life...if you let it.
There is some very excellent advice in this thread, from people who know the difference. Pay attention to all of it.
It was the first handgun handed to me and told to go get the bad guys. By my uncle no less. He trusted my life to it at a very young age.
I trusted my life to it until I transfered to the Glock 19 in the early/mid 90s. Frankly, I'm not sure making the change was better from either a capacity or reliability standpoint. Neither has ever failed me. I've owned several 9mm and .40 HPs.
The Hi-Power sitting in front of me, as I type, and I carry for CCW, is an Inglis. It was made in August of 1944, is deadly reliable and very accurate. Your Browning will serve you well for the rest of your life...if you let it.
There is some very excellent advice in this thread, from people who know the difference. Pay attention to all of it.
BHPshooter
Member
Congratulations! A MkIII HP was also my first pistol, and is still my favorite. There is a learning curve, but once that's finished, you'll be tainted. Nothing else will be quite as appealing as a Hi Power.
I've got a nifty little trick for oiling -- go get your Q-tips.
Whichever oil you use (I use Breakfree LP, it's thicker than CLP), as soon as your gun is clean, saturate the end of the Q-tip with your oil. Now you can "paint" the oil on where you want it without it running everywhere.
Oil your Hi-Power in the following places:
Frame:
Slide:
Also, oil the locking lugs on the barrel, as well as the diagonal channel where the barrel meets the frame lug. You'll also want to oil the slide stop cross pin, and the wear marks that might appear after some use.
Don't worry too much about it -- oil it as well as you can, and pretty soon you'll be able to see where it needs oil. Just watch for finish wear.
I've got a nifty little trick for oiling -- go get your Q-tips.
Whichever oil you use (I use Breakfree LP, it's thicker than CLP), as soon as your gun is clean, saturate the end of the Q-tip with your oil. Now you can "paint" the oil on where you want it without it running everywhere.
Oil your Hi-Power in the following places:
Frame:
- The frame rails
- The frame lug (the lateral bar in the frame)
- The trigger "paw"
Slide:
- The locking lugs
- The slide rails
- The inside of the barrel bushing (on the wear marks)
- Where the hammer rubs near the rear of the slide
Also, oil the locking lugs on the barrel, as well as the diagonal channel where the barrel meets the frame lug. You'll also want to oil the slide stop cross pin, and the wear marks that might appear after some use.
Don't worry too much about it -- oil it as well as you can, and pretty soon you'll be able to see where it needs oil. Just watch for finish wear.
get a shotgun too
Hi Gunsmoker,
Congrats on a first but probably not last handgun. They don't come much better that a Browning.
That said I'll respond to a tidbit in you last post: a good shotgun really grounds a home-defense and life-shooting arsenal. You can hunt birds or more with it, shoot clay sports for wads of fun (no pun intended) (ok, pun intended), and also defend your home and property with a great deal of versatility. A box-stock Remington 870 is cheap, and you can upgrade it with different barrels every Christmas and birthday!
Just a thought. Enjoy the BHP.
dave-0
Hi Gunsmoker,
Congrats on a first but probably not last handgun. They don't come much better that a Browning.
That said I'll respond to a tidbit in you last post: a good shotgun really grounds a home-defense and life-shooting arsenal. You can hunt birds or more with it, shoot clay sports for wads of fun (no pun intended) (ok, pun intended), and also defend your home and property with a great deal of versatility. A box-stock Remington 870 is cheap, and you can upgrade it with different barrels every Christmas and birthday!
Just a thought. Enjoy the BHP.
dave-0
- Status
