Project Browning HP MkIII-Advice, Suggestions, Ideas?

[Tecolote]

Posting for a buddy:

Finally went ahead and found a really clean used Browning HP MkIII. I took it to the range and I had one jam with WWB Value Pack. Mr Camp kindly suggested replacing the recoil spring with a standard weight Wolff spring and the mag springs with Wolff +5s. The parts are on order.

How much lube do HPs need? I think I might have over lubed it because it was dripping wet. A guy at the range said to go light on the oil. Was he right?

I used CLP to lube. Any problems with CLP in HPs?

The SA is stiff! It's nothing like the SA on a NIB HP that I tried at a local shop.

I'm looking to replace the grips but I don't have a lot of cash. Any suggestions?

Any advice, suggestions or ideas for the HP MkIII project?

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello.

"How much lube do HPs need? I think I might have over lubed it because it was dripping wet. A guy at the range said to go light on the oil. Was he right?"
I put a drop or two of oil on the locking lugs, under the barrel chamber where it moves on the frame and where the barrel contacts the bushing. I put a couple of drops on the slide and small amts whereever I see wear marks between the slide, barrel, and frame.

"I used CLP to lube. Any problems with CLP in HPs?"
I've had no problems with CLP.

"I'm looking to replace the grips but I don't have a lot of cash. Any suggestions?" An economical choice might be the Uncle Mike/Butler Creek checkered rubber grips that mimick Spegel grips except for being a bit thicker.

Best.

 

[Croyance]

Well, it is impossible to improve on what Mr. Camp says, but a couple comments.
1.) I don't believe that any gun should be lubed to the point where it is dripping. Just encourages grit, dirt, and other detrius to stick. When stored, that stuff (might) absorb moisture, possibly leading to rust in the long term. Is the rust part paranoid? Maybe, but that extra lube sure doesn't help.
2.) I had success with the Navidrex (sp?) grips on the HiPower. You can find them at Brownell's website.

 

[bountyhunter]

A good way to avoid oil dripping and provide superior protection is mix a top quality liquid lube (like FP-10) about 50-50 with a good grease like RIG+p (can get these from any gun supply place like Brownells or Natchez Shooter Supply). I apply the mix EVERYWHERE metal rubs against metal in the gun using a small modeler paint brush. Especially on high stress surfaces like sear face, barrel lugs, slide rails, etc. I have never had any cycling problems in any of my guns and the stuff definitely reduces wear on high stress surfaces.

IMO, if it is your purpose to use a single liquid for cleaning, lubing, and rust protection: straight FP-10 is far better than regular "CLP".