You might want to check with Browning first for the parts you are looking for, as most of the people buying parts find that Brownings OEM prices are cheaper for whatever reason. Worth a phone call.

For springs 'n things, this new company is getting a lot of approval and thumbs up for their springs and spring kits for the HP.

BHSpringSolutions LLC

I had mine at the range today. Every time I shoot it, I feel like giving the stinkeye to my other guns.

I feeds everything, never jams, doesn't kick, and shoots right to the point of aim. I replaced the bananna safety with one from Cylinder and Slide and removed the magazine disconnect so empty mags drop free.

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“What you got, ain’t new.”

A Browning Hi-Power was a grail gun for me after I saw the Movie "Serpico" a zillion years ago. Happily, I obtained one a couple of years ago and it's an excellent shooter. I even took a Close Quarter Pistol Craft class with it. Outstanding! Why I don't have a picture I cannot imagine but I will cure that soon. It looks like everyone else's of course.

I also recently succumbed to buying a Kareem. A Hi-Power under 300 bucks? I couldn't resist, never mind the Israel connection, which didn't hurt at all. It's not much of a looker and I am likely going to put Pachmayrs on it but a funny thing happened whilst my FFL buddy and I were playing with the gun - he couldn't stand how the bore looked so he decided to clean the whole gun. Okay, why would I stop him, right?

The pistol cleaned up okay but what was stunning was what happened when he scrubbed out that barrel. We were left wondering if it had ever been fired. Pristine bore is the only way to describe it. Deep and clean lands and grooves while, before, we thought the rifling was pitted and a mess. Spotless and silvery in the bore-light! DELIGHTFUL!

I can't wait to get it to the range.

And a photo on here.

I want one! But every one I find looks like it's been used as a boat anchor!

Really nice trio That "thumb print" looks like beauty

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John

It's a real beater. But, I had been fresh out of FN HiPowers for a while .....& the price was right.



I negotiated down from $325 shipped to $225 shipped. It is from 1986 and apparently spent most of its' life in the Middle East....Israel perhaps.The barrel is a replacement.



I've had probably a dozen HPs at one time or another. Everything from Nazi issue to a Mauser & an Argentine pistol from the '60s made under license. This FN is so accurate it is boring and will feed any type of ammo I've tried. It fed magzines loaded w/ all different bullet configurations w/o a single FTF or FTE so far. Everytime I shoot this one, I wonder what possessed me to sell/swap the others.

Best,
Charles

The world was much younger when I first got my hands on a BHP--a borrowed Inglis in a Canadian "commando" match. Sort of a prehistoric IPSC event.

Have been in a retro phase of late and the Israeli Mk III has been earning its keep. Not bad for an 82 year old design.

I've long admired the BHP, but have never owned a "Browning" version.

I'm limited for now, to this Argentine one I paid, IIRC, about $375.00 a few months ago. No idea when it was made.





I wish it had a bigger safety, but otherwise, I like it. I did remove the magazine safety, but I did it more so the magazines would drop free. I didn't see much if any change in the trigger.

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John 3:16 .

Great shooter Charles. Ya just can't beat the Israeli (IDF) surplus MKII, especially for the price. I've got one ( not pictured on my thread photo) that I shoot the heck out of and don't worry about it being pretty. And when I've got it out at the range, or sitting in my bed-side drawer, I know that the gun has, most likely, been in harms way

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John

It looks to be in awfully good shape. The 1911-style slide gives it a fairly unique look. Gotta look twice to see what it really is.

I could go for one at that price!

Beautiful Hi Powers, I only own one, bought new in 1982. Saw an article on one of the gun magazines and fell in love with it. Its mainly a safe queen and it will be pass on to my daughter when I am gone.

Let's see your MKII!!!

THAT'S A BEAUTIFUL COLLECTION OF HI POWERS, OLDSTER. I HAVE DROOLED OVER PISTOLS LIKE YOURS, THROUGH THE YEARS, WHEN VIEWING PICS LIKE THIS......

MY ADDICTION TO COLT 1911s, AND THE .45ACP CALIBER, HAVE KEPT ME FREE OF YET ANOTHER SEMI-AUTO PISTOL DISEASE......

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'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

Thank you for your kind words. I haven't purchased one in a while being on a retirees income, but I still need to add an early post war "thumb print" to the collection

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John

Here are some, I prefer the older ones. L to R are W. German police, Austrian Police, Argentine police, and the exception a mid 80's in 7.65mm Luger. Last is a Inglis w/stock.

Really nice collection. I just spilled my oatmeal down my chin looking at that inglis

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John

Before I forget, thank you to those folks who offered up their opinions on the two current Browning Hi-Power offerings... very helpful. Neither one is exactly what I want, but those are the only choices we have left today in a brand new gun... so it's a matter of pick one and learn to be happy with it.

But another question please: What do BHP-type collector folks think of the .40S&W BHP? Is it viewed as just another variant of the same gun? Or is it considered a different beast altogether? I don't want to be more specific than that right now because I don't want to influence any responses I might get.

Regarding your question about the .40 cal. Hi Power; FN kept the "integrity" of the Hi Power in the .40 cal., but made a few beneficial engineering changes including--going with cast vs. forged frame in 1993 for strength ( a feature shared by all MKIII HPs), a wider slide to add weight and slow the slide recoil speed, a stronger recoil spring, an extra barrel locking lug, an altered extractor, and a slightly thicker ejector.

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John

TTSH.... I'm a traditionalist; but not a collector, with just 2 Mk IIIs, .....I have to go with the FBI on this one...... 9mm.

Novak built the FBI HRU ...... 9mm Brownings in the 80s........

and for you probably a lot more " pre-ban" hi-cap magazines out there!!!!!

Well, there are a lot of competing considerations here as I continue to whittle down the "must have" guns remaining on my bucket list. With just 3 "good years" left... and not a whole lot of money left... completing my list in the highly-restrictive state where I live is not so easy. BHP's are not approved guns here in MA (generally meaning no dealer sales or transfers) and precious few of them come up for sale here. Of the ones that do come up for sale, most are mega-valuable collectibles (in actuality or sometimes just in the eyes of their sellers) or just plain crazy over-priced anyway. One exception to that rule is .40S&W BHP's. A couple of them have come up in recent years at reasonable prices, comparatively speaking.

I have several "irons in the fire" right now re: BHP's but nothing happening very quickly... so the question begs itself: Should I jump on one of those .40S&W BHP's in lieu of a 9mm? Or should I wait and continue to work toward getting a 9mm.

The pre-ban magazine thing is a whole separate issue... and yes, that would tend to favor the 9mm versions over the .40S&W versions. Still, the attractiveness of the prices on good condition .40S&W models cannot be understated. If I could convince myself that it wouldn't be such a bad thing, overall enjoyment-wise, to go .40 instead of 9mm, it could make a lot of sense.

One big question: Do you consider it the same shooting experience? Or does it feel like a different gun to you?

An FN lives here, an Austrian Rural Police contract gun. AIM was selling them in the mid-1990s in several grades. I sprung for the top grade and they sent one which appeared new, unfired with box, spare magazine, and cleaning rod.

I don't own a .40 cal, but have shot them. Feels like a Hi Power should. Can't tell the difference

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John

My .40 HP was very accurate. I found it had more recoil than the 9mm version, but that it was not difficult to shoot. I was not in love with the ambi safety they chose to use on it, though, preferring the more definitive click of the Cylinder & Slide version. I almost regret trading it off - the only .40 I've had that I can say that about.

Beyond that, I can't really comment on whether it's a different beast. It's a Mk III, and there's not a heck of a lot of collector interest in those (or wasn't the last time I checked).

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Now go make God proud...

Here it is in all its glory and a coat of engine block paint But a true shooter that I really enjoy, and shoot the heck out of

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John

Recognizing that it *is* a different caliber, what I'm really interested in are the different dimensions & weight and whether or not those differences affect the "feel" of the gun (for lack of a better term)? One of the things that attracts me to the BHP is the somewhat delicate feel of the gun and the narrow slide. Did the mods necessary to make a .40 version change that feel? If they did, I'm probably better off waiting for the right 9mm to come along. If the feel is the same... with just a little more kick or snappiness from the .40... then I could save a lot of money going for one of those (relative bargain) 40's.

THAT'S AN INTERESTING COLLECTION, CZU.....

I OFTEN REGRETTED NOT PURCHASING AN INGLIS FROM SOUTHERN OHIO GUNS, BACK WHEN THEY WERE AVAILABLE......

THEY WERE REASONABLY PRICED, AND I HAD A C&R LICENSE AT THE TIME......

AS USUAL, IF YOU SNOOZE, YOU LOSE......

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'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

That's a smart question, and it's one that only you'll be able to answer as to your aesthetics. For me, the .40's heavier slide shifted the balance sufficiently so as to destroy the "grace" the 9mm BHP has always embodied to me. That was part of the reason why I traded it off . . . that and the reduced round count together with the fact that you can't convince me a 9mm is less effective than a .40 (and it's darn sure cheaper to shoot!).

Anyhow, I know what you mean about the feel of the 9mm BHP and - to me - no, the .40 didn't have it.

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Now go make God proud...

Yeah, this is kind of what I expected and was concerned about. I don't want a BHP that doesn't feel like a BHP in virtually every respect... other than maybe a little more kick from the .40. I've waited this long so I guess I can wait a little longer.

I'm getting some interesting vibes from a friend with a BHP who has contemplated selling it from time to time. His BHP is a dream to shoot, but discussing money with a friend over his beloved BHP has always been a little weird. Much better if I can find a BHP to buy on my own without the emotions and friendship issues involved.

Two BHPs. One with a .22 conversion.The other pretty special, even if 40 year old tech.
The safety is of my design to Quell the Awesome recoil of the 9mm. It works. Lotsa thumb pressure on that lever works for shot recovery .The sights are what Armand Swenson said we needed back in the 70s.
This gun has a s&w model 52 barrel bushing modified to fit the HP. Of all the HPs I have had, seen, and shot, it is the only one that would shoot groups. Not patterns...groups.
The grips are paper thin BHP stocks. Wayne Novak asked once what they were finished with. I told him with what I had on hand..black paint and dirt. Works fine.

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We put about 200 rounds through this today. It' still a tack driver after all these years. Most of my guys had never seen an accurized HP.

Thanks for the heads up. I ordered a set of the Uncle Mike's which arrived today. The difference they make is wonderful. Much thinner than the factory wood. They feel great and look good too!

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BCCI Life Member #2068

Took a long ride today to check out yet another older BHP 9mm in Massachusetts. I had high hopes going in but it wasn't my gun. It was a little too "used & abused" generally for my taste... plus the wood grips looked poorly refinished, likely multiple times.

Once again, the trigger was very heavy. Being a subject of the People's Republic of Massachusetts, I am usually pretty good about dealing with heavy (MA-compliant) triggers. But once again, I found this BHP... like so many others... to be disappointingly stiff.

So the search goes on. I sure wish I could try out a brand new one. At least it would tell me if the trigger on a new one would need work or if I could get by and enjoy it without the added cost of the trigger work.

I've had this one for several years. In that time, I customized it a bit, to make it more to my liking. The first thing I did was cut the slide to accept a Novak rear 1911 sight and cut a dovetail in the front to accept a gold bead front sight (made by Wilson Combat). I picked up some ebony grips from Craig Spegel which fit my hand much better and don't look too shabby. Then I made an extended thumb safety, using a Wilson Combat 1911 safety as a donor. While I had it apart, I removed the magazine safety and did a trigger job - it now has a very nice trigger for a BHP.

The tech spec for the Inglis High Power trigger pull was/is 6 - 8 lbs. About the same as for the military 1911, the M16 family, etc. I assume FN factory commercial specs are somewhere along the same lines. My 69C measures a bit over 4.5 lbs, just as it came from the factory. I haven't done anything with it in the 40 years I have owned it other than to carry it, shoot it, clean and regularly replace the recoil spring and other springs as required. My Inglis is about 5.5 lbs, and the two MkIII's run around 7 lbs. Then there is my Practical in 40 S&W; new, it has a freak show trigger pull that goes over 16 lbs. It has a date with Don Williams. All of them remain unmodified.

If you want the trigger pull of a modern 1911, chances are any HP you find will "need work". I'm pretty comfortable with a pistol with a trigger pull in the 5 - 8 pound range for business purposes, but that might be a result of starting out on revolvers.

I do see the surplus High Powers seem to be sold out everywhere at the moment; I imagine more will show up sometime in the near future.

Picked up this hard chromed custom at Tulsa couple weeks back.

With the rest of the family.

Here is another one of the Austrian Gendarmerie P35's that were imported in the mid to late 1990's. This came with a matching numbered spare mag and I found one of the correct holster rigs for it. What I have never been able to figure out is where or how they carried the spare mag. I have not seen any mag pouches of similar style or construction.

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Newest addition


Previously posted


FM M-95 Detective aka Commander-size BHP

This gun has an appointment w/ Mr. Williams from The Action Works for some 'serious work'.

I passed on a GORGEOUS Charles Daly HP a few years ago for $450 - bad move right??

My brother bought a BHP 40S&W used from a friend of his around 10-15 years ago. Beautiful gun but it is the hardest racking gun I've ever fired. And stove piped every other round if I recall correctly.
After shooting it I broke it down to clean. Recoil spring seemed too long as it was a major PIA to reassemble.
He took it to the local gun smith and he replaced the spring and said all 40 BHP's have this problem. Just a converted 9mm.
It has never been fired since.
Any other 40 BHP owners have or had this problem?

I read this back when you originally posted it, but didn't have a clue what you were talking about...A 1911 style slide?"...I had to look at a lot of the pictures for it to suddenly jump off the monitor what you meant.

By George...it is different.

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John 3:16 .

Oh yes! Different for sure!

And yes, it looks so "correct" otherwise that your mind doesn't immediately pick-up the differences because you're not expecting nor looking for there to be any differences.

It was kind of the same for me with certain of the FEG copies. One glance doesn't always do it. Takes a good look at it to appreciate all the differences.

It is fairly unusual for HPs to have feeding/extraction problems with either the factory or Mec-Gar magazines. HP's of all vintages are generally extremely reliable with factory magazines and in good tune i.e. no extractor springs, recoil springs, etc that should have been replaced long ago.

And yes, they do require a little more effort to cycle - the result of the recoil spring FN used in designing the pistol.

Chances are the recoil spring is exactly what it is supposed to be, and the difficulty in replacing the barrel/guide rod/recoil spring is due to lack of experience, not some overly long recoil spring for some other firearm. The wrong spring seems pretty unlikely.

If that's actually what that gunsmith said, he's not a gunsmith. He's a basement hack who can't even bother to phone the tech line at Browning USA where he could get both information and help. Much better than inventing a myth - and then doing what sounds like "fixing" 40 S&W High Powers based on his personal myth.

It is not a "problem". It is part of the redesign of the frame, slide, etc., to allow the High Power to take the pounding of 40 S&W ammunition without failing. While most other manufacturers simply put a 40 S&W barrel and a different spring in their existing 9mm designs, FN realized that frames designed for the 9mm were facing a different animal with the 40 S&W.

The original cast frames of the slimmer, more svelt classic High Power was abandoned by FN for the heavier, forged frames that you now see on ALL High Powers. In other words, they didn't go to forged just for the 40 S&W, but for the 9mm as well. I imagine there were other considerations involved in the change (costs of manufacture, probably being one), but the beefier forged frame and that recoil spring you don't like were part of the plan.

BTW, trivia point: C. Ed Harris used his personal High Power while doing some metal testing for Ruger. He fed it a heavy diet of +P ammunition, finally going to something like over 200 proof loads before he managed to break it. When he contacted Browning about repairing it, they cut a deal with him where they would fix it for free if he shared some information with them. Harris said they were working on some .40 caliber upcoming cartridge at the time...

No, these are not "just a converted 9mm"

Now... IF this supposed gunsmith's "fix" was to replace the 32 lb. recoil spring in 40 S&W High Powers with a 17 lb recoil spring from a 9mm... then it's a good idea nobody has fired the pistol since the basement gunsmith genius "fixed" it.

Feel free to call Don Williams about this if you like. Or Jim Garthwaite. You know... REAL gunsmiths who know a thing or two about High Powers.

Yes, every single other 40 HP owner has discovered they need to use more effort with the 40 HP than they need to with a Beretta Nano. Including me - I have three of them; two Standards and one Practical.

FN figured it was cops who would be the primary market for the 40 S&W, while the sporting herd stuck with the 9mm. And presumably, cops with enough strength to put a set of cuffs on somebody would have sufficient hand strength to cycle the slide on a fighting pistol.

If the 40 S&W spring strength annoys you, the 40's are fetching a pretty good price these days now that they're no longer brought in by Browning. So you can sell it and probably make money - but you might want to ensure it has a 40 S&W recoil spring in it first.

Alternately, what a fair number of people do (including me) is have a 9mm barrel fitted to their 40 S&W slide. It's a specialty barrel, as the 9mm High Power has two locking lugs, while the 40 S&W has three (see, not just a "converted 9mm"). Bar-Sto sells three lug 9mm barrels for use in 40 S&W High Powers.

Then you can use a 9mm recoil spring...

One point: it's the newer pistols that have the cast, reinforced frames. All previous HP were forged.

Source: "FN Browning Pistols", 2nd Ed. Anthony Vanderlinden, page 351.

Sir; Please get yourself a copy of Stephen Camps book "The Shooters Guide to the Browning Hi Power".

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John

early post war ... for the monthly high power thread. i tried to resist but if you cant beat em ... join em.