Hello All,

I am intrested in a Tisas Regent BR9 9mm SS Browning Hi-Power Clone. I watched a review of this gun by sootch00 and he advised that Hi Powers were known for "Hammer bite" on people with chubby hands. Does anyone have experience with this gun? I would love to have it but don't want to have to buy a no bite hammer for 80.00. Any info would be useful.

Thanks in advance.

It really depends upon how you grip the pistol and the mass of the web of your hand. The Hi-Power and it's clones with the rowel hammer (ring hammer) are well known to bite the web if it rolls up over the tiny beavertail on the receiver. My hands are not that meaty, so it has not been an issue, but I suggest you put your hands around one before buying.

My LGS finally got one in, unfortunately the price had risen $100 from earlier reviews. The fit and finish were good but the trigger was heavy and gritty, again contrary to reviews. I passed and eventually found a Browning for $100 more. No hammer bite with Hi Powers for me.

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I have loved the Browning High Power since I handled my first one almost 40 years ago. Unfortunately, I am also one of those that suffers from hammer bite within the first second or third rounds fired. I don't have particularly fleshly hands but I do take a very high grip and the back of the hammer pinches the web of my hand. That's what they make Band-aids for. Nonetheless I still love the feel of the High Power and still enjoy shooting them great deal. Definitely one of the classic designs and a true shame that FN/Browning has discontinued manufacture.

As an alternative, look for a CZ 75B SA. It is a single action ie. cocked and locked, ambi safety gun with great ergos. It also has a built in beavertail. I recently purchased one. All of the CZ line are wonderful, well made guns. They stopped making the SA model in 2018 but they are out there.

I have a Hi-Power clone and I have a CZ-75 clone. Personally, and here comes the heresy and I've put on my Nomex fire suit, I prefer my CZ-75 clone. Better trigger, can still carry cocked-and-locked, should a round fail to fire, just pull the trigger in DA mode for a second strike, much better thumb safety, and a beavertail on the frame that eliminates the potential for hammer bite. The only downside to the CZ-75 type pistols is that the slide can be difficult to grasp and rack if your hands are slippery.

I have two Hi Powers, a FN MK II and a Browning MK III. The MK II gets carried very frequently and is possibly my favorite semi. I have never had a problem with hammer bite, but my hands are not chubby. I will add that to my recollection the ring hammer is preferred because it reduces hammer bite; I seem to remember the spur hammer is less preferred. I'd have to google it to be sure, though.

That said, I do love my Tristar copy of the CZ75 Compact. It's not as thin as my Hi Powers, but the ergos are excellent and it can be carried condition 1. I put a Cajun Gun Works spring set in my Tristar and the trigger is better than my much more expensive SIGs and HKs.