Why no downsized Hi-Powers?
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There were chopped HP's built in the 1980s like the ASP conversion of the S&W model 39. Devel and one other whose name escapes me also did the cut down 39 conversion.
Austin Bullert (sp?) was one gunsmith that did a 10 rd cut down frame and slide/barrel
Austin Bullert (sp?) was one gunsmith that did a 10 rd cut down frame and slide/barrel
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Absalom
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
I think the primary historical reasons were that a) the High Power was a European pistol, and b) it was never meant to be anything other than a full-size service pistol.
The civilian market in Europe was and is comparatively limited, and if an agency wanted a more compact Browning-design pistol, there were other choices readily available.
The gazillion different sizes and variants of the 1911 by all kinds of secondary manufacturers in the US were pretty much entirely driven by the large commercial market with many 1911 fans, unique to the US.
I have emailed SA and asked them to build a smaller one. The rest of you might do the same
Probably because in its original configuration it has perfect feel and balance, and no engineer wanted to ruin that. 
BLACKHAWKNJ
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No demand, no custom pistolsmiths in Europe. If say plainsclothesmen wanted a more compact pistol, there was the PPK, the Browning 1910, several others-the M1914 Mauser, e.g. Also to the Europeans the 32 ACP is the police cartridge, the 9MMP is military.
My complaint about the Browning HP-and I have owned one for 55 years-is that since it was designed around the 9MMP , like the S&W M-39, rechambering it for 45 ACP requires a whole new design.
My complaint about the Browning HP-and I have owned one for 55 years-is that since it was designed around the 9MMP , like the S&W M-39, rechambering it for 45 ACP requires a whole new design.
AJ
US Veteran
Austin F. Behlert is who you are thinking of. I have a PPC revolver that he made. Great piece.
I have owned BHPs and once was issued one as a service weapon.
During a physical altercation at night with an arrested Subject we went to the ground with me on the bottom. My pant leg had slipped up exposing my "Backup" in a ankle holster. The Subject reached and took control my my Backup and stood up. I was able to draw my BHP, cock the hammer and fire two shots (unable to see the sights). I missed My target, but it made the Subject run and along His retreat path He dropped My Backup.
Lessons learned: No more single action service weapons and no more ankle holsters.
During a physical altercation at night with an arrested Subject we went to the ground with me on the bottom. My pant leg had slipped up exposing my "Backup" in a ankle holster. The Subject reached and took control my my Backup and stood up. I was able to draw my BHP, cock the hammer and fire two shots (unable to see the sights). I missed My target, but it made the Subject run and along His retreat path He dropped My Backup.
Lessons learned: No more single action service weapons and no more ankle holsters.
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When people start wishing for "like a HP but smaller and lighter, maybe double action", it reminds me of my Browning BDM 9mm (made 1991 to 1998). The Browning BDM, BPM-D, and BRM-DAO were noted for being among the narrowest full-sized 9x19mm pistols ever manufactured (even more narrow than the Browning or FN Herstal Hi-Power models) which made them easier to conceal and to operate by persons with smaller hands. Similar in appearance to Browning's (FN Herstal's P-35 model) "Hi-Power" pistol, the BDM was actually a new 15-round design created to compete in service trials for a proposal as a standard issue pistol for the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). However, the BDM failed to win any large scale law enforcement contracts, so was instead sold only in the retail market. Having a similar profile to the Browning P-35 Hi-Power, the BDM and its variants are often conflated as mere variants of the much older P-35 model, or other newer Browning or FN Herstal pistols that were updated variants of the P-35, such as the Hi-Power DAO model. However, the Browning BDM pistol is distinct from all forms of the Browning Hi-Power pistol. Remember, they were trying to sell them to agencies to replace the issue S&W K-frame revolvers, not to compete with the 1911.
I found the BDM to be very reliable and easy to carry, but no match for the 1911 in USPSA competition shooting. Unfortunately, the magazines look very much like a HI Power magazine, but do not interchange.
I found the BDM to be very reliable and easy to carry, but no match for the 1911 in USPSA competition shooting. Unfortunately, the magazines look very much like a HI Power magazine, but do not interchange.
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OLDSTER
Member
A Hi-Power is a Hi-Power is a Hi-Power. Any none FN factory design change ( examples of FN changes; the .40 cal. internal extractor, thumb print ), and it's no longer a Hi-Power. 
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Absalom
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
A Hi-Power is a Hi-Power is a Hi-Power. Any none FN factory design change ( re; the .40 cal. internal extractor, thumb print ), and it's no longer a Hi-Power.
Actually, a Hi-Power is only a Hi-Power if it is marked Browning Arms Company and it was produced for the American market after about 1950 or so.
If it is marked Fabrique Nationale, it is an High Power.
By the way, all the design changes you listed were original FN factory changes: the thumb depression went away around 1960, the external extractor was introduced a few years later, and both the .30 Luger and .40 S&W variants were also produced as High Powers by FN.
2ndshift
Member
I believe another conversion was made by a company called Trapper Gun possibly.
issue weapon and department policy. A "Concerned Citizen" complained to the Sheriff about "Condition One" carry, so no more "Condition One". The 1911 Officers went to private purchase S&W Model 645/4506.
LoboGunLeather
US Veteran
Yup. Different times, different people, different perceptions. I remember working as a plainclothes investigator carrying a Browning Hi Power cocked & locked in a thumb-break holster back in the 1980s, and other experienced cops having vapor-lock with drizzle dripping down their legs, saying "Do you know your pistol is cocked?".
Fast forward a few years and many of them were happily carrying Glocks with chambers loaded and no second thoughts. Then someone had the brilliant idea to enclose the trigger guards on holsters (something seldom seen prior to about 1990, but "carved in stone thou shalt not deviate in the slightest" today).
As far as the OP's question is concerned, why mess with perfection? The Browning Hi Power has always been very closely comparable to the Colt Commander in overall dimensions and has the most ergonomically correct grip-frame and controls ever applied to a combat pistol. The only issue I ever had with the BHP was the tiny little thumb-safety lever, and that has been corrected very nicely for the past 30 years or so.
The Hi Power remains one of my "must have" handguns. Since retirement I have downsized a lot, many of my firearms going away to the sons and grandkids. The Hi Power will remain with me.
I couldn't have said it better! Well done, sir!
I have a modern FN BHP (Belgium parts, Portugal assembly) and an Israeli replica called a Kareen - I always liked the BHP but I defer to jimmyj - single action pistols are just wrong when carried safely and actually more wrong when carried in Condition 1. YMMV and I know it does.
I agree, but I surely do not carry mine. Too large to conceal and, well, despite its years of good police and military use hammer down doesn't work for me and cocked and locked doesn't either. YMMV again. Fun to shoot, though!
We need pictures:
Grayfox
US Veteran
I'm a big fan of the Hi-Power and currently own 4 versions of it. A Browning MK III, a FEG clone, A Springfield SA-35 and a FM Detective.
The Detective is my favorite and If I were to carry one, that would be it. That slightly shorter slide and barrel makes a world of difference for carry.
As to why there aren't more Detective versions....
Several custom gunsmiths have made Commander sized Hi-Powers over the years. They were labor intensive and quite expensive. They were also prone to have reliability issues.
FM was the only company to produce a reliable compact version of the Hi-Power. However they had to go to a double recoil spring and a full length guide rod to make it work. The guns are sought after by a small niche of Hi-Power fans, but never really took off commercially and sort of died out. Bear in mind that FM was primarily a military contractor making many different rifles and handguns for the Argentine Army. The Detective was sort of a side item.
I'm also hoping Springfield will come out with a Detective version of their SA-35. I have sent them an e-mail requesting it. However, it ain't just a matter of cutting down the slide and barrel. So I'm not holding my breath.
The Detective is my favorite and If I were to carry one, that would be it. That slightly shorter slide and barrel makes a world of difference for carry.
As to why there aren't more Detective versions....
Several custom gunsmiths have made Commander sized Hi-Powers over the years. They were labor intensive and quite expensive. They were also prone to have reliability issues.
FM was the only company to produce a reliable compact version of the Hi-Power. However they had to go to a double recoil spring and a full length guide rod to make it work. The guns are sought after by a small niche of Hi-Power fans, but never really took off commercially and sort of died out. Bear in mind that FM was primarily a military contractor making many different rifles and handguns for the Argentine Army. The Detective was sort of a side item.
I'm also hoping Springfield will come out with a Detective version of their SA-35. I have sent them an e-mail requesting it. However, it ain't just a matter of cutting down the slide and barrel. So I'm not holding my breath.
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Hair Trigger
US Veteran
Tell me the functional difference between a 1911 or BHP in C1, and any loaded striker-fired semiauto. Those are cocked, with a round in the chamber, aren't they? Being able to see the hammer back doesn't make it less safe/any different.
Rlg#17
US Veteran
Cylinder and slide has done some amazing work with the P-35. Expensive, and finicky for sure. Austin Behlert also. Chopped guns aren’t just shortened. There is a lot of other things to figure out!
Springfield would be an excellent company to do it!
Regards, Rick Gibbs
Springfield would be an excellent company to do it!
Regards, Rick Gibbs
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