The Browning Hi Power...

The P35 was the first Hi-Cap 9mm.

Kind of hard to find in CA. I got this one a few years back for about $400.00 because someone had fiddled with the hammer, causing it to follow the slide. Was a pretty easy fix -



A MkIII in 40 S&W and now with a 357 Sig barrel -



Uses the same magazines. Plink and practice with the 40 S&W barrel. Learned that 357 Sig is kind of a PITA to reload.

I've heard it said that we buy 1911s for the caliber and BHP for the gun.

The BHP is my favorite handgun of all time. I feel blessed to own two nice specimens, a C-series from 1969 and a 245 series from 1977. I really need to take a family photo of them...

It's the only handgun that feels better in the hand than a K-Frame with target stocks. For me, anyway.

I've owned two FEG copies, and I found those to be just as reliable and finished almost as well as the originals.

My hands are relatively small but the BHP fits my hand like it was made for it. I bought a standard blue model back in 1977 that has been fired quite a bit over the years. It is accurate and extremely reliable. A few years ago I bought an almost new MKIII at an estate auction and decided to give my older one a rest. The MKIII is slightly more accurate which surprised me. It is a bit stronger with an improved slide and is better for hotter ammo. Both are stock except that I removed the magazine safety on both which did improve the trigger pulls. Both are keepers.

I've had two, one of which was a .40 Practical.
Sold both of them.
The 9mm bit my paw, the .40 didn't do anything better than my 1911.

That is a nice one Xfuzz. I've been a fan since the '60s, and have owned I don't know how many. I used to fancy myself a small time, very small time, Hi Power collector. I think I'll aways keep a Hi Power or two, most recently one of the Springfield examples. The SA-35 is the only one I have that does not cause hammer bite bloodshed..

I have a C-series from the mid-70s. Completely stock except I added Browning "mousetrap" magazines. These (and the original mag that came with the gun), help the trigger pull a lot, because of the phosphate (I think) coating. I have some Mec-Gars, but the shiny blue actually drags on the magazine disconnect and makes the pull very gritty. Removing that disconnect would fix that, of course. Trigger is six pounds and very crisp. Not target pistol standards, but a very good real-world service trigger, in my opinion. The "moustrap" magazines have another advantage (besides ejecting out of the gun): They present the round to the chamber at just a little higher angle. I've done some limited testing with +P Critical Duty 135 gr. ammunition in these magazines and it they worked just fine.

As for the sights and safety (two areas where the older models is often criticized): since I've had cataract surgery, I find the sights very precise. The safety took some training, but it's extremely unlikely to ever get rubbed off accidentally, and I'm used to it now.

I don't get bit, fortunately.

I think the High Power's day as a service pistol is over, but it can still do what it always has. It's like having a handy three-inch barreled K-frame, but with 13 shots and a round intermediate between a .38 and a .357!

Mine , don’t know if custom finished or came from Browning as is?

Remember the old articles with a subject line, If you could only have 1 gun........

....... Best I could do was always 10. The list has shifted around a bit as my experiences, knowledge and needs grew.

In the top 5 there has always been a BHP, never with out one. One, enhanced by Nighthawk, is always with me in large urban areas ( which I try to avoid ).
A mint T series is in the bank.

Other ones that reside in the always own one category are, M1 Carbine, Remington 870 ( 2 barrels), K frame 3 " and a J frame snub

I recently picked this 245 series up with the tangent sight, haven’t shot it yet, but it sure is pretty.

BHP vs Model 39-2

Some 4 plus years ago when I acquired a Model 39-2, I decided to hit the range with both, my 1988 BHP and the May 1978 Model 39-2. Same ammo, same range conditions, both offhand at 10 yds.

Both performed admirably per my standards, but I guess I have to give an edge to the M39-2 because a: it was new to me; b: cost more than my old BHP; c: was prettier; d: hey...this is a S&W forum.

The BHP still gets shot and still has that special spot in the safe along with others of JMB design like the Ithaca 1944 1911-A1.

Can't really go wrong with a BHP in my opinion.

ISCS Yoda said:

This is an Israeli "Kareen", a BHP replica:

Click to expand...

murphydog said:

I shot a nice HP remake, the Girsan P35 PI OPS (same dimensions as a "Detective", milled slide for optic). No magazine safety, nice sights, somewhat heavy trigger that is supposed to get better with break-in. I think there is also an alloy frame version.

Click to expand...

I also have a Girsan P35PI OPS. I wanted to try a HP and liked the idea of the Detective length which is an inch shorter.I also really like the beavertail ,I want nothing to do with hammer bite. I had my gunsmith work on the trigger and he reduced it to a smooth 4 lbs 8 ounces measured on my Lyman gage.He also milled the slide and installed a green fiber optic front sight . I like the gun but it is a Lille heavy for concealed carry.
Just don’t expect ANY part’s support from EEA. Their customer support SUCKS !!!!!!!

BLACKHAWKNJ said:

Bought mine in 1967-my first handgun, still have it. Only flaw in the HP design is that since JMB and Dieudonne Saive designed it around the 9MMP it can't be chambered in 45ACP w/o a major re-design and tooling.

Click to expand...

I never have cared for 9mm, hardly ever shoot the one pistol I have in that caliber. I always wanted a BHP, but held off until I found one in .40S&W. It's a tad heavier than the 9mm version, but still lighter than a 1911 in any caliber. I love it, to me it's a perfect meld of gun and caliber.

sodacan said:

I have a 1982 model. I'm not a fan of SAO pistols, and it's the only one I have, but I can't bring myself to sell it.

Click to expand...

Are you worried about carrying a SAO cocked and locked? I never could get used to the long first pull on a DA/SA trigger.

paul s said:

Mine , don’t know if custom finished or came from Browning as is?

Click to expand...

They made a "Silver Chrome" finish, not sure yours is factory because the ones I've seen (and I also have one) have either a black or gold trigger. Here's my .40S&W Silver Chrome, came standard with the Millet sights. Also came with Pachmayr grips, I changed mine to Hogue cocobolo wooden ones.

cmansguns said:

Some 4 plus years ago when I acquired a Model 39-2, I decided to hit the range with both, my 1988 BHP and the May 1978 Model 39-2. Same ammo, same range conditions, both offhand at 10 yds.

Both performed admirably per my standards, but I guess I have to give an edge to the M39-2 because a: it was new to me; b: cost more than my old BHP; c: was prettier; d: hey...this is a S&W forum.

The BHP still gets shot and still has that special spot in the safe along with others of JMB design like the Ithaca 1944 1911-A1.

Can't really go wrong with a BHP in my opinion.

Click to expand...

A 39, blue LW was my very first auto that I sold like a fool.
Back on the bucket list, your's is a nice example!
I'm revamping my daily carry to my MkIII HP over my custom Wilson/Colt Officers because of mag capacity. Just need to run enough of my defensive ammo though first.

Always loved the HP, one of those firearms that just fits perfectly!

I guess I got bit by the Browning Hi-Power bug hard many years ago.
I first bought 2 of the Israeli imported guns from AIM. Both were finish challenged and were perfect base guns for custom guns so I sent them to Novak's for complete custom builds. Both guns now are real gems.
When Browning came out with the Hi-Power in .40 S&W (a caliber I really like), I just had to have one. It took quite a while to finally find one but I was totally disappointed when I did, because the accuracy was absolutely atrocious. The new .40 was also sent off to Novak's for another custom build & upgrade with a new Bar-Sto barrel.
Several years ago I got to purchase a post WWII FN Hi-Power, with a 5 digit serial number, tiny sights, the old internal extractor and right side slide cutout for removing the slide stop shaft, from the estate of an old friend who was a retired Air Force Officer. This gun is apparently one he brought back from one of his tours in Germany, as there are no import marks anywhere. This gun has obviously been shot a bunch and I know it was a favorite of Jacks, so it will be left as is.
Just a couple months ago, while visiting my local tiny fun shop, they had an FEG High Power clone that was in nice shape except that a previous owner had driven the trigger pivot pin out of the frame in the wrong direction and the pin now wanted to walk out when the pistol was fired. I fixed the wandering pin and now the gun is fully functional again.
On my most recent visit, my favorite fun shop had finally gotten in, one of the Springfield Armory SA35's. I am really torn, because I have wanted one of the SA35's since they came out and I REALLY would like to get one now that SA has apparently got the early bugs worked out.
Now my dilemma, I also have been craving one of the new Beretta A300 Ultima Patrol shotguns for an advanced tactical shotgun class next year.
Decisions, decisions.

lawandorder said:

....... Best I could do was always 10. The list has shifted around a bit as my experiences, knowledge and needs grew.

In the top 5 there has always been a BHP, never with out one. One, enhanced by Nighthawk, is always with me in large urban areas ( which I try to avoid ).
A mint T series is in the bank.

Other ones that reside in the always own one category are, M1 Carbine, Remington 870 ( 2 barrels), K frame 3 " and a J frame snub

Click to expand...

All the "T" means is it is a High Power, nothing more
Then it changed to "C"

Hi Power Pistol - Browning

In 1964 the product code for the Hi Power was the letter "T"

I have a 1982 model. I'm not a fan of SAO pistols, and it's the only one I have, but I can't bring myself to sell it.

Click to expand...

Are you worried about carrying a SAO cocked and locked? I never could get used to the long first pull on a DA/SA trigger.

Click to expand...

The essence of the debate about DA versus SA is right there in those two quotes.

I won't own a 1911, even though it's a wonderful pistol, because I can't be bothered with cocked and locked. Alternatively, I love TDA pistols with the long pull for the first round like a revolver.

I have the B-HP pictured above solely as a range gun and for the juvenile reason that I find B-HPs divinely good-looking (remember, I fell in love from a decades ago movie!) and I like the triggers because they are revolver-like.

The Kareen doesn't count in any of those respects. I was just fascinated when I discovered it long ago as a B-HP replica from Israel. That was a sufficiently good reason to have one.

And so it goes.............

ISCS Yoda said:

I won't own a 1911, even though it's a wonderful pistol, because I can't be bothered with cocked and locked.

Click to expand...

Do you own or carry any striker-fired pistols that have an external thumb safety but not an exposed hammer? If so, they are no different in practical operation than a 1911.

You insert a full magazine; you rack the slide to chamber a round and cock the pistol; you flip the thumb safety up. The only difference is that you can see the cocked hammer on the 1911. (or the BHP, for that matter)

Rule3 said:

All the "T" means is it is a High Power, nothing more
Then it changed to "C"

Hi Power Pistol - Browning

In 1964 the product code for the Hi Power was the letter "T"

Click to expand...

True, but they're mostly coveted and desired for their superior fit, finish along with being Belgium made and assembled, they always bring more bearing their condition. The tangent sights with the detachable stock is the most sought after along with actual WWII models. The Renaissance models bring big bucks, but they were limited.